Attorney Patrick Griffin

Top San Diego Criminal Defense Law Firm

Since founding the San Diego criminal defense law firm, Griffin Law Office, Patrick Griffin has managed over 1,000 criminal defense cases — ranging from first degree murder to simple misdemeanors — has won jury trials in every courthouse in San Diego County, and achieved hundreds of pre-trial victories for our California clients, expertly producing real results for real people who are in real trouble.

Meet Our Award-Winning Criminal Defense Attorney Patrick Griffin

Raised in a large family in a rural Montana community, it was instilled in Patrick that the only way to achieve the best outcome to any challenge is to maintain the determining principle that there are no shortcuts to success.

Award-winning San Diego criminal defense attorney Patrick Griffin learned at an early age that a tireless work ethic produces purposeful results.

With the fundamental belief that defending those in trouble is the foundation of our justice system, Patrick has sharpened his legal skills during each step of his career while maintaining true partnerships with our clients, because they deserve personal attention and resolute defense solutions that give them confidence.

Patrick has earned a reputation as a fearless trial attorney who has achieved high-profile victories, collectively saving our clients over 100 years in prison.

Recognition for his excellence in legal representation includes being named as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers, as a Super Lawyer — a designation given to less than 3% of the legal community — and voted Best Criminal Law Firm in San Diego.

Patrick was also nominated by his peers for membership in the Criminal Defense Lawyers Club of San Diego (CDLC), an organization dedicated to promoting the elite of the criminal defense community through its membership decisions that include the best of the best criminal defense lawyers in San Diego.

The CDLC does not accept applications. The only way to become part of this select group is to be nominated by an existing member. This nomination requires criminal defense attorneys to present pertinent information on experience, results, ethics, and leadership standards for review by the Club’s members. Once the information is evaluated, the group votes to validate — or deny — the nomination for membership. Patrick’s invitation to join this exceptional legal group was confirmed in October 2022.

Patrick has been featured as a legal expert on local news programs, appeared on national news programs, including Good Morning America, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, and has received multiple awards for his courtroom advocacy and high client satisfaction.

Legal Success is the Result of Integrity, Hard Work & Perseverance: That is Who We Are.

Here is how Patrick Griffin rose to the top of California’s elite criminal defense attorneys. 

Mr. Griffin graduated with honors from the US News & World Report’s #1 ranked trial advocacy school in the nation, where he learned from some of the country’s foremost experts on trial skills and techniques.

During his federal judicial internship with the Honorable James D. Whittemore, who has presided over numerous high-profile cases, including the Terri Schiavo case, Mr. Griffin gained valuable behind the scenes knowledge of how judges decide legal issues, what they look for in legal writing and arguments, and how to hone his persuasion skills to achieve actual results for each client’s unique circumstances.

This unmatched trial advocacy training allowed Mr. Griffin to win his first jury trial before he graduated from law school.

His extensive criminal defense experience was refined during his employment at one of the nation’s top boutique criminal defense firms where he authored numerous federal appeals, including an appeal from a capital murder trial where the federal appellate court vacated the sentence of two consecutive life terms.

The Griffin Law Office is dedicated to providing real results for our clients and their families, so they can get their lives back by partnering with a devoted defense attorney and support staff who never give up.