From Navy Veteran to Public Defender: Phoenix Streets’ Inspiring Legal Career

Coopers' Code

I’m thrilled to share today’s Part I of my conversation with Phoenix Streets.

Phoenix has served with the San Francisco Public Defender’s office for the last 24 years. In our civil world most lawyers are lucky to see a few trials a year. Not Phoenix. Within his first two years in practice, Phoenix received an official commendation from San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors for trying more misdemeanor cases than any lawyer in the last decade. His work was featured on PBS through a documentary, Presumed Guilty. Phoenix gives us a glimpse into criminal court trial work and how one focused individual can change lives.

Phoenix grew up in the small southern town of Beebe, Arkansas, where he and his family experienced racist attacks and abuse. These experiences helped fuel Phoenix's drive to become a public defender. He did not take the easy route. Phoenix served our country with four years enlisted in the Navy, then attended UC Berkeley on the G.I. Bill, and finally law school at UC Law.

As you listen today, I ask you to consider something Phoenix said when we initially spoke: “When things are at their bleakest, I remember I am a descendent of slaves, and I think about what they went through.” With that framing, I ask that you sit back and enjoy this interview with Phoenix Streets. More on Phoenix Streets:

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoenix-streets-0191479/
• San Francisco Public Defender’s office: ⁠https://sfpublicdefender.org/⁠

Tune in next week for Part II!

We are now on video as well. You can watch the episodes on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Miles Cooper⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mauro Serra ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kenji Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Recorded & Co-produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zach Morvant⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by ⁠⁠⁠The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble⁠⁠

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