California State Bar Certified Criminal Law Specialist

Why You Should Hire A Certified Specialist To Defend Your Criminal Case

Learn why you should hire a Certified Criminal Law Specialist to handle your case.

Law firm partners Alan Eisner and Dmitry Gorin are "State Bar Certified Criminal Law Specialists," demonstrating their highest level of experience in criminal law.

The California State Bar has certified a limited number of specialists who have demonstrated excellence in their particular fields of law.

The Bar does this to help consumers identify attorneys who have demonstrated a high degree of proficiency in their specialized field. In addition to Criminal Law, the specialties include Family Law, Bankruptcy, Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, and Franchise Law.

A Certified Specialist is more than just an attorney who specializes in an area of law. A California attorney who is certified by the State Bar as a specialist in Criminal Law must have:

• 1) Taken and passed a written examination in Criminal Law;
• 2) Demonstrated a high level of experience in Criminal Law;
• 3) Fulfilled ongoing education requirements; and,
• 4) Been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with their work.

Recertification Process

A Certified Specialist cannot simply rely on his laurels. The recertification process occurs every five years, requiring the attorney to submit a renewed application, including the number of trials and results, and contact information of Judges and opposing counsel with whom we have litigated so that the State Bar can vet the applicant yet again.

The attorney must also submit information on all the specialized seminars and training they attended during the relevant time period.

The attorney also submits information regarding cutting-edge cases that they have litigated. They submit information about where they have educated other attorneys or law students, and in particular areas of expertise.

The Certified Specialist must be in court regularly, handling the most serious cases and litigating the most serious issues. He must stay current with new laws to help his clients achieve the best possible outcome.

Effective advocacy employs many means, whether challenging government conduct in a Fourth Amendment search and seizure motion, challenging sufficiency of evidence at a Preliminary Hearing, or pursuing a Penal Code § 995 motion to dismiss.

A Certified Specialist knows how to prepare an effective and compelling sentencing position, so even if a client must have a conviction, the resulting sentence is fair and appropriate for the circumstances.

Efficient Investigating Techniques

A Certified Specialist does not just sit back and rely on the evidence presented by the Government; they know how to investigate a case properly, whether by interviewing and subpoenaing witnesses, subpoenaing records and documents, or effectively employing experts, whether mental health experts, accident reconstruction experts, or other forensic experts, to evaluate evidence properly.

In short, the Certified Specialist in Criminal Law has demonstrated a commitment to his practice.

By his record, the Certified Specialist has demonstrated that he is a zealous advocate for his client and will ensure that his client receives the best result possible in their case. 

