Joseph E. Markus

EDUCATION

University of San Diego School of Law

Juris Doctor May 2020

Honors: Dean's Honor Scholarship, Awardee; Appellate Moot Court, Member; CALI Award in Scientific Evidence, Spring of 2019, Awardee.

Activities: National Criminal Procedure Moot Court Tournament, Problem Writer; ABA National Moot Court Team, Competitor.

University of San Diego

Bachelor of Arts in English with an Emphasis in Creative Writing, Cum Laude, May 2017

Honors: Danvera Honors Scholarship; Dean’s List, First Honors, 2015 – 2017

Activities: The Alcalá Review, ExecutiveNonfiction Editor; University of San Diego Writing Center, Senior Consultant; University of San Diego NCAA Football Team, Player

EXPERIENCE

The Law Offices of Stein and Markus April 2021 – Present

Associate Attorney Los Angeles, California

• Spearheaded most legal research in the firm, including researching the ever-changing area of Penal Code Section 1172.6/Senate Bill 1437/Senate Bill 775 Petitions.
• Authored motions and memorandum interpreting the newly passed California Assembly Bill 333, which amended Penal Code Section 186.22 and drastically limited the admissibility of gang evidence in criminal cases.
• Responsible for writing, preparing, and/or arguing over 100 Penal Code Section 1172.6 Petitions in the trial court, 35 of which resulted in the court vacating the client’s murder conviction or convictions.
• Managed both misdemeanor and felony cases in numerous counties in California; including Riverside County, Sacramento County, San Diego County, Orange County, and Los Angeles County.
• Organized and summarized voluminous discovery for cases in both state and federal court and on both the trial and appellate levels.

Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Paid Post-Bar Law Clerk October 2020 – April 2021

Post-Bar Law Clerk Los Angeles, California

• One of nine Paid Post-Bar Law Clerks chosen from an applicant pool of over 200.
• Responsible for over 200 felony cases before the Honorable Judge Alan B. Honeycutt in the Torrance courthouse.
• Conducted over 25 preliminary hearings before the Honorable Judge Alan B. Honeycutt, holding the accused to answer in every case.
• Clerked in the Sex Crimes Division in the Hall of Justice, interviewed survivors of sex crimes, wrote motions and memorandums for supervising Deputy District Attorneys, and organized voluminous DNA reports and discovery.
• Prepared and conducted a lecture to volunteer law clerks in the Sex Crimes Division regarding how to advance in the District Attorney’s Office as a law clerk.

Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Paid Summer Law Clerk June 2019 – July 2019

Summer Law Clerk Los Angeles, California

• One of ten Paid Summer Law Clerks chosen from an applicant pool of over 200.
• Handled preliminary hearing court calendars in both the Pasadena Courthouse, before the Honorable Robin Miller Sloan, and the Downtown Los Angeles Courthouse.
• Conducted 20 preliminary hearings and held the defendant to answer in every hearing after direct examination of witnesses and argument before the court.
• Successfully settled numerous felony cases for plea dispositions.

Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Hardcore Gang Division June 2018 – July 2018

Law Clerk Los Angeles, California

• Drafted trial briefs and successful motions in opposition to motions for severance, motions for suppression, and motions to dismiss the information.
• Researched and briefed the newly passed Penal Code Sections 1546.1-1546.4 concerning the compelling of electronic communications.
• Aided with all aspects of trial preparation, including coordinating witnesses, organizing trial materials, and reviewing and editing PowerPoints presentations.

The Alcalá Review September 2016 – May 2017

Executive Nonfiction Editor San Diego, California

• Edited nonfiction submissions for publication; Analyzed narrative structure, character development, and dialogue.

• Expanded the organization by 200% in two years through well executed field events and social media campaigns designed to specifically target the undergraduate community, as well as partnering with the Black Students’ Union and USD Women’s Center.
• Published Author: The Alcalá Review, Spring 2016 Issue, Poetry “Rail Yard”, Fiction “Metal Door”; The Alcalá Review, Spring 2017 Issue, Nonfiction “Through the Thicket”.

University of San Diego Writing Center September 2015 – May 2017

Senior Consultant San Diego, California

• Led specialized training workshops for fellow tutors to enhance their ability to instruct clients on grammar, punctuation, thesis construction, organization of written arguments, and brainstorming methods.

• Provided specialized resources for English Language Learners and students with special needs, including learning and physical disabilities.
• Coordinated a bi-annual new-hire recruitment process of 20-35 candidates per cycle.

University of San Diego NCAA Football Team August 2013 – August 2015

Player San Diego, California

• NCAA Division I athlete, devoting 30+ hours weekly to sport and team responsibilities.
• Selected to the Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll.

INTERESTS

• Writing and developing poetry, fiction, and nonfiction writing.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES

• Admitted to California Bar January 2021, CALBAR # 334502
• Admitted to Federal Bar of Central District of California, April 2023.