Family Law

• Child Abuse

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  Ward Stafford Clay has led a notable career focusing on criminal law cases in California and Federal Courts for more than 35 years. Mr. Clay commenced his legal career in 1986 when he joined the San Diego City Attorney’s Office as a criminal trial prosecutor. He was quickly elevated as one of their top trial attorneys. He was eventually promoted to be chief of the Appellate Unit. Mr. Clay was then recruited to serve as a trial attorney for the San Diego District Attorney’s office in 1989. While there, he served as a prosecutor for the elite J.U.D.G.E. unit, a specialized task force responsible for the investigation and prosecution of documented criminal street gang members involved in narcotic offenses.
• DUI/DWI
• Sex Crimes
  Mr. Clay has led the defense teams in numerous high-profile criminal cases, including those of police officers, doctors, lawyers, corporate executives and other professionals accused by the government of criminal wrongdoing. Mr. Clay provides an aggressive defense with attentive service to a broad spectrum of clients. His extensive experience also includes the defense of murder, sex crimes, drug possession and trafficking, domestic violence, theft, insurance fraud, mortgage fraud, immigration, driving under the influence of alcohol and more.
• Fraud
  Insurance fraud – Defending clients accused of defrauding homeowners insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, auto insurance, health insurance and others.
• Robbery
  Theft/embezzlement – Theft convictions and even accusations can be extremely damaging. Mr. Clay defends clients accused of shoplifting, burglary, robbery, larceny, extortion and other property crimes.
• Burglary
• Theft
• Embezzlement
• Drug Crimes
  Drug crimes – Mr. Clay handles a variety of minor to high-profile cases, including possession, possession with intent to sell or distribute, trafficking, distribution and manufacturing in state and federal cases.
• Assault
• Murder
  Mr. Clay left the San Diego District Attorney’s Office in 1991 to enter private practice as a criminal defense lawyer. Using his trial and negotiation skills acquired as an accomplished prosecutor and his unique understanding of the criminal justice system, Mr. Clay has zealously defended his clients against both minor and serious state and federal crimes. His cases have ranged from minor traffic offenses to multiple counts of murder. Many of his cases were high profile trials involving state and federal law enforcement officers or public officials accused of committing crimes.
• Homicide
• Shoplifting
• Extortion

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  Ward Stafford Clay, Attorney at Law, provides a range of criminal defense services to clients in the San Diego area. He has built a reputable and esteemed career over more than 32 years of practicing criminal law in San Diego. As a California State Bar Certified Specialist in Criminal Law, he handles cases in state and federal courts, including the United States Tax Court and California and U.S. appeals courts. Prepared to handle your case wherever and however your best possible resolution can be obtained, Ward Stafford Clay can prepare an original strategy for your unique needs and goals. He is an accomplished trial lawyer with a wealth of experience in personal injury and criminal law cases.