Cuauhtémoc Ortega, the federal public defender for Southern California, carries the same name as the last Aztec emperor, which speaks to his fighting spirit in the courtroom.
Leading a unit that frequently grapples with inadequate funding, Ortega often faces off against the extensive resources of the government.
In a period defined by the Trump administration’s aggressive legal maneuvers, he has become a key figure pushing back against federal overreach.
In August, Ortega’s office took a bold step by filing a motion to remove acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli from office, contending that Essayli lacks lawful authority due to his unconfirmed status by the U.S. Senate.
Ortega’s team, the largest federal public defender’s office in the nation, is under immense pressure from a wave of immigration-related cases that Essayli has initiated.
A notable case involved an activist accused of assaulting a Border Patrol agent during a protest in Paramount; however, Ortega secured an acquittal for his client after presenting video evidence that dismantled the government’s allegations.
The trial gained national attention when Ortega cross-examined Border Patrol sector chief Gregory Bovino regarding his derogatory comments about undocumented immigrants, which included terms like “scum, filth, and trash.”
In reflecting on this moment, Ortega expressed a sense of pride, particularly given his Latino heritage and the fact that he was confronting a high-ranking official in the Border Patrol.
His work has garnered respect across the spectrum, including from his adversaries.
E. Martin Estrada, Essayli’s predecessor, noted, “We’ve been on opposite sides more often than not, but I would never question his motives or ethics — ever.”
Estrada described Ortega as collegial, humble, and kind, qualities that make him stand out in a challenging field.
Ortega, who interned under Estrada after completing law school at Columbia, has made it a point to encourage students of color to pursue careers in the federal justice system during outreach visits to law schools.
Anthony Solis, a Calabasas-based lawyer who collaborates with Ortega on a panel assigning private attorneys for cases with conflicts of interest, acknowledged his leadership style, noting that good public defenders are often found “in the trenches” rather than merely managing from a distance.
Meeting Ortega at his office in Little Tokyo was a revelation; he is impeccably dressed and presents an approachable demeanor reminiscent of a high school counselor.
His office, mostly unadorned, holds mementoes from previous trials, including a wooden cross and a copy of Iceberg Slim’s book, “Pimp: The Story of My Life.”
Among his honors, he displays one signed by the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, pointing out that she pronounced his name correctly.
A Pollock-esque painting created by a death row inmate he represented hangs nearby as a reminder of resilience even in dire circumstances, highlighting Ortega’s belief in recognizing the humanity of his clients beyond their legal troubles.
Born to immigrants from Zacatecas, Mexico, Ortega grew up in La Puente and initially aspired to be an opinion columnist, leading him to UCLA where he served as editor-in-chief of the Daily Bruin.
His internship at the New York Times’ opinion section during a significant scandal in the summer of 2003 was a career highlight, affirming his initial interests in journalism.
However, he began to pivot towards law as he observed classmates from Nogales High School entering the justice system, realizing how easily he could have been among them.
After earning his degree from Columbia, he interned with a tough federal judge in Orange County, whose courtroom brought him face to face with public defenders who challenged authority, igniting his passion for the role.
Since starting at the federal public defender’s office in 2010, with brief stints in private practice, Ortega has grown immensely in his role.
Initially, he found his first two years “terrifying,” but feedback from a juror post-trial reshaped his approach, encouraging him to be more genuine and relatable with his predominantly Latino and working-class clientele.
He ascended to a supervisory position and ultimately the lead role in the office, though he hesitated to declare this as an ambition until moments before it materialized.
Among his achievements, Ortega takes pride in guiding his office through the challenges posed by COVID-19 and high-profile cases, such as representing disgraced former L.A. City Councilmember Jose Huizar.
Reporting on Huizar’s case, he expressed pride in the work done but remained discreet about the details, given Huizar’s guilty plea to serious charges.
When asked about the current state of his office, Ortega noted the shift in focus towards numerous immigration cases as opportunities to reaffirm their capabilities in defending such matters.
A hiring freeze has imposed challenges, but Ortega expressed greater concern over unpaid court-approved private attorneys, whose financial struggles threaten the availability of legal representation in ongoing cases.
He warned that if attorneys stop taking cases due to payment issues, it could hinder the judicial process dramatically, emphasizing that without representation, trials cannot proceed.
On a lighter note, Ortega humorously mentioned that the cookies being sold by his receptionist were meant to support their client fund, ensuring assistance for clients facing financial barriers to transportation after legal proceedings.
In summary, Ortega personally undertook the defense of the activist acquitted of assaulting a Border Patrol agent, finding satisfaction in the successful cross-examination of Bovino.
When discussing the office’s motion against Essayli, he characterized it as a legal procedural matter without personal animus, acknowledging their collaborative efforts in expediting trials.
Each prosecutor brings distinct priorities based on the Justice Department’s agenda, and Ortega remains focused on how to effectively respond with his office’s resources.
Ortega has recently been appointed to serve a new four-year term by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, but he doesn’t view this as a lifetime appointment, acknowledging the benefits of fresh perspectives in leadership roles.
He conveyed a straightforward message to the Southern California community, reinforcing their commitment to fight vigorously for anyone facing federal prosecution.
As he shook hands with me, Ortega reiterated the crucial need for Congress to prioritize funding for court-approved private attorneys who bolster their office’s efforts.
Without proper funding and lawyer presence in the courtroom, he warned, the whole justice system risks stagnation, nullifying the advancement of anyone’s priorities when it comes to legal defense.
I left the office with some cookies in hand, inspired by Ortega’s resolve and commitment to justice.
image source from：latimes
