Trial Attorney James M. Chavez

James was a trial attorney at Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. (FDSDI) from 2007 to 2020. FDSDI is among the most respected public defender offices in the nation, attracting new lawyers from top law schools across the country. For over a decade, James trained and mentored these attorneys in criminal defense. In 2019, Harvard Law School recognized James as a Wasserstein Public Interest Fellow for his exemplary work as a public interest lawyer and mentor.

Raised in a home with core values of hard work, integrity, decency, and a healthy dose of humor, James has embodied these principles throughout his career as a lawyer. He received his education in the public schools of Flagstaff, Arizona, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. He applied this degree at the Federal Reserve Board, providing economic analysis to Chairperson Alan Greenspan's office. However, James sought a career of service that offered more tangible benefits, prompting him to enroll at UC Berkeley, School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctorate. As president of his graduating law school class, he had the honor of speaking at the graduation ceremony alongside his personal hero and legal luminary, Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative.

James finds immense joy in the courtroom, where he challenges opposing counsel and judges while defending his clients and trying cases. Over the course of his career, he has managed thousands of felony and misdemeanor cases, ranging from simple misdemeanors to serious felonies. He has successfully tried over twenty jury trials in criminal cases, achieving favorable outcomes in a third of them.

In addition to his trial work, James has enjoyed remarkable success in his appellate practice, having argued seven times before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and California Courts of Appeal.

Since 2007, James has lived in San Diego, though he originally hails from Northern Arizona. His journey in the United States has included time in Oregon, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. An avid traveler, James has visited many countries but holds a special place in his heart for Mexico, where he has lived in Manzanillo, Colima. He also enjoys visiting family members who reside throughout Mexico.

In his free time, James loves going on road trips, hiking, and exploring San Diego County with his young family and three-legged dog.

James, a dedicated trial attorney, believes in the value of taking cases to trial as it ensures the justice system remains fair, impartial, and transparent. His experience in criminal defense is extensive; he has tried twenty-seven federal cases. Out of these, twenty-one were jury trials, which include two cases that resulted in not-guilty verdicts, six trials that ended in a mistrial due to hung juries, and two cases where charges were dismissed after the close of evidence. This commitment to rigorous trial work also informs his understanding of appellate practice.

James enjoys the intellectual challenge of appellate practice within the realm of criminal defense. His experience as a trial attorney includes winning appeals that save his clients months and years of time in custody at resentencing, filing briefs in thirteen appeals, and arguing seven times before the Ninth Circuit and California’s Fourth District Courts of Appeal, resulting in published opinions in three cases.

James spent more than a decade at Federal Defenders, where he dedicated his career to criminal defense, successfully defending thousands of individuals against a wide range of criminal charges. These charges included everything from simple misdemeanors to serious offenses punishable by death.

James took on many leadership roles, including:

Director of New Arraignments

In this role, it was James's responsibility to ensure that Federal Defenders effectively represented nearly every criminal defendant in the Southern District of California arraigned in San Diego. Within the Federal Defenders office, James coordinated attorneys and investigators to staff the arraignments process. Outside of the office, he worked closely with United States Pretrial Services and the United States Marshals to ensure the arraignment process functioned efficiently.

Trial Team Leader of the Streamline Unit

As a trial attorney, James was responsible for coordinating the representation of all defendants represented by Federal Defenders who were prosecuted as part of Operation Streamline. This initiative, a collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice, adopts a 'zero-tolerance' approach to unauthorized border-crossing by criminally prosecuting those involved. In 2018, Operation Streamline was implemented in San Diego amidst a nationwide immigration crackdown, which drew significant media attention due to the controversial child separation practices at the border.

Harvard Law School, Wasserstein Public Interest Fellow (October 2019)

The program recognizes exemplary lawyers who have distinguished themselves in public interest work, including those in appellate practice and criminal defense, as well as serving as mentors. Fellows are brought to campus to advise law students considering similar career paths, particularly those aspiring to become trial attorneys. James was nominated to the fellowship by his colleagues in recognition of his commitment to mentoring younger attorneys, especially those of color.

Defending a Federal Criminal Case (2016), Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. 

Chapter on Common Offense, author 

Chapter on Crime in Indian Country, editor 

Defending a Federal Criminal Case (2010), Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc., 

Final reader 

University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, Berkeley La Raza Law Journal 

Articles Editor, 2006-07 

Articles Editor, 2005-06 

As a trial attorney with a focus on criminal defense, I contributed to the chapter on Common Offense, emphasizing the importance of appellate practice in federal cases. Additionally, my editorial work on the chapter regarding Crime in Indian Country reflects my commitment to providing comprehensive insights into federal criminal law.

James, a skilled trial attorney specializing in criminal defense and appellate practice, has been interviewed by major outlets, and the stories of his clients and their cases have been featured in The New York Times, the L.A. Times, local news publications, NPR Weekend and Morning Editions, Public Radio International, and The New York Times podcast The Daily.

James has been a member of several lawyer organizations over the years, which include groups focused on appellate practice, criminal defense, and trial attorneys, such as: San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association, Federal Bar Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Lawyers Guild, Trial Lawyers College, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, and the American Constitution Society.

Reed College

Admissions office

For many years, James conducted interviews of student applicants who live in San Diego, providing insights into the legal field, including appellate practice and criminal defense.

Career services / mentoring

James served as a resource for countless students and recent alumni who were interested in pursuing a legal career, particularly those aiming to become trial attorneys.

UC Berkeley, School of Law

Career services mentoring

James has spoken to countless students about a career in public defense, offering guidance on the nuances of criminal defense. He has also participated in a program to mentor first-year law students throughout their first year of law school, helping them navigate their journey in the field.

Moot Court Competition

For a number of years, James volunteered to evaluate briefs for the annual moot court competition, contributing to the development of aspiring trial attorneys.

San Diego Cooperative Preschool

Board of directors

James participates in the monthly meetings of the general board and is on two sub-committees. Prior to the pandemic, James would volunteer in the preschool two mornings a month.

University of California, Berkeley, School of Law

Juris Doctorate (2007)

Class president

Commencement speaker

Moot court board focused on appellate practice

Berkeley La Raza Law Journal (editor)

Reed College, Portland, Oregon

Bachelor of Arts, Economics (2001)

Commendation for academic excellence

Walter Mintz economics scholarship

As a trial attorney, my education has equipped me with a strong foundation in both criminal defense and appellate practice.