Cate has been defending people charged with crimes since being admitted to the California bar in 2006. She worked as a deputy public defender in Kern, Solano and Napa Counties, and has been in private practice since 2016. She has completed more than 50 jury trials. Cate is smart and friendly, which helps her connect with clients, jurors, and adversaries alike. Cate is very active in the California criminal defense community, and is well respected throughout the State.
Before her law career, Cate worked as a policy analyst at the Center for Civil Justice, a nonprofit organization in Saginaw, Michigan, where her work focused on hunger policy and advocacy.
Cate has a Master's degree in policy analysis and nonprofit management from Indiana University in Bloomington. In her free time Cate enjoys playing piano and spending time with her two young daughters. Cate is originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Education
- University of California, Berkeley, School of Law Juris Doctor, June 2006
- Indiana University, Bloomington Master of Science, Policy Analysis and Nonprofit Management, 2001
- Bachelor of Science, Public Affairs, 2000
- Relevant Continuing Education
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Field Sobriety Test (FST) Administration Class, 2018
- California DUI Lawyers Association (CDLA) DUI Boot Camp, 2017
Experience
- Beekman Cortes, LLP, Partner, 2016-2021
- Napa County Office of the Public Defender, Deputy Public Defender, 2011-2016
- Solano County Office of the Public Defender, Deputy Public Defender, 2007-2010
- Kern County Office of the Public Defender, Deputy Public Defender, 2006-2007
- Center for Civil Justice (Saginaw, MI), Policy Analyst, 2001-2003
Professional Memberships and Affiliations
- California State Bar, Member (245605)
- California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, Board of Governors Member
- California Public Defender Association, Member
- California DUI Lawyer's Association, Member
- Solano County Bar Association, Member
- Napa County Bar Association, Member
- Napa County Women Lawyer's Association, Member
Recommendations
- I hired Cate to handle a theft case that I was caught in. I have never been in trouble in my life and was facing some big charges. Through the court process my anxiety was through the roof. Cate went above and beyond to make sure I felt comfortable in every step we went through. She was very atte...
- Cate was incredible during a difficult time in my life. I was arrested in Napa while visiting with some friends. I called 15-20 lawyers the day after the incident and immediately connected with Cate. She was reassuring, confident, and helpful from the moment that we got on the phone. Most of all,...
- Mrs. Beekman was amazing from the first call to set up a consulatation. She was very helpful and understanding through out the process. She kept pushing and did her best to get the outcome she thought I deserved. Her price was very fair for all The work she put in. I am very thankful for her serv...
- Best attorney I could have gotten. She really goes the extra mile anyway she can she goes out of her way to help with anything she can. I would highly recommend her.
- Awesome attorney very professional ,knows the laws very well does the research and gets the facts straight In court. Couldn't be happier beat my case like a true pro.
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