Ron Rayes

Treasurer

Private Defender Program in San Mateo County

Ron E. Rayes is the Assistant Chief of the Juvenile and Civil Commitment Branch of the  San Mateo County Bar Association, Private Defender Program, administering Juvenile Justice cases, Dependency cases, Lanterman-Petris-Short-Act (LPS) cases, CARE court, Probate Guardianships, and Conservatorship cases. He is responsible for assigning these cases as well as providing supervision and support to the PDP attorneys within these units. Prior to taking on this role, Ron served as Managing Attorney of the Juvenile Office since July 2019, and prior to that  Ron was a trial defense attorney for 16 years representing indigent clients in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Ron’s practice was focused on representing clients facing homicides and gang charges in the criminal and juvenile courts as well as transfer cases.

Ron serves on the California Youth Defender Center’s Executive Board and is the Treasurer. Ron is a frequent presenter on juvenile justice law and is an active advocate for youth justice reform before the California Legislature. Ron was instrumental in the passage of three juvenile justice reform bills. Ron is a contributing author for Seiser and Kumli on California Juvenile Courts Practice and Procedure. Ron received his undergraduate degree from San Francisco State University in Political Science and earned his J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law.