Roland Soltesz - Salinas, CA

Attorney Roland Soltesz joined our firm in 2017, after a distinguished career in public service, and a very short-lived retirement. A seasoned courtroom veteran, Mr. Soltesz is one of the few lawyers on the Central Coast qualified to handle death penalty cases and has tried over a hundred cases to a jury verdict since being admitted to the California State Bar in 2003.

With a larger-than-life personality, booming voice, and a sense of humor, Roland has disarmed his opponents and convinced jurors to see past some of the most serious accusations made against his clients, achieving dismissals and acquittals in cases such as murder, attempted murder, rape, child molestation, gang crimes, kidnapping, robbery, burglary, drug sales, fraud, and DUIs, to name a few. His witty cross-examination and closing argument transcripts to this day remain an instructional material for young attorneys and interns at the Public Defender’s Office, much to his delight.

Prior to starting his career in law, Mr. Soltesz rose from humble beginnings as a son of a Hungarian immigrant and hairdresser. Born in Buffalo, New York, he moved to California with his parents as a child, and has worked his way through college and law school, first as an auto-mechanic, and later a financial consultant, ultimately leaving the Wells Fargo Securities at the rank of Vice President, to pursue a career in law.

A graduate of San Joaquin College of Law, Roland pursued a career in public service until his retirement in 2017. In addition to his work as a public defender, Mr. Soltesz was also busy as a Planning Commissioner for the city of Visalia, and a beloved soccer coach and President of Visalia Galaxy Soccer Club.

Mr. Soltesz and Mr. Pernik share a personal and professional connection that dates back over almost two decades. The pair met as public defenders in the County of Tulare and soon bonded over their shared interests in trial practice and creative litigation. To this day, Mr. Pernik credits Mr. Soltesz as one of his early mentors, whose unique trial skill set and creative personality have influenced him greatly in his professional development.

Together, Mr. Pernik and Mr. Soltesz work as a team of formidable defense advocates on selected cases of interest to the firm.