Top Criminal Defense Lawyers Near Me in Oakland Area

• (). • Extensive civil and criminal experience, including 18 jury trials, 1 court trial, 1 arbitration, 2 mediations, and more than 120 depositions with a substantial case management and supervisory background.. • Criminal defense attorney with significant misdemeanor and felony backgrounds, including three-strikes cases and other serious and violent offenses.. • Experience in state and federal courts.. • Personal injury and consumer protection attorney at two prominent plaintiff firms, including firm-sponsored participation at Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College.. • Civil cases include wrongful death, medical malpractice, police misconduct, and government torts, among others.. • Prior corporate litigation practice at prestigious international defense firm, including general civil litigation and white-collar.. • Member of the American Bar Association (ABA), Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), California Public Defenders Association (CPDA), California Appellate Defense Counsel (CADC), American Bar Association (ABA), and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL).. PLEASE BE ADVISED CASE RESULTS ARE NOT GUARANTEED AND ANY RESULTS OR REVIEWS DESCRIBED OR OTHERWISE CONTAINED ON THIS SITE ARE NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENTATIVE OF ULTIMATE CASE OUTCOMES. YOU SHOULD CONSULT AN ATTORNEY FOR ADVICE REGARDING YOUR INDIVIDUAL SITUATION.

When you are charged with a criminal offense, you need a strong, experienced, and committed advocate. It’s a role that Jo-Anna Nieves has assumed many times, with great success. Jo-Anna began her post-bar legal career at the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, which gives Jo-Anna a rare perspective that she uses to support, advise, and defend you.. “I love criminal law. It’s captivating and I’m passionate about it,” -Jo-Anna Nieves. Jo-Anna is committed to mounting the best possible defense for what she calls “hard working, family-oriented, successful professionals who aren’t career criminals… some are falsely accused, others make a bad call like driving home after a couple glasses of wine at a work event.”. Jo-Anna was 20 years old when she graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in both Multinational Business and Finance. She went on to earn her J.D. from Florida State University in May 2009, where she was also a member of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. Jo-Anna started her legal career by interning with the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, where she gained experience in the arraignment of misdemeanor and domestic violence offenses, the prosecution of adult sexual assault crimes, and felony preliminary hearings. After Jo-Anna passed the California Bar, she continued her career at the Sacramento County DA’s Office. She gained experience in the misdemeanor trial unit, negotiating plea offers, arguing suppression motions, and prepping cases for trial. She also built a rapport with members of the legal community, and further developed her trial advocacy skills.. Two years later, she accepted a position as a trial attorney at a creditor’s rights law practice in Los Angeles, where she effectively litigated over 400 cases by reaching favorable resolutions for her clients by way of settlement prior to trial and maintaining a success rate of 95% for over 100 cases that went to trial.. In 2012, Jo-Anna started The Nieves Law Firm, APC, to help restore the reputation of those caught in California’s criminal justice system. Since opening her own office, she has successfully represented defendants charged with assault and battery, DUI, contempt, drug offenses, sexual assault and other sex crimes, robbery and other theft crimes, fraud, and domestic violence and other violent crimes. She also has an impressive track record in civil litigation matters such as civil harassment, domestic violence, workplace violence and elder abuse restraining orders.. Jo-Anna has served as a mock trial coach for El Centro Legal de la Raza’s Youth Law Academy and their Advisory Board for several years and is a member of the Earl Warren Inns of Court. Jo-Anna also taught at Stanford Law School since 2018 – educating future lawyers about Trial Advocacy. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA), and is admitted to practice before all courts of the State of California and Florida. She is also admitted for federal practice in the United States District Courts for the Northern, Eastern and Central Districts of California.

