About

Meet Our Team

We provide our clients with seasoned criminal defense. We offer our clients an aggressive and exceptional defense through the entire process, from arraignment to preliminary hearing, trial, and appeal, if necessary.

Our attorneys, Austin Thompson and Jesse Garcia, realize that our clients are normal people who, through a series of unfortunate events, find themselves in our office seeking defense against sobering criminal charges. We take the time to listen to the stories and circumstances that have brought them to this place and use those details to craft a solid defense on their behalf. Our focus is to help them move past their legal troubles and back to where they can begin reassembling their lives.

Jesse J. Garcia

Partner

For the past 49 years, Jesse Garcia has been a criminal defense attorney practicing in both state and federal courts throughout California and the West Coast. During law school, Mr. Garcia clerked in the office of the San Francisco Neighborhood Legal Assistance Foundation's Mission District Office. After graduating from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 1974, he received a Regional Herbert Smith Fellowship and practiced law with Legal Services in the San Joaquin Valley. He then joined the Alameda County Public Defender's Office in 1975. In 1981, Mr. Garcia moved into private practice and formed a partnership focusing exclusively on criminal defense. He has represented defendants charged with every crime imaginable, including murder, vehicular homicide, drug offenses, sex crimes, and violent crimes of all types. Since entering private practice, Mr. Garcia has had the opportunity to develop expertise in white-collar crimes, including software piracy and commercial fraud of all types.

Mr. Garcia approaches each case as a unique problem and fashions his defense based on each case's special characteristics. When dealing with crimes involving allegations of domestic violence or sexual assault, Jesse Garcia aggressively defends his clients. In his juvenile practice, Jesse Garcia maintains those same high standards with an eye toward restorative justice and rehabilitation. His large practice draws from many diverse communities. Mr. Garcia has represented clients with identifiable gang affiliations.

The diversity of cases has taken Jesse Garcia into federal courts throughout California and the Pacific Northwest and state courts throughout Northern, Central, and Southern California. Jesse Garcia has achieved consistent success in almost 50 years of practice on the West Coast.

Bar Admissions

• California, 1974

Education

• University of San Francisco School of Law, San Francisco, California

• Honors: Regional Herbert Smith Fellowship

Honors and Awards

• Reginald Heber Smith Community Law Fellow, 1974 – Present

• Super Lawyers of Northern California, 2010 – Present

• Super Lawyers of Northern California, 2011 – Present

Professional Associations and Memberships

• California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

• Alameda County Bar Association

Past Employment Positions

• San Francisco Neighborhood Legal Assistance Foundation's Mission District Office, Clerk, 1972 to 1974

• San Joaquin County Legal Aid Society, Staff Attorney, 1974 to 1975

• Alameda County Public Defender's Office, Assistant Public Defender, 1975 to 1980

Austin M. Thompson

Partner

Austin Thompson, a seasoned criminal defense attorney with two decades of experience, is known for his immediate action and deep knowledge of the law. His proven track record of success and dedication to clients has earned him a strong reputation in the Bay Area and beyond. By cutting through legal obstacles and utilizing top investigators and experts, Mr. Thompson presents compelling facts in your favor, leading to jury acquittals, dismissals, and favorable outcomes in pretrial negotiations. As the lead writer in his office, Mr. Thompson has won many cases through winning motions and petitions, avoiding lengthy trials. With expertise in juvenile cases, criminal asset forfeiture, immigration matters, and federal sentencing, Mr. Thompson focuses on achieving the best possible outcome for his clients. Trust Austin Thompson to handle your case passionately and professionally.