Federal Criminal Defense — San Diego

John D. KirbyYour Defense, Directly

Former federal prosecutor with 25+ years of trial experience. When you hire the Law Offices of John D. Kirby, you work directly with John Kirby — never handed off to a junior associate.

Call (619) 557-0100 Free Consultation
25+
Years Experience
10
Years Federal Prosecutor
5.0
Avvo Rating
200+
Federal Cases Tried
John D. Kirby — Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
About the Attorney

A career dedicated to federal criminal defense

John D. Kirby graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California and cum laude from Cornell Law School. He began his legal career at Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C. — one of the nation's most prestigious law firms — where he represented high-profile, multimillion-dollar cases with outstanding results.

His performance earned him a position with the United States Attorney's Office in the Southern District of California, where he spent a decade prosecuting serious federal crimes. Now in private practice in San Diego, he brings that prosecution-side insight to every defense — he knows the tactics, the procedures, and the playbook from both sides of the courtroom.

USC
magna cum laude
Cornell
Law, cum laude
Covington
& Burling, D.C.
10 yrs
Asst. U.S. Attorney
Career Timeline

Three decades of excellence

From the U.S. Attorney's Office to national media recognition and landmark cases — a career built on results.

1990s
Covington & Burling
High-profile multimillion-dollar cases at the prestigious Washington, D.C. law firm. Built a reputation for meticulous preparation and courtroom instinct.
1999–2009
Assistant United States Attorney
10 years prosecuting federal crimes in the Southern District of California. Received numerous awards. Co-wrote the 2003 indictment against the Arellano Felix cartel leadership.
2009
Private Practice Opens
Opened the Law Offices of John D. Kirby in San Diego, California. Immediately secured consecutive high-profile defense victories.
2010–2014
National Recognition
Featured on ABC News, CBS, NPR, Good Morning America, Univision. Named Top Lawyer by San Diego Tribune and Best Lawyers. Earned Avvo 5.0 rating.
2016
Mexican Government Lecturer
Retained by the Mexican Federal Tax Administration (SAT) to lecture on U.S. money laundering laws and government corruption — recognition of cross-border expertise.
2024
Presidential Clemency Granted
Successfully secured a Presidential Clemency petition signed and granted by President Joe Biden — a rare and extraordinary legal achievement.
Practice Areas

Federal criminal defense, nationwide

We handle the most serious federal charges. Every case gets direct attention from John Kirby — not a junior associate, not a paralegal.

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White Collar Crime

Fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, securities violations. Defense against SEC, DOJ, and FBI investigations at the federal level.

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Drug Crimes

Federal drug trafficking, conspiracy, importation, and mandatory minimum cases. Trial and appellate representation nationwide.

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RICO & Cartel Defense

Racketeering, organized crime, cartel prosecutions. John Kirby co-wrote the Arellano Felix indictment — he knows both sides intimately.

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Public Corruption

Bribery, honest services fraud, Hobbs Act violations. Defense of public officials, law enforcement officers, and government contractors.

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SEC Investigations

Securities fraud, insider trading, broker-dealer violations. Representation from investigation through Wells submission and trial.

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Federal Appeals

Ninth Circuit and Supreme Court appeals. Post-conviction relief, habeas corpus, sentencing reductions, and clemency petitions.

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Money Laundering

Cross-border financial crimes, structuring, bulk cash smuggling. John Kirby lectures internationally on U.S. money laundering law.

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Healthcare & FDA Fraud

Medicare fraud, False Claims Act, FDA violations, opioid prescribing cases. Defense from investigation through sentencing.

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Antitrust Defense

Price fixing, bid rigging, market allocation. Criminal antitrust defense against DOJ Antitrust Division prosecutions.

Areas We Serve

Federal criminal defense across San Diego County

Local federal defense representation serving all San Diego County communities. Each city page covers local federal court procedures, district-specific strategies, and community context.

San Diego

Federal criminal defense from a former AUSA with 25+ years in the Southern District of California.

La Jolla

White collar and federal defense for La Jolla professionals and businesses facing federal investigation.

Coronado

Federal criminal defense representation for Coronado residents — military, civilian, and federal employees.

Chula Vista

Federal drug crimes, cross-border offenses, and white collar defense for Chula Vista and South Bay.

Del Mar

Securities fraud, insider trading, and white collar defense for Del Mar and North County coastal communities.

Carlsbad

Federal criminal defense covering Carlsbad and North County — corporate fraud to drug interdiction cases.

El Cajon

Federal defense for East County — drug crimes, border offenses, and federal conspiracy charges.

National City

Federal criminal representation for National City — immigration-related federal offenses and drug crimes.

La Mesa

Federal defense for La Mesa and East County — fraud, drug crimes, and federal weapons charges.
Notable Cases

A record of extraordinary outcomes

John Kirby served as legal counsel in a high-profile federal case in the Southern District of California, representing a former high-ranking Homeland Security agent in a complex legal battle involving serious federal charges.
DHS Case — Defense Verdict
Our office has officially taken on the legal representation of two prominent, high-ranking Mexican political figures, handling intricate and high-stakes federal legal matters within the United States justice system.
Cross-Border — Active Representation
John successfully represented a client in a Presidential Clemency petition, which was subsequently signed and granted by President Joe Biden — an achievement particularly notable given the extremely low number of clemency petitions approved.
Presidential Clemency — Granted
Co-author of the 2003 federal indictment against the Arellano Felix cartel leadership — one of the most significant organized crime prosecutions in U.S.-Mexico history.
Arellano Felix Cartel — Indictment
Kirby Law Network

Our legal resources

The Kirby Law Network provides specialized federal criminal defense resources across multiple domains. Visit our main practice site for comprehensive information on all practice areas.

kirbycriminallawyer.com — Main Practice Site Tax Evasion Defense Center RICO Defense Resource Money Laundering Defense Desk Public Corruption Defense Antitrust Defense Guide Crypto Fraud Defense Federal Appeals Resource The Legal Researcher Legal Law Topic Kirby Attorney Finder
Contact

Direct representation starts here

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Office

401 West A Street, Suite 1150
San Diego, California 92101

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Hours

Available 7 days a week, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Emergency consultations by appointment

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Serving

San Diego, La Jolla, Coronado, Carlsbad, La Mesa, Del Mar, San Marcos, Solana Beach, Chula Vista, El Cajon, National City, and all federal districts nationwide

Under investigation?

There is no such thing as contacting a criminal defense lawyer too early. If you are under investigation — even as a witness — having an experienced federal defense attorney can make the difference between testifying and being charged.

Proactive representation before indictment gives you options that disappear once charges are filed. Don't wait until it's too late.

Call (619) 557-0100