Irene A. Pai — Criminal Defense Attorney

Irene A. Pai brings more than thirty years of exclusive criminal defense experience to every case she handles. She is a Certified Criminal Law Specialist, a distinction awarded by the State Bar of California to a select group of attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional skill, knowledge, and trial experience in criminal law.

A Record Built in the Courtroom

Irene has handled more than a thousand criminal cases across the full spectrum of charges — from misdemeanors to special circumstance homicides. That depth of experience includes:

• Hundreds of jury trials, more than fifty of which were litigated through verdict, ranging from petty theft to special circumstance homicides

• Pretrial motion practice, including motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence, speedy trial motions, challenges to judicial officers, and Racial Justice Act motions

• Preliminary hearings and felony motions, including thousands of cross-examinations of law enforcement officers across drug, gang, theft, sex, and homicide cases — and a strong track record of successful motions to dismiss

• Post-conviction work, including misdemeanor and felony appeals, probation and parole violation hearings, and post-conviction motions in the Appellate Division, the Courts of Appeal, and the California Supreme Court

Experience That Works For You

This breadth of experience allows Irene to quickly identify what matters most in a case — the legal issues, the factual defenses, and the most strategic path forward — whether that means going to trial or pursuing a well-negotiated resolution. Every case is prepared with precision, honesty, and care.

Background

Irene earned her undergraduate degree with honors from UC Berkeley and her law degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. She spent thirty years at the Orange County Public Defender's Office, where she earned a reputation as a fierce and unwavering advocate for her clients. She concluded her tenure there as Training Officer, mentoring attorneys to litigate at the highest levels of ethics, skill, and compassion. She has also served as a Lecturer at UCI Law for several years.

Why It Matters

When the full weight of the government is brought against someone you love, you need an attorney who believes in them, tells them the truth, and fights for them without reservation. Irene stands beside her clients and their families at every step — from the first call to the final resolution.