Veronica Soto is an experienced criminal defense attorney serving as Of Counsel to Lamano Law Office. With over nine years of criminal law experience and six years as a civil litigator, she brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic insight to every case.. Ms. Soto began her legal career as a Public Defender with the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, where she advocated for individuals facing serious criminal charges. She later transitioned to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, serving as a city prosecutor for four years before moving to the general civil litigation unit, where she handled complex cases for six years. After two years as a contract attorney with Lamano Law, she officially joined the firm as Of Counsel.. With 20 trials to her credit in both criminal and civil courts, Ms. Soto is known for her exceptional client advocacy, strategic case management, and ability to secure case dismissals, favorable verdicts, and advantageous settlements.. In addition to criminal and civil litigation, Ms. Soto has experience in family law, assisting clients with divorce, child custody, and property disputes. She has also worked in immigration law, representing individuals in deportation proceedings and U.S. citizenship applications. Fluent in Spanish, she is committed to ensuring her clients understand their legal options every step of the way.. Ms. Soto earned her Juris Doctorate from Santa Clara University School of Law in 2002, where she served as an editor for the Computer and High Technology Law Journal and was the public relations coordinator for the Latin and Native American Law Students Association.. Outside of her legal practice, Ms. Soto enjoys hiking and spending time with her husband and two sons. Lamano Law Office is proud to have her as a valued member of our team.

The only reason I went to law school was to become a criminal defense attorney.  In 1999, I graduated from the University of San Francisco School of Law.  Everyday, for the last 20 years, I have proudly represented criminal defendants all over the Bay Area.

The Law Office of Jeffrey L. Kaloustian is a premier criminal defense and personal injury law firm conveniently located in downtown Oakland.  Attorney Kaloustian is a highly-skilled attorney and advocate that will protect your rights and interests with 110% of his commitment and legal expertise. A dedicated solo practitioner, Mr. Kaloustian approaches each case with full attention and enthusiasm, assuring you a high level of professionalism and client satisfaction.. The firm is guided by a powerful vision of delivering aggressive and compassionate representation and superior, personalized service to clients. Leaving no stone unturned, Jeffrey takes a tireless approach to defending you of criminal charges. Attorney Kaloustian will promptly and thoroughly  analyze all available evidence in your case. Jeffrey's "eagle eye" for spotting unlawful police practices and legal expertise can form the basis of challenging evidence in court and getting your charges dismissed or substantially reduced. To deliver stellar client service , accessibility and responsiveness are essential. Mr. Kaloustian takes time to listen to your side of the story and answer all of your questions, keeping you informed at every step of the case . As a client, you are always welcome to multiple meeting or phone conferences, at which he will explain your constitutional rights, all relevant laws, potential defenses and outcomes.. Attorney Kaloustian's medical background enables him to be an extremeley effective personal injury attorney. He is a former emergency medical technician (EMT), a highly skilled negotiator and knows how to take on insurance companies.. Originally from Massachusetts, Jeffrey received his JD degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law, where he served on the USF Law Review, co-chaired the Public Interest Law Foundation and received the prestigious Pursuit of Justice Award (2009). In addition to representing clients throughout California, Mr. Kaloustian's fight for justice includes human rights advocacy in northern and southern India, the Dominican Republic, and at the United Nations in Geneva.  Prior to opening his law practice, Mr. Kaloustian served as a Fellow at the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Dharamsala, India and co-founded the International Center for Mental Health and Human Rights. Jeffrey currently serves on the Board of Directors of Berkeley-based Human Rights Advocates.. Prior to studying law, Mr. Kaloustian spent several years as a professional ski patroller at Lake Tahoe's Squaw Valley USA and directed expedition-style mountain courses for the Colorado Outward Bound School. While leading these programs -- often in remote areas -- Mr. Kaloustian learned that diligent preparation, tenacity and skill result in success. Today, Mr. Kaloustian uses the same methodical approach to win cases for his clients. When not busy defending his clients, Jeffrey enjoys travel, music and exploring northern California's many wonderful outdoor and cultural attractions. An accomplished climber and ski mountaineer, Jeffrey also enjoys hiking, mountain biking, cultural exchanges and adventuring of all kinds.

