ATTORNEY PROFILE
Attorney Paula Drake grew up in Southern California and attended UCLA as an undergraduate. She graduated cum laude with a BA in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Law in 1977; at the same time she received a Teaching Credential from the Graduate School of Education. Ms. Drake taught school in Orange County for five years, and also received a Bilingual Cross-cultural Specialist Credential from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF).
She then started law school at Western State University, Fullerton. After receiving numerous honors and awards (including Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, three American Jurisprudence awards, Executive Editor of the Law Review), Ms. Drake graduated with honors and with two published law review articles. While in law school, she worked for various firms and was a certified law clerk for the Orange County District Attorney and then for the Orange County Public Defender.
Ms. Drake began her career as an attorney in 1986 as a Deputy Public Defender in Orange County, working in Juvenile Court handling both delinquency and dependency cases. Later, Ms. Drake worked as a Deputy Public Defender handling adult criminal matters of all types until 1990, when she established her own private law practice.
Ms. Drake went on to emphasize all types of criminal matters, and expanded the practice to include other areas related to criminal law. She handled matters in Family Law, especially as related to domestic violence restraining orders and failure to pay child support. Ms. Drake was admitted to Federal Practice and handled criminal matters in various jurisdictions. She also went on to handle administrative matters, especially those related to the criminal practice (i.e., DMV administrative hearings, professional license disciplinary matters, school matters, military matters, etc.) Continuing to emphasize adult and juvenile criminal cases, for over thirty years, Attorney Drake has defended virtually every type of criminal matter.
Over the years, while in private practice, Ms. Drake has also been active as a member at various criminal bar panels, handling criminal cases for indigent or semi-indigent defendants. She is also trained in the handling of parole violation matters, and has been appointed to handle state parole hearings. Ms. Drake has been a volunteer temporary judge and has been affiliated with various organizations and associations over the years (CACJ, CPDA, OC Women Lawyers, Los Angeles Women Lawyers, ABA, Los Angeles County Bar Association, O.C. Bar Association, Beverly Hills Bar Association, WSU Alumni Association, UCLA Alumni Association, Orange County Criminal Defense Bar Association). She has taught and continues to teach seminars both to legal professionals and to the community.
Ms. Drake has training and experience in dealing with juveniles and young adults. She appeared in the Actor’s Journey for Kids, a documentary video, where she discusses legal issues related to children in the entertainment industry.
Attorney Paula Drake also provides representation to those who are victims of crimes; she is well versed in Victim’s Rights and offers her services to ensure that crime victims are compensated and heard. She also has experience advising and representing witnesses in criminal cases.
Ms. Drake can also advise and assist in the clearing of a criminal record (i.e. expungements, record sealing, certificates of rehabilitation and pardon).
Attorney Paula Drake provides aggressive, personalized representation for those in need throughout Southern California. She is familiar with the court systems in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, San Diego and Imperial Counties. She can meet you at an office location convenient to where you live or work. Call 24/7 to schedule a convenient appointment or to discuss your matter by phone. We accept all forms of payment and payment plans are available. Special discounts are given to students, military, and seniors.
