Gurjit Pandher Bringing Results & Experience to The Nieves Law Firm

The newest attorney at The Nieves Law Firm is Gurjit Pandher, a criminal defense lawyer with over 20 years of legal experience. His work as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and judge pro tempore provides him with unique insight into cases and allows him to develop strong legal arguments on behalf of his clients, noted by some of his best case results. In this article, we look at what Gurjit considers are his top 3 trial victories over his career.

Charges of Second-Degree Assault, Second-Degree Domestic Violence, and First-Degree Burglary

Found Not Guilty of all Three Counts After Trial

The client was alleged to have broken into their partner’s house while the partner was entertaining another person. The client assaulted both their partner and the other person with a coffee pot. The alleged assault resulted in laceration to the partner’s nose and a laceration to just above the eyebrow of the other person. Gurjit alleged self-defense as an affirmative defense for his client and sought reimbursement—which was granted. Gurjit considers this one of his best outcomes because not only was he able to protect his client’s rights, but he was also able to check the power of the prosecutor and the State by recouping his client’s out of pocket expenses. 

First-Degree Robbery (2 Counts)

Found Not Guilty of Both Counts After Trial

The client and another co-defendant were alleged to have robbed, at knife point, two individuals of their electronic devices. A friend of the two alleged victims was also present at the time of the alleged robbery. Both the client and the co-Defendant claimed they did not commit the crime and were adamant that they were not present during the crime—identity was the primary issue at trial.  At the time of trial, the client had no criminal history and was offered a Robbery Second Degree plea offer with at 3 to 9 month sentencing range instead of 41 to 54 months range if he was convicted at trial. The client refused the plea deal and was found not guilty of the charges after trial. This case stood out to Gurjit because not only did he achieve a favorable result for a client, but he also learned about maintaining integrity and strength in the face of extreme punishment.

Communicating with a Minor for Immoral Purposes

Found Not Guilty After Trial

The client, an ice cream salesperson, was alleged to have made lewd and sexually suggestive remarks to two minors when they approached the client to purchase ice cream. The client denied the allegations and took significant risk by taking this case to trial instead of accepting an enticing plea offer. Because the case went to trial, the client was marginalized by his community and family members for the alleged misconduct. At trial, attorney Gurjit Pandher was able to secure a not guilty verdict on behalf of his client, allowing him to regain his dignity and self-respect. This case reminded Gurjit of the importance of fighting for truth in the face of adversity, even when there are other seemingly easier routes available. 

Contact Gurjit Pandher and The Nieves Law Firm

Gurjit’s ability to secure favorable outcomes on behalf of his clients was due to his experience, his legal work, and the trust his clients placed in him. If you are facing criminal charges in the Bay Area or Sacramento, Gurjit may be able to help you. Contact The Nieves Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team and learn more about how we can assist you with your legal needs.

Attorney Gurjit Pandher Joins The Nieves Law Firm

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, October 4th: The Nieves Law Firm has added attorney Gurjit Pandher to the team in an effort to expand our services and better serve our clients. Pandher will be a senior criminal defense attorney at The Nieves Law Firm, working out of our Oakland office.

Pandher joins The Nieves Law Firm after working as a legal professional for over 20 years.  His experience working in both the civil and criminal fields give him a deep set of litigation skills he utilizes to find positive outcomes for his clients. Gurjit has represented clients in criminal trials at both the State and Federal Courts, defending clients accused of crimes ranging from simple misdemeanors to first-degree murder. Some of his most notable outcomes include a not guilty jury verdict for a client accused of two counts of Robbery, a not guilty jury verdict for a client accused of domestic violence, assault, and burglary, and a favorable plea agreement for a client facing first-degree murder charges.

Gurjit earned his bachelor’s degree in political science prior to obtaining his law degree. He has always been a strong and strategic advocate even while in school. In law school he won the 1995 Alternative Dispute Resolution Negotiation Competition. During Gurjit’s legal career, he has served as the president of his local Bar Association, a mock trial judge for aspiring law students, and a Judge Pro Tempore for a District Court. His experiences as a former prosecutor and Judge Pro Tempore give him a unique insight into the legal field that most attorneys simply don’t have. He’s seen the justice system from more sides than most and has used his experiences to make him a thoughtful and focused litigator.

