Ricson C. Dakanay - San Diego, CA
Attorney at Dakanay Law Group
DUI Defense Lawyers in San Diego, CA
402 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
15
Years
Experience
San Diego DUI Defense Lawyer
Updated: 09/14/2026
Areas of Practice
- DUI Defense
- General Misdemeanors
- Felonies
Attorney Information
Overview
Ricson Dakanay is a ten-year attorney and the lead Riverside County attorney for the Law Offices of Michael A. Scafiddi. He is a proud, first-generation Filipino American. Mr. Dakanay emigrated to the United States with his family at the age of four, and his experiences assimilating to the U.S. have profoundly shaped his outlook and approach as a practicing attorney as it is rooted in compassion and social justice. His life experiences and upbringing allow him to empathize, relate, and understand his clients for the better.
Mr. Dakanay attended the University of California Irvine where he double majored in Economics and Political Science. He was a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society and Golden Key International Honor Society. After graduation, he lived in Washington D.C. and interned at a preeminent immigration law firm before attending California Western School of Law (CWSL) in San Diego. During his time at CWSL, Mr. Dakanay was involved in various organizations, but his favorite was being an instructor for Street Law. This renowned program allowed Mr. Dakanay to educate and empower middle schoolers in San Diego by providing them a legal and civics education that culminated in a mock trial at the end of the course. Mr. Dakanay's work with the youth carried over as he interned for the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office, Gang Division, wherein, aside from doing preliminary hearings, drafting motions, and assisting in trial work, he created a curriculum designed to steer at-risk and disadvantaged youth from the ills and perils of gang life.
After working at a big, multinational law firm, Mr. Dakanay missed the hustle and bustle of the courtroom, the efficacy of impacting a client's life, and the interpersonal relationships forged between a client and their attorney. With this in mind, he accepted a position with the Law Offices of Michael A. Scafiddi in 2011 and has not looked back since. He sees his current role as a criminal defense attorney as a calling towards social justice he always yearned for.
Mr. Dakanay sharpened his litigation skills in his first few years by soaking up all the knowledge he could from the senior attorneys at the office. When it was time to answer the bell, Mr. Dakanay's preparation and work-ethic allowed him to seamlessly weave into the firm's operations with confidence and competency.
As his clients will attest to, they commend Mr. Dakanay's professionalism, staunch advocacy, and dogged determination. His genteel and earnest attitude have a way of making his clients feel like they're family. This sentiment engenders trust, appreciation, and care. These feelings are paramount in the practice area of criminal defense as the trust between a client and their attorney has to be indivisible; just like that of family. Mr. Dakanay strives to live up to the ideals of this noble profession. This compassionate lawyering is the embodiment of the values that comprise of the Law Offices of Michael A. Scafiddi and Mr. Dakanay could not be happier to be a part of it.
Awards and Honors
Awards
Honors
- Pi Sigma Alpha - National Political Science Honor Society, 2006 - Present
Other Sources of Feedback About Ricson C. Dakanay
Included on the 2025 San Diego Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2024 San Diego Super Lawyers list
- 2023 Southern California Super Lawyers list
Education
Legal Education
-
California Western School of Law,
San Diego,
California, 2011
J.D.
Non Legal Education
-
University of California,
Irvine,
California, 2006
B.A.
Major: Economics and Political Science
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Senior Attorney
References
-
Roderick Doly
-
Malalai Faroogi
-
Megan Scafiddi
-
Michael Scafiddi
Languages
-
English (Primary)
-
Tagalog
Classes and Seminars
-
Street Law, California Western School of Law, 2010 - Present
-
ADA Basics workshop, 2014 - Present
- San Bernardino County Mock Trial Coach, Aquinas High School, 2014 - 2015
Bar Admissions
- California, 2011
Other Affiliations
- San Bernardino County Bar Association, 2011 - Present (Member)
- Riverside County Bar Association, 2011 - Present (Member)
- West End San Bernardino Bar Association, 2011 - Present (Member)
- American Bar Association, 2011 - Present (Member)
Photo
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