Has practiced criminal defense for over forty years, specializing in jury trials.
Tony Serra has spent his life defending society’s outcasts. He began his practice in the 1960’s, an era he calls the golden age of law. Perceiving himself in the role of a warrior, Mr. Serra has continued to battle for more freedom for more people through law. His role in the Chol Soo Lee case was depicted in the film True Believer. Tony Serra has always known how to express the poetry of the law, while fighting in the ditches and dark alleys of legal practice. He has gained national prominence for his closing argument techniques.
Over the past 30 years Mr. Serra has spoken to hundreds of professional organizations on various legal issues in multiple forums in 14 different states.
CBS Web Extra: Battle of the Wits
Books by or About Tony
Awards
Runner-up, “Best Lawyer in America,” American Lawyer Magazine, 1982
Drug Policy Foundation Achievement in the Field of Law, 1992
Boalt Hall “Alumnus of the Year”, approx. 1993
Charles Garry Award, 1994
ACLU Benjamin Dreyfus Civil Liberties Award, 1997
Lifetime Achievement Award, 2003
McFetridge-American Inn of Court Co-Awardee, “2003 Trial Lawyer of the Year”
Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Certificate of Honor, December 1, 2005
Board of Supervisors City & County of San Francisco Lawyer of the Year, 2005
Criminal Trial Lawyers Association of Northern California 2005 Gideon Equal Justice Award
San Francisco Public Defender’s Office and the SF Private Defense Bar
2008 NORML “Lester Grinspoon Award” for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Marijuana Law Reform.
Latest Headlines
- Kate Steinle killer called incompetent — his attorney wants 2nd opinion – San Francisco Chronicle
- Uncensored Tony Serra: Consummate Criminal Defense Lawyer – CounterPunch
- ‘Shrimp Boy’ pleads not guilty to racketeering | Local News – San Mateo Daily Journal
- Famed SF attorney Tony Serra to represent Ghost Ship leader – San Francisco Chronicle
Book: Lust for Justice
“Lust for Justice,” a non-fiction, legal biography by author/artist Paulette Frankl. Foreword by Gerry Spence. ISBN 0-615-38683-0:
To order call 505-603-3260, Lightning Rod Publications
www.lustforjustice.net
Voluntary Manslaughter Verdict in Santa Cruz Murder Trial
On May 12 2010, after two days of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of “Voluntary Manslaughter” in the case of People v. Dylan Bayly.
“Really, the jury thought and deliberated and listened and put so much of their concentration and focus into this case, we’re eternally grateful for that,” said attorney Sara Zalkin, of the Pier 5 Law Offices, who defended the case along with attorney J. Tony Serra.