Anthony was born and raised in San Pedro, California. His grandfather was a fisherman out of the port, and his father has worked on the waterfront as a Longshoreman for nearly 40 years. He graduated from San Pedro High in 1986. He attended undergraduate school at the University of California Santa Barbara and graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy as well as Law and Society.
Anthony received his Juris Doctor from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific in 1994. Graduating with honors, including the Traynor Honors Society, he was on the Dean's Honor list for the 1992-'93 and 1993-'94 academic years. Anthony was a Moot Court Top Oral Advocacy Finalist on the Taynor Moot Court Competition team, and won the Capitol City Trial Lawyers Association Award for First Honors in trial advocacy in 1993.
While still in law school, Anthony worked for the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, Division of Criminal Writs and Appeals from May 1993 to December 1993. While in that position he wrote criminal appellate briefs on behalf of the Attorney General's Office. After graduating from McGeorge, Anthony clerked for the Orange County District Attorney's Office in their Juvenile Office from October 1994 to February 1995.
DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Los Angeles County For 14 Years
Anthony continued his legal career by serving the Los Angeles community as a Deputy District Attorney. Hired by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office in February of 1995, he held that position with distinction until October 15, 2008. During this 14-year span, Anthony handled thousands of criminal cases and worked throughout the County in numerous courthouses such as Torrance, Long Beach, Inglewood, LAX, Inglewood Juvenile, and the Criminal Courts Building in downtown Los Angeles (now the Clara Shortridge Foltz Justice Center). He also served in special assignments in the City of Lakewood and the Los Angeles Police Department's Newton Division.
HARDCORE GANGS
As a Deputy D.A., he spent over eight years in the D.A.'s elite Hardcore Gang Unit. While in Hardcore, he prosecuted over 40 murder cases and tried 25 of those murder cases before a jury. In total, Anthony tried 65 felony jury trials in his career as a Deputy District Attorney, including attempted murders, robberies, burglaries, assault with a firearm or deadly weapon, and various narcotics cases. Additionally, he tried numerous misdemeanor jury trials including driving under the influence, domestic violence, and fish and game violations.
Also, in his capacity as Deputy D.A., Anthony worked with the City of Lakewood going after slumlord properties and criminal nuisance locations. He set up the Lakewood Abatement program and cleaned up more than 90 properties within the City of Lakewood. He put together a three-part training program for local landlords to educate them on how to properly manage their properties, which included the detection and prevention of criminal activities occurring on their rental properties.
COMMENDATIONS
U.S. Congress, Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition
U.S. Congress, House of Representatives Distinguished Service Award
From Steven Horn, U.S. Representative
California State Senate, Certificate of Recognition
California State Assembly, Certificate of Recognition
County of Los Angeles Award of Merit
Distinguished Service Award, City of Lakewood
Award of Appreciation from L.A.P.D. Newton Division
Prosecutor of the Month, Torrance Branch Court
Deputy District Attorney of the Month
Selected as apart of Top 100 National Trial Lawyers 2013
Included in the list of California Super Lawyers® for 2012, 2013 and 2014
As an expert in gang prosecutions, Anthony lectured on a number of criminal law topics before distinguished groups. Anthony trained other Deputy District Attorney's on the prosecution of gang related cases and the application of the S.T.E.P. Act, Penal Code section . He lectured at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Star Academy before law enforcement officers from numerous police agencies on Miranda Rights and their legal obligation to advise suspects who are under arrest. Anthony gave a seminar to the Los Angles District Attorney's Office on the filing of murder charges and what evidence is needed before undergoing the prosecution of a homicide case. Further, he participated as a panel member in a seminar for L.A.P.D. detectives on the sufficiency of evidence required in filing gang related charges and the pit falls of an incomplete investigation.
On October 15, 2008, Anthony left the District Attorney's Office to use his experience to help people who need quality representation. Using his experience as a prosecutor and talent as a trial lawyer, he consistently obtains the highest possible results for his clients, including the dismissal of numerous criminal cases. The hallmarks of Anthony's success are his detailed analysis of the evidence and passionate and powerfully reasoned arguments. He combines those skills with his sharp cross-examination and thorough motion work to protect the rights of the accused and achieve exceptional results for his clients.