MEMBERS OF THE FIRM

MEMBERS

Robert M. Sanger

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...

Michael W. Hanley

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...

Sarah S. Sanger

Partner, Civil and Criminal Appeals and Writs

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.

Ms. Sanger graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Philosophy. She attended the...

Miguel A. Avila

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...

Jake Swanson

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.

Mr. Swanson graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Environmental Studies and a minor on Global Peace and Security.

Joakim Tan

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.

Michelle Kuperman

Legal Assistant

Michelle Kuperman works with the attorneys on criminal and civil litigation matters.

Ms. Kuperman graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with degrees in Communication and Sociology.

Frank J. Ochoa

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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