Montecito’s residents deserve legal partners who understand both the local landscape and the high-stakes nature of matters that can affect personal and professional standing. With an office in Santa Barbara, Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP is uniquely positioned to represent individuals and families throughout Montecito and all of Santa Barbara County.

We recognize that legal challenges in Montecito often involve heightened scrutiny, complex evidence, and the need for swift, confidential resolution. Early intervention is key: our team works proactively with prosecutors and investigators to seek dismissals, reductions, or alternative resolutions before charges are even filed. From pre-file negotiations in potential murder or DUI cases to expungement proceedings that restore opportunities, we tailor every strategy to the realities of Montecito life while protecting long-term privacy and reputation.

Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP offers full-service litigation capabilities across four core areas:

• Criminal Defense: We defend clients against all felony and misdemeanor charges, including DUI (even those involving injury or vehicular manslaughter), white-collar crimes such as fraud and identity theft, drug offenses, violent crimes, sex offenses, theft, and three-strikes matters. Our aggressive, evidence-based approach has secured numerous dismissals, acquittals, and favorable plea outcomes in both state and federal courts.
• Mental Health Law: When mental health intersects with the justice system, we provide specialized advocacy. Our attorneys navigate involuntary holds, sanity hearings, mental health diversion programs, mental health courts, not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity defenses, and Murphy conservatorships. We prioritize treatment-focused resolutions over incarceration whenever appropriate, ensuring clients receive the support they need while protecting their legal rights.
• Personal Injury: We represent individuals who have suffered serious injuries or lost loved ones due to the negligence of others. From car accidents and catastrophic injuries to wrongful death claims, we fight for full compensation, including medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering, on a no-recovery, no-fee basis. Our track record includes multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts that allow clients to rebuild their lives.
• Civil Rights: We hold law enforcement and institutions accountable for violations, including excessive force, police misconduct, false arrest, and privacy breaches. Whether the case involves deputy stalking, juvenile detention abuse, or other constitutional infringements, we pursue justice through civil litigation and secure significant compensation for our clients.

With more than 50 years of combined legal experience and over 200 cases taken to trial, our firm stands apart through proven results, specialized credentials, and an unwavering client-first philosophy. Jeremy Lessem is a California State Bar Certified Criminal Law Specialist; an elite designation held by fewer than 1% of criminal attorneys statewide. The firm maintains the highest peer-review ratings (AV® Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell®) and has been recognized by Super Lawyers year after year.

Clients benefit from our 24/7 availability, transparent communication, and personalized attention; no case is treated as routine. We handle matters with the same care we would extend to our own families, combining courtroom aggression with compassionate guidance. Whether achieving case dismissals, mental-health diversions, multi-million-dollar injury recoveries, or civil-rights victories, our results speak for themselves: thousands of successful outcomes, hundreds of dismissals, and millions recovered for injured clients.

When your freedom, health, or financial security is on the line, trust the Montecito-serving trial lawyers who deliver authoritative representation and genuine peace of mind.