Attorney Tracey Couto has over 25 years of experience practicing family and probate law. Some areas of her practice, include, but are not limited to: Divorce, Child Support-Alimony, Mediation, Custody- Visitation, Restraining Orders, and Wills. Attorney Couto has represented mothers, fathers, and children in dissolution of marriage and custody actions, and removal of guardianship and termination of parental rights actions. Attorney Couto received the 2024 and 2023 awards of Top Ten Family Law Attorneys in Connecticut from the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys. In addition to practicing law, Attorney Couto is an entrepreneur, who holds two patents for her unique baby bodysuits. She graduated from Quinnipiac University School of Law in May of 1996, where she was Lead Articles Editor of Quinnipiac Law Review.

There is enormous value in understanding your opponent in any negotiation, and Ryan Couzens knows this only too well. He spent sixteen years on the other side of the courtroom, prosecuting cases for the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office. As an Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney, Ryan supervised Yolo’s felony trial teams, Case Charging Unit, and Major Crimes Unit before deciding to move into criminal defense. His insight into prosecution strategies is invaluable to his clients, but even more important is Ryan’s motivation for changing sides. Ryan came to criminal defense because he wants to help people, individual people, facing real, specific obstacles in their lives. As Ryan says, “When you’re a prosecutor, you’re representing the interests of the community at large – the People of the State of California. When you’re defending, you’re representing that person sitting right next to you in court, and only that person. I want to advocate for that person who is in trouble and help them move past it.” According to David Cohen, a former employer at Cohen Criminal Defense, “Ryan had a reputation in Yolo as a compassionate but tough-as-nails DA who gave his all to every case, working hard, using bold tactics, and checking every detail. He was a fierce and respected prosecutor. Yet his transformation to criminal defense has been rapid and seamless. I knew he would be great with legal analysis, courtroom presence, and trial and negotiation tactics. What I couldn’t see coming was his remarkable ability to work with his clients. Ryan is patient, makes himself available, listens to his clients, explains things clearly, and truly cares about their fate.” Ryan has the law in his veins. He is a third-generation attorney whose father, J. Richard Couzens, served on the Placer County bench for years. Ryan was raised understanding the gravity of the law and the impact that it has on people’s lives. He sees law as a profession of service to the community and acts to better the justice system wherever he can. For instance, Ryan cares deeply about mental health issues, which stems in part from raising two severely disabled children, for whom he is a constant advocate. This led to him contributing to the definitive guide for the State’s new Mental Health Diversion program (Penal Code 1001.36). As a prosecutor, Ryan created a “Harm Reduction” policy diverting those caught with drugs into treatment instead of prosecution. In an effort to make the criminal justice system more transparent and unbiased, Ryan also authored two state laws: Penal Code section 13370, the Justice Data Accountability and Transparency Act (JDATA), and Penal Code Section 741, requiring prosecuting agencies to implement race-blind charging in criminal cases. The adoption of Ryan’s proposed legislation into law is a testament to both his legal expertise and his concern for the welfare of the individual. One of Ryan’s greatest strengths as a defense attorney is the experience he gained from his years in the DA’s office, where he did 46 jury trials, including multiple homicides, drug conspiracies, robberies and other crimes. He also held positions where his trial work focused on domestic violence and driving under the influence cases in particular. “I was a prosecutor for 16 years, so I have perspective on what motivates DA’s, what drives their decisions. I know what it takes for them to prove a case.” That means Ryan also sees the shortcomings in the DA’s case and that’s where his passion for the law comes in. Ryan sees litigation as a battle and puts in the work to prepare accordingly. He spends hours researching case law, writing briefs, and preparing arguments. Ryan’s experience coupled with his enthusiasm for the work make him a powerful advocate and an exceptional defense attorney. Ryan attended McGeorge School of Law where he was at the top of his class in Criminal Law and received the American Jurisprudence Award. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the prestigious Boalt Hall at U.C. Berkeley, where he extern-clerked for the California Supreme Court and went on to a federal clerkship in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. Before he found his calling in criminal law, Ryan practiced civil litigation for four years, including for the prestigious global law firm of Latham & Watkins LLP, where he worked on cases for clients such as the City of San Diego, Chevron and the National Football League. Ryan served in the United States Navy for five years where, in his free time, he did civic activities such as “Project White Hat,” helping terminally ill children and their families in Chicago, Illinois. When he isn’t working, Ryan spends time with his family and engages in activities that support his children, including participation in special needs sports. Born and raised in Placer County, Ryan was admitted to the California Bar in 2001. Education: University of Maryland, Asian Division; (B.S., Information Systems Management, 1996); McGeorge School of Law (First Year of Study, 1998); Boalt Hall, University of California, Berkeley (J.D., 2001). Member: Placer County Bar Association.

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Alycia Penn Covington graduated with honors from Oakland University with a Bachelors in Speech Communications. Alycia then obtained her Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2012 with a concentration in litigation. During law school, Alycia procured a highly-selective clerkship position with the Honorable James Brady of the 47th District Court in Farmington Hills, Michigan. During this clerkship, Alycia honed her legal research, writing, and analysis skills. Alycia?s areas of practice include criminal defense, civil litigation, and family law. Alycia is also uniquely experienced in international contract and criminal law. Furthermore, Alycia?s extensive medical background provides her with the knowledge and ability to handle complex medical malpractice cases. Alycia has succesffuly handled cases in Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties.

Brian Covotta advises growth-oriented technology and biotechnology companies on corporate and securities transactions, including initial formation, venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, public and private securities offerings, the periodic reporting requirements of publicly held companies, and general corporate counseling. He works with clients in a variety of industries, including Internet, mobile, gaming, networking, security, semiconductor, software, biotechnology, telecommunications, clean technology, electronic design automation (EDA), flash memory, media, and medical devices. Brian also represents acquirers and targets in a variety of public, public-private, and private-private business combination transactions, as well as issuers and underwriters in public and private securities offerings. In addition, he represents venture capital firms in various corporate and securities transactional matters. Brian helps his clients’ management and boards of directors shape and execute their business strategies. Drawing on his extensive experience, he also provides counsel on legal issues ranging from day-to-day corporate and regulatory matters to corporate governance and other mission-critical initiatives, including acquisitions and capital market strategies.