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“Tess is a hard working, highly organized professional. Her understanding of the field is unsurpassed and her ability to work with clients is superb. I would hire Tess for every case if I could.”

–Edwin Vargas, Esq.

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Tess 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.

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 (non-voting member)
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
American Bar Association - Associate Member

530 Alameda Del Prado #170, Novato, CA 94949
Phone (415) 408-8799 Fax (415) 532-3215