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Brian Eric Watkins

Criminal defense Attorney at San Diego, CA

5.0   5 reviews

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About Brian

Learn Brian’s areas of practice.

3
Practice areas
  1. Criminal defense
    50%
    San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney, Brian E. Watkins & Associates has experience in both State and Federal Courts defending clients in a wide variety of criminal cases. When being prosecuted on criminal charges, your reputation is at stake. San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney, Brian Watkins & Associates is highly committed to helping you get a second chance, pursuing expungement whenever possible.

    26 years

  2. Car accident
    30%

    26 years

  3. Personal injury
    20%
    San Diego Personal Injury Attorney, Brian E. Watkins & Associates will also recover damages in civil litigation and we only collect a fee if we are successful in recovering the damages owed. Our San Diego Personal Injury attorneys have effectively negotiated and litigated a broad assortment of severe individual damage cases in Southern California. If somebody in your family has suffered a terrible injury as the result of somebody else’s wrongdoing.

    26 years

San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney

San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney, Brian E. Watkins is the founder and principle attorney at Brian E. Watkins & Associates. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, one of our nation's top universities, and earned his law degree from the highest ranked law school in San Diego, The University of San Diego. He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in California.

Defense Attorney Watkins has been in practice in San Diego since 1997 and has extensive trial experience in both criminal Defense and civil litigation matters. He tried the biggest civil rights case in San Diego County and forced change in the San Diego police department's use of force policies. He was instrumental in requiring police to use non-lethal weapons in dealing with unarmed persons. "I've been a fighter for people's rights in the civil litigation and criminal defense arenas in San Diego for almost two decades, we have the skills to level the playing field in a system that can place you at a disadvantage", he says. 

San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney | San Diego Personal Injury Attorney

Criminal Defense Attorney, Watkins has also fought for his clients all the way up to the California Appellate Court. He successfully argued in front of the California Court of Appeals, resulting in their decision to overturn the San Diego Superior Court ruling and the dropping all charges against Watkins' client. In another ground breaking criminal case, Watkins completely exonerated his client who was alleged to have been the major distributor in one of the biggest ecstasy drug cases. The case involved police departments from four different countries, Interpol police agency and alleged shipments of drugs in oil tankers from Haiti to the United States.

Mr. Watkins represents those who are hurt in personal-injury cases and has secured millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for his clients. Watkins successfully handled the highly publicized "Bush case" involving Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Player Reggie Bush and also secured a half-million-dollar jury verdict in litigation with rapper Snoop Dogg and Doggy Style Music. "High-end clients know they can trust me to provide top-notch service and represent them in front of the media, maintaining their reputations while respecting their privacy," Watkins says. 

San Watkins' cases have been featured in local and national news including Good Morning America, CNN, HBO Real Sports, and ESPN.  He has also become a leading legal analyst explaining hot topics and breaking legal stories.  Watkins has been featured on KUSI News San Diego, CBS News, Fox 5 News, CW 6 News, OAN News Network, and NBC News for his criminal defense and civil litigation in San Diego. 

San Diego Criminal Defense Practice Areas:

  • Possession and/or Sales of Drugs
  • DUI/DWI
  • Hit and Run
  • Domestic Violence
  • Weapons Charges
  • Assault
  • Battery
  • Theft
  • Burglary
  • Vandalism
  • Embezzlement
  • Fraud
  • Probation Violations
  • Expungements
  • Early Termination of Probation

San Diego Civil Defense Practice Areas:

  • Automobile Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Civil Litigation
  • Slip and Fall Accidents
  • Wrongful Death
  • Personal Injury
  • Dog Bites
  • Civil Harassment Claims
  • Restraining Orders
  • Representation Before Administrative Hearings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos and videos

Brian Watkins talks to KUSI regarding the sentencing of Ex-SDPD Christopher Hays. If you are looking for a san diego criminal defense attorney, Brian Watkins is a great choice.
San Diego criminal defense attorney, Brian Watkins speaks on the sentencing and future lawsuit.
Top Criminal Defense Attorney in San Diego Brian Watkins talks to ABC News regarding the defense of a high-profile client.
View more
Licensed for 25 years
State CA
Status Active
Acquired 1997
Updated 06/17/2015

