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Michael J. Markowitz - Danville, CA
630 San Ramon Valley BoulevardSuite 100 Danville, CA 94526
Gagen, McCoy, McMahon, Koss, Markowitz & Fanucci
Danville Criminal Defense Lawyer
Overview
After several years cutting his teeth as a criminal prosecutor, attorney Michael J. Markowitz joined Bill Gagen in private practice in 1985, forming the cornerstone of one of the region's most formidable criminal defense teams. With his unique mix of diplomacy and doggedness, Mr. Markowitz has amassed an excellent track record of success in and out of the courtroom...
After several years cutting his teeth as a criminal prosecutor, attorney Michael J. Markowitz joined Bill Gagen in private practice in 1985, forming the cornerstone of one of the region's most formidable criminal defense teams. With his unique mix of diplomacy and doggedness, Mr. Markowitz has amassed an excellent track record of success in and out of the courtroom...
After several years cutting his teeth as a criminal prosecutor, attorney Michael J. Markowitz joined Bill Gagen in private practice in 1985, forming the cornerstone of one of the region's most formidable criminal defense teams. With his unique mix of diplomacy and doggedness, Mr. Markowitz has amassed an excellent track record of success in and out of the courtroom.
Certified by the State Bar as a criminal law specialist since 1992, Mr. Markowitz has tried dozens of cases and handled virtually every type of criminal matter, including DUIs, assault, drug sales, corporate fraud, rape and murder. His approach is to jump into a case early, investigate and mitigate, utilizing the top investigators and experts to counter the one-sided police reports and level the playing field. His approach has earned him the loyalty of his clients and the respect of his peers. Mr. Markowitz was selected for inclusion in California Super Lawyers in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, a designation reserved for just five percent of the attorneys in the state.
Friendly and forthright, Mr. Markowitz is liked and trusted by juries, judges and fellow lawyers. Yet when it comes to protecting his clients' rights, he won't hesitate to take the unpopular position, even when it means waging war on police and prosecutors. He will find and expose police error, prosecutorial misconduct and procedural mistakes. Through an active motions practice, he has great success in suppressing evidence, leveraging his negotiating position and having counts and cases dismissed. He will not tolerate unfair tactics by the government. In 2009 he moved to recuse the entire Contra Costa District Attorney's office as biased against his client and fought for sanctions against the prosecutor for his misconduct in the case. While recognizing that settling a case may often be in a client's best interest, he has the insight and experience to know when it's time to take the fight to trial or seek justice on appeal.
About Michael J. Markowitz
Practice Areas
- Criminal Defense
- Juvenile Law
- Juvenile Defense
- Litigation
Litigation
- 100%
Current Employment Position(s)
- Shareholder
Qualifications
Bar Admissions
- California, 1982
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court Northern District of California
Specialties and Certifications
- Certified by the State Bar as a criminal law specialist since 1992
Other Affiliations
- Alameda - Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association (Member)
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America (Member)
- California Trial Lawyers Association (Member)
- American Bar Association (Member)
- Alameda-Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association, 1991 - 1992 (Recording Secretary)
- Judge Pro Tempore in the Juvenile Division of the Contra Costa Superior Court
- Arbitrator and Mediator, Contra Costa County Superior Court
- Contra Costa County Bar Association (Board President, 2000)
- Alameda-Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association (Board President, 1993)
- Contra Costa County Conference of Delegates
- Contra Costa County Judicial Evaluation Committee, 2000 - 2004
- Contra Costa Bench-Bar Committee
- California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- California Public Defenders Association
- Robert G. McGrath American Inn of Court
- Criminal Conflict Program of the Contra Costa County Bar Association (Chair)
Education
- Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, California, 1982
J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence - State University of New York, Brockport, New York, 1973
B.A., Bachelor of Arts
Major: American History
Past Positions
- Janet Reno
- Florida’s Attorney General, Paralegal
- Contra Costa County District Attorney, Deputy District attorney, 1982 - 1985
Pro Bono Activities
- Member , Board of Directors, The Kennedy-King Memorial College Scholarship Fund, Ltd., 2011 - Present
Achievements
Other Sources of Feedback About Michael J. Markowitz
Included on the 2018 Northern California list
Past Lists
- 2017 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2015 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2014 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2013 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2010 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2009 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2008 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2007 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2006 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2005 Northern California Super Lawyers list
Honors
- Received AV Preeminent Rating From Martindale-Hubbell
- Selected as 2013 Northern California Super Lawyers
- Selected as 2010 Northern California Super Lawyers
- Selected as 2009 Northern California Super Lawyers
- Selected as 2008 Northern California Super Lawyers
- Selected as 2007 Northern California Super Lawyers
- Selected as 2006 Northern California Super Lawyers
- Selected as 2005 Northern California Super Lawyers
- Selected for inclusion in California Super Lawyers in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010
Office Information
Address
630 San Ramon Valley BoulevardSuite 100 Danville, CA 94526
Phone
Fax
- (925) 838-5985
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Office Hours
Monday-Friday: 8:00am - 5:30pm, Saturday-Sunday: Closed
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