Michael Rains
Michael Rains is a California criminal defense attorney known for representing police accused of misconduct, including the case of the BART Police shooting of Oscar Grant and a successful defense of the Oakland Riders.[1] Rains also won acquittal of the Corcoran 8, prison guards accused of staging fights amongst inmates.[2][3] He formerly represented baseball player Barry Bonds in his pending perjury trial.[4]
Rains is a California State University, Long Beach graduate who served in the Vietnam War with the U.S. Marines. Working as a former Santa Monica police officer,[2] he won a scholarship to attend Golden West University School of Law,[3] and became a member of the California bar in 1979. His Pleasant Hill, California law firm has contracts with eighty California law agencies.
While representing Bonds, Rains brought suit against the San Francisco Chronicle for publishing leaked grand jury testimony, but dropped the suit when threatened with an anti-SLAPP counterclaim.[3]
Rains lives in suburban San Ramon with his wife, Kathy, a former police officer, and their son.[3]
References
- ↑ Bulwa, Demian (2009-01-22). "Prominent lawyer to defend BART ex-officer". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Valcke, Nanci L. (2001-11-30). "Police in crisis turn to East Bay law firm". East Bay Business Times. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Kravets, David (2006-07-29). "Bonds hoping attorney will come through in the clutch". Deseret News. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- ↑ Munson, Lester (2010-10-15). "Case against Barry Bonds still has holes". ESPN Commentary. Retrieved 2010-11-08.