About Jonah
Jonah Chew has over 20 years of experience in the courtroom, earning him a reputation as one of San Francisco’s most aggressive and effective criminal litigators. His work and expertise in a wide range of criminal cases has earned him media coverage in numerous Bay Area publications.
After earning his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 1998 and being admitted to the California State Bar the same year, he opened a private criminal practice with another attorney. Three years later, he was hired at the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office, considered among the best public defender offices in the United States. It was there he sharpened his skills as a top trial attorney, representing thousands of clients, writing and arguing hundreds of motions and successfully defending people in cases ranging from simple drug possession to serious felonies.
Whether he is defending clients in federal court or in state court, Jonah Chew is a trial attorney who consistently obtains outstanding results. He is aggressive and negotiates the best deals for his clients and guides them towards treatment and rehabilitation when necessary. He is an expert in dealing with complex criminal issues and assists all of his clients in navigating through the intricacies of the legal system.
Practice areas
- Criminal defense: 60%
21 years
- DUI and DWI: 40%
21 years
Languages spoken
English
Photos and videos
Similar lawyers
Sponsored Listings
Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA | Active | 1998 | 01/20/2020 |
| Legal answers | 14 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2020 |
| Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2019 |
| CENTRAL VALLEY TOXICOLOGY BLOOD ALCOHOL METHOD REVIEW | Certification of Attendance, Dr. Rose | 2012 |
| INTERMEDIATE - INSPECTING BLOOD ETHANOL CHROMATOGRAMS | Certificate of attendance, Dr. Rose | 2011 |
| INTRODUCTION TO BLOOD ALCOHOL GAS CHROMATOGRAMS | Certificate of Attendance, Dr. Rose | 2011 |
| DWI Detection & Standardized Field Sobriety Testing | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)Student Course by La Pier & Associates | 2009 |
|---|
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Law Office of Jonah Chew | 2006 - Present |
| Deputy Public Defender | San Francisco Public Defender | 2001 - 2006 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Minority Bar Exchange | Criminal defense attorney representative | 2015 - Present |
| Asian American Criminal Trial Lawyer's Association | Treasurer/Founding Member | 2014 - Present |
| Asian Pacific Islander Joint Bar Association Judiciary Coalition of Northern California | AACTLA representative | 2014 - Present |
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area | N/A | N/A |
| California Public Defenders Association | N/A | N/A |
| California DUI Lawyers Association | N/A | N/A |
|---|---|---|
| State Bar of California | N/A | N/A |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Chew Law Offices Journal | NOT GUILTY: Man Wrongfully Accused In Beating Acquitted After Four Year Legal Saga | 2011 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| U of San Francisco SOL | law | N/A |
| Univ of California San Diego | undergraduate | N/A |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Race and the Jury Box | Voir Dire Training | 2018 |
| USF Intensive Advocacy Program | Direct and Cross Examination | 2017 |
| USF Intensive Advocacy Program | Direct and Cross Examination | 2016 |
| National Asian Pacific American Bar Association | How to Do It All When You're Solo or Small Firm | 2016 |
| National Asian Pacific American Bar Association | Dynamic Cross Examination | 2014 |
| MCLE | How to Defend A Misdemeanor Case | 2003 |
|---|
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| People v. E.C. | Not Guilty All Counts, five week jury trial |
| People v. M.T. | Non-strike plea, local jail time only |
| People v. Anonymous | No Jail. |
| People v. Nicolais N. | motion granted |
| People v. Johnnie W. | Jury Trial Not Guilty |
| DMV hearing | set aside of suspension, license reinstated |
|---|---|
| People v. GC | low term, non strike |
| People v. KO | Case Dismissed. |
| People v. ANONYMOUS | No Jail. Probation with community service. |
| People v. Rucks | Dismissed |
| Juvenile charged as an adult, faces deportation | Our office was able to get the case reassigned to juvenile court, allowing the client to avoid a “strike†and to stay in the country |
Amazing defense lawyer
Posted by anonymous
Wed Dec 18 2019
A amazing lawyer, an even more amazing person
Posted by Tony
Sun Nov 10 2019
Extremely professional and effective
Posted by Vince
Tue Oct 01 2019
Best Attorney Ever
Posted by Chen
Wed May 15 2019
THANK YOU, JONAH!
Posted by Allison
Thu Apr 18 2019
Great choice in an Attorney.
Posted by Mariam
Mon Apr 15 2019
The best lawyer i had
Posted by Cesar gonzalez
Mon Mar 18 2019
Awesome attorney!
Posted by Lamar
Fri Mar 01 2019
Life saver
Posted by anonymous
Thu Jan 03 2019
Best Defensive Attorney in SF Bay Area
Posted by anonymous
Sun Dec 23 2018
Advertising
Attorney endorsements
(21)Douglas Borthwick, Family Attorney on Dec 11, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Michael Waddington, Military law Attorney on May 26, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Jonah. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Givelle Lamano, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 18, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Jonah is one of the best, if not THE BEST attorneys out there. He knows the law like the back of his hand and has a great reputation in the legal community. Everybody loves him and that's because he's ethical, straight to the point, and gets the best result for all of his clients. We've worked together on many cases and our clients could not be happier.
