About Charles Michael
Charles Michael Oxton is a licensed attorney admitted to practice law in the State of California. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1972. His license is currently in active status. Mr. Oxton is a senior partner at Oxton Staab Gans Attorneys at Law, a law firm located in Santa Barbara, California. He has been practicing law for over five decades, serving clients throughout Santa Barbara County and the surrounding areas.
Mr. Oxton earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law, where he graduated in 1972. Prior to law school, he completed his undergraduate education at the University of California, Santa Barbara, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1969. During his time at UCSB, he was actively involved in campus organizations and developed a strong foundation in political science, which has informed his legal practice.
Mr. Oxton concentrates his practice in the areas of family law, probate, and civil litigation. He represents individuals and families in matters involving divorce, child custody, support, and property division. His practice also encompasses probate administration, including the handling of wills, trusts, and estate disputes. Additionally, he has experience in civil litigation, addressing issues such as personal injury, landlord-tenant disputes, and real estate transactions. His work involves all stages of litigation, including case evaluation, discovery, mediation, settlement negotiations, and trial proceedings in both state and federal courts.
Throughout his career, Mr. Oxton has handled cases in the Superior Court of California for the County of Santa Barbara, the United States District Court for the Central District of California, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He has also appeared before the California Court of Appeal on multiple occasions. In addition to his private practice, he has served as a Judge Pro Tem in the Santa Barbara Superior Court since 1975 and as a Judicial Arbitrator since 1982, contributing to the local legal community and gaining extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution.
Mr. Oxton is an active member of the Santa Barbara County Bar Association and the State Bar of California. He has been recognized for his contributions to the legal profession, including receiving the Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished rating in 2016 and 2017. He has also been honored with the Client Champion award in 2021, reflecting his commitment to client service. Mr. Oxton is fluent in English and has a working knowledge of Spanish, allowing him to serve the diverse communities of Santa Barbara County effectively.
