Kayla Watson

Senior Of Counsel Attorney

Kayla Watson is a senior of counsel attorney at Serviam by Wright, LLP with over 13 years of experience as a civil litigator representing public entities.  Ms. Watson has successfully litigated a wide variety of politically sensitive and high profile matters in state and federal courts including the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.  Ms. Watson’s expertise includes public entity defense in civil rights matters, police practices, public safety, and the like.

Prior to joining Serviam, Ms. Watson was a Senior Deputy County Counsel with the Orange County Counsel’s Office, where she represented the Orange County Board of Supervisors, the County of Orange, and its political subdivisions.  Ms. Watson played a critical role in developing and implementing policies for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department including implementing California’s “red flag” laws in 2016, reshaping the Department’s policies and procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic to address the rapidly evolving legal and operational challenges, and defending the Department’s concealed carry weapons licensing scheme that evolved from the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 landmark decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. 

Ms. Watson has been a member of the California State Bar since 2012 and is admitted to practice in California’s State and Federal Courts, including the United States Supreme Court, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Ms. Watson received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Business in 2009 from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona.  In 2012 she earned her Juris Doctor from Whittier Law School, graduating with cum laude honors. 

Ms. Watson is recognized for her ability to navigate high-stakes, politically sensitive matters with sound judgment while balancing constitutional rights, public safety, and the interests of her clients.  

AREAS OF PRACTICE

• Liability Defense
• Hearing Officer Services

EDUCATION

• Juris Doctorate, Whittier Law School
• Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Business, University of Arizona in Tucson

ADMISSIONS

• Supreme Court of the State of California
• California Court of Appeal for all Districts
• California County & Trial Courts
• United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• United States District Court for the Northern District of California
• United States District Court for the Central District of California
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
• United States District Court for the Southern District of California