As a federal prosecutor, Alioto led complex investigations into violent, organized crime groups that resulted in their convictions. In 2016, he led a racketeering prosecution of four leaders of a nation-wide criminal organization for racketeering, three counts of murder, attempted murder, multiple counts of robbery, arson, and related firearm and drug crimes. Read about the case here. In recognition of this achievement, the Attorney General of the United States honored Alioto with the Director’s Award for Superior Performance. Read more here. In 2018, Alioto investigated and led a successful bribery and corruption prosecution against a former Oakland police officer and District Attorney investigator. Read about the case here; see also “Oakland City Leaders Stunned By Retired Cop Corruption Scandal.” As a result of his exposure to the gun violence in many of his cases (additional examples here and here), Alioto became a devoted advocate for victims of violence. In 2019, he began collaborating with the Giffords Law Center to prevent gun violence on proposed firearm legislation.
Before starting his own law firm, Alioto was a partner at Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, where he represented whistleblowers, antitrust plaintiffs, and small to medium-sized firms in complex business disputes. He earned his JD and MBA from the University of California Berkeley School of Law and Haas School of Business. He received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University cum laude.
Alioto is a life-long San Franciscan and an active member of his community. He is a board member of RescueSF, a city-wide coalition that advances concrete solutions for ending homelessness. In addition to working pro bono with Giffords, Joe has also volunteered his legal services to the Natural Resources Defense Council. In 2020, he was appointed by Governor Newsom to the board of California’s State Coastal Conservancy, a state commission charged with conserving California’s coastline. In 2023, Alioto was appointed by Governor Newsom to the board of California’s Occupation Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB).