About Us
Anna R. Yum
Anna R. Yum is a nationally recognized criminal defense attorney and the founding attorney of the Law Offices of Anna R. Yum in San Diego. A former prosecutor, she has tried numerous jury and bench trials and now defends clients in matters ranging from serious felonies (including sexual assault, violent-crime and gang enhancements) to DUI and other misdemeanors. She is licensed in California (state and federal courts in the Southern and Central Districts) and Illinois.
As a former Riverside County Deputy District Attorney, Ms. Yum draws on inside-the-courthouse perspective to anticipate prosecutorial strategy and build strong defenses. Her work has been featured on major media outlets, including Fox News, HLN/CNN, Court TV, and Law & Crime, and she is frequently invited to speak and provide MCLE training, including on domestic-violence topics.
Clients choose Ms. Yum for clear communication, strategic advocacy, and a results-focused approach informed by extensive trial experience and media-tested analysis.
Anna’s courtroom experience is reflected in her case results across serious felony matters.
University of San Diego School of Law, J.D.; Order of Barristers; judicial externship with Senior U.S. District Judge Robert M. Takasugi (C.D. Cal.).
Northwestern University, B.S., Communication Studies and International Studies.
- California
- Illinois
In The News
Anna Yum is a licensed practicing attorney in California and Illinois. She also regularly serves as a legal analyst on various news and media outlets including KUSI-San Diego, Fox 5 San Diego, San Diego’s U-T TV, NBC 7 San Diego, and KOGO 600 AM.
Anna graduated from Northwestern University, ranked #12 in the country, with a double major in International Studies and Communication Studies. Anna received her J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law. While at law school, Anna served as a member of the nationally recognized Mock Trial team. Anna also served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Robert M. Takasugi, Senior Judge in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Upon graduation, Anna received several awards recognizing her excellence in oral advocacy. Specifically, Anna was inducted into the Order of Barristers, which awards the best oral advocates in her graduating class. She also was only 1 of 4 students in her graduating class to receive the American Board of Trial Advocates Award.
Anna’s private law practice is predominantly focused on criminal defense in both state and federal courts. Anna also practices certain areas of civil litigation including personal injury and employment discrimination. Prior to opening her law firm, Anna served as a criminal prosecutor in Riverside County. During her tenure as a deputy district attorney, Anna prosecuted a wide variety of complex criminal matters including sexual assault, domestic violence, criminal street gangs, child molestation, drug sales, robbery, felony offenses with gun enhancements, attempted murder, and first degree murder. As both a former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney, Anna has successfully tried a multitude of jury and bench trials to verdict. She has also received an Avvo Rating of 10.0 as a Top Attorney practicing Criminal Defense based upon client reviews and peer endorsements.
Anna is a member of many professional legal organizations such as the San Diego County Bar Association, Enright Inn of Court, Criminal Defense Bar Association of San Diego, Korean-American Bar Association of San Diego, and the Illinois State Bar Association.
Senior Criminal Associate Attorney
William Sharp
Wil Sharp is a Senior Criminal Associate Attorney with the Law Offices of Anna R. Yum. For over twenty years, Mr. Sharp has represented thousands of clients who have been charged with various criminal law violations. Mr. Sharp spent most of his legal career with the Office of the San Diego Alternate Public Defender and the Office of the Primary Public Defender where he represented indigent defendants prior to joining the firm. His reputation in the legal community is widely known and impeccable.
During his time as a Court Appointed attorney, Mr. Sharp handled a variety of very serious criminal cases including numerous homicides. Additionally, Mr. Sharp litigated multiple financial cases for which he is well equipped given that he has a Master’s in Business Administration. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Sharp worked for years in Sales and Marketing for a Fortune 500 company.
Mr. Sharp was born and raised in Utah; he moved to California to attend law school where he graduated Cum Laude. He is an avid sports fan; he has coached youth sports and enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Southern Utah University — Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations
University of Phoenix — Master of Business Administration
Thomas Jefferson Law School — Juris Doctor
Associate Attorney
Marissa Mendoza
Marissa Mendoza is an associate attorney at the Law Offices of Anna R. Yum. Prior to law school, Ms. Mendoza spent several years working in bankruptcy law for the Chapter 13 Trustee of the Southern District of California. She also has a background in lobbying and community service and engagement from her prior national service in the United States AmeriCorps and several volunteer community roles. Ms. Mendoza’s passion for criminal defense stems from her background as a San Diego native devoted to serving her community. She holds a Double Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability and American Indian Studies from San Diego State University where she graduated with distinction and led several student organizations.
While attending California Western School of Law, Ms. Mendoza was the Vice President of both the Latinx Law Student Association and the Cannabis and Psychedelic Law Student Association. She received a scholarship for academic merit, a scholarship for student leadership, and recognition as a Distinguished Advocate. Ms. Mendoza was the chosen recipient of the Professor Janeen Kerper Memorial Scholarship and Award for Criminal Defense Advocacy in recognition of her demonstrated interest and achievement in criminal defense advocacy—an award granted to only one graduating law student every year.
After her first year of law school, Ms. Mendoza clerked for the Intertribal Court of Southern California where she assisted the bench with legal research to render decisions and drafted bench guides. She spent the remainder of her years in law school interning at the Office of the San Diego Public Defender, gaining hands-on advocacy and trial experience. After graduating from law school, Ms. Mendoza was selected to serve as a Graduate Law Clerk with the Office of the San Diego Public Defender, where she continued her criminal defense practice before joining Ms. Yum’s firm.
Ms. Mendoza maintains her connection to the San Diego community both in and outside of the courtroom; she is an active local non-profit board member and dedicates time to community service and engagement when she can.
Outside of her professional life, Ms. Mendoza is an avid weightlifter with a background in powerlifting. She enjoys sketching and painting on canvas medium, collecting vinyl records, and game nights with her loved ones.
San Diego State University, Double Major in Sustainability and American Indian Studies, with distinction, 2018
California Western School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2024
