Cuauhtémoc Ortega Is One Of The Nation’s Most Respected Voices In Federal Criminal Law And Civil Liberties. As The Current Federal Public Defender For The Central District Of California, He Leads The Largest Public Defense Office In The United States, Managing Over Two Hundred Attorneys And Legal Staff Across Three Counties.

He Has Been Featured In The Los Angeles Times And Other Leading Media Outlets For His Relentless Defense Of Protestors, Immigrants, And Those Facing High Stakes Federal Prosecution. His Recent Win Of Three Consecutive Not Guilty Verdicts In A High Profile ICE Protest Case Captured National Attention.

He Is Available For Guest Appearances, Interviews, And Legal Analysis On Topics Including Protest Law, Criminal Justice Reform, Public Defense Strategy, And Federal Litigation.

Areas Of Expertise:

• Leadership In Federal Defense Cases
  Offers a rare, high-level view into the justice system from inside the courtroom.
• Freedom Of Speech And Protest Rights
  Won Three Consecutive Not-Guilty Verdicts Regarding ICE Protests.
• Simplified Commentary On Complex Topics
  Breaks down legal issues in a clear, relatable way for any audience.
• Trusted Media Source And Public Speaker
  Featured in major news outlets with strong, thoughtful on-camera presence.

Cuauhtémoc Ortega has spent his career defending constitutional rights in some of the nation’s most complex federal cases. As a seasoned trial attorney and public leader, he brings both clarity and courage to every courtroom and conversation. These are the issues he’s most often called on to discuss.