M. Bradley Wishek

Partner

Mr. Wishek’s practice emphasizes defending people and businesses accused of crimes or facing regulatory or professional discipline, including aggressive representation through independent investigation during government and law enforcement investigations. His practice includes criminal and white-collar defense on behalf of corporations and businesses, individuals, public officials, and licensed professionals, including regulatory violations defense, professional licensing defense, and defense in physician peer-review proceedings.

Mr. Wishek has experience in defending almost every kind of criminal allegation, including drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter, assault, firearms offenses, rape, embezzlement, insurance fraud, kidnapping, and environmental crimes. He has also defended clients against healthcare, consumer, and tax fraud, as well as other regulatory crimes. Mr. Wishek has represented individuals and businesses in a broad spectrum of regulatory and professional licensing matters, from healthcare professionals and attorneys to licensed contractors, and from an engineering firm to a nonprofit drug and alcohol treatment program.

Mr. Wishek is listed in the peer-reviewed publications Best Lawyers in America and Northern California Super Lawyers, and he has received an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating available from this peer-reviewed publication. He has successfully litigated numerous precedent-setting cases for the benefit of his clients in the Court of Appeal and California Supreme Court.

Mr. Wishek is an adjunct professor of law in the trial practice program at the University of California at Davis School of Law. He is also a frequent presenter at seminars and continuing education programs for attorneys in the area of criminal defense, trial practice, professional licensing defense, and administrative proceedings.

For many years, Mr. Wishek served on the board of directors for Clean & Sober, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provided housing and support services for homeless people in recovery. He is also a volunteer guide for the Tahoe Rim Trail Association.

Professional Experience / Clients

Licensed Professionals
Many of Mr. Wishek’s clients are professionals facing criminal allegations, professional licensing allegations, or both. He has represented attorneys, medical and mental health professionals, lobbyists, teachers, pharmacists, veterinarians, private investigators, certified public accountants, engineers, real estate professionals, contractors, chiropractors, and other professionals.

Public Entities, Officials, and Employees
Mr. Wishek has represented or been retained by public entities, elected and appointed officials, and public employees in criminal investigations and proceedings throughout his career. Cities, counties, and the State of California have been clients of Mr. Wishek’s or engaged him to represent public employees and officers. His clients have included a superior court judge, an elected county auditor-controller, a county director of health and human services, the enforcement chief for a state regulatory agency, a chief deputy prison warden, a retired fire chief, firefighters, police officers, a university program manager, and other public employees and officials. Judges, prosecutors, and other public employees have engaged him to represent family members or referred family or friends for representation.

Corporations and Businesses
Mr. Wishek has represented corporations, businesses, and their executives and owners in a wide array of matters, including criminal investigations and proceedings, unfair trade practice investigations, and licensing and regulatory matters. Clients have included a nonprofit drug and alcohol treatment program, an environmental testing and certification firm, a dental corporation, a professional engineering practice, a large plumbing company, restaurant and nightclub owners, landlords, automobile repair businesses, and building contractors.

Chemical Dependency and Mental Health Issues
Many clients facing a criminal allegation or professional discipline have long-standing chemical dependency or mental health issues. For these clients, whether facing the loss of their professional license or a criminal allegation from vehicular manslaughter to burglary, referral to the right professional for an evaluation and treatment recommendation may be the most important decision in their case. If the government has a strong case, presenting evidence confirming a chemical dependency and/or mental health diagnosis together with evidence of successful treatment and a favorable prognosis for continued success can mean probation instead of prison, diversion from criminal proceedings instead of a conviction, or probation or diversion instead of the revocation or suspension of a professional license. Countless clients, sometimes after years of denial or failed treatment efforts, have succeeded when presented the opportunity to work with the right professionals for evaluation and treatment of these medical conditions.

Continuing Education Presentations

Mr. Wishek is a frequent presenter at seminars and continuing education programs for attorneys in the area of criminal defense and professional licensing.

Collateral Punishment: “Convictions and HHS Exclusions” (2017 San Francisco) California Academy of Attorneys for Healthcare Professionals, with Alexander Kirkpatrick

Recent Developments in Criminal Law (2016, Lake Tahoe) Placer County Bar Association

Consequences of Criminal Proceedings Upon Professional Licenses (2016, Lake Tahoe) Placer County Bar Association

Criminal Issues in Administrative Proceedings (2015, Marina Del Ray) California Academy of Attorneys for Healthcare Professionals, with Michael Lipman

Administrative Hearings (2011, Sacramento and Los Angeles) Pincus Professional Education

Winning Trial Techniques (2011, San Francisco) Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB)

Evidence Issues (2007, 2008, Sacramento and San Francisco) Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB)

Recent Developments in Criminal Law (2004, Lake Tahoe) Placer County Bar Association

Opening Statements and Hearsay (2004, 2005, Sacramento) Lorman Education Services

Cross-Examination of Children and Police Officers (2003, New Orleans) National Child Abuse Defense and Resource Center Twelfth International Conference

Effective Sentencing Techniques (2001, Sacramento) Sacramento County Indigent Criminal Defense Panel

Conducting an Effective Cross-Examination in Civil and Criminal Cases (2000, Sacramento) Lorman Education Services