About Us

Mr. Rubenstein has practiced criminal law for thirty years, with over fifty trials to jury verdict. He received his law degree from Empire Law school and his Ph.D. in philosophy from New York University. Mr. Rubenstein published an article in Nature and System on “A Neuro – Electromagnetic Model of Observational Consciousness,” taught Bioethics, and formed a bioethics committee for the state of California. Mr. Rubenstein is the criminal law section representative for the Sonoma County Bar Association (SCBA) and serves on the SCBA education committee. He is a former member of the SCBA Judicial Evaluation Committee..

Our Philosophy
It is critical to choose an attorney who will vigorously protect your rights and who will honestly assess your case to determine the best possible resolution. Walter not only listens to the facts of the case but also takes into account the specific needs of each client. Your situation is unique and your personality, temperament, and desires are taken into account when determining the best course of action.
Thorough preparation is vital to a successful criminal defense and we prepare each case as if it will go to trial. Being fully prepared early in the process strengthens our position in negotiations and often leads to a proper disposition of the case without going to trial. In those times when a trial is necessary, Mr. Rubenstein relies on a network of professionals that includes investigators, expert witnesses, and legal research specialists to establish a defense team specifically tailored to your case to mount the most vigorous and aggressive defense possible.

Quote from Mr. Rubenstein
“I feel truly fortunate for what I do . . . I’m able to help people get through a difficult time . . . when necessary I get to fight for my client at trial. I embrace the opportunity to go to trial. I don’t walk away from that fight.”

Education
J.D., Empire College of the Law, Santa Rosa, CA
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PhD, Philosophy, New York University, New York, NY
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B.A, Philosophy, Queens College, New York, NY

Elsa

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive experience in human services
• Ability to interact with diverse groups of people
• Bilingual and bicultural (Spanish/English)
• Organized worker committed to problem resolution

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Literature and Culture,
Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA.  1995.

Certificate of Completion in Legal Court Interpretation (Spanish/English),
San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA.  2001.

Certificate of Completion in Advanced Court Interpreting,
Monterey Institute of International Studies, Monterey, CA. 2002

EXPERIENCE

Qualified Court Interpreter,
Sonoma County Hall of Justice, Santa Rosa, CA.
2000 – 2012.

• Interpret testimony, instructions, and conversations for Spanish-speaking plaintiffs and defendants in County, Family and Juvenile Courts
• Interpret in conferences between client and attorney prior to court hearings
• Advise Spanish-speaking parties in court hearings of their rights
• Provide sight and written translation of legal documents
• Perform  jail interviews supervised by defense attorneys

Legal Assistant,
Law Office of Walter Rubenstein, Santa Rosa, CA.
2005 – Present.

• Meet and interview Spanish-speaking clientele for intake procedure
• Inform Spanish-speaking clients of their rights under the supervision of attorney
• Complete written translations for legal documents
• Draft correspondence and other documents, such as statements that may be used as evidence in court
• Skilled in meeting deadlines and preparing legal documents
• Proficient in Word and Outlook/Competent in Excel

Qualified Court Interpreter,
Napa County Hall of Justice, Napa, CA.
2002 – 2004.

• Provided similar duties as at Sonoma County Hall of Justice

Medical Assistant
Planned Parenthood, Rohnert Park, CA.
1995 – 1999.

• Assisted doctors and nurses in performing intakes, patient’s vital signs, and minor medical procedures
• Functioned as HIV Counselor through Sutter Hospital
• Acted as Teen Counselor in Teen Clinic
• Possess certification and expertise as a Phlebotomist

Bianca Vanesa Garcia

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Bianca Garcia is a third-year law student at Empire College School of Law who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from UCLA in 2019 and recently obtained a Master of Legal Studies in 2021 from Empire College School of Law.
• Bianca Garcia is currently working on her Juris Doctorate and recently earned a scholarship from the Sonoma County Women in Law Association for her work giving back to the community.
• Bianca Garcia comes from a diverse bilingual and bicultural background that allows her to give back to the community and work with clients to solve their legal issues with accurate and fair representation as a Certified Law Clerk under the supervision of Walter Rubenstein.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, Chicano Studies
UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 09/2015-06/2019
Minors: Spanish and American Indian Studies

J.D.
Empire College School of Law, Santa Rosa, CA 10/2019-present

EXPERIENCE

Law Office of Walter Rubenstein, Santa Rosa, CA.
June 2021 – Present.

Bilingual Case Worker
ISOCARE, Santa Rosa, CA
08/2020- 03/2021

• Support clients through period of isolation/quarantine while dealing with COVID
• Assist clients in learning how to keep their family and community safe
• Help ensure client doesn’t contribute to COVID-19 spread
• Help clients with problem solving as well as emotional support and assistance in accessing community resources when struggling
• Support team members in problem solving with difficult situations and providing emotional support as a group

Assistant Client’s Right Advocate
Office of Client’s Rights Advocacy, Santa Rosa, CA
07/2019-12/2019

• Provided the initial response to requests for assistance
• Processed intakes and discussed cases with attorney
• Determined appropriateness of advocacy
• Provided information and referrals to those that did not qualify for representation or service by Client’s Right Advocate
• Drafted and assembled legal documents as well as letters
• Translated Spanish legal documents, emails and closed letters that were in English

HR Front Desk Receptionist
UCLA Anderson School of Management, Los Angeles, CA
10/2017-06/2019

• Account maintenance
• Confidential human resource document processing
• Completed and responded to employment verifications
• Registered new hires
• Scheduled employment applicants
• Maintained up to date records of new hires and past hires

Intern
Department of Protection Mexican Consulate, Sacramento, CA
01/2019-03/2019

• Dealt with confidential cases
• Assisted migrants who needed aid
• Helped prepare in Spanish court summons from Mexico
• Aided migrants in obtaining proper documentation
• Assisted in the transfer of remains from US to Mexico
• Kept files up to date of unaccompanied minors navigating through the legal system