About

Watch · A Message from Nas

Nas Yasin

Nas Yasin is a first-generation Afghan American attorney dedicated to serving her community through advocacy, public service, and the pursuit of justice. A Bay Area native, she has devoted her career to representing marginalized communities and expanding access to legal services. Her work spans community organizing, mutual aid, nonprofit leadership, and legal advocacy in criminal law, immigration law, human rights, civil rights, and the law of armed conflict.

Throughout her career, Nas has focused on reducing barriers to justice by empowering underserved communities, amplifying marginalized voices, and building lasting community partnerships. She co-founded and served as Co-Director of a nonprofit organization supporting victims of war and has held numerous leadership positions, including serving on the Board of Directors of BALIF, the founding board of the Silicon Valley LGBTQ+ Bar Association, the Diversity and Inclusion Board of the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office, and the Government Attorneys Association Executive Board.

Prior to joining The Pernik Firm, Nas served as a career Deputy Public Defender in Santa Clara County, where she represented thousands of clients through every stage of the criminal process—from arraignment through trial. She began working with the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office as a law student in 2019, contributing to the County’s final death penalty prosecution, which ultimately resulted in an acquittal. During her career, she has handled a wide range of misdemeanor and felony matters while providing dedicated, client-centered representation.

In addition to her criminal defense experience, Nas has argued immigration matters before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and contributed to legal advocacy before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, where portions of the legal arguments she helped develop were ultimately adopted by the Court.

Nas earned her Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law, graduating with certificates in Criminal Law, Public Interest Law, and International Law. She later returned to her alma mater as an Adjunct Professor of Law. While in law school, she served as Student Body Vice President, held leadership positions in seven student organizations, received multiple CALI Excellence for the Future Awards for achieving the highest grades in various law courses, and was honored with the Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Award in recognition of her commitment to civil rights advocacy.

Her commitment to criminal defense is rooted in a simple belief: every person deserves skilled legal representation, dignity, and someone willing to stand beside them during the most difficult moments of their lives. She is passionate about protecting the constitutional rights of her clients while providing compassionate, strategic, and zealous advocacy.

Outside the courtroom, Nas remains deeply engaged in public service. She fosters animals through the Santa Clara County Animal Shelter, coaches youth football, volunteers as a mock trial coach, conducts Know Your Rights presentations, and volunteers with the Rapid Response Network to support immigrant communities throughout the Bay Area.