Experience

Santa Clara County Public Defenders

• United States
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Trial Attorney

  • Nov 2022 - Present



San Diego Public Defender

• United States
• Technology, Information and Internet
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Trial Attorney

  • Dec 2013 - Nov 2022

  Legal counsel representing clients in serious & complex criminal and civil matters to jury trial. Tried 50 cases to verdict with great success. Represented clients through various criminal accusations and proceedings including arraignment, evidentiary hearings, motion hearings, readiness hearings, negotiation meetings with prosecutors, probation hearings, and several jury trials to verdict. Successfully counseled clients and negotiated favorable case resolutions. Litigated various cases including felony and misdemeanor charges, including but not limited to, Murder, Attempt Murder, Kidnapping, Burglary, Arson, Assault with great bodily injury, Life top cases, etc. -- through trial strategy, discovery, use of experts, legal research, and negotiation.Legal counsel representing juvenile delinquents and juvenile dependents from arraignment to adjudications (trials), to dispositions. Successfully litigated 707(b) offenses and state petitions to try juveniles as adults — in effort to keep minors in juvenile jurisdiction (court). Tried several cases from child molest to assault with a deadly weapon charges and allegations, including, but not limited to, all strike offenses and charges.Zealously represent clients through competent litigation, case analysis, legal research & writing, and advocacy. Counsel and advise clients through various stages of criminal/civil proceedings. Thoroughly research and brief legal issues by utilizing relevant case precedent/statutes. Many legal issues include: complex felony sentencing issues, civil forfeiture/restitution issues, persuasive trial briefs, complex Constitutional violation briefs, etc. Maintain good rapport with Judges, opposing counsel, court staff, etc. Thoroughly investigate and seek expert witness consultation in trial preparation. Conduct persuasive opening statements, direct and cross examinations, as well as, closing arguments. Show less

• Post-Bar Law Clerk

  • Jul 2013 - Nov 2013

  Assisted the Central Misdemeanor Unit (CMU). Conducted my own jury trial to verdict. Second-chair for two jury trials. Drafted motions such as: in liminie, suppression, speedy trial, Pitchess, probation modification, and motions to dismiss (mistrial). Argued on behalf of clients for probation violations (i.e. further proceedings), motions to suppress, motions to modify probation, and counseled infractions. Successfully had motions granted, reinstated hundreds of clients’ probation with multiple prior reinstatements, and negotiated to reduce misdemeanors to infractions. Show less



United States Marine Corps

• United States
• Armed Forces
• 700 & Above Employee

• Trainer/Speaker

  • Aug 2017 - Dec 2018

  Trainer/Speaker for the United States Marine Corps through the USMC Defense Services. Trained Judge Advocate General Lawyers (JAG) how to represent fellow Marines charged with various crimes, ex. assault, battery, sexual assault, DUI, etc. Trained JAG Officers how to conduct a trial, trial skills, motion practice, investigation, expert witnesses, forensic evidence, etc. Trainer/Speaker for the United States Marine Corps through the USMC Defense Services. Trained Judge Advocate General Lawyers (JAG) how to represent fellow Marines charged with various crimes, ex. assault, battery, sexual assault, DUI, etc. Trained JAG Officers how to conduct a trial, trial skills, motion practice, investigation, expert witnesses, forensic evidence, etc.



San Diego Public Defender

• United States
• Technology, Information and Internet
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Law Clerk

  • Jan 2013 - Apr 2013

  Misdemeanor - Drafted motions such as: in liminie, suppression, speedy trial, Pitchess, probation modification, and motions to dismiss (mistrial). Argued on behalf of clients for probation violations (i.e. further proceedings), motions to suppress, motions to modify probation, and counseled infractions. Successfully had motions granted, reinstated hundreds of clients’ probation with multiple prior reinstatements, and negotiated to reduce misdemeanors to infractions. Misdemeanor - Drafted motions such as: in liminie, suppression, speedy trial, Pitchess, probation modification, and motions to dismiss (mistrial). Argued on behalf of clients for probation violations (i.e. further proceedings), motions to suppress, motions to modify probation, and counseled infractions. Successfully had motions granted, reinstated hundreds of clients’ probation with multiple prior reinstatements, and negotiated to reduce misdemeanors to infractions.



San Diego Public Defender

• United States
• Technology, Information and Internet
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Law Clerk

  • Jun 2012 - Aug 2012

  Misdemeanor - Drafted motions such as: in liminie, suppression, speedy trial, Pitchess, probation modification, and motions to dismiss (mistrial). Argued on behalf of clients for probation violations (i.e. further proceedings), motions to suppress, motions to modify probation, and counseled infractions. Successfully had motions granted, reinstated hundreds of clients’ probation with multiple prior reinstatements, and negotiated to reduce misdemeanors to infractions. Misdemeanor - Drafted motions such as: in liminie, suppression, speedy trial, Pitchess, probation modification, and motions to dismiss (mistrial). Argued on behalf of clients for probation violations (i.e. further proceedings), motions to suppress, motions to modify probation, and counseled infractions. Successfully had motions granted, reinstated hundreds of clients’ probation with multiple prior reinstatements, and negotiated to reduce misdemeanors to infractions.



San Diego Public Defender

• United States
• Technology, Information and Internet
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Law Clerk

  • Jan 2012 - Apr 2012

  Felony - Legal Intern for Deputy Public Defender – Douglas Miller. Worked on a double-homicide trial; motion in liminie research and drafting as well as trial preparation. Appeared in court as a certified legal intern representing felony defendants at preliminary hearings, entry of plea, arraignment, and sentencing. Felony - Legal Intern for Deputy Public Defender – Douglas Miller. Worked on a double-homicide trial; motion in liminie research and drafting as well as trial preparation. Appeared in court as a certified legal intern representing felony defendants at preliminary hearings, entry of plea, arraignment, and sentencing.



American Bar Association

• United States
• Legal Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Selected Candidate

  • Feb 2012 - Feb 2012

  Attended the 2012 ABA Judicial Clerkship Program. Attended the 2012 ABA Judicial Clerkship Program.



San Diego Public Defender

• United States
• Technology, Information and Internet
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Law Clerk

  • Jun 2011 - Aug 2011

  Felony - Legal Intern for Deputy Public Defender – Kate Coyne. Assisted Mrs. Coyne with drafting motions for indigent clients, analyzing police reports, and issue spotting potential defenses. Interviewed clients, their families, and witnesses. Worked on areas of criminal law such as: violent crimes, domestic violence, white-collar crime, drug offenses, and sex offenses. Drafted several trial motions. Assisted Mrs. Coyne with a $1.5 million dollar mortgage fraud case. Felony - Legal Intern for Deputy Public Defender – Kate Coyne. Assisted Mrs. Coyne with drafting motions for indigent clients, analyzing police reports, and issue spotting potential defenses. Interviewed clients, their families, and witnesses. Worked on areas of criminal law such as: violent crimes, domestic violence, white-collar crime, drug offenses, and sex offenses. Drafted several trial motions. Assisted Mrs. Coyne with a $1.5 million dollar mortgage fraud case.



Esther Boyton, Esq.

• Greater San Diego Area

• Law Clerk Associate

  • Aug 2010 - Dec 2010

  Worked on LA County v. Humphries Worked on LA County v. Humphries



City of Pomona

• United States
• Government Administration
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Legal Intern

  • Oct 2006 - Jul 2007

  Family Law & Landlord/Tenant Law Family Law & Landlord/Tenant Law