Born and raised in California, David W. Knecht has been serving and protecting Californian’s for almost 30 years. Mr. Knecht 
began his service career as a lifeguard for the County of Los Angeles, and after a two year service mission in Spain, Mr. Knecht completed his undergraduate education at the California State University, Fullerton. After graduation, he embarked on a law enforcement career as a sworn police officer for the City of Fullerton, California. Mr. Knecht worked as a police officer and detective for the cities of Fullerton, Santa Rosa, and Vacaville for 13 years before attending the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, graduating in 2006. As an attorney, Mr. Knecht has continued the tradition of service, focusing his practice on criminal defense, civil litigation, and family law.
Experience
- From 1990 to 2003, Mr. Knecht served as a police officer and detective in three California jurisdictions, specializing in the investigation of gang crimes, sex crimes, property crimes, computer forensic evaluation, domestic violence, and child molestation cases. Mr. Knecht investigated thousands of cases in his career ranging from simple theft cases to homicides.
- While still in law school, Mr. Knecht worked as a law clerk for attorney Robert C. Fracchia in Vacaville and attorney Daniel
J. Healy in Vallejo. Both Judge Fracchia and Judge Healy are now sitting judges in the Solano County Superior Court. Mr. Knecht worked on the defense of a cold-hit DNA homicide case and many civil litigation matters while with Mr. Fracchia and Mr. Healy. - After graduating from law school and passing the bar exam, Mr. Knecht worked for attorney E. Bradley Nelson in Vacaville. Judge Nelson is now a sitting judge in the Solano County Superior Court. Mr. Knecht worked on complicated employment law, business/contract, and other civil litigation matters as well as many criminal cases while working as an associate attorney for Mr. Nelson.
- Mr. Knecht has represented over five hundred clients since opening his own office in Vacaville, California. (Results, Testimonials) His clients include an ambulance driver in a DMV hearing , a small business owner who was sued for alleged fraud , a child who was injured physically and emotionally at a local day-care program, and a defendant accused of robbery.
Education, Memberships, and Awards
- Admitted as a Member of the Bar, State of California. 2006.
- Member of the Barristers, Solano County Criminal Defense Bar Association. 2010.
- Graduate of the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Juris Doctor with Distinction. 2006.
- Chosen to participate in the Moot Court/Appellate Advocacy Program at McGeorge, winning awards in competition in Los Angeles and New York. 2005.
- Admitted to the Traynor Honor Society for academic excellence. 2005.
- Distinguished Service Award, City of Santa Rosa, for leadership and sustained excellence as a police officer in domestic violence investigation, training, and support services in Sonoma County. 2004.
- Formal training as a police detective in the investigation of Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Homicide, Computer Forensics, Gangs, Use of Force.
- Orange County Sheriff’s Academy graduate, 1990. Advanced POST Law Enforcement certificate.
- B.A. in Business Administration, California State University, Fullerton. 1990.
- Two year service mission in Spain. 1983-1985. Fluent Spanish speaker.
Personal
- Mr. Knecht is married to Susan and has four daughters, all stunningly beautiful. He has one stunningly beautiful grandson. He enjoys riding a road bike, playing blues guitar, fishing for striped bass, and hiking in Tahoe.