Getting arrested or charged with a crime in Los Angeles moves fast. Prosecutors start building a case within hours, and the lawyer a person chooses in those first days can shape everything that follows. With hundreds of defense attorneys advertising across the city, picking the right one is not simple. This list looks at six Los Angeles criminal defense firms with strong local track records, real trial experience, and recognition from legal peer-review groups. Rodriguez Law Group lands at the top, built on its founder’s background as a former Senior Deputy District Attorney, a run of dismissals and acquittals in serious felony cases, and honors from groups like the National Trial Lawyers and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. Below is a closer look at each firm, along with the contact details needed to compare options.
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Compare the Top Criminal Defense Firms in Los Angeles
| # | Firm | Best For | Focus Areas | Notable Recognition |
| 1 | The Rodriguez Law Group | Homicide and Sex Crimes Defense | Criminal defense, including homicide, sex crimes, federal crimes, domestic violence, DUI, drug crimes, and theft | National Trial Lawyers; Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel; 175+ five-star Google reviews |
| 2 | Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP | White Collar and High-Profile Cases | White collar crime, federal crimes, sex crimes, violent crimes, Title IX | AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell; National Trial Lawyers Top 100 |
| 3 | Perlman & Cohen | DUI Defense | DUI, domestic violence, drug crimes, theft, assault | Top 100 Trial Lawyers |
| 4 | Manuelian Law Firm | Federal Criminal Defense | State and federal criminal defense, white collar crime, violent crimes | National Trial Lawyers Top 100; AVVO Top Attorney |
| 5 | Kraut Law Group | Pre-Filing Investigations and Drug Crimes | White collar crime, fraud, drug crimes, violent crimes, DUI | 10/10 rating on Avvo and Justia |
| 6 | CBS Law | Civil Rights and Police Misconduct Cases | Criminal defense and civil rights/police misconduct | BBB accredited; Avvo Client’s Choice award |
1. The Rodriguez Law Group
Type: Law Firm Focus: Criminal defense, including homicide, sex crimes, federal crimes, domestic violence, DUI, drug crimes, and theft
The Rodriguez Law Group is led by Ambrosio E. Rodriguez, a former Senior Deputy District Attorney with over a decade of experience prosecuting the state’s most serious cases. Before starting his own practice, he led the Sex Crimes Unit and served in the Homicide Unit at the DA’s office, working death penalty and murder trials from the prosecution’s side. That background gives him a working knowledge of how the state builds a case, and where it tends to be weakest.
The firm’s case results back up its reputation. Attorneys here have secured a not-guilty jury verdict on murder and attempted murder charges with gang allegations, gotten a child molestation investigation stopped and dropped before charges were filed, and had a felony domestic violence case dismissed. Managing Partner Sommer Salam brings eight more years as a former prosecutor to the firm’s pre-trial strategy and negotiations.
Rodriguez Law Group holds recognition from the National Trial Lawyers, has been named among the Top One Percent of criminal defense attorneys by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, and carries more than 175 five-star Google reviews. Mr. Rodriguez is a regular legal analyst on CNN, Fox News, and ABC. The combination of prosecutor-side insight, documented case results, and consistent client feedback is why this firm sits first on this list for anyone facing serious charges in Los Angeles.
- Name: The Rodriguez Law Group
- Address: 626 Wilshire Blvd Suite 460, Los Angeles, CA 90017
- Phone: (213) 995-6767
- Website: https://www.aerlawgroup.com/
2. Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP
Type: Law Firm Focus: White collar crime, federal crimes, sex crimes, violent crimes, Title IX
Werksman Jackson & Quinn has built its name on high-profile and high-stakes cases, including Alan Jackson’s defense of Karen Read in her Massachusetts murder trial. The firm is rated AV, the highest ranking, by Martindale-Hubbell, and its attorneys have been named to the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100. Clients here have included executives, entertainment figures, and professional athletes, and the firm’s approach favors discretion alongside courtroom results.
- Name: Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP
- Address: 888 West Sixth Street, 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017
- Phone: (213) 688-0460
- Website: https://werksmanjackson.com/
3. Perlman & Cohen
Type: Law Firm Focus: DUI, domestic violence, drug crimes, theft, assault
Daniel Perlman and Matthew Cohen each bring close to 20 years of criminal defense experience and have been ranked among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers. The firm answers calls 24/7 and offers payment plans, which makes it a common choice for clients who need a lawyer on short notice after an arrest.
