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Sam J. Polverino has been named by Northern California Super Lawyers magazine four consecutive years (2009 – 2017) as one of the premier attorneys in the practice of criminal defense. He has been listed in Martindale‑Hubbell's Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers for over 30 years and has been a California State Bar Certified Specialist in Criminal Law for over 30 years. He earned an AV Preeminent Rating of 5.0, an AVVO rating of 10.0 Superb, and is a Past President of the Santa Clara County Bar Association. A graduate of USF School of Law with an undergraduate degree from University of Santa Clara, Mr. Polverino has been successfully defending clients for over 40 years who have been accused of homicides, sexual assault allegations, serious felonies, and misdemeanors in state and federal courts. He has handled thousands of cases in both the state and federal courts. He is skilled at legal strategy, effective with defense advocacy, respected by his peers, and works zealously for his clients.

 

In 1988, Sam J. Polverino and Edward J. Davila opened Davila & Polverino, a law firm that specialized in criminal defense. Years later Mr. Davila left the firm to become a judge; he is now a member of the Federal District Court bench. Mr. Polverino continued to operate the law firm. Before starting in private practice Mr. Polverino served as a Senior Trial Attorney with the Santa Clara County Public Defender's Office for seven years. He obtain his undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University and his law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law. He also served in the United States Army.

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Mr. Polverino is a former President of the Santa Clara County Bar Association.

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PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION:

• Super Lawyer (2009 to present) [Super Lawyers of Northern California]

• California State Bar Certified Specialist - 20 years. This certification is by the State Bar of California Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers (40+ years) from Martindale-Hubbell

• Editorial Board (1986-1987) California Lawyer Magazine

• Unsung Hero Award (2005) from Santa Clara County Bar Association Minority Access Committee

 

BAR ADMISSIONS:

California State Bar 
United State Supreme Court 
Federal District Court United States Court of Appeal - 9th Circuit

 

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:

Member- California DUI Lawyers Association (2014 to present)
Member- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2007 to present) 
Member- California Attorneys for Criminal Justice (1988 to present) 
President- Barrister's Club of Santa Clara County Bar (1987) 
Member- California Public Defenders Association (1981 to present) 
Member- Board of Trustees Santa Clara County Bar Association (1987-1994) 
President-Elect- Santa Clara County Bar Association (1992) 
Secretary- Santa Clara County Bar Association ( 1991) 
President- Santa Clara County Bar Association (1993)
 

INSTRUCTOR/FACULTY ASSOCIATIONS:

Instructor- Stanford University School of Law, Trial Skills Program (1994 to present) 
Instructor- University of San Francisco School of Law, Intensive Advocacy Program (1992 to 1995) 
Instructor- Trial Techniques Santa Clara University School of Law (1986-1991) 
Instructor- Laying Evidentiary Foundation (1992, 1994, 1995) CEB Skills Workshop

 

PUBLICATIONS

Practitioner Contributor- Black's Law Dictionary, Tenth Edition, 2014

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With a skilled and knowledgeable lawyer by your side, you can trust that Sam J. Polverino will help you achieve the best possible outcome. If you have any questions about the criminal law process or wish to speak to someone about your case, contact the firm.