A Bay Area Defense Attorney Whose Work Is Deeply Personal
Brian Amaya’s approach to criminal defense is shaped by lived experience, years inside the courtroom, and a deep understanding of what’s at stake.
As a former Public Defender in Alameda County, he has represented people across the Bay Area facing charges that could change the course of their lives.
That experience continues to shape how he approaches every case today: with urgency, preparation, and a clear, human-centered perspective.
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Brian was born and raised in Central Los Angeles by a single mother who came to this country as a refugee from El Salvador.
He grew up surrounded by the realities of poverty, over-policing, and a justice system that too often fails the very people it is supposed to protect.
He did not learn about injustice in theory. He saw it up close.
Those experiences shaped his path early. From a young age, he knew he wanted to become an attorney- not simply to practice law, but to stand beside people who are too often unheard, judged too quickly, or forced to navigate the legal system alone.
Today, that commitment continues to define his work with clients across the Bay Area, including Oakland and surrounding communities.
Built Through Experience Inside the System
Brian’s approach to criminal defense is grounded in years of courtroom experience.
As a former Public Defender in Alameda County, he represented clients at every stage of the criminal process- handling cases across Oakland and throughout the broader Bay Area.
That experience shapes how he prepares, challenges cases, and advocates today.
But just as important, it shapes how he sees his clients- not as case numbers, but as people navigating complex, high-stakes situations.
Public Defender Experience
Nearly a decade
representing clients in Alameda
County, handling cases from initial
charges through resolution.
Leadership in Youth Advocacy
As Supervising Attorney
of the Youth Justice Team at Bay Area
Legal Aid, he represented young
people facing homelessness, abuse,
and school-based discipline.
Early Focus on Criminal Defense
From the start of his legal career, Brian
focused exclusively on defense work-
training in appellate, trial, and public
defense settings.
Private Practice Experience
Before founding his
current practice, Brian worked as a
Senior Attorney at a Berkeley criminal
defense firm, continuing to build
complex case strategy and trial
experience.
Defense Training
Brian earned his law degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, after attending UCLA.
From early in his training, he focused on criminal defense- working with the California Appellate Project and Public Defender offices in San Francisco and Alameda County.
His career has always been rooted in defense work, with a focus on understanding both the legal system and the people within it.
Why His Background Matters
Brian’s background allows him to bring more than legal knowledge to his work.
He understands how criminal charges can ripple through a person’s life- affecting employment, family, housing, immigration concerns, and future opportunities.
He also understands that many cases involve more than just legal issues. They can involve stress, mental health challenges, substance use, or difficult circumstances that deserve to be understood in context.
His experience as a former Public Defender gives him direct insight into how cases are built- and where they can be challenged.
His lived experience gives him a grounded understanding of why this work matters in the first place.
Together, those perspectives shape a defense approach that is both strategic and deeply human.
If You Need Serious Defense in the Bay Area, Start Here
When you are facing criminal charges, who you choose matters.
The right defense is not just about legal knowledge- it’s about strategy, experience, and understanding the full picture.