Miguel A. Peñalosa Jr.

Associate Attorney

miguel@coplaw.org

Education:

  • California Western School of Law (J.D. 2013)

  • California State University San Marcos (B.A. Sociology 2009)

  • Southwestern College (A.S. Biology 2005)

Miguel Peñalosa Jr. worked as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender for the San Diego Public Defender Office serving the community for over 10 years prior to joining Bobbitt, Pinckard & Fields. As a Public Defender, he represented indigent clients on cases ranging from DUI’s to Murder. Miguel has conducted over 40 criminal jury trials to verdict and has successfully litigated numerous motions throughout his career. During his time at the Public Defender’s office, he negotiated and settled countless cases.

Before attending law school, Miguel graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Academy with honors and worked as a federal agent with the United States Border Patrol along the United States-Mexico international border El Centro sector. Miguel’s father (Miguel Peñalosa Sr.) was a police officer with the San Diego Police Department for 27 years before retiring, working as a homicide detective for most of his career. Growing up, Miguel saw firsthand the unique challenges law enforcement officers and their families face. Miguel originally sought to follow in his father’s footsteps but after working for the San Diego Sheriff’s Department and, ultimately, the Border Patrol, Miguel decided to go to college and attend law school in hopes of someday joining the FBI. Miguel later realized he did not want to have to leave San Diego for work again and decided to stay and practice locally.

Miguel attended California Western School of Law where he participated in the California Innocence Project and worked on cases involving wrongfully convicted people. This experience shaped his legal practice in ensuring that all of his clients receive effective representation by making sure his clients’ cases are fully and properly investigated. Miguel received his J.D. in April 2013 and passed the bar in November 2013.

When Miguel is not working, he enjoys playing soccer, traveling, playing music, and going to watch the Tijuana Xolos play.