L. Stephen Turer

Managing Partner & Attorney at Law

L. Stephen Turer is one of the most prominent attorneys in Sonoma County. For over thirty-five years, he has provided the accused with unrelenting advocacy in a forceful style that has earned him the respect of his adversaries, the admiration of his peers, and the appreciation of his clients.

Mr. Turer has tried more murder trials and has received more acquittals than any other attorney in the area – seven out of his eight murder trials have ended in acquittal. In addition to murder trials, he has handled hundreds of other serious felony cases in the Bay Area, ranging from major drug charges to sexual assault and nearly every other type of serious crime.

Mr. Turer has also represented clients with serious charges in Federal Court, including a major tax shelter fraud case where his client was the only defendant acquitted after a trial lasting three months. In addition, he has briefed and argued many criminal appeals in front of the California Court of Appeals.

Mr. Turer has been on the board of California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, the premier criminal defense association in the state. He is also one of the founders and is a former president of the Sonoma County Criminal Defense Bar Association. He is also a member of the California Public Defender’s Association and the American Bar Association.

In recognition of his expertise, Mr. Turer has sat as a Pro Tem Judge at the request of the local bench on numerous occasions. He is also frequently called upon by both local newspapers and television media for his analysis of issues in the criminal justice system.

In addition to his professional experience, he has also served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations devoted to the betterment of the community.

Mr. Turer studied psychology and political science at Long Island University and graduated from Brooklyn Law School in New York in 1968. Following his graduation and move to California, he was the first director of the Shasta County Legal Aid Program, where he oversaw the work of six other attorneys. In 1970, Mr. Turer moved to Sonoma County where he began his practice of criminal law and also began teaching at the Santa Rosa Junior College.

Mr. Turer has been married to his wife, Neva, for thirty years. He has two adult children, and two wonderful grandchildren. He is an avid sports fan, supporting the 49ers, the Giants, and the Warriors. He also loves to cook and has been featured in both newspaper articles and television cooking shows.

Orchid Vaghti

Attorney at Law

Ms. Vaghti began working at the Law Offices of L Stephen Turer in 2002 as the receptionist for the firm as she has long dreamed to protect individual’s rights and make a stand for justice as a defense attorney.

In 2004, she was promoted to Mr. Turer’s legal assistant and office manager. Ms. Vaghti then started Law School in 2006. She was certified as a law clerk with the California State Bar in 2008 which enabled her to practice law under Mr. Turer’s supervision.

In 2010, Ms. Vaghti graduated Law School with her Juris Doctorate Degree and was awarded the Witkin Award for Academic Excellence. Upon completion of Law School, Ms. Vaghti passed the California Bar Examination and was admitted to the State Bar of California in early 2011.

Since Ms. Vaghti’s admittance to the California State Bar she and Mr. Turer have worked closely on criminal cases ranging from attempted homicides and complex drug cases to simple possessions and DUIs. Ms. Vaghti was appointed second chair to Mr. Turer in the final case stemming from the 2006 Dateline NBC To Catch a Predator which ended in an acquittal. Ms. Vaghti has investigated and prepared numerous cases for trial and has prepared and argued various briefs and motions before the Court. She is particularly versed in the realm of DUIs and Medical Cannabis. Her extensive knowledge of marijuana law ranges from defending those criminally charged by the District Attorney to advising clients on the current state of the law and on establishing cooperatives and collectives.

She is a member of both, the national NORML and the California NORML organizations. Ms. Vaghti is also an active member of the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice and the California Public Defenders Association.

Outside of the office, Ms. Vaghti is passionate about great food and great art. She loves spending time with her family and friends, and enjoys hiking and biking all around Sonoma County.

The Turer Law Team

L. Stephen Turer has a top team of staff supporting the practice.