Will Morehead

I specialize in criminal defense. I have handled, from both sides of the courtroom, over 1,000 criminal cases, ranging from misdemeanors to homicide.

I use my extensive knowledge of criminal law practice and procedure to be an effective litigator and advocate. I have achieved a complete dismissal in approximately half of the cases I have handled as a private defense lawyer.

I am an experienced trial lawyer. I have tried over 25 cases to verdict and I have never lost a felony trial.

I served as a prosecutor in Los Angeles County and Marin County between 2010 and 2017. I was promoted to the felony trial team just one year after joining the Marin County District Attorney’s Office. As a Deputy District Attorney, not only did I gain experience handling every kind of criminal case, I also had an insider’s perspective into how the prosecution analyzes and approaches cases.

Since 2016, I have been certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Criminal Law Specialist. A board-certified Criminal Law Specialist is an attorney who has been recognized by the California State Bar as having demonstrated superior education, expertise, and performance in criminal law practice. While many attorneys practice criminal law, only around 325 out of the 190,000 active-status California-licensed attorneys have been certified by the State Bar as a Criminal Law Specialist.

In addition to running my law practice, I am an adjunct law professor at Golden Gate University School of Law. I teach second- and third-year law school courses in criminal law, evidence, and trial practice.

I received my law degree, cum laude, from Harvard Law School and my undergraduate degree, with distinction and with honors, from Stanford University.

I have practiced law as a California-licensed attorney since 2004. I am admitted to practice law in all trial and appellate courts in the State of California, and in the United States District Courts for the Northern District and Central District of California.

My Approach

Though each criminal case is different, I bring the following approach to achieve the client’s goals:

• Spot the issues. As a Criminal Law Specialist, I know how the developments, nuances, and ambiguities in the law can best serve my clients. To win against the government’s resources, a defendant needs a criminal law expert who can recognize and seize every opportunity arising during the courtroom chess game.
• Approach every case as if it’s going to trial. The best way to achieve an excellent outcome is to put together a powerful and compelling defense. This requires investigation, legal research, and preparation. The result is a weakened government case and a better outcome for the defendant.
• Control the pace. Case tempo can be a powerful force in any criminal case. Some cases call for swift movement to quickly overwhelm the flaws in the prosecution’s case. Other cases require patience and waiting for the precise time to strike. In every case I handle, I set the optimal tempo with a case strategy to match. As the case progresses towards our goal, I control the flow and timing for the client’s maximum benefit and to prosecution’s disadvantage.
• Provide a full suite of services. I am a one-stop shop. Some cases need a diligent investigator, turning over every stone. Some cases need a forensic expert, providing additional insight regarding how the evidence presents reasonable doubt. Some cases need mental health evaluation and counseling for the client. Whatever and whoever is needed to achieve the desired result, I have connections to the best investigators, experts, and counselors to help get the job done.
• Collaborate and communicate with clients. I appreciate how stressful a criminal case can be, and I make myself readily available for honest appraisals and straight, easy-to-comprehend answers. One of my most important jobs is to minimize the client’s anxiety with clear communication. I also believe my client is the best “second chair” for the defense. A defendant has critical case information which no one else has. During the course of a case, I frequently review evidence and issues with my client. In this way, I optimize my advantage over the prosecution of asymmetrical information.
• Wear down the opposition. Most prosecutors are overworked and have a limited amount of time to devote to each of their many assigned cases. My approach exploits the government attorney’s limited time and attention by engaging in aggressive litigation and motion practice to open up opportunities and find leverage.
• Present the client in the best light. I believe that a criminal case often reflects a good person having a bad day. Prosecutors and judges want to put away “one of the bad guys,” not a decent person who deserves a second chance. The key to getting a better result sometimes comes down to presenting the complete picture of the person the client is, beyond the prosecution’s allegations.

By employing these strategies, I have helped numerous clients protect their future. Contact me today for a free confidential consultation about your criminal law case.