H.A. Sala

(661) 322-1708

In This Section

H.A. Sala

                               Areas Of Practice:

  • Major Narcotics Trafficking
  • Homicide
  • Vehicular Manslaughter
  • Driving Under the Influence
  • White Collar Fraud
  • Embezzlement
  • Mortgage Fraud
  • Theft
  • Domestic Violence
  • Assault
  • Battery
  • Conspiracy
  • Three Strikes
  • Gang Cases

Bar Admissions:

California, 1982
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, 1984
     

Certification Specialization:                

Certified Specialist - Criminal Law

The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, (1995 - present)     

Certification as a specialist in criminal law by the California State Bar requires completion of extensive educational and practice components, every five years which includes yearly participation in criminal law seminars and litigation of criminal jury trials. Certification also involves comment by opposing counsel and judges regarding the professional competency of the attorney. Recognition as a certified criminal law specialist requires final review and approval by the Board of Legal Specialization.

Martindale Hubble Peer Review Rating:

AV Preeminent -- H.A. Sala is rated AV Preeminent which is the pinnacle of professional excellence and is earned through a strenuous peer review rating process that is managed and monitored by the world's most trusted legal resource, Martindale-Hubble. It is the highest possible rating in both legal ability, and ethical standards.


Education:

University of California Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, Berkeley, CA, Juris Doctorate (1981)

University of California Davis, Davis, CA,
Bachelor of Arts -- Political Science (1978)

Professional Awards and Affiliations:

Recipient of the prestigious 2014 Bench& Bar Award presented by the Kern County Bar Association for outstanding service to the administration of justice and the legal profession

President, Kern County Bar Association (2010 - 2011)

Favorite Criminal Defense Lawyer 2024, Bakersfield Life Magazine

Best Defense/DUI Lawyer 2023, Bakersfield Life Magazine

Top Attorney 2018, Criminal Defense, Bakersfield Life Magazine

Southern California, Super Lawyers (2018-2024)

Life Member, California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

Life Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Recipient of the Atticus Finch Award in 2011 for outstanding dedication and contribution to criminal justice

Co-founder, Kern County Unity Bar (2023)

Chair, Judicial Appointments Evaluation Committee, Kern County Bar Association (2011-present)

Chair, Oversight Committee, Kern County Bar Association Indigent Defense Program (2011 - 2018)

Co-founder Member, Immigration Justice Collaborative (2016-present)

Director, California State University Bakersfield Foundation Board (2019-2021)

Member, Bakersfield College Pre-Law Advisory Council (2014 - 2018)

Co-founder, Kern County Latino COVID-19 Task Force

Selected "Favorite Attorney" in Bakersfield Life Magazine, Best of Bakersfield 2014

32nd Assembly District Small Business of the Year Award (2018)

California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce - Central Region Business of the Year Award (2019)

Businessman of the Year Award, Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (2007)

President, Kern County Bar Association Criminal Defense Section (2004)

Director, Kern County Bar Association Board of Directors (2008 - 2010)

Member, Kern County Court Liaison Committee (2009 - present)

Director, Kern County Bar Association Charitable Foundation (2011 - 2016)

Member, Kern County Bar Association (1986 - present)

Chair, Racial Equity and Law Committee, African-American Network of Kern County

Recipient, Lifetime Achievement Award, Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee (2024)

Mock Trial Coach - Garces Memorial High School

Lecturer, “Vernon Valenzuela Veterans Justice Program
Kern County Bar Association/ Kern County Veterans Collaborative

Lecturer, "Crawford v. Washington : The Resurrection of the Right to Confrontation"
Kern County Bar Association - Criminal Defense Section

Lecturer, "Litigation of Motions to Traverse and Quash Search Warrants".
Ventura County Defense Bar Association

Lecturer, "Preparing Effective Cross Examination"
Kern County Bar Association

Lecturer, "DSL Sentencing After Cunningham"
The impact of the Cunningham opinion on California Determinate Sentencing Law
Kern County Bar Association

Lecturer, " Ethics and Fair Administration of Justice"
Kern Couty Paralegal Association

Lecturer, "Opening Statements, Cross-Examination & Closing Argument (Trial Practice Institute)
Kern County Bar Association

Lecturer, "Litigating Unlawful Detentions"
Kern County Public Defender's Office

Lecturer, "Conducting Effective Preliminary Hearings"
Kern County Bar Association

Professional Positions:

H.A. Sala, Professional Law Corporation, Criminal Defense Attorney (1986 - present)

Kern County Public Defender, Deputy Public Defender (1983 - 1986)

Northern California Legal Services, Housing Rights Attorney (1982 -1983)

Agricultural Labor Relations Board, Deputy General Counsel (1981 - 1982)

Other Languages:

Spanish