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact Brian

Similar lawyers nearby

Brian Eric Watkins
925 B Street, Suite 402
San Diego, CA, 92101

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  5 customer reviews
5 Star
 
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Posted by anonymous | May 17, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
The best in San Diego!
I hired brian to handle my personal injury case. He handled it all the way up to trial where we won a 1 million dollar verdict. Brian and everyone at the office is very caring, knowledgeable and attentive. They will always make sure you're taken care of!
Posted by anonymous | April 19, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
A million thanks!
I hired Brian Watkins to represent my son in a felony matter. This was one of the worst times of my life and Brian helped us get through the ordeal. He was kind, patient, and very knowledgeable. My son's future was in his hands and there is no one that I would trust more.
Posted by Charlene | November 23, 2014
Outstanding Attorney
Attorney Brian Watkins represented me when I was involved in an automobile accident with an uninsured motorist. He is extremely knowledgeable and kept me informed every step of the way. Mr. Watkins worked tirelessly on my case and negotiated a top dollar medical and property settlement. He is a caring and dedicated attorney and I will not hesitate to use his services in the future.
Read less
Posted by Todd | November 19, 2014
An Attorney that goes above and beyond
Brian Watkins represented me for a Felony DUI and got me the best deal I could have possibly gotten. He worked several angles diligently until he got me the deal I wanted. In lesser hands, i would have done jail time. Brian is a true professional and a very nice person.
Posted by Reyna | November 12, 2014
Brian Watkins is the Best!
I was in an automobile accident and I didn't have any health insurance. Brian got me into treatment and settled my case for more than I could have imagined. He took care of all my medical bills and I had more than enough to buy a new car outright and put money in savings.

Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 60 minutes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Principle Attorney
  • Brian E. Watkins & Associates
  • 1997 - Present

Education

  • University of San Diego School of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1997
  • Univ of California Berkeley
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • 1992

Legal Cases

  • Domestic Violence Case
  • criminal charges dropped against client and filed against accuser.
  • Assault Case
  • found not guilty due to proof of self defense.
  • Possession Case
  • - no jail, probation only.
View all legal cases

Associations

  • Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2008 - Present
  • San Diego County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 1999 - Present
  • State Bar of California
  • Member
  • 1997 - Present

Languages Spoken

  • Spanish
  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Preeminent 5.0 out of 5
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2015
  • Top 10 Lawyers
  • San Diego Daily Transcript
  • 2014
  • Top Lawyer
  • San Diego Magazine
  • 2011
  • Power Lawyers and Law Firms
  • Riviera Magazine
  • 2011
  • Top Lawyer
  • San Diego Magazine
  • 2010
  • Top Lawyer
  • San Diego Magazine
  • 2009
View all awards

Publications

  • San Diego Magazine
  • Top Lawyer Edition
  • 2013
  • San Diego Magazine
  • Top Lawyer Edition
  • 2012
  • Riviera Magazine
  • Power Lawyers and Law Firms
  • 2011
  • San Diego Magazine
  • Top Lawyer Edition
  • 2010
View all publications

Speaking Engagements

  • NBC News
  • Legal Analyst
  • 2014
  • KUSI News
  • Legal Analyst
  • 2014

Attorney endorsements

Received (8)
Given (6)
Endorse Brian
Criminal defense Attorney | Apr 13
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer."
Criminal defense Attorney | Oct 21
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. I Mr. Watkins is a great attorney who always strives to obtain the best possible outcome for his clients."
Personal injury Attorney | Nov 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Brian Watkins is a skilled and experienced Personal Injury and Criminal Defense attorney. He is extremely knowledgeable and diligently works on his cases to seek favorable resolutions. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of legal services."
Criminal defense Attorney | Nov 12
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Watkins for over 20 years in the legal community. He has proven to be a skilled, aggressive and knowledgeable attorney who ensures his clients' rights are protected. He surpasses other attorneys in his ability to negotiate cases and obtain favorable results for his clients. On multiple occasions, I have heard his clients praise him for his abilities. I highly recommend Mr. Watkins to anyone in need of his services."
Criminal defense Attorney | Nov 12
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Very good attorney that does great work for his clients."
Personal injury Attorney | Nov 12
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
"I have worked for Brian Watkins for over 8 years. He is an outstanding mentor and amazing teacher of the law. He has taught me how to aggressively represent our clients and be the voice for those that do not have a voice. Mr. Watkins NEVER gives up on his cases or clients. He helps the clients to know that he believes in them and he will fight for them every step of the way. I can proudly say that I have developed into a great lawyer under the guidance of Mr. Watkins."
Criminal defense Attorney | Nov 12
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Brian is a very experienced attorney that is not afraid to go to trial. You can find him in the courthouse daily fighting for his client's rights. Whether you are looking for a criminal defense attorney or a civil litigator, I unquestionably endorse this lawyer."
Criminal defense Attorney | Nov 12
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I have worked numerous cases with Mr. Watkins. He knows and understands the criminal system and how to aggressively and professionally represent clients."
View more endorsements
Criminal defense
Criminal defense
Criminal defense
Criminal defense
Criminal defense