https://www.michaelhawkinslaw.com/home daily 1.0 2024-10-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d471c7f9b914900017b2548/1633545408278-HLO3J4095W249LXY17C4/Hawkins2020-117.jpg Home Don’t talk, call the Hawk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d471c7f9b914900017b2548/1564966269859-YN4UYW1UHLBIOYTYJYH9/IMG_2103.JPG Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d471c7f9b914900017b2548/1566171450629-E90R7Y5W1CJUA892O1YM/A65A8CBE-7D56-46D8-8476-4E4C62B67BC9.JPG Home https://www.michaelhawkinslaw.com/our-impact daily 0.75 2020-11-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d471c7f9b914900017b2548/1567379234754-83HTJHEMWYZC2AHTQRCK/8ECF2C81-1DA2-49BD-B759-9065F2D841EA.JPG Practice Areas - The Man in the Arena "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d471c7f9b914900017b2548/1565052225662-WHWDPX4CPH9WSECRI5X3/18BC1B4D-339C-40F0-B72C-0F7B05CB3060.JPG Practice Areas https://www.michaelhawkinslaw.com/new-index daily 0.75 2020-03-11 https://www.michaelhawkinslaw.com/about-me daily 0.75 2024-10-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d471c7f9b914900017b2548/1605736750495-3RN68BUD2J4ZX5EM7UM3/Pallasigue2020-9.JPG About Me - … My parents and brothers have been and continue to be a great inspiration. My mom celebrates her 30th year of owning Valley Oak Maytag this year, 2019. My oldest brother has worked to be the man and the face of the family business going forward. They have employed hundreds of people of people along the way; a goal of mine. My dad put his time in with the state of CA, 25 years to be exact, yet continues to educate and be the expert on all things bug and mosquito related. My middle brother has inspired me to fight for better and more, and to pursue and persevere with good intentions. Finally, my non-blood related brother, my best friend since kindergarten has instilled a winning mindset. From then to now, we have pushed each other to achieve personal and professional success. The promise to my clients is also inspired by my prior work experience as a Deputy Public Defender. Since 2008, I was with the office in various capacities: student-worker, legal runner/pro per coordinator, intern, post-bar law clerk, and attorney. For an office that had done so much for me, I know my service to our clients was sufficient enough of a thank you. In that time, I was fortunate enough to meet my legal mentor; and I know without a doubt I would not be the trial lawyer I am today without his guidance. My practice as a trial lawyer is built on: Communication, Trust, Competence, and Empathy. The importance of these four pillars has been instilled within me as a result of my years with the Public Defenders office, years being trained by my mentor, and years being trained by my family. Now, I am invigorated to have my name directly linked to my work as a trial lawyer. My dream fulfilled is to have my name and my reputation on the line everyday for my clients. Hawkins Law is that dream, and I thank all of my clients for helping me achieve that dream. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d471c7f9b914900017b2548/1605736822190-ARQJK7RMC4NYLGUV4ZK6/Pallasigue2020-3.JPG About Me - Inspiration I am inspired by my family. I opened Hawkins Law as a new and first-time father, daughter having just turned 5 months old. While my daughter has been the catalyst to the opening of Hawkins Law, my wife has been all of Earth’s elements in the creation. Jordan needed Pippen, Jobs needed Wozniak, and I have needed her. She has trained me to be a more compassionate and empathetic advocate for my clients, largely influenced by her training and education as a doctoral level marriage and family therapist. My daughter and wife have more than inspired me, they are the answer to the “how” and “why” of Hawkins Law’s creation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d471c7f9b914900017b2548/1605736588183-3J9R19QZIKY533M0UBWJ/Pallasigue2020-11.JPG About Me - Who am I? I was born and raised in Elk Grove, a growing city just south of our state's capitol, Sacramento. Nearly 30 years ago, my Mom opened her appliance business and since then has become affectionally known as the "Maytag Lady." My Dad worked for the State of California as an entomologist, and has become affectionally known as the "Bug Guy." I worked with my two older brother's at our Mom's shop after school, and I started at $1 a job. Not only did my parents teach me the value of hard work, standing by your product and service, but also instilled the need to be active in the community and help others. I was there when my Mom became the first female president of Elk Grove Rotary, and when my Dad led the efforts for the Elk Grove Food Bank. I was there when they were named Co-Citizen's of the Year for Elk Grove. And I was there when Hawkins Park was dedicated to my parents for their years of service to the community. What my parents did in Elk Grove, I will do in San Diego. In 2012, I was admitted to practice law in the State of California and have done so with the largest criminal defense law firm in San Diego, the Public Defender's Office. I have received training and guidance from California's greatest legal minds. From speeding tickets to homicides, I have represented them all. For the last 12 years, I have represented over 4,800 criminal cases. I have the experience of 55 jury trials, and countless