EXPERIENCE

Angela M. Powell represents and counsels governmental entities, public entities and individual police officers in civil rights actions and employers in labor and employment actions. She has tried more than 60 cases in her 25-year career in both state and federal court and before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals where she convinced the Court to grant her clients qualified immunity in a widely publicized police shooting case. She has established herself as a tenacious attorney with a proven ability to obtain favorable results for her clients.

Ms. Powell began her career as a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney, where she  prosecuted hundreds of violent crimes, including robbery, kidnapping and capital murder. After leaving the District Attorney's office, Ms. Powell was a successful plaintiff’s attorney in a boutique Beverly Hills law firm, where she represented employees in sexual harassment and discrimination claims and individuals in civil rights claims. It was during a civil rights’ trial against law enforcement that she realized her true calling was to advocate on behalf of them.  Ms. Powell now represents and counsels law enforcement clients in civil rights litigation.  She also represents employers in labor and employment litigation.  Ms. Powell also conducts workplace investigations. She is a strong and effective advocate for her clients both inside and outside the courtroom, often sitting on panels and participating in community forums.  She recently gave a presentation on Free Speech and the Role of Human Resources at the California Public Labor Relations Association’s (“CalPELRA”) annual conference and at the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority’s (“JPIA”) annual risk management educational forum.

Ms. Powell proudly received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Pepperdine University and went on to receive her Juris Doctorate from the University’s School of Law. Ms. Powell joined the teaching faculty at her alma mater as an adjunct professor. Ms. Powell taught an advanced course on law enforcement and civil rights claims. Ms. Powell was presented with the Distinguished Alumnus Award at the 2021 School of Law’s Commencement ceremony. She also sits on the School of Law’s Board of Advisors. 

Ms. Powell is a member of the California State Bar and is also admitted to the Bar of the United States District Court in the Central and Eastern District of California and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Ms. Powell is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, an invitation-only organization of experienced trial lawyers and judges. 

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PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• American Board of Trial Advocates, Associate

• Pepperdine University School of Law, Board of Advisors

 

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Pepperdine University School of Law, Distinguished Alumnus Award