Brianna Jackson brings a multidisciplinary perspective to criminal defense, combining legal experience with years of research, community advocacy, and public interest work.
Before becoming an attorney, Brianna worked in harm reduction and community organizing, supporting individuals and families affected by incarceration, homelessness, and public health challenges. She established a harm reduction drop-in center in central Pennsylvania and organized alongside community members through VOCAL-NY in New York. These experiences shaped her commitment to meeting people with compassion, understanding, and respect, regardless of their circumstances.
Her academic background includes a Juris Doctor from Golden Gate University School of Law, a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and doctoral studies in Criminology and Sociology at Penn State University. Her research focused on police administration, public health policy, crime analysis, and the broader systems influencing criminal justice outcomes.
During law school, Brianna clerked at the ACLU of Northern California and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area. She also worked with the Alameda County District Attorney’s Public Accountability Unit, investigating police use of force through body-worn camera footage and court records. Her legal aid experience includes family law matters, domestic violence cases, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status proceedings, and asylum assistance.
As a post-bar law clerk at Lamano Law Office, Brianna handled misdemeanor and specialty court matters throughout Alameda, San Francisco, and Contra Costa Counties. Her work included DUI cases, mental health diversion, and veterans treatment court, where her mitigation advocacy helped clients achieve outcomes without incarceration.
Since becoming licensed, Brianna has also served as counsel in a significant mass defense case involving 18 defendants following an incident of police brutality at a San Francisco Pride event. The charges against her client and all 17 co-defendants were resolved without trial.
Beyond her legal practice, Brianna remains actively involved in civil rights advocacy and legal reform. She has led ACLU lobby day teams since 2011 and currently chairs the Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) delegation to the Conference of California Bar Associations, helping develop legislative resolutions addressing broader issues within the legal system.
- Experienced in criminal defense, civil rights advocacy, legal research, and public interest law.
- Earned her Juris Doctor from Golden Gate University School of Law, with a focus on public interest and social justice.
- Handled misdemeanor and specialty court matters, including DUI, mental health diversion, and veterans treatment court.
- Served as counsel in an 18-defendant mass defense case involving police brutality at a San Francisco Pride event.
- Previously clerked at the ACLU of Northern California and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Conducted investigations into police use of force for the Alameda County District Attorney’s Public Accountability Unit.
- Holds a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College and completed doctoral coursework in Criminology and Sociology at Penn State University.
- Serves on the boards of Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) and the National Lawyers Guild San Francisco Bay Area Chapter.
Outside of work, Brianna enjoys hiking, spending time in nature, and practicing forest bathing. She is also a trauma-informed yoga instructor and enjoys exploring the outdoors throughout the Bay Area, Yosemite, and Southern California, where she grew up.
