THE ATTORNEY
Eric Arias
The person behind the practice.
Eric Arias is the founder of The Law Office of Eric Arias, where he represents adults facing criminal charges and children involved in California’s youth legal system.
Why I Became a Lawyer
I was raised by a single mother after my parents immigrated from Mexico. In my family, higher education was not part of our history. I became the first in my family to graduate from college, attend law school, and become an attorney.
I know that where people begin in life can shape the chances they get. It should not decide how they are treated or what they can become.
As a public defender, I worked with people at some of the hardest moments of their lives. I saw how quickly a charge could become the only thing others knew about them.
Listening helped me understand what mattered to them. But listening was never enough. I had to study the evidence, know the law, and be ready to challenge the government’s claims.
A person deserves both to be understood and to be defended. One cannot take the place of the other.
Experience and Recognition
Eric graduated with Distinction from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. He served on Law Review and was inducted into the Roger J. Traynor Honor Society.
In 2025, Eric received the California Youth Defender Center’s Emerging Attorney of the Year Award for his work defending young people.
Beyond the Courtroom
Knowing your rights should not require an arrest.
Eric has given Know Your Rights talks in the community. He has also spoken to students at UC Davis School of Law and California Northern School of Law.
He coached a mock trial team at UC Davis School of Law. He has also mentored law students and new attorneys. At the California Youth Defender Center’s 2026 Roundtable, he trained attorneys on defending young people who may face confinement in a secure facility.
Through the Center’s Legislative Committee, Eric has advocated for changes to laws affecting youth. He has testified before California lawmakers, including the Assembly Committee on Public Safety.
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