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Jo-Anna Marie Nieves
also known as Jo-Anna, Nieves
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About Jo-Anna
Biography
When you are charged with a criminal offense, you need a strong, experienced, and committed advocate. It’s a role that Jo-Anna Nieves has assumed many times, with great success. Jo-Anna began her post-bar legal career at the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, which gives Jo-Anna a rare perspective that she uses to support, advise, and defend you.
“I love criminal law. It’s captivating and I’m passionate about it,” -Jo-Anna Nieves
Jo-Anna is committed to mounting the best possible defense for what she calls “hard working, family-oriented, successful professionals who aren’t career criminals… some are falsely accused, others make a bad call like driving home after a couple glasses of wine at a work event.”
Jo-Anna was 20 years old when she graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in both Multinational Business and Finance. She went on to earn her J.D. from Florida State University in May 2009, where she was also a member of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. Jo-Anna started her legal career by interning with the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, where she gained experience in the arraignment of misdemeanor and domestic violence offenses, the prosecution of adult sexual assault crimes, and felony preliminary hearings. After Jo-Anna passed the California Bar, she continued her career at the Sacramento County DA’s Office. She gained experience in the misdemeanor trial unit, negotiating plea offers, arguing suppression motions, and prepping cases for trial. She also built a rapport with members of the legal community, and further developed her trial advocacy skills.
Two years later, she accepted a position as a trial attorney at a creditor’s rights law practice in Los Angeles, where she effectively litigated over 400 cases by reaching favorable resolutions for her clients by way of settlement prior to trial and maintaining a success rate of 95% for over 100 cases that went to trial.
In 2012, Jo-Anna started The Nieves Law Firm, APC, to help restore the reputation of those caught in California’s criminal justice system. Since opening her own office, she has successfully represented defendants charged with assault and battery, DUI, contempt, drug offenses, sexual assault and other sex crimes, robbery and other theft crimes, fraud, and domestic violence and other violent crimes. She also has an impressive track record in civil litigation matters such as civil harassment, domestic violence, workplace violence and elder abuse restraining orders.
Jo-Anna has served as a mock trial coach for El Centro Legal de la Raza’s Youth Law Academy and their Advisory Board for several years and is a member of the Earl Warren Inns of Court. Jo-Anna also taught at Stanford Law School since 2018 – educating future lawyers about Trial Advocacy. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA), and is admitted to practice before all courts of the State of California and Florida. She is also admitted for federal practice in the United States District Courts for the Northern, Eastern and Central Districts of California.
"We take the Criminal out of Criminal Defense"
"We take the Criminal out of Criminal Defense"
Practice Areas
8
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
50%
DUI and DWI
10%
Domestic Violence
10%
Sex Crime
10%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in California for 14 years
State: California
Acquired: 2011
No misconduct found
Licensed in Florida for 9 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2016
No misconduct found
Location
The Nieves Law Firm
(510) 879-5452
Mobile
160 Franklin St # 210, Oakland, CA, 94607
thenieveslawfirm.com/The Nieves Law Firm
(510) 879-5452
Mobile
1100 11th St. 3rd Fl., Rm 311, Sacramento, CA, 95814
thenieveslawfirm.com/The Nieves Law Firm
(510) 879-5452
Mobile
41111 Mission Blvd., Ste. 114, Fremont, CA, 94539
thenieveslawfirm.com/The Nieves Law Firm
(510) 879-5452
Mobile
6840 Vía del Oro Suite 2651, San Jose, CA, 95119
thenieveslawfirm.com/The Nieves Law Firm
(510) 879-5452
Mobile
11 S San Joaquin St Ste 609, Stockton, CA, 95202
thenieveslawfirm.com/The Nieves Law Firm
(510) 879-5452
Mobile
490 Chadbourne Rd. Suite A191, Fairfield, CA, 94534
thenieveslawfirm.com/Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Jo-Anna online.
Jo-Anna Marie Nieves's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
5 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (5)
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Posted by Seth | March 25, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Fantastic!
I have worked with Nadia Khechfe before in the past. She is dedicated to her career and will go above and beyond. As an attorney myself, I cannot recommend her enough.
Posted by anonymous | January 01, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Grateful
I always felt that my best interests were looked after. There was great attention paid to the detail of my case and the truth of my experience. I gained assuredness and security from the fair-mindedness of my counsel. I am very thankful and grateful. Ultimately, the outcome was in my favor and tr...
