Seth Morris is a criminal defense lawyer based in Berkeley, California, where he runs his own firm and represents clients in state and federal criminal cases, from misdemeanors to serious felonies. He works across the Bay Area and focuses on defending people accused of a wide range of crimes. Before starting his own firm, he spent years as a deputy public defender in Alameda County, then moved into private practice and later launched his own office in 2021. In the episode, he talks about how his early work as a teacher in Compton shaped the way he thinks about justice, poverty, and the people caught in the legal system. He also shares how he built his career in criminal defense and reflects on a recent murder case that ended in a not guilty verdict based on self-defense. The conversation also explores what makes criminal defense meaningful to him, the difference between public defense and private practice, and why communication and trust matter so much with clients. He also speaks about fairness in the legal system, burnout in the legal profession, and the need for more kindness and compassion in society. This episode is worth listening to for anyone who wants a clearer look at what criminal defense work is really like and how lawyers think through difficult, high-stakes cases. Listeners may also come away with a better understanding of the pressures of legal practice, the human side of the justice system, and why long-term resilience matters in this kind of work.
Morris Defense
https://www.morrisdefense.com/
Louis Goodman
www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert
