Christine brings extensive courtroom experience and a deep commitment to criminal defense to her work at The Nieves Law Firm. Her legal practice includes trial advocacy, pretrial motions, criminal defense litigation, and matters involving drug court, probation violations, and mental health court.

During her time as a public defender, Christine handled felony and misdemeanor jury trials, including competency-to-stand-trial cases. She also drafted and argued motions involving evidence suppression, discovery, and speedy-trial rights. Among her notable achievements, she successfully obtained a writ of habeas corpus that reversed a trial court order permitting involuntary medication.

Beyond criminal defense, Christine has experience in civil litigation, administrative hearings, and investigations. She has conducted investigations under the Uniform Complaint Procedure, interviewing complainants, witnesses, and school personnel and preparing written findings. She has also represented individuals and families in personal injury and workers’ compensation matters, guiding clients through the legal process from intake to resolution.

Christine is equally committed to education, leadership, and community advocacy. She previously served as an adjunct lecturer at UC Davis School of Law, teaching legal skills to first-year law students. She is the Executive Director and Visionary Founder of Pinay Powerhouse, a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering Pinay legal professionals, and serves as Vice Chair of the City of Union City Arts & Culture Commission. She is also a past president of the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California and an inaugural member of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute.

  • Brings more than 15 years of experience in criminal defense, trial advocacy, and public service.
  • Served as a Deputy Public Defender in Fresno and Solano Counties for 11 years, handling felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile cases.
  • Served as Special Deputy Attorney General to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, advising on civil rights and criminal justice reform.
  • Has extensive courtroom experience, including jury trials, pretrial motions, and criminal proceedings involving complex legal issues.
  • Brings additional experience in civil litigation, administrative hearings, investigations, personal injury, and workers’ compensation matters.
  • Has taught legal skills to first-year law students as an adjunct lecturer at UC Davis School of Law.
  • Founded and leads Pinay Powerhouse, a national nonprofit supporting and empowering Pinay legal professionals.
  • Remains actively involved in professional and community leadership through legal associations and public service.

Education

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) — University of San Francisco School of Law, 2010
  • Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Mass Communications — University of California, Berkeley, 2006

Bar Admissions

  • State Bar of California
  • United States District Court, Northern District of California
  • United States District Court, Central District of California

Awards and Recognition

  • Thurgood Marshall “Intricate Planner and Defender of the Poor” Award (2015) — Solano County Public Defender and Alternate Defender
  • Best Under 40 Award (2017) — National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
  • Unity Award (2017) — Minority Bar Coalition
  • Pursuit of Justice Award — University of San Francisco School of Law, Class of 2010