Shelby, Azelie Ziegler

Adapted from an article written by Debra A. Morse, Esq., for North County Lawyer Magazine, February 2009

Legal representation, like many aspects of life, requires both the yin and the yang: complementary and sometimes contradictory forces working together in harmony. To be an effective advocate requires an understanding of the real needs of the client as a person who is suffering through a difficult experience while also having a clear appreciation for the realities of the legal process. Theresa Hofmeister skillfully blends disparate areas of expertise to provide legal representation that is both comfortable for the client and effective in court.

Growing up all over the US and in Germany provided Theresa with a broad experience of people and cultures, leading her to pursue a B.A. degree in Philosophy/ Metaphysics/ Epistemology from the University of Southern California in 1989 and a J.D. from Southwestern Law School in 1994.

During law school Theresa was drawn to the intricacies of criminal procedure and practice, a specialty she has pursued ever since. She has worked in the offices of the Los Angeles City Attorney, the Pasadena City Prosecutor, the Los Angeles County Public Defender, the Los Angeles County District Attorney, and the California Attorney General.

In 1996 Theresa started her own criminal litigation practice in Los Angeles, eventually settling in Escondido. She represents her clients with proficiency in negotiation techniques and effective communication. She is certified as a results-based life coach. Extensive training in these skills allows her to resolve her cases efficiently and with impressive results. Clients frequently remark that her efforts on their behalf resulted in better outcomes than they had expected or even dared to hope for.

Theresa's comprehensive view of legal practice is informed both by her solid legal education and experience within the Southern California criminal justice system and her communication and negotiation training.

Author / Publications

Book:   "Inside the Minds - Strategies for Defending DUI Cases in California"

Chapter: "Tearing Down The Case The Prosecution Builds Up: Best Practices for Defending DUI Cases"

Published by Thomson Reuters / Aspatore 2013