LaTosha Payne is an experienced California attorney with substantial experience in both civil and criminal litigation, courtroom advocacy, complex discovery, motion practice, evidentiary matters, negotiations, and trial preparation. She currently serves as a Defense Attorney with The Lancaster Law Group in Alameda, California, where she has practiced since October 2025.

 

Before entering private practice, Ms. Payne served as a Deputy District Attorney III and later Deputy District Attorney IV as a prosecutor. During her prosecutorial career, she handled criminal matters involving serious and violent offenses, gang-related crimes, attempted murder, juvenile delinquency, and other high-stakes criminal proceedings.

​

As a prosecutor, Ms. Payne gained experience evaluating criminal cases, conducting filing procedures involving misdemeanor and felony charges, litigating hearings, preparing cases for trial, and working closely with law enforcement, victims, probation officers, mental-health professionals, and other justice-system partners. She participated in jury-trial proceedings, competency matters, and other contested hearings before being assigned to the County Juvenile Division.

​

County Juvenile Division

​

While assigned to the County Juvenile Division, Ms. Payne prosecuted serious and violent juvenile offenses, including armed robbery, sexual assault, and gang-related offenses. She handled numerous juvenile adjudications, motions, and dispositional hearings, while also preparing and litigating Welfare and Institutions Code § 707 transfer hearings concerning whether juveniles charged with serious offenses should be transferred to adult court.

​

Her juvenile practice required the evaluation of offense severity, criminal sophistication, rehabilitation prospects, and other statutory considerations. She worked collaboratively with probation officers, victim advocates, schools, forensic psychologists, juvenile-hall personnel, and other professionals to evaluate cases and develop appropriate outcomes, including rehabilitative sentencing options when warranted.

Ms. Payne also provided guidance and training to junior prosecutors concerning criminal filing procedures and juvenile delinquency law. Her courtroom performance and legal abilities were recognized through positive performance evaluations and commendations from judicial officers for courtroom effectiveness, legal knowledge, and professionalism.

​

Gang Cases

​

Ms. Payne has experience handling gang-related criminal cases, including matters involving serious and violent offenses and high-risk criminal activity. Her work required collaboration with law enforcement officers, gang investigators, and intelligence personnel; evaluation of investigative evidence; review of criminal histories and gang-related information; and development of prosecutorial strategies for complex criminal matters.

​

Her experience with gang cases has included evaluating evidence, preparing witnesses, conducting legal research, litigating contested hearings, and preparing matters involving gang allegations for trial and other court proceedings. This experience provided her with a strong understanding of the investigative and evidentiary issues that can arise in complex gang-related prosecutions.

​

Private Litigation Practice

​

At The Lancaster Law Group, Ms. Payne represents clients in civil and criminal litigation and handles matters involving complex discovery, motion practice, evidentiary issues, negotiations, and trial preparation. She is experienced in propounding and responding to discovery, including subpoenas, depositions, interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission, as well as litigating discovery disputes.

Her practice includes drafting and litigating motions to compel, motions for sanctions, motions to quash, and other procedural and evidentiary motions. She also has experience evaluating expert witnesses, reviewing expert qualifications and opinions, preparing experts for deposition and trial testimony, and developing examination strategies.

​

Ms. Payne regularly negotiates with opposing counsel regarding settlements, discovery disputes, stipulations, scheduling, and other litigation matters. She conducts legal research, drafts pleadings and declarations, evaluates evidence, develops case strategy, and prepares matters for hearings and trial.

 

Education, Advocacy & Leadership

​

Ms. Payne earned her Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school. During law school, she was a member of the Moot Court Team and Mock Trial Team, developing substantial experience in oral advocacy, legal research, trial presentation, and litigation strategy.

She received the Best Prosecutor Award for Closing Argument in recognition of her courtroom advocacy. She was also a member of Phi Alpha Delta, Shriver Chapter, and served as President of the Women’s Legal Society, demonstrating her commitment to leadership, professional development, and service within the legal community.

 

Her academic achievements include recognition on the La Verne College of Law Dean’s List. She also received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Norma J. Torres in recognition of her accomplishments and service.

Through her experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, LaTosha Payne has developed a broad perspective on criminal and civil litigation. Her background encompasses courtroom advocacy, investigation, discovery, evidentiary analysis, expert-witness preparation, negotiations, motion practice, and trial strategy. She approaches each matter with thorough preparation, sound legal analysis, professionalism, and a commitment to effective advocacy.