Posted by anonymous | August 05, 2019 | Hired Attorney
Excellent Firm
Jo-Anna and her team provided excellent support when I didn't think I had any options. Her team didn't stop fighting for me and that I truly appreciated. I had lost complete hope and the relief that her team was able to get was more than I could have asked for. Their team is responsive, timely and go...
Posted by Therese | August 07, 2015 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Jo-Anna Nieves extremely focused and knowledgable.
Jo-Anna Nieves took over my case and I immediately felt she was going to get favorable results. Jo-Anna worked hard to get updates on my previous hearings. Ms.Nieves clearly expressed to me the reality of my case. After serious negotiation in courtroom she was able to show the vindictiveness of the o...
Posted by Millian | October 18, 2013 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Ms. Nieves is one in a millionaire.
Jo-Anna Nieves was invaluable in helping me through a more difficult time while fighting a legal issue.She also made me feel, she really had my best interest at heart.
Jo-Anna Marie Nieves's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this attorney 100%. Jo-Anna Nieves is a class act and gets the job done. She is well respected by her colleagues, opposing counsel, and Judges. Clients can depend on her for great work and at the end of the day, she always gets the best result. I have been in trial with her and she got all 4 counts dismissed. It took a lot of work but she was on top of it as usual. Definitely a winner!"
"Jo-Anna is a thoughtful, diligent, and motivated attorney. She is highly knowledgable in her practice areas and is well respected in the community. I endorse this lawyer."
"Jo-Anna is a knowledgeable and experienced attorney. She has proven to be a mentor to me and a strong business professional. I cannot speak more highly of her as an attorney and human being!"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Jo-Anna is a compassionate advocate that takes the "crime" out of "criminal". I trust all my criminal client referrals to her."
"Jo-Anna is committed to effectively defending her clients and getting them the best outcome possible. I endorse this lawyer without hesitation."
"Jo-Anna is highly respected among her peers in the Bay Area Legal Community. She is smart, dedicated, and hardworking, and knows how to take care of her clients. I endorse this lawyer."
"Jo-Anna is an excellent attorney. Not only does she fight as hard as she can for her clients but she also takes the time to develop professionally so that she can learn how to best serve them. She has developed wonderful systems and staff to ensure that her law firm runs in a customer centric way. If I ever need to refer business to a criminal defense lawyer in the Bay Area, Jo-Anna is without a doubt my first call."
"Jo-Anna is an incredibly talented attorney who works tirelessly for her clients. Not only is she efficient and professional, she's an active member of her community and genuinely cares about her work and her clients. I recommend her for criminal defense matters without reservation."
"I know of no better qualified criminal defense attorney in the Oakland area than Jo-Anna Nieves. I strongly endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Jo-Anna is a dedicated criminal defense attorney with a proven track record."
"Jo-Anna Nieves is a formidable attorney that is dedicated to the cause of her clients. She is smart and thorough and thus able to obtain great results for the people she represents. I fully endorse her."
"I endorse Ms. Nieves. She is one of those defense attorneys who has had the rare opportunity to work both sides of a criminal case. It is for this reason that he provides exceptional representation for clients as he knows how to out think, out work, and out maneuver his adversaries. Any person in the Bay Area would be lucky to have Ms. Nieves represent her."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Smart, compassionate, and hardworking. You are in good hands if Jo-Anna is your attorney!"
"I worked with Jo-Anna at the Sacramento County DA's Office. She is hard working, approachable, and professional. She is very knowledgeable about criminal law and will work to settle her clients' cases in a fair, speedy, and cost-effective way. We now serve on the ACBA Barristers' Board together. Her commitment to her clients and to the community are first-rate. I do not hesitate to refer my clients to Jo-Anna."
"Several years of criminal practice with some Sacramento DA experience. Stong knowledge of both law and procedure and excellent contributions pro bono here on avvo. Call her for a consultation if you are in or near Oakland."
"I endorse Jo-Anna Nieves. She is a solid lawyer who I have handled numerous litigation matters against. Jo-Anna is well prepared and a strong advocate for her clients who achieves good results for her clients."
"Top-notch attorney."
