Portia Fariza Petty
Attorney
Richmond,CA
Summary
Seasoned Criminal Defense Attorney with critical understanding of legal procedures, laws, and court proceedings. Demonstrated success in crafting defense strategies, conducting investigations and preparing for trial. Strong ability to negotiate plea bargains, cross-examine witnesses and present evidence effectively. Notable contributions include successfully defending clients in high-profile cases and ensuring fair application of law.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Staff Attorney
Neighborhood Defender Service (NDS)
San Antonio, Texas
07.2022 - 05.2023
- Staff attorney providing public defense representation and related services exclusively to immigrants who have been arrested as part of the State of Texas’ 'Operation Lone Star' program
- The first NDS Texas office opened in San Antonio in January 2022, and a second office opened in Houston in August 2022
- My term ended because I am not licensed as an attorney in Texas
- I was working under the Supreme Court of Texas 22-9007 exception
Private Criminal Defense Attorney and Private Investigator
Portia Glassman-Petty, Esq. & Investigative Services
Oakland, CA
08.2007 - 07.2015
- Private attorney and investigator representing clients in matters ranging from misdemeanors to 3rd strike felonies and capital cases, including appeals and parole hearings
- Also extensive experience in 'gang' and medical marijuana cases
- Aside from criminal defense, I have also represented clients in family law matters, disability law, medi-care issues, and civil accident claims
- Some of my most recent cases have included a multi-codefendant homicide case with a special circumstance, making the case death penalty eligible; the successful parole hearing of a man who had served 32 years in prison on a second degree murder; and an 11 felony count gang case
Legal Counsel
Motorcycle Clubs Are Not Street Gangs (MCANSG), Inc.
Oakland, CA
01.2008 - 01.2010
- As legal counsel for the non-profit organization MCANSG, I educated people regarding the dangers of historical folk-lore of motorcycle clubs, in relation to the real life outcomes of court cases in the criminal law context and took part in drafting anti-motorcycle club profiling legislation
Associate County Counsel
Alameda County Counsel
Oakland, CA
11.2005 - 08.2007
- Counsel for General Services Agency (GSA) financing and the Public Health Dept., as a civil prosecutor in the area of nuisance abatement in the unincorporated areas of the county
- I also drafted a multi-jurisdictional ambulance ordinance as counsel for the public health department
Attorney
Neighborhood Law Corps
Oakland, CA
02.2004 - 11.2005
- As a civil prosecutor in the area of nuisance abatement, I would go to communities in East Oakland and explore complaints by residents that affect their standard of living
- If warranted, I filed civil suits against the violating property owner(s)
- Such as liquor store nuisances, slumlords, and property owners of drug houses, as well as corporations that were dumping waste within the city
Special Public Defender
Marin County Public Defender’s Office
San Rafael, CA
06.2003 - 02.2004
- I handled a misdemeanor caseload
- I worked with Jay Ruskin on a homicide case in which I did research, wrote memos, met with client regularly, found and interviewed cultural specialists and translators, interviewed witnesses, wrote investigation reports, viewed evidence, viewed the crime scene and other related work
- I did the in-custody misdemeanor intake interviews, discussed pleas with the district attorney and went before the court in order to plea and/or to motion the court for an OR release or bail reduction, as well as conduct jury trials
Legal Assistant
Marin County Public Defender’s Office
San Rafael, CA
08.2002 - 06.2003
- I handled a misdemeanor caseload
- I worked with Jay Ruskin on a homicide case in which I did research, wrote memos, met with client regularly, found and interviewed cultural specialists and translators, interviewed witnesses, wrote investigation reports, viewed evidence, viewed the crime scene and other related work
- I did the in-custody misdemeanor intake interviews, discussed pleas with the district attorney and went before the court in order to plea and/or to motion the court for an OR release or bail reduction, as well as conduct jury trials
Law Clerk
Marin County Public Defender’s Office
San Rafael, CA
01.2001 - 01.2002
- I handled a misdemeanor caseload
- I worked with Jay Ruskin on a homicide case in which I did research, wrote memos, met with client regularly, found and interviewed cultural specialists and translators, interviewed witnesses, wrote investigation reports, viewed evidence, viewed the crime scene and other related work
- I did the in-custody misdemeanor intake interviews, discussed pleas with the district attorney and went before the court in order to plea and/or to motion the court for an OR release or bail reduction, as well as conduct jury trials
Education
J.D. -
Boalt Hall Law School
Berkeley, CA06.2002
B.A. - Social Welfare
University of California
Berkeley, CA12.1998
A.A. - Sociology
Columbia Community College
Sonora, CA06.1994
Skills
- Investigative research
- Investigative skills
- Analytical thinking
- Legal research expertise
- Researching skills
- Legal writing
- Criminal defense
- Efficient researcher
- Court preparation
- Case analysis
- Trial experience
- Investigation skills
- Criminal law
- Legal advisory
Certification
- Licensed Investigator, California, 27993, 09/01/12, 2023
- California State Bar, 224939, 06/03/03
Accomplishments
- Dolores Zohrab Leibmann Fellowship, Fall 2000 - Spring 2001
- Dolores Zohrab Leibmann Fellowship, Fall 2001 - Spring 2002
- Research and Participation, Amici Curiae brief on the Thomas Miller-El case, 2001
Training
- Oakland Rent Measure EE Training, 01/01/05
- VITA Tax Certification, 02/01/05
- Continuing Legal Education, Trial Skills, Death Penalty, Forensic Evidence, Gang Cases, Medical Marijuana, Methamphetamine Abuse, Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, Felony Defense Seminars
Timeline
Staff Attorney
Neighborhood Defender Service (NDS)
07.2022 - 05.2023
Legal Counsel
Motorcycle Clubs Are Not Street Gangs (MCANSG), Inc.
01.2008 - 01.2010
Private Criminal Defense Attorney and Private Investigator
Portia Glassman-Petty, Esq. & Investigative Services
08.2007 - 07.2015
Associate County Counsel
Alameda County Counsel
11.2005 - 08.2007
Attorney
Neighborhood Law Corps
02.2004 - 11.2005
Special Public Defender
Marin County Public Defender’s Office
06.2003 - 02.2004
Legal Assistant
Marin County Public Defender’s Office
08.2002 - 06.2003
Law Clerk
Marin County Public Defender’s Office
01.2001 - 01.2002
- Licensed Investigator, California, 27993, 09/01/12, 2023
- California State Bar, 224939, 06/03/03
J.D. -
Boalt Hall Law School
B.A. - Social Welfare
University of California
A.A. - Sociology
Columbia Community College
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