THE HARDEST WORKING ATTORNEY IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA!. "I am a firm believer that our criminal system, while the best in the world, makes every effort to get rid of cases by manipulating citizens into pleading guilty.  My job is to stop the government from doing so, but above all, my job is to protect my clients and the rights afforded to them by our Constitution!". When I take a case, I take it with one thing in mind: To win!  My goals are as follows:. To believe my client - they are my boss;. Know the case better than anyone else;. Research every issue, twice;. Prepare every case not for negotiation, but instead for trial;. Find passion in every case;. Always remain on the same page with my client - communication;. From the most serious felony case to a minor traffic offense, the philosophy  never changes.  By following this recipe, I believe every case can be won!. I have been in the criminal defense field for just over 16 years.  I have been licensed for 13 of those years.. My first job, during my first year in law school, began with the First District Apppellate Project.  Here, I was extensively trained on the in's and out's of writing successful appeal (Appellate Opening Brief).  How to look for issues on any case and how to put together a convincing argument.  I have since applied this knowledge and have handled at least 100, criminal and traffic, appeals with a great success rate!  I have also written and filed writs, both to the Appellate DIvision and the California Court of Appeals, on many of my cases.  I hope to one day get the right case in front of the Supremes.. After working at the First Appellate District, I worked at the California State Public Defenders Office.  I believe it is here where I truly learned about passion for your case.  The office focused on doing appeals for those convicted and sentenced to death.  I spend quite a bit of time on an inmate who killed three people.  It was this experience that taught me why it is that we (Criminal Defense Lawyers) do, what we do - always a topic of debate at the dinner table.. I left the appeals area to focus on being a trial lawyer.  I wanted to be on the trenches where the initial battle took place.  I ended up volunteering as an intern at the San Francisco Public Defenders Office.  After all I was raised in San Francisco and knew the streets pretty well.  Here, I interned with several Deputy Public Defenders and wrote countless Motions to Suppress, 995 motions as well as researched countless legal issues for the deputies.  I also assisted in trial work from start to finish.  The main lesson I got from working at the SFPD was, the cold reality of how the system, at the trial level really works.  It is nothing like what you see on TV.. My last employment as an intern was at the Alameda County Public Defenders Office.  Here I was assigned many duties including the initial intake of the accused. Again, I gained great courtroom experience and extensive training on all aspects of a criminal case, but the biggest lesson here was caring about the people you defend!  They were not files or numbers, as many of the Judges and Prosecutors saw them.  They were people wanting to be heard, and whether you like it or not this is what OUR Constitution affords them.. After passing the bar, I began working as at the Santa Cruz Public Defender's Office.  I worked here for a total of two years and conducted at least 18 jury trials with a high success rate (I think I lost two).  I received in-office weekly training pertaining to all aspects of a handling a criminal case. I was also sent for training at the Western Trial Advocacy Institute (run by Gerry Spence and considered to be the top trial school in the country) in Wyoming for  an extensive week long trial work training.  I left the Santa Cruz Public Defender's Office feeling confident that I now possessed all the tools necessary to competently and aggressively represent private clients.. After leaving the Public Defender positions, I opened several offices and have been in private practice ever since.  Every day, and in every case, I use the knowledge acquired at my previous jobs as well as the knowledge acquired I acquire on a daily basis. I continue to improve my skills and knowledge by attending countless seminars on every issue you can think of.  I am one of a handful of Attorneys trained in the performance of Field Sobriety Testing approved by the National Highway and Traffic Administration.  I never stop learning, and if I did I would retire immediately since I would be doing a great disservice to my clients.  I consider my self one of the lucky few who loves what I do.  I love the daily challenge; I love the fight; I love winning; but most importantly, I love helping people.. Feel free to visit my website for further information on my office and how we can help!  We have a vast amount of knowledge and experience in all aspects of a criminal, DUI, Traffic, or DMV case.  You can also call me directly.

My goal is to provide my clients effective, attentive legal services at affordable rates.

My desire to practice law began after I graduated from UC Berkeley. While traveling in Europe after graduating, I discovered an innate desire to help less fortunate people. The experiences overseas helped me focus my career on social goals and leveling the playing field for those who needed someone to fight for their rights. I have fulfilled that vision by volunteering at legal clinics throughout the bay area early in my career.. During law school, I worked full time at law firms. It was through this work experience that I gained knowledge in a variety of practice areas. Due to my exposure in many areas of law, I was able to open my own practice immediately after obtaining my California state bar license. Now, I litigate cases in Family Law, Criminal Law and Civil Law.. The delicate balance of giving my time to the community and building a strong clientele base has proven to those who use my services that whether or not there is a financial incentive in my work, the quality is never compromised. I am proud to have provided zealous representation across all economic classes and look forward to helping you resolve your legal issues.

