Exemplary embodiments are directed to providing electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection of a cascode device of an amplifier. In an exemplary embodiment, a transistor is configured to receive a bias voltage and at least one circuit element coupled to the transistor and configured to receive an input voltage via an input pad. Additionally at least one diode can be coupled to a drain of the first transistor and configured to limit a voltage potential at an internal node of the amplifier caused by the input pad.