Successful Case Results

• No Formal Charges After Arrest: A government employee arrested for having a sexual relationship with a minor who deceived him about her age. Our office demonstrated reasonable doubt as to the elements of statutory rape. The case was rejected for prosecution.
• Hit-and-Run Case Closed: A client was involved in a hit-and-run. Our firm negotiated with the assigned detective to drop the criminal case investigation, following a civil compromise and presentation of insurance policy coverage.
• Sex Case Dropped Due to Insufficient Evidence: A client was investigated for over a year following sex crime accusations. Following our own investigation, the firm advocated to the government that there was a lack of sufficient evidence. The case was closed without a formal arrest or charges.
• Reduction from DUI to Reckless Driving: Our attorneys presented mitigation to the prosecutor to avoid a felony DUI conviction, which could affect our client's medical license. We eventually reached a plea compromise to preserve our client's ability to work.
• Two Firearm Cases Dropped: A client was charged in cases involving the displaying and discharging of firearms. Following extensive litigation, both the felony and misdemeanor criminal cases were dismissed on the eve of trial.
• Sex Trafficking and Pandering Case: Our client qualified for Mental Health Diversion after a year of litigation and objections from the DA's Office. The charges will be dropped upon successful completion of the program.
• Domestic Violence Felony Arrest: No formal charges filed against a medical doctor following presentation of defense evidence to the prosecutor's office.
• Grand Theft Arrest in Casino: No formal charges filed against a business owner following a claim that he took someone else's bag with poker chips.
• Federal Detention Hearings: The firm secured pretrial release for numerous clients facing felony charges in federal court nationally, often over the objection of the government. Offenses included stalking, possession of unlawful pornography, child abuse, and drug trafficking.
• Fake ID Cases: Two college students were booked for presenting fake IDs in a sting operation. Following our firm's presentation of mitigation evidence, the prosecutor's office agreed not to file formal charges and instead set an informal counseling hearing for each client.
• No Charges in Assault with Deadly Weapon Case: A veteran with PTSD was accused of hitting a man with a bat. The law firm presented defense evidence, including recent treatment efforts, to the prosecutor's office. The case will not be formally prosecuted after our client successfully completes an informal process through the prosecutor's office.
• Dismissal of Possession of Child Pornography Felonies: While on probation for similar charges, an artist was again accused of possessing child pornography. We contested the allegations at the preliminary hearing by questioning the strength of the prosecutor's case, arguing that the government failed to prove the prurient images were not AI-generated, leading to a victory for our client. The client was released on bail.
• No Jail Time in Federal Threats Case: A high-ranking official faced a federal indictment and prison time. Our office engaged in lengthy settlement discussions with federal officials from the U.S. Attorney's Office, presenting evidence of mitigation to avoid more aggravated federal charges and likely prison commitment. The government ultimately agreed as to our client's need for mental health assistance rather than incarceration, and to a non-custodial sentence. The federal judge placed our client on probation.
• In-Patient Program in Lieu of Incarceration on Drug Case: A former radiologist, the client had been out of touch with his family for ten years due to his drug addiction. He faced two felony drug sales warrants - one in LA, one in OC - and state prison time. Our office succeeded in reducing both felony cases to misdemeanors and having him enter an inpatient drug treatment program. Should he successfully complete the program, he will be eligible to expunge both criminal cases and reapply for a radiology practice licensing.
• Dismissal of Hate Crime Allegations: As part of a road rage incident, the client was charged with vandalism and faced time in custody due to a hate crime allegation. At the preliminary hearing, after cross-examining the accuser, our office convinced the magistrate to dismiss the hate crime due to reasonable doubt. Our client is now eligible for Mental Health Diversion, timely therapy and psychiatric intervention, and ultimate dismissal/sealing of the vandalism felony arrest.
• Rejection for Prosecution: Two Criminal Cases: As part of a hotly contested divorce, our client faced two separate criminal investigations initiated by his former spouse. Our law firm demonstrated the inconsistency of the accusations, raising reasonable doubt by presenting physical evidence and third-party witness statements. The assigned detectives agreed the accusations were unsubstantiated and closed the cases without pursuing formal charges in court.
• Mental Health Diversion for Victim of Abuse: A young woman with PTSD hired our firm after she was arrested for felony grand theft charges. The DA objected to her release on bail, arguing that bail would be secured by funds stolen from the public. Our firm pursued mental health diversion, demonstrating that her act of fraud was the result of a mental crisis due to her own victimization. Diversion was granted over the prosecutor's objection, allowing our client to avoid a criminal conviction, remain out of jail, obtain appropriate mental health treatment, and work to repay the victim through the restitution process.
• Judicial Diversion in Civil Rights Violation Case: A college student was charged with vandalism after being accused of defacing a pride image on campus. Our firm filed a petition for a judicial diversion dismissal, highlighting our client's academic and other accomplishments, the impact that the conviction would have on his future, and his legal suitability for diversion. The court granted the diversion. Our client completed extensive community service and classwork, resulting in the dismissal of all charges. The case and police reports will be ordered sealed.
• Rejection of Molestation Charges: Law enforcement investigated our client for molestation offenses after DCFS began an investigation following school reports. Our law firm presented a defense position raising reasonable doubt, witness statements, and other evidence. The case was reviewed by the DA's office and rejected for formal prosecution.