SANGER, HANLEY, SANGER & AVILA
A LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP
Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Maria, CA
Members of the Firm
MEMBERS
Robert M. Sanger
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Partner, Civil and Criminal Litigation
Robert M. Sanger, partner in the firm, is an experienced trial lawyer who has practiced in Santa Barbara since 1973. Mr. Sanger is a Certified Criminal Law Specialist, certified by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Mr. Sanger has tried a number of high profile...
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Michael W. Hanley
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Partner, Criminal Litigation
Michael W. Hanley is a partner practicing criminal litigation with the firm. He is a seasoned trial lawyer with 29 years of criminal litigation experience. He has a reputation for zealous advocacy in the advancement of his clients’ causes. Mr. Hanley has successfully represented thousands of persons accused of crimes and has vast experience favorably settling cases...
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Sarah S. Sanger
Partner, Civil and Criminal Appeals and Writs
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Sarah Sanger is a partner in civil and criminal appeals and writs with the firm working on criminal defense matters in both the state and federal courts primarily involving capital cases.
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Ms. Sanger graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Philosophy. She attended the...
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Miguel A. Avila
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Partner, Civil Litigation
Miguel A. Avila is a partner with the firm working on civil, administrative and restraining order matters.
Mr. Avila graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a degree in Chicana/o Studies and Sociology. He obtained his law...
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Joakim Tan
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Criminal Litigation Attorney
Joakim Tan is an established criminal defense attorney with decades of trial experience. Mr. Tan gained extensive experience in felony and misdemeanor litigation while a prosecutor in Texas and Maryland. For the last 15 years, he has been engaged in criminal defense work in Santa Barbara. He is a member of the Santa Barbara Defenders Association and California Attorneys for Criminal Justice.
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Jessica Talavera
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Post-Bar Law Clerk
Ms. Talavera is a post-bar law clerk with the firm. She first joined as a Discovery Review Intern from 2019 to 2021 while completing her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She earned a B.A. in Sociology and Philosophy with an emphasis in Philosophy.
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Jake Swanson
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Firm Manager / Senior Legal Assistant
Jake Swanson has been with the firm for over a decade and works with the attorneys on criminal and civil litigation matters. He also manages the day-to-day administrative operations of the firm.
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Mr. Swanson graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Environmental Studies and a minor on Global Peace and Security.
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Sofia Clifford
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Legal Assistant
Sofia Clifford works with the attorneys on criminal and civil litigation matters. She first joined the firm as a part-time legal assistant while completing her undergraduate degree.
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Ms. Clifford graduated cum laude from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a minor in Spanish.
Michelle Bao​
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Paralegal
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Michelle Bao works with the attorneys on criminal and civil litigation matters. She first joined the fim in 2023 as a part-time legal assistant while completing her undergraduate degree.
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Ms. Bao graduated summa cum laude from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Ms. Bao volunteers with and coaches local high school mock trial and is in the process of applying to law school.
Frank J. Ochoa
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Of Counsel
The Honorable Frank J. Ochoa (Ret.) is Of Counsel to Sanger, Hanley, Sanger & Avila, LLP. He retired after 32 years on the Santa Barbara trial court bench in 2015. He has an active arbitration and mediation practice, and takes selective civil and criminal cases in his return to practice as a lawyer...
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