BACL’s newest Associate Attorney Kayla Sparks was born and raised in the Sacramento area and moved to the Bay Area for law school. She now considers the Bay her home. Prior to joining BACL as an Associate Attorney, Ms. Sparks worked for the firm as a Summer Clerk where she assisted attorneys in drafting motions, conducting legal research on complex issues, interviewing clients, reviewing discovery, and attending court proceedings. She also participated in a three-week long jury trial where she helped with jury selection, opening statement, exhibit organization, witness preparation, and closing argument.
Ms. Sparks graduated magna cum laude with her Bachelor’s in Psychology from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. She minored in both Law and Child Development. After earning her undergraduate degree, she attended University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco (now known as UC Law SF), and graduated magna cum laude in May of 2023. She earned numerous academic accolades in law school, including induction into the Honor Society, the Thurston Society, and receiving the highest grade in her Appellate Advocacy and Criminal Procedure classes. She also received high marks in other classes, like Evidence, Constitutional Law, and other Criminal Procedure classes.
During her time in law school, Ms. Sparks competed on the #1 nationally ranked Moot Court Competition Team where she received praise for her oral advocacy skills and persuasive writing style. Just in her second year of law school, judges who oversaw her competitions said she was born to be a trial lawyer. And she further cultivated those skills into her third year, fine-tuning her courtroom presence. Ms. Sparks worked as a Certified Law Student for the renowned San Francisco Public Defender’s Office. As a law student, she appeared on the record to handle preliminary hearings in felony cases, arraignments, and to argue pretrial motions under the supervision of Deputy Public Defenders. Many of the matters she appeared on resulted in dismissals for the clients she represented. She also drafted numerous motions and interviewed clients to investigate their situation more in-depth to best combat accusations agains them. In addition, Ms. Sparks has interned with judges in Contra Costa County. She learned how judges make decisions behind closed doors, which aids immensely with how she approaches problems now.
Away from her desk, Ms. Sparks coordinated fundraising efforts for local Bay Area non-profits— including Larkin Street Youth Services that offers programming and resources to at-risk youth in the Tenderloin. She is involved with volunteering for mental health organizations. She has also mentored college students who participate in the college moot court program, providing tips and tricks for effective oral advocacy.
Ms. Sparks brings passion and reason to whatever challenge she faces. Ms. Sparks joins to BACL team as someone who will fight tooth and nail for clients, believing that everyone deserves a chance at freedom and justice.
Education:
- California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (B.S., magna cum laude, 2020)
- University of California School of Law, San Francisco (f/k/a/ University of California, Hastings College of the Law) (J.D., magna cum laude, 2023)
Memberships:
- State Bar of California
Publications:
- Co-author of James Publishing’s Ninth Circuit Criminal Law Reporter. The Ninth Circuit Criminal Law Reporter is a bi-weekly publication that summarizes all ninth circuit and U.S. Supreme Court decisions published since 1983. It is a widely used publication of up to date published decisions used by defense attorneys and prosecutors alike.