motions and preliminary hearings. I will protect you when the system can’t. https://www.michaelhawkinslaw.com/contact-me-1 daily 0.75 2020-05-06 https://www.michaelhawkinslaw.com/contact daily 0.75 2016-08-29 https://www.michaelhawkinslaw.com/join daily 0.75 2019-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56e049e08a65e26059119cd5/1459870151243-UM5MND5R89JE6VXSI8T1/img-07.jpg Join https://www.michaelhawkinslaw.com/terms-of-service daily 0.75 2019-09-02 https://www.michaelhawkinslaw.com/new-page-90 daily 0.75 2020-08-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d471c7f9b914900017b2548/1588893527205-OIKVT243Q246X7IDXXUW/angry Today I had a client - drug sales - good advice Today I had a client and he was charged with possession of drug for sales. Traditionally speaking, drug sales cases are difficult because the person charged is usually combating a drug addiction. The sale of the drugs is only a means to the end, more drugs to feed the addiction. The “War on Drugs,” is antiquated and gradually obsolete; however, the ripple effect continues. The gradual change has been in re-sentencing of drug cases, reclassification of specific drug cases, and greater discretion to the Judge for sentencing (among other amendments). For example, a client who is combatting a drug addiction should be afforded an opportunity to seek treatment. In this case, my client was afforded an opportunity to seek treatment, in lieu of going to jail. However, when I met with him, I learned he had spoken with another attorney and received advice that he should file a motion contesting the stop and search. I explained to my client the 4th Amendment, PC 1538.5, and the related caselaw. I advised my client that if we were to file the motion, we would not be successful, and we would lose the opportunity today to receive treatment (as a plea bargain and indicated by the court). In the last 7 years of my practice I have filed many, many motions challenging the validity of the stop, lawfulness of the search, and other 4th amendment related legal issues. The best advice comes from a source with experience and background in doing “the thing.” Here, “the thing,” was the motion. I advised my client to ignore the bad advice from other counsel, receive my advice today, and resolve the case in favor of treatment. He listened to my advice and was in treatment the following week. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d471c7f9b914900017b2548/1598912269750-P0TFVZIKCT31AXZ660R4/image-asset.jpeg Today I had a client - car accident - COVID edition Let’s set the scene: client was injured in a car accident. She received treatment and is mostly back to normal. At the outset, this may seem relatively simple and straightforward. I must talk with the insurance company, have them compensate my client for her medical bills, lost wages, and any other expenses she may have incurred. The difference – I have been trained by our nation’s best trial attorney family: Nick and Courtney Rowley. A quick Google search will yield results of their multi-million and even billion-dollar verdicts. The justice they have accomplished for their clients and the future harm they have prevented centers on the HUMAN STORY. The injured human, my client. My client is not simply an injured accident victim – she is someone I have come to truly care for and love. I did what I was trained to do. I learned about my client. I learned that she is a mother, wife, and a daughter. On the day of the accident she was in her mother role. Her son was a victim of a criminal attack and he had to testify against the criminal defendant. My client endured a defense attorney and their examination of her son all day. The beating didn’t stop there. As my client left the courthouse in her bright orange Subaru she was smashed from behind. Immediate pain and fear. Lo and behold the first person who contacted her from this accident; insurance! The insurance company is in the business of risk-management. Did that person care about her? Did that person love her? The person know what she did earlier that day? Does that person know the pain she still feels months later? Does that person even care? The answer to all of those questions is no. The answer to all of those questions became a yes when she called me. It is her HUMAN STORY that drove me to fight and claw; to muddy my face with sweat and dirt as I fought in the arena for her. Due to COVID, my client will patiently wait for her day in court. We will have the opportunity to speak with members of our community about what happened to her, and what the insured and then insurance company failed to do. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d471c7f9b914900017b2548/1588893305367-GAYD054YOGCQY5WG3L4X/image-asset.jpeg Today I had a client - didn’t talk, called the Hawk I represented a client charged with drug sales as he rode passenger in a car. My client’s son was also in the car, safely in his carseat in the rear passenger. This prompted the involvement by CPS. In the court one their investigation, CPS attempted to speak with my client about his pending criminal case. What did he do? He didn’t talk, he called The Hawk. As a result, CPS no longer contacted him and was informed to speak with me, his lawyer. Had my client spoken with CPS there would have be negative action taken against him, his son, and his pending criminal case.