Martin Caraves completed his law degree from the John F. Kennedy College of Law. Prior to becoming an attorney, he has had extensive background in the real estate and construction industries, where he worked as a construction project manager and oversaw activities from development, contracts, to execution of projects. Mr. Caraves started his legal career as a public defender in Oakland, where he provided aggressive defense for the low-income population. He is a dedicated advocate who is knowledgeable in the law and skilled in the courtroom. Mr. Caraves regularly volunteers his time to mentor inner city youth in Oakland, California.

Marshall Hammons has a proven track record of success in misdemeanor and felony cases. He prides himself in working on some of the most difficult cases and projects with a client-centered approach. In addition to the numerous clients he has achieve favorable results in, Marshall has successfully argued a motion to dismiss on a life case resulting in a dismissal of the charges and enhancements making it a life case, suppressed evidence resulting in dismissals, and has been able to argue for release from jail over vehement objection by the prosecution on several occasions. Marshall also has achieved diversion in numerous cases, ranging from domestic violence cases, DUIs, and theft cases, ultimately resulting in dismissals. As the firm’s lead “post-conviction” attorney, he also has been able to get countless probations ended early, reduced felonies to misdemeanors, expunged records, sealed arrests, even vacated pleas due to immigration issues, and has removed clients from their duty to register under Penal Code 290.. He graduated cum laude from U.C. Hastings College of the Law, and holds a B.A. English and a B.S. in Political Science from Santa Clara University.. Before starting at the Silver Law Firm, Marshall was an integral part of Curtis Briggs’ and J. Tony Serra’s pro bono representation of California’s longest serving Death Row inmate. As an unparalleled example of police, prosecutor, and other misconduct, Marshall learned first hand how the system will stop at nothing to win, and how important it is to have a team that will fight your case.. Marshall previously interned at the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability, where he learned the intricacies of police procedure, revamped several community-building and outreach programs, and analyzed the best practices of other civilian oversight agencies.. In his final year of law school, Marshall interned at the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office where he aided in the representation of numerous felony and misdemeanor cases and trials. Marshall also helped develop the office’s response to police misconduct by scrutinizing the changes brought by S.B. 1421 and outlining the weaknesses of the officer discipline process. As an intern for the nearly-created “Integrity Unit,” Marshall also assisted in a post-conviction felony murder resentencing that resulted in a Life Sentence reduced to 7 years and subsequent release.. With his proven track record of success, care and dedication to his clients, and passion for fighting the injustices in the criminal legal system, he will stop at nothing to get the best result possible.

MANJULA MARTIN is a criminal defense attorney at Lamano Law Office.  Prior to her work with LLO, she clerked for the San Francisco District Attorney’s office where she worked on domestic violence cases, sexual assault crimes, and felony preliminary hearings.  She received the Cali Excellence Award for Criminal Litigation in 2008 and helped draft a presentation that was used at an international conference on identifying and combatting Human Trafficking.  It was during this tenure that she realized that her true passion in helping people.. Ms. Martin went on to represent low-income women seeking to leave abusive situations in family law court with the San Francisco Bar Association Legal Services Program. She worked on a Habeas Corpus Petition for a man wrongfully convicted of murder and the case was ultimately heard by the California Supreme Court.  In 2018, she was nominated as a Lawyer of Distinction.. Ms. Martin is an avid traveler and believes that diversity, compassion, and empathy are among our greatest strengths. She applies this attitude when interacting with clients because she believes that they deserve not only the best defense but also the best treatment when going through a difficult and often traumatizing time in their life.