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Experience
Honors
2023
Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Oakland, Expertise
2023
Best DUI Lawyers in Oakland, Expertise
2023
Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Alameda, Expertise
2023
#21 on Seminole 100, Florida State University
2022
Best of Oakland, Top 5 Attorneys, Oakland Magazine
2022
Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Oakland, Expertise
2022
Best DUI Lawyers in Oakland, Expertise
2022
Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Alameda, Expertise
2022
#35 on Seminole 100, Florida State University
2022
#60 of 500 Fastest Growing Law Firms in 2021, Law Firm 500
2022
Super Lawyers Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2021
#34 on Seminole 100, Florida State University
2021
Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Oakland, Expertise
2021
Best DUI Lawyers in Oakland, Expertise
2021
Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Alameda, Expertise
2021
#45 of 500 Fastest Growing Law Firms in 2021, Law Firm 500
2021
Super Lawyers Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2020
#16 of 500 Fastest Growing Law Firms in 2020, Law Firm 500
2020
Proven Trial Lawyer, Litigation Counsel of America
2020
Super Lawyers Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2020
#6 on Seminole 100, Florida State University
2019
#12 Fastest Growing Law Firm in US: Law Firm 500, Law Firm 500
2019
Super Lawyer Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyers Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2017
Distinguished Service Award, Alameda County Bar Association
2017
Lawyers of Distinction, Lawyers of Distinction
2016
Super Lawyer Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2014
Thirty Under Thirty, Florida State University
Work Experience
2013 - Present
Managing Attorney, The Nieves Law Firm Criminal Defense Attorneys
2011 - 2014
Attorney, Mandarich Law Group, LLP
2009 - 2011
LRA II, Sacramento County District Attorney
Associations
2023 - Present
Alameda County Bar AssociationVice President
2018 - Present
Stanford LawTrial Advocacy Teacher
2015 - Present
Earl Warren American Inn of CourtBarrister
2013 - Present
Judicial Appointments Evaluation CommitteeCommittee Member
2016 - 2019
Centro Legal de la RazaMock Trial Coach
2016 - 2017
ACBA Barrister's Section Executive CommitteeSocial Chair
2015 - 2016
ACBA Barrister's Section Executive CommitteeChair
2015 - 2016
Alameda County Bar AssociationBoard of Directors
2013 - 2017
Volunteer Legal Services CorporationVolunteer
2013 - 2015
ACBA Barrister's Section Executive CommitteeVice Chair
Sample of Legal Cases
Sandhu v. United States
Writ of Error Coram Nobis Granted
Devol v. Jimenez
Case Dismissed
Moore v. Firato
Client Acquitted of all charges
People v. Omwange
Not Guilty on all counts
Lussier v. Lussier
Case Dismissed
Education
2009
Florida State Univ COL
JD - Juris Doctor
2005
Florida State University
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2022
Trial Advocacy Workshop
Direct Examination
2022
Career Week: Criminal Law Careers
Careers in Criminal Law
2021
Diversity Legal Pipeline
Diversity in the Legal Field
2020
San Francisco Law Library
Post Conviction Relief for Attorneys and Their Clients
2020
Pangea Legal Services
Post Conviction Relief for Immigration Attorneys and Their Clients, Pangea Law
2020
CEB Business of Law
Business of Law
2019
UC Public Service Law Conference at Berkeley Law School
Low Bono/Solo Session
2019
2019
Earl Warren Inns of Court delivered MCLE
Dark Window: A Look into Privacy in the Social Media Age
2019
Berkeley Law
“Practice 99: Getting Paid”
2019
Bay Area Legal Incubator
Top 50 Tech Hacks
2019
ACBA Women In Law
Women in Criminal Justice Law
2018
Stanford Law
Closing Arguments
2018
PLI Incubator Boot Camp: Tools for New Lawyers Looking to Go Solo 2017
Mechanics of Practice: Billing, Types of Client Engagement, and Financial Arrangements
2018
Gender, Sexuality, and the Law
The Intersection of Gender and the Criminal Justice System
2018
Bay Area Legal Incubator
Billing, Types of Client Engagement, and Financial Arrangements
2018
ACBA Women in Law Series
Issues Facing Women Entering the Practice of Law
2017
PLI Incubator Boot Camp: Tools for New Lawyers Looking to Go Solo 2017
Mechanics of Practice: Billing, Types of Client Engagement, and Financial Arrangements
2016
New Attorney Boot Camp
Practical Nuts and Bolts for New Attorneys (Criminal)
2016
El Cerrito High School
Pursuing a Career in Law
2016
2016 Women's Conference
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
2016
2016 Women's Conference
Delivering and Receiving Performance Reviews
2015
New Attorney Boot Camp
Practical Nuts and Bolts for New Attorneys (Criminal)
Publications
2018
The Nieves Law Firm Criminal Defense Attorneys
The Art of Criminal Defense
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides