MCGREGOR LAW CORP.
Southern California Criminal Defense
I've been practicing criminal law in Southern California for over 35 years. I started out in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and moved into private criminal justice defense.
EARLY LIFE
I was born at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. My father was a B 29 Commander in World War II. After the war my father settled in as an Air Force officer and was assigned to interesting places and projects around the globe including the Apollo 11 "Moon Shot" mission.
While overseas, I lived in Tripoli, Libya where I learned to speak fluent Italian and Arabic. My family traveled all over the Middle East and Europe visiting the pyramids in Egypt, the Vatican in Rome and the famous cable cars in the Zugspitze mountains of Germany. Upon returning to the States my family lived on both coasts and traveled across country several times.
These exposures and contact to different people, cultures, and places shaped me as a young man. I had to learn to relate to and feel comfortable with others very quickly. I found this quality to be extremely valuable in building the necessary relationships in the legal field.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Old Dominion University in Virginia - Bachelor of Arts, 1972
Northrop School of Law in Los Angeles - Juris Doctor, 1983
Los Angeles District Attorney's Office - Deputy District Attorney, 1983 - 1987
McGregor and Ernenwein, LLP - Senior Partner, 1987 - 2017
McGregor Law Corp. - Senior Partner, 2017 - present
PROFESSIONAL LIFE
After graduating from law school I joined the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. As a young prosecutor I developed a reputation as a natural trial attorney, rising through the ranks and earning an assignment in the elite "Hard-Core Gang Unit". I prosecuted high-profile murder cases and received unparalleled insight into the Los Angeles County criminal justice system.
Early in my career as a Deputy District Attorney I successfully handled a highly publicized murder trial and was asked by the Governor if I would be interested in becoming a Judge. I respectfully declined the offer. It was a great honor, but I had my sights on becoming my own boss and practicing private criminal defense.
In 1987 I teamed up with fellow Deputy District Attorney Robert Ernenwein and built a criminal defense practice dedicated to fighting on behalf of people accused of misdemeanor and felony crimes. For over thirty years the Law Office of McGregor and Ernenwein, LLP developed a reputation for effective, ethical, and well respected legal advocacy. As Senior Partner of the firm I personally tried many jury trials and secured thousands of favorable plea bargains for clients.
In 2017 Robert and I amicably dissolved our partnership and I founded McGregor Law Corp. with our former associate Matt Rinaldi's assistance. As partners, Matt and I continue the tradition of client-focused criminal defense in the South Bay.
PERSONAL LIFE
POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT
I am politically active throughout Los Angeles County and have been a pivotal supporter for candidates for various Los Angeles County criminal justice offices including the District Attorney the Sheriff's Department, the City Attorney, and a host of Superior Court judges and Commissioners.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
I am a founding member of the Benjamin Aranda III American Inns of Court and have been designated a Master Lawyer and "Lawyer Emeritus" by that organization.
My relationships within the criminal justice system stretch from the top of the supervisor staff to the day-to-day court staff; everyone knows me.
That picture shows me at a backyard fundraiser with former elected Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and former elected Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley.
HOME LIFE
I have been happily married to my wife Lilia for thirty years.
We have four children - two boys and two girls. They are all college-aged by now, pursuing careers in medicine, law, business, and education. I live in Rancho Palos Verdes.
I'm a Christian and my faith plays a central role in my life.
In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, golfing, and playing the guitar. In my younger days, I loved to surf.