Celebrating Excellence: Three Outstanding Recipients of the Younger Federal Lawyer Award
- sarah.pike
- Sep 25
- 5 min read
By Sarah Almond Pike*
The Younger Federal Lawyer Award, presented by the National Federal Bar Association, recognizes younger federal lawyers who attain high standards of professional achievement and accords public recognition for outstanding performance. We are thrilled to congratulate a record-breaking three San Diego FBA Board Members who have earned this prestigious award: Jessie Agatstein, Evangeline Dech, and Rachel Eaton.
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Jessie Agatstein
Jessie Agatstein serves as an Appellate Attorney at Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc., where she has represented indigent clients with exceptional skill and compassion since 2020. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of MIT with degrees in Biology and Urban Studies and Planning, Jessie also holds a master’s degree in city planning from MIT and earned her J.D. from Yale Law School. Distinguished judicial clerkships—with Justice Goodwin Liu of the California Supreme Court and Judge Marsha S. Berzon of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals—prepared her well for her current role in federal appellate practice.
Jessie has achieved remarkable success in her appellate practice, handling more than 40 appeals and presenting oral argument in 10 cases before the Ninth Circuit. Her many victories for her clients include prevailing on legal sentencing claims under the United States Sentencing Guidelines in several cases. Jessie has also secured compassionate release for eleven clients, including groundbreaking cases involving early release for breastfeeding mothers and clients with extraordinary medical needs. Through her advocacy for her clients, Jessie has contributed to the development of law in the areas of illegal reentry and compassionate release.
As Vice President of Membership for the San Diego Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, Jessie has dramatically increased membership, growing the chapter to over 430 members. She also mentors new attorneys, runs her office's internship program, and contributed to the 2023 Edition of Defending a Federal Criminal Case, a practice guide prepared by the Federal Defenders and used nationally. Outside the law, Jessie volunteers as a driver for seniors through Jewish Family Service and tends to her urban homestead, raising chickens and growing native wildflowers.
Congratulations, Jessie, for your outstanding contributions to federal appellate practice and unwavering dedication to justice!
Evangeline Athena Dech
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eva Dech has served as a committed advocate in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California since September 2022. She earned her J.D. summa cum laude from California Western School of Law in 2018, where she served as executive editor of the law review and earned multiple academic excellence awards. Eva began her legal career as a civil litigator with the Kazerouni Law Group, advocating for consumers for nearly two years before answering the call to public service.
Eva’s federal career began as U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel E. Butcher's first law clerk, where she helped establish chambers protocols and mentor judicial externs. Her enthusiasm for federal law continued when she transitioned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where her tenure has been marked by remarkable trial advocacy. In the three years she has been in the office, she has obtained guilty verdicts in narcotics, immigration, and environmental-related trials. She has handled multiple sensitive and difficult cases, including at the appellate level. Her colleagues consistently praise her moral compass and compassionate character.
Beyond her courtroom achievements, Eva demonstrates commitment to community service. She serves on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Chapter of the Federal Bar Association as Vice President of Professional Engagement and previously served as secretary for the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association. Her passion for youth mentorship shines through her work with Project LEAD, where she teaches fifth-graders positive values and conflict resolution, and her service on the Board of Directors for Just in Time for Foster Youth. Eva also regularly presents to high school students and volunteers with the San Diego County Mock Trial Competition.
Congratulations, Eva, for this recognition of your exceptional dedication to justice and public service!
Rachel Eaton
Rachel Eaton has dedicated her career to federal public defense, serving as a trial attorney at Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc., since 2020. A graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, she began her federal service as a judicial law clerk to Judge John B. Owens on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. From the start of her legal career, her commitment to indigent defense in San Diego—her hometown—has been unwavering.
Rachel’s trial advocacy is exceptional, with a remarkable record of success for her clients. She has had nine felony cases dismissed after she set them for trial, including six that were dismissed after motions in limine. Rachel has served as lead counsel in four trials, three evidentiary hearings, and two appeals—prevailing in both appellate cases, beating the 90% affirmance rate typical in federal criminal appeals. Her innovative advocacy has led to groundbreaking outcomes, including arguing for a client's citizenship claim and pursuing a novel civil suit to vindicate a client’s right to outpatient competency treatment. Rachel’s legal acumen and integrity have earned her respect throughout the Southern District. Â
As Vice President of Community Outreach for the San Diego Federal Bar Association, Rachel has achieved extraordinary success in law student engagement. Through her efforts, all three local San Diego law schools now have FBA student chapters, and law student membership has more than doubled from fewer than 50 to over 110 members. Rachel also serves as a Lawyer Representative to the Southern District of California and regularly presents at Criminal Justice Act seminars and District Conferences. As a proud transgender woman, Rachel serves as an inspiring role model, demonstrating that excellence and authenticity go hand in hand with federal service.
Congratulations, Rachel, for your zealous advocacy and transformative impact on the San Diego federal legal community!
Our three remarkable colleagues exemplify the highest standards of professional achievement and community service that the Younger Federal Lawyer Award celebrates. Their dedication to justice, commitment to public service, and contributions to the San Diego legal community make them truly deserving of this recognition. We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments, thank them for their contributions to the FBA, and look forward to their continued leadership in federal law.