According to Gurjit, the opportunity to defend the constitutional rights of clients has always been of the utmost importance. “Fighting for and upholding the constitutional rights of the people in our country has always been at the center of my legal career, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue doing that with the team at The Nieves Law Firm.”

“We are excited about having Gurjit on the team not only because of his breadth of experience working in the legal field for over 20 years, but also because of the different roles he has served in the legal community over the course of his career,” says Jo-Anna Nieves, Founder of The Nieves Law Firm. “Gurjit has worked as a prosecutor trying crimes, a criminal defense attorney defending individuals against criminal allegations, and as a Judge Pro Tem. His unique experiences have allowed him to see cases from many different angles and walk in the shoes of the client, allowing him to craft defenses that provide his clients with the opportunities for favorable outcomes and trusted support. He understands how confusing, frustrating, and draining the legal system can be and fights to relieve his clients of the stress and burdens that they are carrying on their shoulders.  He truly embraces and fights for the mission of the firm – restoring the reputation of people accused of crimes and helping them plan for a better future.”

The Nieves Law Firm is a criminal defense law firm based out of Oakland, California, that takes the “criminal” out of criminal defense. A full-service criminal defense firm, The Nieves Law Firm offers legal representation at every stage of the criminal defense process. Whether charges have yet to be filed against you, you have been charged with a crime, you were previously convicted and want to reduce the impact of the conviction through post-conviction relief, or you need assistance with a restraining order, The Nieves Law Firm has the legal knowledge and experience to assist you. Contact The Nieves Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about our legal services.

Jo-Anna Nieves Named to 2021 Super Lawyers Rising Stars List

Super Lawyers recently recognized Jo-Anna Nieves of The Nieves Law Firm with their annual Super Lawyers Rising Star distinction, marking the sixth consecutive year that Jo-Anna has been recognized by Super Lawyers for her successes in and outside the courtroom. This places Jo-Anna in elite company as only 2.5% of candidates are named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of attorneys from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Every year, Super Lawyers recognizes the most successful lawyers across the country for their high-quality legal work.

The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys.

While the recognition is great, Jo-Anna notes that her focus is always on providing her clients with the best legal representation she can offer. “My goal is to always find the best results I can for my clients, one that takes their wants and needs into account,” Jo-Anna said. “The most rewarding part of my job is helping individuals get their lives back on track and it’s always an honor to be recognized by Super Lawyers for the work we do.”

Jo-Anna Nieves is a criminal defense attorney who defends clients throughout the Oakland area who are facing a variety of criminal charges, ranging from misdemeanor DUIs to serious and violent felonies. She also helps clients who need assistance with post-conviction relief, whether that be through means of a motion to vacate, an expungement, a certificate of rehabilitation or some other form of relief. In fact, Jo-Anna’s work in this particular area of law has been so exemplary that she was published in a recent opinion by a California judge for the post-conviction relief work she did for a client. With a proven track-record of success, Jo-Anna’s clients can rest easy knowing she will build a customized strategy tailored to their case. As a criminal defense attorney who began her post-bar legal career at the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, Jo-Anna has a rare perspective that she uses to support, advise, and defend her clients. Simply stated, Jo-Anna loves criminal law. “It’s captivating and I’m passionate about it,” she says. She is committed to mounting the best possible defense for what she calls “hard-working, family-oriented, successful-professionals who aren’t career criminals.”

The Nieves Law Firm was founded to help people who find themselves caught unexpectedly in the California criminal justice system. They are energetic, creative, and aggressive in their efforts to extricate you from your situation and help you take back control of your life. Whether you have been accused of a civil offense such as contempt, need assistance fighting your criminal charges, or would like to find relief from a prior criminal conviction, The Nieves Law Firm is here to provide you with result-driven representation.