Tess Lopez has over 20 years experience in federal sentencing.   She specializes in obtaining the lowest possible sentence by teaming with defense counsel to develop a strategy to provide the court with the most favorable sentencing alternatives.

Ms. Lopez is a former U.S. Probation Officer for the Northern District of California who specialized in the preparation of presentence reports for 13 years. In 2005, she took her expertise in federal sentencing to the private sector and is self-employed as a sentencing mitigation specialist with a national practice. As a former U.S. Probation Officer, she offers unique insight into the sentencing process and provides a comprehensive knowledge base as a sentencing advocate. Ms. Lopez is current in relevant case decisions which affect federal sentencing.

Ms. Lopez is a member of the Practitioners’ Advisory Group to the U.S. Sentencing Commission.   Additionally, she is Co-chair of the ABA’s Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution and Restorative Justice.   Ms. Lopez is a requested speaker at annual conferences and has published several articles relating to federal sentencing.

She has expertise in the following areas:

  • Familiarity in negotiating plea agreements, setting the structure and format for the lowest possible sentence
  • Expertise with federal sentencing guidelines and familiarity with current case decisions
  • Technical analysis of complex sentencing issues
  • Up to date interpretation of sentencing factors utilizing most recent case law
  • Exhaustive investigation into relevant sentencing issues and thorough examination of all factors that warrant a sentence below the guideline range.
  • Experienced in recognizing need/benefit of psychological/medical/substance abuse evaluation
  • Researches and develops creative and credible alternatives to incarceration

Education and Professional Affiliations:

  • Education: Sonoma State University, B.S., 1990
  • Professional Affiliations:
  • United States Sentencing Commission – Practitioners’ Advisory Group
  • American Bar Association – Co-chair Alternative Dispute Resolution and Restorative Justice Committee
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
530 Alameda Del Prado #170, Novato, CA 94949
Phone (415) 408-8799 Fax (415) 532-3215 | Contact Info

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