RLS

Sr. Associate

Primary Office: Pleasant Hill
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: 925.609.1699
Fax: 925.609.1690

Education
• B.A., Humboldt State University
• J.D., Golden Gate University

Justin Buffington is a senior associate in the firm’s Legal Defense of Peace Officers Practice Group and also works with the Litigation and Criminal Defense Practice Groups.

Justin represents peace officers in administrative investigations and disciplinary matters. Justin has earned a reputation as an aggressive advocate for the firm’s clients and has secured a number of notable victories.  Notably, Justin successfully arbitrated a high profile termination case involving the fatal shooting of an unarmed suspect by an Oakland police officer, who was ultimately reinstated with full back-pay and benefits.  He and Doug Foley were also successful in winning back the stripes of a demoted Oakland sergeant who was accused of neglect of duty and failure to supervise.  Most recently, Justin successfully overturned the demotion and 30-day suspension of a BART police sergeant accused of improper Taser use.  Justin is also a member of the adjunct faculty of Napa Valley College, where he teaches criminal procedure.

Prior to joining Rains Lucia Stern, Justin worked as a deputy district attorney in Contra Costa County where he tried nearly a dozen misdemeanor cases and litigated scores of motions. He also worked at a civil litigation firm.

Justin graduated from Humboldt State, where he played football.  He earned his law degree at Golden Gate University.