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Bryan, Sr. Deputy District Attorney at Orange County District Attorney: Advize Career Interview
A career in law offers exciting possibilities, as evidenced by a Senior Deputy District Attorney at the Orange County District Attorney's office.
This professional's journey began with early community involvement and internships, leading to a management role supervising 37 attorneys.
Daily work includes courtroom appearances, trial work, and collaboration, demanding strong public speaking, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills.
Mentoring younger attorneys and upholding ethical standards are highly rewarding aspects. The biggest challenge is combating negative perceptions of law enforcement, but the commitment to justice and ethical conduct remains paramount.
Success in this field requires public service dedication, strong critical thinking, resilience, and effective teamwork.
Aspiring lawyers should prioritize building strong networks, treating internships seriously, and understanding the importance of reputation.
Strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, honed through activities like mock trial, are essential.
Finally, actively addressing implicit bias is crucial for career advancement in a field where hard work and a positive reputation are paramount for progress.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Bryan Clavecilla
Sr. Deputy District Attorney
Orange County District Attorney
UCLA class of 2004
Chapman School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2007
Philosophy
Law
Legal
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Student Athlete
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Career Path Of A Senior Deputy District Attorney At Orange County District Attorney
Bryan's career path began with "20 hours of community service" as a UCLA Chancellor's scholar, involving volunteer work and extracurriculars like speech and debate. This early community involvement, combined with internships at Neighborhood Legal Services and the District Attorney's office, laid the groundwork for a successful career culminating in Bryan's current role as a Senior Deputy District Attorney.
Responsibilities Of A Senior Deputy District Attorney At Orange County District Attorney
As a Senior Deputy District Attorney, Bryan's main responsibilities include supervising a staff of 37 attorneys at a large courthouse, encompassing "case analysis, case filing, case sentencing, trials, motions, and anything related to the criminal prosecution process". This assistant manager role demonstrates extensive experience in all aspects of criminal prosecution.
A Day in the Life of a Senior Deputy District Attorney at Orange County District Attorney
A Deputy District Attorney's workday is largely spent "in a courtroom, appearing on a case, arguing a case, doing a jury trial," but also includes reviewing police reports and collaborating with colleagues in a "collegial atmosphere." This contrasts with other legal professions, where desk work might dominate.
Most Important Skills For A Senior Deputy District Attorney At Orange County District Attorney
A Senior Deputy District Attorney in Orange County highlights the crucial skills needed: "public speaking, critical thinking, interpersonal relationships, and the ability to think on your feet," all while managing constant multitasking and stress inherent in a job where "things never go according to plan." Strong internal fortitude and resilience are also paramount for success in this high-pressure career.
Favorite Parts of Being an Assistant Manager at Orange County District Attorney
Bryan, a Senior Deputy District Attorney, finds the most rewarding aspect of the assistant manager role to be mentoring and coaching younger attorneys; the shift from focusing solely on "successful criminal prosecution" to helping others achieve their career goals is a key source of professional fulfillment.
Biggest Challenges Facing a Sr. Deputy District Attorney at Orange County
Bryan, a Senior Deputy District Attorney, identifies the current negative perception of law enforcement and prosecutors as the biggest challenge in their role, stating that "one bad apple paints a really bad picture for the whole bunch." This perception, they explain, overshadows the focus on community public safety and the commitment to ensuring fair trials for all.
Best Parts Of Working In The Legal Industry As A Senior Deputy District Attorney
Bryan, a Senior Deputy District Attorney, finds the most rewarding aspect of the job is "doing the right thing," adhering to high ethical standards, and prioritizing the integrity of the entire criminal process over winning at all costs; the focus is on ethical and legal obligations, not results.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Law According To An Orange County District Attorney
To thrive as a criminal prosecutor, a person must be a "people person" committed to public service, possessing strong critical thinking skills and resilience to withstand criticism. Success in this field demands a sense of responsibility, the ability to learn from mistakes, and the capacity to work effectively within a team, all while understanding the significant power inherent in the role and using it for good.
What A Senior Deputy District Attorney At Orange County District Attorney's Office Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Legal Industry
Bryan, a Senior Deputy District Attorney, advises aspiring legal professionals, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, to proactively build strong networks within their communities—starting in college and law school—"because we need each other"—to foster mentorship, advancement, and retention within the legal field. This networking is crucial for achieving career goals, such as judicial appointments, and for the collective benefit of the profession.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Deputy District Attorneys
To gain entry-level experience as an undergraduate, Bryan, a Senior Deputy District Attorney, strongly advises considering unpaid internships, emphasizing that "you got to treat it like a job," as a serious "long interview process." The importance of a positive reputation is highlighted, with the observation that "we remember the good interns and we remember the bad interns."
Significant Career Lesson from a Senior Deputy District Attorney at Orange County District Attorney
Bryan, a Senior Deputy District Attorney, emphasizes the paramount importance of reputation in the legal field, advising aspiring lawyers that "your reputation is the most important thing you have." This is because the legal community is interconnected, and how one treats others—from court staff to opposing counsel—significantly impacts their future opportunities, including judicial aspirations, as "they're gonna ask just about anyone that's ever had anything to do with you."
College Experiences That Helped a Senior Deputy District Attorney in Orange County Succeed
To succeed in a law career, strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills are essential; Bryan, a Senior Deputy District Attorney, recommends challenging courses in these areas, suggesting that "getting involved in mock trial [and] speech and debate" directly translates to crucial career skills. A major in any area of interest is acceptable, but developing these fundamental abilities is paramount to success.
How Identity Has Influenced a Senior Deputy District Attorney's Career at the Orange County District Attorney
Bryan, a senior deputy district attorney, initially tried to downplay their Asian identity in their career but learned that implicit bias is "real" and significantly impacts hiring, promotion, and retention. Addressing this bias constructively, while navigating challenges like needing to "do three times the amount of work to get to the same place," requires community support and collective action for career advancement.
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