Curtis Briggs, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 15, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Jonah is extremely knowledgeable, confident, and helpful. He is well known in Bay Area courts and he always fights for his clients. Great lawyer!
Brian Crockett, Brain injury Attorney on Sep 15, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Attorney Chew has to be one of the hardest working, most compassionate and client oriented advocates to be practicing law. I endorse this lawyer.
Christopher Leroi, Mediation Attorney on Aug 26, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer without any reservations. It is amazing that I continue to learn from him every day from his responses on Avvo even though I have been licensed for 24 years and have served as a judge, magistrate, law professor, prosecutor, and private attorney. You can not afford not to hire him.
Paul Puri, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 16, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
For that past decade, I've known Jonah to be a fantastic advocate for his clients. The man has vast experience in the San Francisco courts. I wouldn't hesitate to hire him if I was facing charges.
Jon Pettis, DUI and DWI Attorney on Apr 18, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
D.L. Rencher, Personal injury Attorney on Feb 1, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
To me, Jonah represents a standard that all in our practice should pursue. He is detail oriented, knowledgeable on the law and all aspects of his case (and if you need him, your case too). Simply stated, Jonah is a true asset to this profession and more importantly his clients in his relentless pursuit of justice for them. I unequivocally endorse Jonah Chew.
Chris Feasel, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 30, 2012
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I opposed Jonah for a number of years as a DA, and worked with him most recently as a defense attorney. He is knowledgable, thoughful, experienced in criminal matters, and definately know what he is doing. He is able to spot small issues in big cases and bring those to the forefront to work for the benefit of his client. I look forward to working with him in the future, and endorse him fully.
John Stanko, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jan 11, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Jonah Chew is a highly respected aggressive criminal defense and DUI advocate in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area. I am happy to endorse his work as he works tirelessly to achieve the best possible results for his clients and is not afraid to stand up to the government. He is one trial attorney you should consult with if charged with a crime in San Francisco.
Matt Sullivan, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 19, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have seen Mr. Chew in action for a number of years and always found him to be an effective and forceful advocate for his clients. I know he gets excellent results for his clients.
Eloy Trujillo, DUI and DWI Attorney on Oct 1, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Jonah Chew is an excellent trial attorney. He is bright, honest, personable, and has the experience to provide his clients with unparalleled results. Most importantly, he is an aggressive defender and has a solid reputation here in the bay area. If you are looking for an outstanding lawyer, I would not hesitate to suggest hiring Jonah.
Peter Fitzpatrick, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 8, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Jonah is one of the finest, most prepared, and smart criminal defense lawyers practicing in the Bay Area. He is very well respected by Judges, Prosecutors, and fellow lawyers. I highly recommend him for any criminal matter.
Peter Chiang, DUI and DWI Attorney on Sep 3, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Jonah is a nice guy but don't let that fool you. He is extremely aggressive in defending your rights. I have seen Jonah at work and am currently in an ongoing legal seminar with him. Jonah is very experienced and knowledgeable. He is the ultimate fighter for his clients. If you need a criminal defense or DUI lawyer to defend you or your loved ones, Jonah is that person for you. He is one of the best, if not the best, in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Lynn Gorelick, DUI and DWI Attorney on Aug 30, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Jonah Chew will get the job done. Jonah is a hard working, thorough and knowledgeable. He fights for his clients' rights and is respected in the legal community. Do not hesitate to contact and hire Jonah to represent you.
Donald Drewry, DUI and DWI Attorney on Oct 2, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work because I personally have seen him fight for his clients. Many lawyers look for the easiest way to settle a case, but Jonah looks for the best way to settle the case for his client whether it is easy or not. And, when it isn't easy he will take a case to trial to fight for his clients; that is something else a lot of lawyers won't do. That is why it is important the you investigate the lawyer you are hiring, and if you are in Mr. Jonah Chew's office you need not look any further. Hire Jonah and then let him do the great work he does for others for you. Donald Drewry
Nors Davidson, DUI and DWI Attorney on Feb 7, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. Jonah knows the San Francisco courts as well as anyone and will work to get you the best possible results. I recommend Jonah for any San Francisco case.
Marsanne Weese, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 18, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work without reservation. I have been opposing counsel against Jonah and worked with him. He is one of the most knowledgeable attorneys that I have ever had a pleasure to work with. His calm and friendly demeanor allows him to have a great working relationship with clients.
Daniel Flores, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 21, 2009
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Jonah and I have worked on cases together for two years now. Jonah is an excellent criminal defense/DUI lawyer. He knows the law, he knows how to argue the law, he knows how to pitch a deal, and he knows how to win.