It is with great sorrow to report that we have lost another legend in the California DUI Lawyers Association (CDLA), Inc. community.
CDLA Past President Donald Bartell passed away on Sunday. Details will be forthcoming. In the meantime, our hearts go out to law partners Lara Gressley and Mike Donaldson as they try to deal with this huge loss.
Don was a giant in the legal community. He was always willing to lend you a hand, discuss strategies and help you when you called.
Condolences have come in from around the country which illustrates the impact this man had our specialized practice of law.
Donald Joseph Bartell started the practice of law on June 13, 1984. He was a fantastic trial lawyer and a nationally recognized speaker on issues related to DUI. For many of us in CDLA, Don was our friend and mentor. We are all in shock as we deal with yet another blow to our community.
Don Bartell wrote the leading treatise on DUI defense - Attacking and Defending Drunk Driving Tests. As the twice-elected past President of CDLA, Don has led the DUI defense bar to success on many fronts. Don has become the leading source on the topic of DUI defense in California. Other lawyers routinely call Don for advice in the areas of DUI defense, jury selection, cross examination techniques, DMV hearings and consequences, legal writing, and appellate work.
Don has lectured other lawyers on those topics across the nation - from New York to San Diego. Don was invited to be one of only two defense lawyers in a mock trial put on by the National College for DUI Defense in New Orleans, and spoke at the California Public Defenders Association seminar in Monterey, California in June of 2017.
He co-argued the state's two leading DUI cases in the Court of Appeal and in the California Supreme Court. Don has written briefs submitted to the federal court and to the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court called his book an "authoritative source." Don has received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions. Don also holds the prestigious title of Super Lawyer.
Many lawyers of Don's caliber are seldom seen in the courtroom. Don regularly appeared in court, and tried several cases every year. He seldom lost. Don had a stellar reputation amongst his colleagues, clients, and friends for good reason. Don believed in the team approach. Attorney Lara Gressley worked on every case with Don. That team approach resulted in many favorable outcomes for BH&G clients.
Other lawyers have called Don "the best attorney in the nation."
Please keep his family - as well as Lara and Mike - in your prayers as they will need them as they deal with the next steps.
