About William Carlos
Mr. Makler earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego, in 1991. This foundational education paved the way for his legal career. He then pursued his Juris Doctor at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, graduating in 1996 with honors in trial advocacy. His academic achievements laid a strong groundwork for his future practice in criminal defense. Throughout his career, Mr. Makler has defended clients against many criminal charges.
His experience includes high-stakes cases involving homicides, assaults, domestic violence, drug offenses, and sex crimes. Notably, he has developed a particular focus on DUI defense, representing thousands of individuals facing DUI charges. His expertise spans various aspects of criminal law, encompassing pretrial motions, jury trials, appeals, and DMV hearings. This comprehensive skill set allows him to navigate complex legal challenges effectively. In addition to his practice, Mr. Makler has made significant contributions to legal education. From 2006 to 2008, he served as a faculty member at the Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law, where he taught evidence courses.
His commitment to educating future legal professionals is evident through the numerous lectures he has delivered to college students, law students, judges, and fellow attorneys. Topics such as DUI defense and constitutional rights have been central to his presentations, reflecting his dedication to sharing knowledge within the legal community. Mr. Makler is actively involved in several professional organizations that enhance his practice and contribute to the legal field. He is a member of the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, the California DUI Lawyers Association, the California Public Defenders Association, the National College for DUI Defense, and the Santa Barbara Criminal Defense Bar Association. His leadership skills were recognized when he became the first president of Santa Barbara Defenders, an association of local criminal defense practitioners, serving from 2017 to 2019. This role allowed him to advocate for the interests of criminal defense attorneys in the region.
His contributions to the legal community have not gone unnoticed. Mr. Makler has received high ratings from peer review organizations, underscoring his professional reputation. He has been rated 10.0 out of 10.0 and "Superb" by Avvo, evidence of his skill and client satisfaction. Additionally, he holds an A-V "Preeminent" rating from Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting his commitment to professional excellence and ethical standards. These accolades highlight Mr. Makler's dedication to his clients and the legal profession as a whole.
