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Overview

Garrison supports attorneys through all phases of litigation, trial, and appeals across federal and state courts nationwide. His work spans complex criminal and civil matters, with a particular focus on white-collar investigations and high-stakes disputes.

As a key member of BKLW’s criminal defense practice, Garrison plays a central role in pre-indictment investigations, government enforcement actions, and white-collar matters from inception through jury verdict. He brings a strategic approach to investigative support leveraging eDiscovery, digital forensics, and open-source intelligence tools to uncover, organize, and present critical evidence. His ability to distill large datasets into actionable insights has been instrumental in cases involving political corruption, healthcare fraud, immigration crimes, securities violations, and economic espionage.

In the courtroom, Garrison provides high impact support by coordinating juror research, managing and presenting exhibits, witness coordination, and logistical support.

On the civil side, Garrison has led paralegal efforts in complex matters involving high-profile individuals and corporations. His experience includes civil False Claims Act litigation, product liability and catastrophic injury cases, and bankruptcy disputes. He is deeply involved in deposition preparation, written discovery, legal research, and expert analysis.

Garrison earned a Bachelor of Arts in U.S. History from California State University, Fullerton, where he served as an editor of the Welebaethan Journal of History, was a member of Phi Alpha Theta, and was named to the Dean’s List. He holds a Paralegal Certificate from the University of California, Irvine, and serves as Co-Chair of the Orange County Paralegal Association’s Criminal Chapter.

Before joining BKLW in 2015, Garrison supported attorneys in commercial transportation, catastrophic injury, and complex business litigation at a boutique insurance defense firm. Outside of work, he enjoys riding motorcycles, surfing, and playing the drums.

Representative Matters

  • Served as lead paralegal in the defense of a church administrator charged with participating in an international conspiracy involving forced labor and document servitude, among other offenses, which prosecutors characterized as “modern-day slavery.”  All charges were dismissed except for conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, for which a time-served sentence was imposed.
  • Served as lead trial paralegal in the representation of a United States Congressman charged with making alleged false statements to federal authorities in a prosecution brought by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. The conviction was reversed by the Ninth Circuit in 2023.
  • Served as lead trial paralegal in the defense of a grocery wholesaler accused of international product diversion in a multi-week federal jury trial in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, resulting in the complete acquittal of all money laundering and mail fraud charges.
  • Managed trial preparation and litigation support in the representation of a physician charged with five felony counts of tax evasion and obstruction in a prosecution brought by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska. After three years of intensive litigation, the defense team exposed serious prosecutorial misconduct, resulting in the removal and discipline of the entire prosecution team and participating IRS investigators. All five felony counts were dismissed in exchange for a plea to a single misdemeanor offense and a $25 payment.
  • Key member of the defense team representing a prominent pain management physician charged with violating the federal Anti-Kickback Statute. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California voluntarily dismissed all charges, resulting in a complete acquittal.
  • Managed investigative support, discovery, and trial preparation in the representation of the co-owner of a rental property management company charged with wire fraud and money laundering. The government dismissed a 15-count indictment in exchange for a plea to a single obstruction charge.
  • Key member of the defense team that secured a single misdemeanor and no jail time resolution for a client facing wire fraud felony charges and one of the first federal prosecutions under the CAN-SPAM Act. After four years of litigation and a mistrial, the team negotiated an ultimate loss amount of $9,700 for client, a huge departure from the initial $70+ million claimed.
  • Served as lead trial paralegal in securing a complete defense verdict for NBA star James Harden in a personal injury lawsuit filed by a paparazzo in Los Angeles Superior Court.
  • Led investigative support in the representation of an electrical engineer charged with economic espionage based on allegations of exporting advanced semiconductor technology to China. The government dismissed all five felony counts in exchange for a plea to a single regulatory offense.
  • Managed investigative support for an internal investigation and grand jury subpoenas involving cybersecurity breaches at a defense contractor working with the United States Department of Defense.