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)
Best Defense/DUI Lawyer 2023, Bakersfield Life Magazine
Top Attorney 2018, Criminal Defense, Bakersfield Life Magazine
Southern California, Super Lawyers (2018-2023)
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