Our Team

Mr. Taibi graduated from the prestigious liberal arts school, Davidson College, with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, in 1989. With a concentration in pre-law classes as part of his undergraduate studies, Mr. Taibi achieved the top 5% of those taking the LSAT, the entry examination for law school. While he attended college, Mr. Taibi was very active in college government, holding leadership positions such as Treasurer and President of his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta.

In 1992, Mr. Taibi earned his Juris Doctorate degree at California Western School of Law. While attending law school, Mr. Taibi was the law clerk for one of the top criminal defense and family law attorneys in San Diego County. During these three years, Mr. Taibi received an invaluable practical education in what it means to be an attorney and how to best represent clients in different areas of law.

Mr. Taibi was admitted to practice law in the State of California in 1992, and walked into the Courtroom the very next day after his acceptance into practice and began litigating. Mr. Taibi is authorized to practice in all Courts of California, including all State Courts, as well as all Federal District Courts and Bankruptcy Courts, and the Supreme Court of California and all Courts of Appeal. He is a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of California and the Criminal Law Section of the State Bar, San Diego County Bar Association, and National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.

Mr. Taibi has successfully defended clients throughout California in criminal cases from misdemeanor and felony DUI's to felony murder cases, both state and federal, in his over 25 years of practice. He has also represented military personnel in criminal matters and is familiar with the nuances involved. Having grown up in New York City, he is very comfortable with the fast pace associated with criminal cases and the time constraints involved.

Mr. Taibi is a caring, compassionate, knowledgeable and aggressive advocate for his clients and has been recognized as a top attorney by such organizations as the American Society of Legal Advocates and the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys. He has also served as a mediator and arbitrator for civil disputes. His vast experience and knowledge of the law in many different areas has given him a unique perspective as to the complexity of cases and how to best resolve matters for his clients.

Mr. Taibi is very familiar with other countries and cultures and has represented many diverse individuals. He also hails from a family of immigrants, and has lived and traveled abroad, extensively in Europe and Asia. He has also had business dealings overseas and has a background in international law, as well as immigration issues.

Mr. Taibi has vast experience in many areas of law, areas that crossover in many cases. Mr. Taibi has represented and/or counseled clients in thousands of matters. He has successfully handled felonies/misdemeanors, DUI's with and without injury, theft, violent crimes, drug crimes, both state and federal, as well as those involving military personnel; administrative proceedings; DMV hearings and countless licensure proceedings; immigration issues; business law and related white collar crimes, such as embezzlement, welfare and social security fraud and insurance fraud; probate cases, involving conservatorships, guardianships, and elder abuse, and has prepared, and given advice regarding, wills and trusts; domestic violence and family law matters; adoptions; family disputes; matters involving corporations and contracts; civil litigation, and injury accidents; and international law. It is necessary to be proficient in all of these areas to properly evaluate criminal cases and represent clients in the most effective and best possible way, to strategize properly and to analyze all options and/or consequences one may have, or have to face. Mr. Taibi has spent many years learning and practicing all of these areas of law and honing his skills.

Mr. Taibi is highly respected as litigator and counselor for over 25 years as a practicing attorney, by attorneys and judges alike, and has the knowledge and experience to properly handle virtually any matter.

David J. Ruyle, Jr. focuses his criminal and DUI defense practice in San Diego where he was born and raised. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University in 1998 and his law degree from Trinity Law School in 2002. During law school Mr. Ruyle interned with the San Diego County Public Defender’s office where he was exposed to felony related matters.

After working for a few years as an attorney on DUI and other criminal matters, he had a calling to better understand the public perception of law enforcement and the realities officers face. That calling led him to attend a California POST certified Police Academy in 2007 and become a Reserve Police Officer with the City of El Cajon. As a police officer, he was certified to use the PAS and Intoximeter to determine level of intoxication. He was exposed not only to the policies and procedures a police department and its officers must follow but effects they have on the community. During his commission as an officer he was exposed to drunk drivers, domestic violence, and narcotics offenders along with many other issues a patrol officer encounters on a daily basis. He enjoyed his participation in many community outreach events sponsored by the police department.

While he was a reserve police officer he continued his legal practice representing clients in criminal matters and was able to effectively apply his experience as a police officer to his cases and addressing his clients’ needs. He has since resigned his commission with the City of El Cajon but has a passion for sharing what he learned. He was able to share his real world and academic experience as an adjunct professor in the Criminal Justice Department of both Westwood College and the University of Phoenix. He now continues to work with students studying for the Bar Exam.

As a criminal defense attorney, Mr. Ruyle has represented clients charged with misdemeanors such as DUIs, domestic violence, drug possession and theft to felony cases such as severe domestic violence, burglary, robbery and narcotics. He takes pride in understanding his clients’ situations and being attentive to their needs while seeking a favorable outcome for their case. Also of importance to him is his clients’ ultimate well-being and the correction of any patterns of behavior that may be the underlying factor in their criminal case.

Mr. Ruyle is in good standing with the State Bar of California, a member of the San Diego County Bar Association and California Public Defender’s Association.

Thomas Filicia joins the San Diego Criminal Attorney. Thomas is responsible for extensively evaluating each case, and then consulting with the rest of the team to determine how the specific needs of each individual client can best be addressed. Thomas’ attention to detail, team mentality, and communication skills have made him a valuable asset to our firm

Thomas was born and raised in San Diego, and has resided in Southern California for most of his life. He is a graduate of the Syracuse University College of Law, where he was a member of the school’s American Bar Association Negotiation Team. At Syracuse, he developed a passion for criminal defense law, and clerked for a law firm that handled primarily criminal appeals. He has drafted appellate briefs in several areas of criminal law including Parole Violations, Domestic Violence, Rape, and Murder. After graduating law school, Thomas worked for one of San Diego’s preeminent Construction Defect and HOA law firms. He is also a member of the St. Thomas Moore Society for Catholic Attorneys.

Prior to attending law school, Mr. Filicia studied Communications at Loyola Marymount University, where he also played Varsity Baseball. He then went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from St. John’s University. At St. John’s, he was a member of the University’s Ethics Debate Team, which competed annually in national competitions.

Thomas is an avid sports fan, who enjoys staying active, and rooting for the Padres, Lakers, and Cowboys, in his free time.

Our on-staff Private Investigator, Kevin Roncevich, is a veteran with multiple awards for his brave service, including two Armed Services Expeditionary Medals, the Good Conduct Medal, two Meritorious Unit Commendations, and many others.

After his time in the US Navy, Mr. Roncevich went to the Golden West Police Academy in Huntington Beach, graduating in April 2002. He was immediately hired by the city of Cypress PD. During his time as a law enforcement officer in Cypress, he wore several different hats- patrol officer, training officer, SWAT team, and detective. He has countless hours of on-the-job training, formalized training, and special advanced training. He also is proud to have received many awards and recognitions during his time as a law enforcement officer, including the Gold Distinguished Medal and several letters of commendation.

After retiring from law enforcement, Mr. Roncevich launched his own private security firm. He built a business plan from the ground up and took full control of day-to-day operations, including reviewing profits, losses, and all of the other responsibilities associated with being a business owner. While operating his private security firm, he started his private investigation business in 2015. He continued his education during this time while operating two businesses, earning multiple certificates in a variety of different topics related to his role as a private investigator.