Larenda Rai Delaini

Larenda Delaini started her law firm in December 2019, out of a desire to exclusively focus on the areas of law that she became so knowledgeable and passionate about during her career, including: criminal law and procedure, appellate law and procedure, state and federal habeas corpus proceedings, erroneously convicted person claims, and victim’s rights.

Before starting her law firm, Ms. Delaini served as Chief Counsel of the California Victim Compensation Board, the oldest and second largest compensation program in the nation, for more than three years. She was a member of the Executive team, participating in policy decisions and providing advice and guidance to the Board to ensure that its processes complied with state and federal law. Ms. Delaini also organized and directed the work of 28 professional staff employed in the Legal Division’s five areas: Legal, Appeals, Restitution Recovery, Legislation and the Fraud Team.

Before becoming Chief Counsel at the Victim Compensation Board, Ms. Delaini worked for the California Attorney General’s Office in the Appeals, Writs, and Trials section. As a Deputy Attorney General, she responded to criminal appeals and state/federal habeas corpus petitions—including those filed in death penalty matters, participated in administrative hearings, and investigated erroneously convicted person claims. Ms. Delaini also filed appeals and writ petitions on behalf of the People to challenge sentencing and evidentiary decisions made in the trial courts. Her work as a Deputy Attorney General allowed her to practice in the Superior Courts, Courts of Appeal, California Supreme Court, and federal courts.

Prior to serving as a Deputy Attorney General, Ms. Delaini spent nearly five years as a Deputy District Attorney prosecuting a variety of misdemeanor and felony offenses, ranging from driving under the influence and domestic violence to robbery, residential burglary, attempted murder, and vehicular manslaughter. She also prosecuted cases in juvenile court, worked in the felony settlement courts, conducted numerous court and jury trials, and earned the Victim Services Award for her compassion and respect towards victims and their families.

In addition, for more than 10 years, Ms. Delaini has taught community college students the basic concepts of criminal law, including the governing constitutional provisions, causation, accomplice liability and defenses to crime. She has also taught criminal procedure. Ms. Delaini currently teaches the legal aspects of evidence.