Los Angeles native and attorney Victoria (Tori) Hirsch is eager to fight for you in the legal arena, and she thoroughly enjoys fighting for the rights of every single person she represents. At the Nieves Law Firm, Tori primarily represents clients facing criminal charges, those who find themselves caught up in the juvenile justice system, and those who need assistance with post-conviction relief matters. Her focus on juvenile work stems from her previous experience working as an English Language Arts teacher at KIPP Bayview Academy where she taught what she considers “some of the world’s smartest, funniest, and kindest seventh graders.” Now, she spends her professional career dedicated to keeping Californians out of the criminal justice system.. One of the most memorable cases in Tori’s career took place while she was in law school. She and other representatives from her school’s Juvenile Justice Clinic helped a young client facing serious charges avoid incarceration with the Department of Juvenile Justice. Success in that case required taking a detailed social history from the client and leveraging facts about the client’s life to advocate for him in front of the judge and with the District Attorney. Throughout the case, Tori learned that providing great legal representation includes building a trusting, empathetic relationship with every client she defends. Tori’s background is what makes her zealous and eager to fight for justice, and she is hungry to take on any and all Juvenile and Post-Conviction Relief cases.. Tori earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona before attaining her law degree from Loyola Law School. As a student there, Tori developed her love for criminal defense through courses like Criminal Procedure, where she internalized the limits the Constitution places on police action. Outside of the classroom, Tori spent her time assisting public defenders around the county during externships with offices in Los Angeles, Washington DC, and New Orleans. As a participant in Loyola’s Juvenile Justice Clinic, Tori managed her own caseload of young clients accused of delinquency charges.. When Tori isn’t defending clients from police action, she enjoys cooking, exercising through barre classes, interior decorating, and looking for the best local matcha latte (she claims nothing beats Blue Bottle Coffee). Tori lived in Oakland while teaching in San Francisco and fell in love with Oakland’s rich history and culture. Even though Tori is from L.A., she now considers The Bay her home.

Keydon Levy is an accomplished criminal defense attorney with over a decade of courtroom experience. He joined the firm in 2021 after serving for nine years as a Deputy District Attorney with the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, where he managed a high-volume caseload involving felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile cases from intake to resolution. His transition to defense was driven by firsthand experience witnessing prosecutorial overreach and the disproportionate impact of criminal allegations on communities of color.. During his tenure as a Deputy DA, Mr. Levy supervised entry-level attorneys, successfully argued motions, negotiated settlements, and prepared expert witnesses, lay witnesses, investigators, and analysts for trial. He has also shared his legal expertise as an adjunct professor at Golden Gate University School of Law, teaching courses on mock trial and evidence.. Mr. Levy earned his Juris Doctor from UC Berkeley School of Law. While in law school, he founded the Black Law Students Association mock trial team, leading them to victory in both the Western Region and San Diego competitions. He was elected President of the Law Students of African Descent and served on the Board of the Advocates Trial Team. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology from Pennsylvania State University, where he graduated summa cum laude as valedictorian.. His professional accolades include lifetime membership in the Charles Houston Bar Association, as well as memberships in the American Bar Association, National Bar Association, and the Bar Association of San Francisco. He previously served as Vice President of the Bay Area Black Prosecutors Association and was a member of the Earl Warren Inn of Court. Mr. Levy has also been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Lawyers in California.. Licensed to practice in California, New York, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. District Courts for the Central, Northern, and Southern Districts of California, as well as the Southern District of New York, Mr. Levy brings extensive litigation experience to the firm. As the first male Of Counsel attorney in our all-women firm, he approaches each case with meticulous attention to detail, strategic planning, and a deep understanding of criminal law. His expertise in case analysis, jury trials, and negotiations makes him an invaluable member of our team.

Joseph Penrod represents clients exclusively by appointment by the Superior Court of Alameda County.  He cannot be requested nor retained.

I work as a Deputy State Public Defender at the California office of the state public defender, responsible for education and training.  If you are in need of a public defender, you should contact your county's local public defender office, or the court clerk in the county in which your case is pending.

I was born in Oakland, California. I graduated from U.C. Berkeley in 1997, and U.C. Hastings College of the Law in 2003. I've been practicing law since that time. In 2009, I opened my own office to focus on criminal defense. I'm a member of the Alameda County Bar Association's Criminal Court Appointed Attorneys' defense panel, and California Attorneys for Criminal Justice. I take great pride in the relationships I have built over the years in our local courts, and I look forward to defending your rights.

