Jeffrey T. Hammerschmidt

• State Bar of California, Criminal Law Advisory Commission, Chair, 2015-2016
• State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization Chair, 2024
• State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization Vice-Chair, 2023
• State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization - Member
• State Bar of California, Criminal Law Advisory Commission, Board Member, 2012 - 2015
• CJA Panel Selection Committee, Board Member, 2013 - Present
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2009 - Present
• Supreme Court of California, 1987 - Present
• U.S. District Court Central District of California
• American Bar Association, Member, 2008- 2009
• California State Bar Criminal Law Advisory Committee, Chair
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 1987 - Present
• State Bar of California, Criminal Law Section, 2008 - Present
• Criminal Law Section of the Fresno County Bar Association
• California Board of Legal Specialization 2020-2024, Vice Chair 2023, Chair 2024
• U.S. Supreme Court, 2011 - Present
• Fresno County Bar Association, Member, 1987- Present

• People v. Talia
• People v. Gregory Opinski - client charged with four counts of bribery and one count of a Government Code violation, and was looking at up to 8 years in prison.  Case settled with all bribery counts dismissed.  Client was placed on probation and received no actual jail time, with electronic monitor., 2019
• People v. Dana Ewell
• People v. Volak
• People v. Lawson
• People v. Lipe
• People v. Dean
• People v. Pinheiro
• United States v. Toulu Thao
• People v. Dana Ewell and Joel Radovcich
• United States v. Cole
• People v. McFarland
• People v. Logan M.
• People v. Padilla - client was charged with three felony counts of workers compensation premium fraud.  A plea to any of the three charges, even as a misdemeanor, would have resulted in deportation and a loss of the client's farm labor contractor's license.  Matter settled on eve of trial for one non-fraud misdemeanor with no jail time, no deportation and no loss of his farm labor contractor's license., 2011
• People v. Martzen - Client was accused of murder and assault on a child causing death after the death of a child who was in her care as a babysitter. The trial resulted in a mistrial after the jury was deadlocked 10-2 for not guilty on the murder count and 8-4 for not guilty on the assault count. She accepted a felony involuntary manslaughter plea deal with probation and community service. 
• People v. Chappell - Client was charged with vehicular manslaughter arising out of the death of a motorcyclist based upon the police department's opinion that the client was at fault in the accident.  After a thorough investigation and the hiring of an accident reconstruction expert, our expert's opinion that the client's conduct was not the cause of the accident was provided to the prosecutor.  The matter was set for jury trial and on the first day of trial the prosecutor dismissed the case in its entirety., 2012
• Fresno RV v. Paul Evert RV et al - Assisted in winning a $4.58 million judgment against Paul Evert and other defendants after first stopping criminal charges from being filed against the Fresno RV owner. 
• People v. Sanchez - Rape and related charges against Firefighter dismissed right before trial.
• People v. Baker - Jury ruled not guilty at trial on all counts. 

• Criminal Law Specialist, California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, 1998 - Present

• President's Club Board Member - The President's Club raises money for Community Medical Centers of California. Currently, all funds raised are donated to the newly opened Clovis Cancer Institute. Since its inception in 2018, we've raised more than $2,200,000.
• Leadership Fresno, Vice President
• Central California Chapter of National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1988-1990
• VIP Mentors (formerly Volunteers in Parole) - former Chair, former Board Member, and 18 years of volunteer service

• Top 100 Northern California Super Lawyers, Law & Politics Magazine, 2021
• Top 100 Northern California Super Lawyers, Law & Politics Magazine, 2022
• Law and Politics Magazine, Top 100 Northern California Super Lawyers, Top 100 Northern California Super Lawyers, 2019
• Northern California Super Lawyers, Law & Politics Magazine, 2013 - 2014
• Top Rated Lawyers in White Collar Criminal Defense, The American Lawyer Magazine, 2013
• Top Rated Lawyers in White Collar Criminal Defense, Corporate Counsel Magazine, 2013
• Client Distinction Award, Martindale Hubbell, 2013
• AV Rating, Martindale Hubbell, 2013
• Northern California Super Lawyers, 2014 - 2015
• Listed in the Honors Edition of Cambridge Who’s Who
• AV®Preeminent(TM) Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®
• Top 100 Northern California Super Lawyers, 2017
• Northern California Super Lawyers Top 100 List, 2015
• Rated 10/10 by Avvo
• Bar Register of Preeminent Attorneys
• Top 100 Northern California Super Lawyers, 2018
• Dean's List, University of Missouri Columbia School of Law
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, 2014
• Top 100 Northern California Super Lawyers, 2016

• Truman State University, B.S. in Business Administration, 1983

• Contributing Author, California Criminal Law Procedure and Practice
• Mr. Hammerschmidt authored a chapter entitled "Forensic Evidence and Child Abuse Cases" in Aspatore Publishing's "Inside the Minds" series.  The book, released in September of 2011, is entitled "Utilizing Forensic Science in Criminal Cases: Leading Lawyers on Analyzing the Latest Trends in Forensics and Incorporating Them Into Defense Strategies.", Author, Aspatore, Law, 2011
• Adjunct professor, Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure, San Joaquin College of Law

• American Bar Association 2009-Present
• California Board of Legal Specialization 2020-2024
• Chair 2024
• Criminal Law Advisory Commission
• Fresno County Bar Association
• National Association Of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Vice Chair 2023

“Jeff is the consummate attorney. He is a gentleman with a brilliant legal mind. He can resolve almost any case without the need for a trial. When that is impossible, he is a seasoned litigator who can win over even the toughest jury.”

“Top flight attorney. The best in the Central Valley.”

“Very professional and competent”

“The go-to criminal defense attorney in the Central Valley”

“Jeff is an outstanding criminal law attorney. I highly recommend him.”

“Mr. Hammerschmidt is the consummate professional. He is cunning, methodical, and soft spoken. He is usually about three steps ahead of everyone else is the analysis and resolution of legal issues. He is also extremely good at making other people feel comfortable and wanting to work with him. I would gladly place my fate in his hands if I ever needed a criminal law attorney.”

“Absolutely the best criminal defense attorney I know across the board!”

“Mr. Hammerschmidt is a gentleman and a brilliant criminal defense attorney. I have referred numerous clients to him and they have each raved about his abilities and the results he has obtained for them. I would definitely use him if I ever found myself in need of a criminal law attorney.”

“I can say without reservation that Mr. Hammerschmidt is one of the brightest legal minds I have ever met and a true gentleman. Everyone I have recommended him to has been extremely appreciative. I make referrals to him with complete trust.”

“Jeff is a brilliant advocate. He is the most respected criminal law attorney in the Valley.”

“Jeff is an outstanding attorney who performs well above even my best expectation.”

“Mr. Hammerschmidt is a highly respected attorney whom I have known for a considerable time. He is extremely intelligent and a cunning adversary. He is also a true professional and possesses the highest ethical standards. He is the type of attorney I aspire to become and admire.”

“Mr. Hammerschmidt is one of the brightest legal minds I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He truly exemplifies the definition of a super lawyer.”

“Jeff has done work for many of my clients and always done a great job. I have no hesitation about referring work to him.”

“Mr. Hammerschmidt is the finest white collar criminal defense attorney I have ever met. He is a true professional and is a certified expert in this field. Everyone I have ever referred to him has been extremely happy with his service.”

“Jeff is a brilliant attorney. I have referred to him many times. I have heard nothing but praise from everyone I have sent him.”

“Jeff is a brilliant attorney. He is both a very adept negotiator and an excellent litigator. He has all of the personal skills necessary to find solutions to even the most difficult and complex issues. ”