Working on High-Stakes Felony Cases Prepares 3L Michael Diamandakis to Thrive as an Attorney  

The communication skills that Michael Diamandakis developed working for the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office proved to be essential for building strong legal cases and securing positive outcomes for clients.

3L Michael Diamandakis shares how the Criminal Practice Clinic at UC Law San Francisco gave him hands-on experience in public defense and helped him build lasting professional connections.  

• Prepared defendants and cases for felony trials and sat as second chair with the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office. 
• Gained litigation experience and contributed to case victories through drafting motions, research, and assisting in trial strategy. 
• Developed stronger client communication and advocacy skills by interviewing defendants and building trust. 

3L Michael Diamandakis:

At the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office, I worked under two felony attorneys, including the felony manager. Clients in the cases I worked on were charged with serious crimes, including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. They were facing minimum 15-year prison sentences. 

I went to jail most days, spoke with clients, interviewed them, and prepared them for trials. Building a rapport and trust with clients is integral to the job. Many clients have been involved with the criminal justice system for years and have suffered negative experiences and outcomes. Talking to the client, understanding them and their perspective is necessary for building a good case.  

I drafted motions for preliminary and pretrial hearings, sat as second chair during criminal trials, and researched and wrote about issues including bail modification, excluding inadmissible evidence, and jury selection. I attended trial strategy meetings, where we discussed the biggest challenges in the case and how to navigate them in court. 

In one of the trials I worked on, my supervisor won a not guilty verdict. I also worked on a case where a defendant’s sentence was cut down from 25 to seven years. In another case, the public defender successfully argued a motion that I researched and wrote, contending that a judge had misapplied the law at an earlier stage of the case. That was one of my greatest personal victories. The case was dismissed as a result.   

Quality public defense work is essential to any society that values equity and freedom for all individuals, regardless of class or station. It is essential to ensure that due process flows not only to the rich, but to all people. Every person deserves a full-throated defense.  

I don’t believe incarceration is the solution for societal problems related to homelessness and drug addiction. Anyone who’s been to a city jail knows it’s not a place for rehabilitation. Public defense is a backstop against society’s worst inclination to resort to incarceration first. 

The Criminal Practice Clinic is a great way for students to get a head start on their legal career and gain trial experience. It allowed me to learn from the best and practice essential skills. I also gained mentors. I frequently talk to the felony manager that I worked under and check in to hear how her cases are going. That’s a huge bonus of this clinic. Not only do you build your professional skills; you also build your personal relationships and network. 

The Evidence of Success series highlights UC Law SF students as they share how the college’s opportunities equip them with the experience, skills, and confidence to excel in the legal profession.