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Facing criminal charges in Los Angeles is one of the most stressful experiences a person can go through. The Los Angeles criminal court system is one of the largest and most complex in the United States. Having the right criminal defense attorney can mean the difference between conviction and acquittal, or between a prison sentence and probation. Here are the top-rated criminal defense lawyers in Los Angeles for 2026.
Disclaimer: This list is compiled from publicly available information. It does not constitute a legal recommendation. Always conduct your own due diligence before hiring an attorney.
#1 — Eisner Gorin LLP
| Location | 14401 Sylvan St, Suite 112, Van Nuys, CA 91401 |
| Attorneys | Alan Eisner and David Gorin, former prosecutors |
| Google Rating | ⭐ 4.9 (250+ reviews) |
| Avvo Rating | 10/10 |
Eisner Gorin LLP is one of the highest-rated criminal defense firms in Los Angeles with an extraordinary 4.9 Google rating across over 250 reviews. Both founding partners are former prosecutors who use their insider knowledge of how the district attorney office works to build effective defense strategies. The firm handles felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, DUI, domestic violence, sex crimes, and white-collar criminal defense across all Los Angeles courts.
⭐ 4.9 (250+ reviews)🔍 Website Audit: Eisner Gorin LLP
Audited by Legal Web Insider — eisnergorin.com
✅ What They Do Well
- 4.9 Google rating across 250+ reviews — the strongest online reputation of any criminal defense firm in LA we reviewed
- Former prosecutor positioning featured immediately — a powerful trust signal for criminal defense clients
- Comprehensive practice area coverage across all criminal defense types clearly structured
- Blog content strategy appears active — regular publication builds SEO authority and keeps the site competitive in organic search
- 10/10 Avvo rating prominently displayed alongside Google reviews for multi-platform social proof
⚠️ What Needs Improvement
- Homepage hero could be more emotionally direct for someone facing criminal charges tonight — the urgency and stakes could be more immediately acknowledged
❌ What Is Missing
- Live chat — criminal defense clients often research at night after an arrest; after-hours chat capture would significantly increase lead volume
- Video introductions from both founding partners — former prosecutor background is so compelling that hearing it directly from Aaron and David would convert at a higher rate than text alone
#2 — Werksman Jackson and Quinn LLP
| Attorney | Mark Werksman |
| Location | 888 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017 |
| Recognition | Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Top 100 Criminal Defense |
| Focus | High-profile criminal defense, white-collar crimes, federal cases |
Mark Werksman is one of the most prominent criminal defense attorneys in California, known for handling high-profile and complex criminal cases. His firm regularly appears in federal and state courts across California on serious felony matters including white-collar crime, public corruption, murder, and sexual assault allegations. Consistently named a Super Lawyer and recognized among the top criminal defense attorneys in the country.
#3 — The Kavinoky Law Firm
| Location | Los Angeles, CA (multiple offices) |
| Google Rating | ⭐ 4.8 (180+ reviews) |
| Focus | DUI defense, criminal defense across California |
The Kavinoky Law Firm is one of the most recognized criminal defense practices in California with a particular strength in DUI defense. With multiple offices and a large team of experienced criminal defense attorneys, the firm is able to handle high volumes of cases without compromising on attention to individual clients. The firm has built an exceptional online reputation with 180+ Google reviews averaging 4.8 stars.
#4 — Spolin Law P.C.
| Attorney | Aaron Spolin |
| Location | Los Angeles, CA |
| Google Rating | ⭐ 4.9 (120+ reviews) |
| Avvo Rating | 10/10 |
Aaron Spolin is a former prosecutor who has handled thousands of criminal cases across California. His firm focuses on winning acquittals, reducing charges, and securing early case dismissals. With a 4.9 Google rating and 10/10 Avvo score, the firm has built one of the strongest online reputations among Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys. Clients consistently praise the firm communication, strategy, and commitment to fighting aggressively for the best possible outcome.
🔍 Website Audit: Spolin Law P.C.
Audited by Legal Web Insider — spolinlaw.com
✅ What They Do Well
- 4.9 Google rating and 10/10 Avvo displayed together — dual-platform social proof is highly effective
- Former prosecutor background featured prominently — mirrors the strongest positioning in the LA criminal defense market
- Clear practice area breakdown covering all major criminal defense categories
- Clean professional design that works well on mobile
⚠️ What Needs Improvement
- Content volume could be expanded — more detailed practice area guides and FAQ content would improve rankings for specific criminal charge keywords
- Case results section could be more prominent — specific outcome examples convert hesitant prospects effectively
❌ What Is Missing
- Client video testimonials — for criminal defense where clients often cannot speak publicly, even anonymised outcome stories in video format would be powerful
- Spanish language version — given LA demographics, a Spanish-language version of key practice area pages would capture a significant underserved market
#5 — Kestenbaum Law Group
| Attorney | Barry Kestenbaum |
| Location | Los Angeles, CA |
| Google Rating | ⭐ 4.8 (90+ reviews) |
| Focus | Drug crimes, theft, assault, DUI, federal offenses |
Barry Kestenbaum brings decades of criminal defense experience to clients across Los Angeles and Southern California. The firm is known for a highly personalized approach where clients work directly with the lead attorney throughout their case rather than being handed to junior associates. Clients particularly highlight the firm honesty about case prospects and the thoroughness of their defense preparation.
What to Look for in a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney
Former prosecutor experience: Attorneys who have worked as prosecutors understand how cases are built and where weaknesses can be exploited in the defense. Many of the best criminal defense attorneys in LA have prosecutorial backgrounds.
Local court experience: Los Angeles has numerous courthouses each with its own judges, prosecutors, and procedures. An attorney who regularly appears in the specific courthouse handling your case has a significant advantage over one unfamiliar with that court.
24-hour availability: Criminal charges do not happen at convenient times. The best criminal defense firms in LA offer around-the-clock availability for new clients facing arrest or charges.
Act immediately: Evidence is time-sensitive in criminal cases. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after charges are filed or arrest occurs.
Does Your Criminal Defense Firm Need More Online Visibility?
If you run a criminal defense practice in Los Angeles or anywhere in the US and your website is not generating consistent leads, we can help. Book a free discovery call here.
Also see: Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in New York City, NY | Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Miami, FL | Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Boston
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