Staycie R. Sena

Staycie R. Sena began her legal journey at the University of California at Riverside, completing her undergraduate studies in a swift three years. She furthered her education at the prestigious Stanford Law School, where she graduated with a Juris Doctorate in 1996, becoming one of the youngest graduates in the school's history. After successfully passing the California Bar Exam on her first attempt, Ms. Sena joined several national law firms, including Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, as an associate.

Driven by a passion for justice and a desire to advocate for individuals, Ms. Sena transitioned to a role as an Orange County Deputy Public Defender. Her reputation for being aggressive, ethical, and thoroughly prepared quickly grew. In 2001, she tried 17 cases to jury verdicts, a remarkable feat that surpassed the annual caseload of many attorneys in Orange County.

After her tenure at the Orange County Public Defender’s office, Ms. Sena took on a high-profile case representing actor Robert Blake, who faced special circumstances homicide charges. Her effective advocacy contributed to an acquittal, earning her recognition as one of the top criminal attorneys in Orange County. Judges and peers have described her as “passionate” and “relentless.”

Ms. Sena has achieved significant success in serious cases, including dismissals of charges like child molestation and assault with a deadly weapon. She has also successfully reduced numerous felonies to misdemeanors and secured outright dismissals of misdemeanors. Additionally, she is a published author, having written several articles on legal topics.