I have over 20 years experience fearlessly defending clients against criminal charges, including everything from DUIs to murder!

I graduated from Golden Gate School of Law in 1990.  Passed the California Bar exam on the first attempt and started working for a general legal practice law firm in San Francisco, CA. I am licensed to practice in the Federal Courts and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. I've litigated cases through the State Court of Appeals and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals successfully. In 1993, I opened my own law practice in Oakland, CA with emphasis on criminal defense and civil litigation.  I continue to represent clients in both Federal and State Courts on every type of criminal accusation such as murder, sexual assault, drug trafficking, domestic violence, DUI, kidnapping, identity theft, fraud, and all other felonies and misdemeanors.. I am what is considered a "lawyer's lawyer." I live, breath and love my profession and advocating for my clients. I know the legal system extremely well and use it to my client's advantage at every opportunity.  I have represented thousands of clients and successfully resolved their legal problems.  I am experienced, have a excellent reputation for being honest, knowledgeable and extremely reliable. I am bilingual in Spanish (speak, read and write) and have represented much of the Latino community for close to three decades.

I am a true believer in the defense of people accused of crimes. I will focus on you as a person and achieve the best results for you and your family. You will never be just a case number or a file – no matter how big or small your case is. I will take the time to carefully listen to you and prepare a plan for your case that integrates my expertise and your goal. I will help you and your loved ones through your legal problems.. I have been working for all clients for over 15 years, as a lawyer, and over 25 years in the office. My clients and their families have continually appreciated my attention and expertise that I have applied to their unique situations. I achieve the results that my clients want – dismissals, best plea bargains, not guilty verdicts.. I began working for my father, Robert Beles, when I was in high school – after school and during vacations. In college, I continued to work for the office, sometimes coming home weekends to assist in Dad’s cases. I started there from the bottom level – answering phones, organizing files and doing whatever grunt work was needed to assist our clients. I believe that this experience gave me a firm grasp of what is needed to help our clients through their legal problems.. I was born and raised in Oakland, California. I went to public schools for grammar and middle schools and then graduated from Holy Names High School in 1990. I attended University of California at Santa Cruz and studied sociology and English Literature there. I went to University of Exeter in the United Kingdom and took law and literature courses there. I graduated from U.C. Santa Cruz in June 1994. I immediately entered law school at the University of San Francisco School of Law.. I did not choose to become a lawyer because my dad is a lawyer. I chose to practice criminal defense because it is what I believe in – it is my true vocation. If you have a problem, I will find a solution.. In 2007, the State Bar of California certified me as a criminal law specialist – I was recommended by lawyers and judges, took an examination and acquired the necessary trial experience in order to achieve this certification.. In my 18 years of practice, I have represented hundreds of clients – from the most minor traffic violation to capital murder cases, from the very beginning to the end of the case. I take pride in paying attention to the entirety of the client – the legal arguments, the factual investigation, the goals of the client, the comfort of the family and the end result. I personally handle all of my cases – and I have tried over twenty five felony trials, including 15 homicides. I pay attention to detail and achieve results for you and your family.. I am honored to represent my clients and have received much appreciation from former clients and their families throughout the years. Let me help you through your legal problem.

Giving Your Case the Attention It Deserves. If you have been charged with a crime, a passionate and energetic lawyer can make a huge difference. Criminal charges come with serious consequences, so it is important to hire someone who will take the time to give you personal attention and skilled representation.. I'm Nabiel C. Ahmed, a criminal defense attorney based in Oakland, California. My mission is to provide my clients with the best possible defense against accusations of DUI, drug crimes, sex crimes and all other criminal charges. For a free consultation, contact me today.. Taking the Right Approach to Your Situation. My legal practice is devoted to criminal defense. As a solo practitioner, I provide personal attention to every client who hires me. I respond quickly to clients' questions and concerns, and personally handle every case. I want you to be satisfied with your case results, and won't rest until you are.. I have a real passion for criminal defense. I understand how important it is to have someone who will stand up for your rights and go the distance for you.. I consider myself an attorney my clients can relate to. I believe in being direct and getting to the point. Fostering relationships with my clients allows me to offer them the best possible defense.. My representation is based on careful observation of what the courts— including judges, juries, and prosecutors — are really looking for. I will keep the lines of communication open with you, and follow up on what I say I'm going to do. To discuss your case with a skilled advocate, call me toll free at or send me an e-mail today.

