Brandi L. Harper

Brandi L. Harper

Harper & McCoy, APC

Overview

Brandi L. Harper is the Managing Partner of Harper & McCoy, A.P.C., a law firm based in the Inland Empire dedicated to representing California’s first responders, public safety employees, and their families. She leads the firm and is known for her strategic advocacy, litigation skill, and personable, no-nonsense approach. Brandi brings both compassion and strength to every matter she handles.

She serves as panel counsel for the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) Legal Defense Fund and the California Correctional Supervisors Organization (CCSO). Brandi is also a core member of Harper & McCoy’s Critical Incident Response Team, handling time-sensitive employment defense and use-of-force incidents across the state. She is often requested by police associations for her trusted legal counsel and dynamic communication style.

Practice Areas

Civil Litigation (State & Federal)
Family Law (Divorce, Custody, Support, Pre-nuptial Agreements, Post-Judgment)
Employment Law & Internal Investigations
General Counsel Services for Peace Officer Associations
Collective Bargaining & Contract Negotiations
Administrative Discipline
Critical Incident & Use-of-Force Response
Section 1983 Defense (Excessive Force)

Speaking & Instruction

Brandi is an in-demand speaker across California. She is an instructor for PORAC and teaches the following PORAC courses:

• Collective Bargaining
• Internal Affairs
• Social Media and Its Legal Impacts on Law Enforcement

She has also presented at the CCSO Annual Conference, PORAC LDF Conference, PORAC Conference, PORAC Symposium, and the Law Enforcement Social Media Conference. Brandi’s lively and practical approach is a favorite among attendees.

Career Background

Prior to co-founding Harper & McCoy, Brandi was a partner at Castillo Harper, where she led the Civil Litigation and Family Law Divisions and served as general counsel to multiple law enforcement associations. Before that, she practiced at Wagner & Pelayes, focusing on public entity defense, civil litigation, employment law, and family law. She also worked at Lackie Dammeier McGill & Ethir, APC, where her practice centered exclusively on litigation.

Brandi has represented officers in both state and federal court, including Section 1983 excessive force cases, and has successfully tried cases in both arenas. Her family law experience spans from pre-nuptial agreements to complex post-judgment litigation and dependency matters. She is deeply committed to serving those who serve their communities.

Education

J.D., Ave Maria School of Law – Ann Arbor, MI
Merit Scholar | Law Clerk to Hon. John G. McBain, Jackson County Circuit Court

B.A., California State University, San Bernardino – With Honors
President’s Scholar | Dean’s List

Bar Admissions

State Bar of California
U.S. District Courts
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
United States Supreme Court

Memberships

Riverside County Bar Association
Federal Bar Association – Inland Empire Chapter
National Association for Professional Women

Awards & Recognition

Super Lawyers Rising Star – 2019 to 2024
Up-and-Coming 50: Women Southern California Rising Stars – 2023–2024
Up-and-Coming 100: Southern California Rising Stars – 2023–2024
AV Preeminent Rating – Martindale-Hubbell (Since 2016)
Gold Client Champion – Martindale-Hubbell