DUI & CRIMINAL DEFENSE
Ariel Rief (R·E·L rife) is a former prosecutor who founded Rief Legal to be the type of law office he'd call if in trouble—one with a reputation for compassion, transparency, professionalism, pragmatism, and top-tier courtroom advocacy and results at a fair price.

San Mateo, Alameda, and Contra Costa County, CA

What Clients Say
... went well above and beyond.
about

ARIEL RIEF
@arielthelawyer
Education
J.D., University of San Diego School of Law
B.A., History, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Former Prosecutor
As a former Deputy District Attorney (DDA) in multiple California counties, I prosecuted a wide range of criminal cases (misdemeanors to serious felonies) to jury trial, worked together with law enforcement, negotiated with defense lawyers, and gained an overall background and experience that is advantageous for my clients.
Top-Tier Experience at a Fair Price
I have practiced criminal law for over a decade, handled thousands of cases as both a prosecutor and defense attorney. From DUI to murder, three strikes, and almost every misdemeanor in between, you will have a dependable attorney by your side.
Boutique Law Office Model
Larger firms generally pass cases off to associates who often lack the trial experience and courtroom credibility that you believe you're paying for. At Rief Legal, I will handle your case myself on anything substantive or important. And to ensure top-tier representation for each client, I limit how many new cases that I accept to avoid scheduling conflicts and ensure I am available to handle your case.
Office Locations
Within the San Francisco Bay Area, I primarily handle cases in San Mateo, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties. I accept some cases in San Francisco, Solana, and Santa Clara Counties as well, but on a very limited basis to avoid scheduling conflicts. For the convenience of clients, and myself, I have two offices. See map below for details or click on LOCATIONS for further details.
Video Zoom Visits
The legal industry is changing. For decades, to see your lawyer, you needed to schedule an appointment and then see him or her in person. Nowadays, you can pull out whatever device you have, wherever you are, and virtually meet with your lawyer face-to-face. With Zoom, you can avoid the wasted time driving, the expenses, the requests for time-off from work, etc. Instead, you can meet with me in the comfort of your home or car or wherever. Many clients enjoy the convenience of video chatting over Zoom with me. And it's often a meeting I can accommodate within a day or two depending on my schedule.