Ernie Castillo specializes in criminal defense throughout the Bay Area.  Ernie Castillo's successful track record of trial experience includes complex topics on DNA, gangs, ballistics, fingerprints, false confessions, mistaken witness identification, sexual assault medical exams, possession for sale of narcotics, the compassionate use act, manufacturing of methamphetamine, accident reconstruction and the use of breathalizers/blood draws. Ernie Castillo's areas of practice include:MurderAttempted MurderVehicular ManslaughterAssault with deadly weaponGunFirearmWeaponsGang OffensesSex OffensesRapeDomestic ViolenceThree Strikes CasesThreatsDrug salesSale of methamphetamineSales of marijuanaSales of cocaineRobberyBurglaryDUI LawTheftWhite Collar CrimesWe are dedicated to protecting your freedom and take pride in giving our clients a voice in the courtroom.  Let us dedicate our experience to helping you.

Dedicated to excellent legal representation throughout the Bay Area, Jared emphasizes empathetic and honest client counseling. By taking the time to learn about an individual’s unique legal issue, Jared ensures that each client will realize their best available outcome. Jared offers representation for criminal cases, and has successfully represented clients facing years of incarceration.

Collin Moore believes that his job is to analyze each client’s individual situation, develop a strategy to solve the client’s needs and then fight for his client to obtain the best possible result. His goal in all cases is either dismissal or a win at trial.. Mr. Moore attended law school at the prestigious University of San Francisco School of Law (USF). While at USF, he prepared himself to become an excellent advocate for his clients. Collin not only excelled academically, but he also focused on developing the negotiation and advocacy skills he knew he would need to successfully represent his clients in the real world.

Breanne (Bre) Grey is a relentless defense attorney who represents individuals accused of a wide variety of criminal charges throughout the Bay Area and Sacramento. For her, the opportunity to defend fellow Bay Area natives is a dream come true. In fact, Breanne was born and raised in the Bay and has lived in every county except Marin (where she plans on retiring), leaving only to further her legal career by attending law school in New York and clerking with the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office. Breanne was sworn to the California State Bar in 2015, accomplishing a goal she’d had since drawing herself as a judge on the cover of Time magazine for a class project.. Prior to joining The Nieves Law Firm, Breanne gained trial experience by working at the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office and with private counsel across the Bay Area. Breanne’s unique legal experience has rendered her versatile in a number of criminal defense cases, ranging from drugs and DUIs to homicides and sexual battery.. Breanne has a history of success through effective legal writing. She has written successful motions to dismiss in the interest of justice, motions to set aside the information, and motions to suppress evidence, allowing her to achieve impressive results for the individuals she represents. Not only is Bre a great writer, she is also a compelling orator in the courtroom, captivating jurors with her trial summations. Breanne’s approach to legal advocacy requires the clients to bring her the facts of the case while she takes care of the rest.. When she is not representing The Nieves Law Firm clients, Breanne volunteers with the Prisoner Reentry Network to provide counsel and assistance for inmates across the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.. In her free time, Breanne likes taking her Mustang or Bronco out on a cruise around the Bay Area. You can also find Bre hiking the Santa Cruz Mountains over the weekends with her beagle, Fin. Breanne’s talents extend far beyond the legal field as she is a decorated fantasy football manager and was the MVP of her law school flag football team. Breanne has recently taken up sailing and is a founding member of the Wahine Sail Club.

Benjamin Zicherman was raised in Berkeley, California.. He attaneded Tulane University in Louisiana, and then Pace School of Law in New York.. When Benjamin is not in Court defending his clients, he enjoys cooking and glass blowing.