Samantha Birkner

J.D., Thomas Jefferson School of Law

B.A., Political Science, University of San Diego

Samantha Birkner is a Deputy Public Defender IV at the Orange County Public Defender's Office, where she represents indigent clients in complex criminal cases and appellate matters. Her work includes the published decision in Segura v. Superior Court of Orange County (2025) 113 Cal.App.5th 1242, addressing Military Diversion eligibility in California. Beyond her appellate and trial work, she has built her career around advocacy, mentorship, and criminal justice reform.  Samantha serves as Vice Chair of the Legislative Resolutions Committee for the Orange County Bar Association and President of the OC Public Defender's Association. Balancing courtroom litigation with a deep commitment to mentoring and supporting new attorneys, she leads training and workshops on Motions to Suppress and Diversion practice at the OC Public Defender's office. 

Samantha earned her Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2014, and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a minor in English, from the University of San Diego in 2007.

When she’s not in court or the classroom, Samantha enjoys traveling to new cities, supporting community outreach projects, and cheering on her beloved San Francisco 49ers.

Course(s) taught: Criminal Law