Erik Harper Email & Phone Number

Los Angeles, Ca, Us

Beverly Hills, Ca, Us

Orlando, Fl, Us

Los Angeles, Ca, Us

Associate attorney with primary focus on law and motion.

Associate attorney for personal injury practice. Evaluated potential new cases, drafted pleadings, drafted and responded to discovery, took depositions, all law and motion work. Mediated and settled cases.

Beverly Hills, Ca, Us

Defend immigrant clients in removal/deportation and bond proceedings before immigration court. Analyze client’s case to formulate strategy for court hearing. Prepare client for direct examination and government questioning. Conduct direct examination in court and redirect after government questioning. Present objections, deliver closing arguments, and preserve issues for appeal during hearings. Write trial briefs and motions to immigration judges. Consult with federally incarcerated clients to determine state criminal history. Analyze if state criminal history effects federal detention and prospects for release on bond. Argue before immigration judges that client’s state convictions do not prevent release from federal immigration custody (categorical/modified categorical approach). Appeal rulings by immigration judges and write opening briefs to the Board of Immigration Appeals. File petitions for review and write opening briefs to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Assess new developments in immigration law.

Appointed to represent indigent defendants appealing felony criminal convictions and/or sentences. Correspond with incarcerated clients to discuss appellate process, their goals and potential legal arguments. Review trial court record, clients’ criminal history and pre-sentence reports; determine issues to appeal. Research and analyze California and federal law to evaluate strongest legal arguments. Advise clients regarding strength and likely success of their appeal and how they want to proceed. Write and file opening brief to the California Court of Appeal. Review Attorney General’s answering brief. Write reply brief as necessary. Communicate to clients and court if no meritorious issues to appeal are identified (Wende Brief). Prepare for potential oral argument before appellate judges. Advise clients, after unsuccessful appeal, of options of California Supreme Court or federal review. Track developments in federal and California criminal law.

Presented proposed dispositions of cases on appeal to panel of Ninth Circuit Judges. Analyzed parties’ briefs, lower court, or agency transcripts. Identified key facts of lower court or agency proceedings. Evaluated parties’ arguments. Researched Ninth Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court case law, Congressional legislative history, and federal agency regulations and rulings. Presented case facts and procedural history, case law, and personal legal reasoning/recommendations in written,10-20 page memoranda for law clerks and judges. Orally presented proposed disposition of cases to a monthly panel of judges. Explained case holdings. Fielded questions; defended legal reasoning/recommendations by comparing to or distinguishing from published case law. Drafted orders and short, unpublished opinions. Addressed petitions for rehearing with judges and other court personnel. Collaborated with attorney peers to address challenging issues and provide feedback on written and oral presentations. Monitored developments in Ninth Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court case law.

Jd

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Philosophy