Education
Law School: California Western School of Law|
College: University of California, Riverside
Major Cases
Christian M. Ham is a criminal defense attorney and practices in the state and federal courts. He has handled hundreds of cases, ranging from homicide to complex mortgage fraud. He has also handled many high-profile cases, including kidnapping for ransom, conspiracy to commit murder and drug trafficking. Ham has successfully represented individuals facing prison sentences of 25 years to life, as well as life without the possibility of parole. He has won dismissals before and during jury trials, at preliminary hearings, and after prevailing at speedy trial and suppression hearings. He has tried multiple cases resulting in not guilty verdicts and has tried cases in each of the San Diego Court Divisions.
Professional Background
While attending law school, Ham clerked for the Legal Aid Society of San Diego as a 1L, Federal Defenders of San Diego as a 2L, and the San Diego Public Defender’s Office as a 3L. He also earned two not guilty jury verdicts as a post-graduate law clerk for the San Diego Public Defender. Ham began his legal career with a criminal defense law firm, and in 2005, with the instrumental help and guidance of mentors Jan Ronis and Marc Carlos, he started his own practice.
Professional Affiliations
Ham is a member of the premiere softball team La Defensa, perennial contenders and the 2013 Champions of the San Diego County Bar Association Softball League. La Defensa is coached by the galvanizing Richard Gates and sponsored by attorney Stephen Cline. The team has consistently led the bar league and has won multiple championships. Ham also plays defensive back for the 2014 San Diego Flag Football League Championship team, Sons of Peabodys.
Personal Background
Ham is fluent in Spanish; his father is Chinese and his mother is Mexican. Ham decided to become a lawyer while in college, when a family member facing criminal charges suffered a terrible experience with his lawyer. Ham thought that if he became a lawyer, then he could prevent future injustice from happening to his family; and help others along the way.