Atty. Dewitt M. Lacy
DeWitt M. Lacy is the attorney who leads all litigation matters in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California.
Civil Rights & More Attorney · Serving Oakland, CA · 18+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Dewitt M. Lacy at a Glance
Dewitt M. Lacy is an Attorney based in Oakland, California, practicing at Law Offices of John L. Burris. They have 18+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2008. Their practice focuses on discrimination, wrongful death, personal injury, and civil rights. Admitted to practice in California U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, Central, and Southern Districts of Califo (2008). Educated at Golden Gate University School of Law (J.D., 2005) and San Francisco State Unviversity (B.A. Speech, 2000). Serves clients in Oakland, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Dewitt M. Lacy
- DeWitt M. Lacy is the attorney who leads all litigation matters in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California
- He has been practicing civil rights law for over a decade and is licensed to practice in the Northern, Eastern, Central and Southern District Courts of California and all Superior Courts of California
- Mr. Lacy joined the Law Office of John L. Burris in 2011
- He handles all aspects of litigation and has significant experience in the areas of Section 1983 Civil Rights litigation, employment discrimination, and personal injury
- Mr. Lacy has successfully prosecuted wrongful death actions and civil rights violations against San Francisco, Vallejo, Santa Clara, Waste Management, Inc., and Hayward
- Currently, Mr. Lacy is working to assure several families receive justice for the wrongful death of their family members at the hands of the Torrance Police Department, Montebello Police Department, San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, and the Anaheim Police Department
- He has successfully lead a trial team that secured a verdict of $1,766,875.95 for clients from the city of Santa Clara in a police misconduct action
- He has also secured settlements of $1,600,000.00 and $950,000.00 against the City of Antioch and the County of Alameda, respectively for police misconduct actions
- His legalprowess has earned him recognition as one of the top 40 under 40 by the National Black Lawyers in 2016
- In addition, he was named to Super Lawyers Magazine’a Rising Star’s List in 2017 and 2018
- Mr. Lacy received his undergraduate degree from San Francisco State University and graduated from Golden Gate University School of Law in 2005
- Before his legal practice Mr. Lacy was very active in local and federal political scene, and secured the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee’s endorsement for his local supervisorial campaign in 2010
- Mr. Lacy is an avid Laker fan, and during his time away from his practice he enjoys playing /watching basketball and spending time with his family in their home in Los Angeles Civic Groups, Volunteer Organizations, & Awards • California Association of Black Lawyers • Charles Houston Bar Association • San Francisco African American Democratic Club Honors: • International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Most Outstanding in Litigation, 2005 • Rose Elizabeth Bird Award, 2005 • 2nd Place in National Mock Trial Competition, Northwestern Region, 2005 • San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association Scholarship Recipient, 2004 • Best Speaker in National Mock Trial Competition, Northwestern Region, 2004 • Diana Richmond Scholarship Recipient, 2004 • Dean’s List, 2003 Activities: • Black Law Students Association, President 2003 – 2004 • Mock Trial Competition Team, 2004 – 2005
Practice Areas Explained
Dewitt M. Lacy's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Dewitt M. Lacy handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Oakland.
Workplace Discrimination in Oakland
Dewitt M. Lacy is one of 7,049 discrimination attorneys indexed nationally. Browse discrimination attorneys in California →
Wrongful Death in Oakland
Dewitt M. Lacy is one of 30,932 wrongful death attorneys indexed nationally. Browse wrongful death attorneys in California →
Personal Injury in Oakland
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Dewitt M. Lacy is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in California →
Civil Rights in Oakland
Civil rights attorneys for discrimination, police misconduct, constitutional rights, and civil liberties cases.
Dewitt M. Lacy is one of 69,634 civil rights attorneys indexed nationally. Browse civil rights attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Oakland
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Oakland are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Oakland Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Oakland-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Oakland or all attorneys in California.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Oakland Choose Dewitt M. Lacy
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Dewitt M. Lacy's practice in the field of discrimination, wrongful death, personal injury, and civil rights.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Dewitt M. Lacy brings 18+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering discrimination, wrongful death, and personal injury, Dewitt M. Lacy can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Oakland
A Oakland-based practice means Dewitt M. Lacy attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Dewitt M. Lacy Handles in Oakland
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Dewitt M. Lacy has experience with under California law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Dewitt M. Lacy directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find Dewitt M. Lacy Online
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Dewitt M. Lacy's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
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