- Name: Perlman & Cohen
- Address: 355 S Grand Ave #2450, Los Angeles, CA 90071
- Phone: (310) 557-1700
- Website: https://perlmancohen.com/
4. Manuelian Law Firm
Type: Law Firm Focus: State and federal criminal defense, white collar crime, violent crimes
RJ Manuelian has practiced criminal law for more than 20 years and is licensed in California, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C., along with federal court. That multi-jurisdiction license makes his firm a solid pick for clients facing federal charges that cross state lines. He is a National Trial Lawyers Top 100 member and an AVVO Top Attorney, and appears regularly as a legal commentator on national news outlets.
- Name: Manuelian Law Firm
- Address: 633 W 5th Street #5710, Los Angeles, CA 90071
- Phone: (213) 248-6784
- Website: https://manuelianlawfirm.com/
5. Kraut Law Group
Type: Law Firm Focus: White collar crime, fraud, drug crimes, violent crimes, DUI
Michael Kraut, a Harvard Law graduate, spent 14 years as a Los Angeles County prosecutor, including time in the Major Frauds Division, before founding this firm. The practice is known for stepping in during the investigation stage, before charges are filed, which can be the difference between a case getting dropped early and a client fighting it in court for months. Kraut holds a 10/10 rating on Avvo and Justia and maintains satellite offices across Glendale, Burbank, Long Beach, Beverly Hills, and Pasadena.
- Name: Kraut Law Group
- Address: 6255 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 1520, Los Angeles, CA 90028
- Phone: (323) 464-6453
- Website: https://www.losangelescriminallawyer.pro/
6. CBS Law
Type: Law Firm Focus: Criminal defense and civil rights/police misconduct
Chris Bou Saeed’s firm handles the standard range of criminal charges but stands out for its police misconduct practice, with settlements including a reported $1.5 million civil rights case. The firm is BBB accredited and holds an Avvo Client’s Choice award, and it is a fit for anyone whose case involves questions about how officers behaved during an arrest or investigation.
- Name: CBS Law
- Address: 633 W. 5th Street, 26th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071
- Phone: (213) 800-8005
- Website: https://thecbslaw.com/
Which Firm Fits Which Situation
- Homicide or sex crimes charges: Rodriguez Law Group
- White collar crime or a high-profile, media-sensitive case: Werksman Jackson & Quinn
- DUI charges: Perlman & Cohen
- Federal criminal charges: Manuelian Law Firm
- Drug crimes or a case still under investigation, not yet charged: Kraut Law Group
- Police misconduct alongside criminal charges: CBS Law
Why Experience Matters More Than Advertising
A law degree does not tell you how a lawyer performs in a Los Angeles courtroom. What matters more is whether the attorney has tried cases like yours in front of local judges, understands how the county’s prosecutors build and negotiate cases, and responds quickly once you call. Firms led by former prosecutors carry a real advantage here. They know what evidence a case needs to move forward, and where it tends to fall apart. Look for a firm that can point to specific case outcomes, not just years in practice, before you decide who represents you.
Final Word
Los Angeles has no shortage of criminal defense lawyers, but the strength of a defense usually comes down to trial record, local court experience, and how fast a firm moves once you call. Rodriguez Law Group stands out on all three counts, backed by a founder who spent over a decade prosecuting the same courts he now defends clients in, a record of dismissals and acquittals in serious cases, and consistent recognition from independent legal organizations. If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges in Los Angeles, a free consultation with a firm like this is a reasonable first step toward understanding your options and protecting your record.
FAQs
Who is the best criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles? Based on trial record, prosecutor-side experience, and independent legal recognition, Rodriguez Law Group ranks as the top overall pick on this list, led by former Senior Deputy District Attorney Ambrosio E. Rodriguez.
What should someone look for in a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles? A strong track record with local judges, documented case outcomes such as dismissals or acquittals, and speed in responding after an arrest all matter more than advertising or years in practice alone.
Which Los Angeles firm handles federal criminal cases? Manuelian Law Firm is licensed in multiple jurisdictions, including federal court, and is best suited for charges that cross state lines.
Is it possible to get a case resolved before charges are even filed? Yes. Kraut Law Group focuses on stepping in during the investigation stage, which can sometimes stop a case before formal charges are filed.
Does a criminal defense case ever involve police misconduct claims? It can. CBS Law handles standard criminal defense alongside civil rights and police misconduct cases, including situations where an officer’s conduct during an arrest is in question.
