DON’T APPLY IF? You are looking for an easy boring job.
PART-TIME POSITION:
Do you like going to court? Negotiating and arguing points of law against the district attorney? Holding the government accountable for their police actions? Then this might be the place for you. Part of what makes us different and why a “citizen accused” of a crime wants to have us on their side is our deep understanding of the dui laws and more importantly the faulty science behind those laws. We have a strong client communication policy and a strong desire to win.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES?
Talking with new potential clients? You will need to be able to have empathy and compassion while you listen to a person’s legal troubles. We know that when a good hard working person catches a dui charge it is usually the only time they have ever faced a criminal charge in their life.
GOING TO COURT? You must be a people person and like going to court. Every time you step in the courthouse you represent the SILVA LAW brand. You will always be prompt, prepared, and represent our clients with zeal and vigor. You might attend court for a quick and easy arraignment, or you might attend court on what is called a pre-trial where you will negotiate with the district attorney on the strength and weaknesses of the case. You might be conducting a motion to suppress, or preparing for a jury trial as 2nd chair.
Prior to court you will review the file and devise a plan with the senior attorney. Together, we will devise a case strategy. During these court visits you might have to request additional discovery, or you might have to pick up discovery from the district attorney’s office.
After court you will update and make notes to the hard file, review the file with the attorney Patrick Silva, and give the hard file to one of the 2 legal secretaries. Some weeks you might only go to court once while other weeks you will appear in court 4-5 times.
MOTION PRACTICE: When we spot a questionable stop, a 4th Amendment violation, or know the case will be going to trial, we will file a motion to suppress under penal code 1538.5. This is where you will develop your lawyering skills on cross examination, theme choice, motion preparation, and oral advocacy.
JURY TRIAL WORK: You will help prep and sit 2nd chair. After covid, it has been a lot harder to get a case to go to trial. This year we had 4 cases that were prepped and ready to start trial. However, all 4 settled because the offer the DA made was too irresistible for my client not to take, or the case was outright dismissed.
CLIENT INTERACTION: You will be expected to give phone updates to our clients and meet with them during office conferences to discuss their case.
WHO WILL YOU INTERACT WITH AT THE FIRM: We have Patrick Silva who founded the firm and focuses his practice on dui defense. We also have attorney Meagan Silva, daughter to Patrick, who solely focuses on estate planning. Celene Gaston is an associate attorney who helps Mr. Silva with his dui case load. Our long time legal secretaries are Arlene and Jessica and have been with Silva Law for 18 years. We also have a contract attorney for motion writing and an attorney who handles some of our DMV hearings as well as handling our Orange County and L.A. County docket.
WHO WILL YOU REPORT TO? Mr. Silva has over 20 years of high level softball and baseball coaching. At one time he owned Hitter’s Choice Indoor Batting Cages for over 10 years. His role is one of a teacher/coach, you will report to Mr. Silva, but have support from Celene, Meagan, Jessica, and Arlene.
ROLE REQUIREMENTS: You will need to be able to effectively negotiate with the district attorney and eventually handle a case from start to finish. (see above)
CAN I APPLY IF I AM A NEW ATTORNEY? Yes,
SOFTWARE: We are moving towards being a high tech firm. We utilize MyCase as our main CRM.
CORE VALUES: Approach each case with 3 questions: How can we beat it? If we can’t beat it, then how can we reduce it, and if we can’t reduce it, then we how can we keep you out of jail.
COMPANY DIFFERENTIATORS
What is unique about our firm? We are laser focused on dui defense and dui knowledge. Mr. Silva is recognized as a leader amongst his peers. He has spoken at the annual California DUI Lawyers Association and other seminars.
WHAT IS THE PERSONALITY of our law firm brand? We are a “no drama” firm. stay off your cell phone, get the work done, strive to do your best on each case, and go home at the end of the day feeling like you made a difference in somebody’s life.
PAY RATE: PART-TIME $50 AN HOUR. AND MILAGE REIMBURSEMENT