Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Enter legal issue and location

James E. Dunn - Redwood City, CA

620 Jefferson Ave. Redwood City, CA 94063

Super Lawyers®

1

Updated: 11/11/2024

Redwood City Criminal Defense Lawyer

Overview

Over fifteen years ago, Mr. Dunn spoke to a jury for the first time. On behalf of "The People of California" through the Office of the District Attorney for the County of Los Angeles, in the City of Compton, Mr. Dunn asked that jury to convict a young man for domestic violence and brandishing a hand gun. Working as a post graduate law clerk for the L.A. County District Attorney, Mr. Dunn also prosecuted jury trials on charges of theft, drugs, guns, DUI (Driving Under the Influence), and auto burglary. He handled preliminary hearings and motions to suppress evidence on serious and violent felonies. After that initial courtroom experience, Mr. Dunn went on to clerk for the Hardcore Gang Unit in both Compton and at the main courthouse downtown. There he worked under Michael Genelin who developed many of the anti-gang policies, strategies, and tactics used throughout the nation today.

One of the lessons taught by senior Deputy District Attorneys is this: nobody tells you the truth. Witnesses have imperfect memories, victims are impacted by trauma, and police officers and detectives have their own agenda.

Upon completing his clerkship, Mr. Dunn began his private practice, and quickly developed a reputation as an aggressive advocate for his clients. While many attorneys are afraid to go to trial, Mr. Dunn has always loved arguing for his client to a jury of their peers. At this point, Mr. Dunn has tried over eighty jury trials. That's a level of courtroom experiences that very few private attorneys ever achieve.

Although 95%-98% of cases are resolved by settlement negotiations or dismissed on motions, it is still the jury trial that is the centerpiece of the justice system. As the saying goes, the best defense is a good offence. And you have the strongest negotiating position when the other side knows you're ready, willing, and able to lay out the facts to a jury.

When Mr. Dunn began to take on police abuse cases, also known as § 1983 or civil rights cases, he met his good friend and mentor, Michael Marrinan. Mr. Marrinan is a renown civil rights attorney and now on the faculty of the Trial Lawyer's College. Mr. Marrinan introduced Mr. Dunn to the Trial Lawyers College, founded by the greatest living trial lawyer, Gerry Spence.

Mr. Dunn stands by that philosophy in every case that he handles, whether it's a misdemeanor petty theft, a DUI, a sex crime with life-long registration under Penal Code § 290, or a serious or violent felony. It is one of the keys to his success.

Another aspect of Mr. Dunn's successful advocacy is the range of his abilities. Mr. Dunn fights for his clients on every level. He is one of the few trial lawyers who can also bring the fight to the appellate level. Mr. Dunn has won victories on writs and appeals in the Superior Court, at the California Court of Appeals, in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and his most famous decision, Brenner v. DMV((2010) 189 Cal.App.4th 365), was affirmed by the California Supreme Court. Brenner changed the law in favor of the arrested driver, and, thanks to the California Supreme Court's blessing, it is the law of the land in California.

Mr. Dunn furthermore shares his knowledge with other attorneys through Mandatory Continuing Education of the Bar presentations for the California DUI Lawyers Association. Mr. Dunn has also been honored by the California DUI Lawyers Association as a "Specialist Member" of the organization.

Mr. Dunn is admitted to practice in all courts in the state of California, the United States District Courts for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, the National Police Accountability Project, he attended the National College for DUI Defense in 2005 held on the campus of Harvard University, and is a Specialist Member of the California DUI Lawyers Association.

About James E. Dunn

Practice Areas

  • Criminal Defense
  • DUI

Current Employment Position(s)

  • Senior Trial Attorney

Qualifications

Bar Admissions

  • California
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit

Other Affiliations

  • California DUI Lawyers Association (Board of Directors)
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Member)
  • California Attorneys for Criminal Justice (Member)

Past Positions

  • L.A. County District Attorney, Law Clerk
  • Hardcore Gang Unit, Clerk

Pro Bono Activities

  • National Police Accountability Project, Member

Classes and Seminars

  • Mandatory Continuing Education of the Bar presentations for the California DUI Lawyers Association

Achievements

Other Sources of Feedback About James E. Dunn

Included on the 2024 Northern California Super Lawyers list


Past Lists

  • 2023 Northern California Super Lawyers list
  • 2022 Northern California Super Lawyers list
  • 2021 Northern California Super Lawyers list
  • 2020 Northern California Super Lawyers list
  • 2019 Northern California Super Lawyers list

View the profile for James E. Dunn on Super Lawyers

Honors

  • Honored by the California DUI Lawyers Association as a “Specialist Member” of the organization
  • 10.0 “Superb” rating on Avvo

Photo

Office Information

Address

620 Jefferson Ave. Redwood City, CA 94063

Accepts Credit Cards

Yes

Publication

Representative Cases

  • Brenner v. DMV((2010) 189 Cal.App.4th 365

When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.

Write Your Review

Fields marked with an * are required

1. Rating

Overall rating

How would you rate your overall experience with this lawyer?

Use the up and down arrows to increase or decrease the rating

Please Rate
Optional ratings
Value
Please Rate
Quality Of Service
Please Rate
Professional Competence
Please Rate

2. Review

Please share your opinion of working with this attorney. Do not reveal personal information or details about your case. All submitted reviews are shared with the attorney prior to publishing.

Your feedback must be at least 50 characters.Your review must be at least 50 characters
I would recommend this attorney to friends and family:

3. Verification

Keep my name anonymous from public view:
Customer Type
Please choose one

Unable to send request

By submitting this form you agree to receive email communications from FindLaw related to the management of your review.

Privacy Statement Contact Lawyer FAQ

Call us at 650-274-2371

Fields marked with an * are required

Preferred contact method
Unable to send request
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this web site is intended to convey general information. It should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. It is not an offer to represent you, nor is it intended to create an attorney-client relationship. The use of the internet or this contact form for communication is not necessarily a secure environment. Contacting a lawyer or law firm email through this service will not create an attorney-client relationship, and information will not necessarily be treated as privileged or confidential.

Firm Address

Google Map
620 Jefferson Ave. Redwood City, CA 94063

Find a Lawyer

More Options