CMDA Law is pleased to announce that Gary D. Klein and Paul Leonidas Lin have been named partners of the Firm. Their promotions recognize their legal abilities, commitment to client…
Overview
Paul Leonidas Lin is a Partner in our Riverside office where he focuses his practice on defending public entities in civil litigation, including municipal law and insurance defense. Mr. Lin manages all phases of litigation, from initial case assessment and strategic planning through discovery management, substantive motion practice, and preparation for hearings and trials. He draws on over a decade of extensive litigation experience from his prior criminal defense practice, where he personally litigated more than 1,425 cases through all phases, from investigation and pre-trial proceedings to jury trials and appeals. This extensive experience in complex legal proceedings has equipped Mr. Lin with robust skills in trial advocacy, case analysis, and effective client representation.
Mr. Lin is proficient in Mandarin Chinese and conversational in Spanish.
Education
California Southern Law School, J.D., 2014
Honors

California Super Lawyers “Rising Star,” Criminal Defense Attorney, 2022-2025
Martindale-Hubbell Peer Reviewed
Martindale-Hubbell Gold Client Champion, 2020-Present
Avvo 10.0 Rated “Superb”
Avvo Client’s Choice Award, 2020-Present
Memberships and Associations
California State Bar
California State Bar Certified Criminal Law Specialist, March 2021-Present
– Currently the youngest to maintain this certification in Riverside County
Asian Pacific American Lawyers of the Inland Empire
– President 2019-2020
– Board Member 2016-2021
– Member 2015-Present
California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
– Board Member, 2022-2024
– Member, 2017-Present
Riverside County Bar Association
– Board Member, 2019-2020
– Member, 2012-Present
Riverside County Barristers Association
– President, 2019-2020
– Board Member 2017-2021
– Member, 2015-2023
Riverside County Criminal Defense Bar Association
– Board Member, 2020-Present
– Founding Member, 2020
San Bernardino County Bar Association
– Member, 2015- Present
Published Articles
CMDA Law is proud to announce that several attorneys from our Firm have been selected for inclusion in the 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers & Rising Stars list. The following attorneys…
CMDA Law is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Ronald Acho, a co-founder of the firm and one of the most respected members of the metro Detroit and Michigan…
CMDA Law is proud to recognize Partner Carol A. Smith and her trial team for securing a significant result in a complex admitted-liability automobile negligence trial involving extensive injury claims,…
CMDA Law is pleased to recognize Partner Matt Cross for recently obtaining dismissal of a substantive due process claim filed in the federal court for the Western District of Michigan…
CMDA Law Partner Matthew Cross recently obtained dismissal of a negligence claim against a northern Michigan county drain commission in Roscommon County Circuit Court, reinforcing the importance of Michigan governmental…
In the past five years, the landscape of community association law in southeast Michigan has shifted dramatically. For attorneys representing condominium associations and co-owners in Oakland County, it has become…
CMDA’s attorneys are highly versatile. While a few focus on niche areas, most practice across multiple areas—bringing a broader perspective to the clients they serve. Partner Kevin Campbell and associate Daniel El-Sibai of the…
With a readership of 25 million, POLITICO is considered one of the top three news sources for politics among people ages 21-50. This week, CMDA equity partner Jim Acho was…
CMDA’s switchboard doesn’t usually light up after one of CMDA partner Jim Acho’s radio appearances, but today it did. Numerous people called in or emailed to say “Thanks for saying…
Jurisdiction and Court Admissions
California, 2015
U.S. District Court, California Central District
U.S. District Court, California Eastern District
U.S. District Court, California Southern District
Education
California Southern Law School, J.D., 2014
Honors

California Super Lawyers “Rising Star,” Criminal Defense Attorney, 2022-2025
Martindale-Hubbell Peer Reviewed
Martindale-Hubbell Gold Client Champion, 2020-Present
Avvo 10.0 Rated “Superb”
Avvo Client’s Choice Award, 2020-Present