Sam J. Israels is a Law Firm partner with the Law Offices of Cron, Israels, & Stark. Mr. Israels received his J.D. degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law. Mr. Israels also previously worked at the Los Angeles Office of the City Attorney. He is admitted to practice law in the State of California.
Mr. Israels' practice focuses on the areas of criminal defense, both federal and state, including homicide, drug crimes, sexual assault cases, white-collar crimes, domestic violence cases, and driving while intoxicated. Mr. Israels is a member of the State Bar of California.
Sam Israels was born and raised in Modesto, California. He attended Fred C. Beyer High School. From there, he attended the University of California at Irvine where he majored in Social Ecology with an emphasis in Criminal Law.
After graduating, he worked in the entertainment industry for a few years in Los Angeles doing production work in both episodic television and mini-series. If you watch the credits of the television show Baywatch during a certain season very carefully, you may spot his name.
In 1998, Sam moved to northern California catching the technology wave. He worked for the Pacific Stock Exchange before settling at Credit Suisse First Boston doing equity research on the valuation of internet companies.
In 2001, Sam attended the Santa Clara University Law School where he was awarded the prestigious Witkin award. While in law school, Sam interned in the United States District Court for the now retired Honorable Ronald M. Whyte. During the Summer, Sam interned for the Los Angeles District Attorneys Office in their Hardcore Gangs Division. After graduation, Sam moved to Southern California.
Shortly thereafter, he began working as a Deputy City Attorney at the Los Angeles Office of the City Attorney. There he worked as a prosecutor in downtown Los Angeles, the Van Nuys Office and at the Los Angeles Airport branch.
Working in the City Attorney's Office gave Sam significant trial experiences. While in the office, Sam gained valuable experience handling trials involving Domestic Violence, Driving Under the Influence, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Battery, Theft, Prostitution and more. Among the locales Sam did trial work in were the East Los Angeles Courthouse, the downtown Criminal Courts Building, the Metropolitan Courthouse, the Hollywood Courthouse, the Los Angeles Airport Court and the Van Nuys Courthouse.
In 2008, Sam left government work and joined the firm of Cron, Israels, and Stark. He enjoys the challenge of defense work and is gratified by being able to help people who find themselves in trouble. Sam believes his time as a prosecutor allows him to examine a case from both sides and that can often point to a resolution that satisfies his client and the prosecution. Sam has handled cases all over California. In his free time, time, Sam likes tennis, racquetball, and barbeque.
Areas of Practice
- Criminal Defense
- Intoxicated Cases
- Drug Crimes
- Sexual Assault Cases
- White Collar Crimes
- Domestic Violence Cases
- Traffic Violations
- Personal Injury
- Administrative Law Matters
Bar Admissions
Education
- Santa Clara University School of Law, Santa Clara, California, J.D.
Honors: Recipient, Witkin Award - University of California, Irvine
Honors: Extern, United States Federal District Court
Honors: Intern, Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.
Professional Associations and Memberships
- State Bar of California, Member
Past Employment Positions
- Los Angeles Office of the City Attorney.
Contact Information:
11755 Wilshire Blvd, 15th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90025 Phone: 424-372-3112
Justia Lawyer Profile Linkedin Profile
Read what Sam's past clients are saying:
Recent Blog Posts
California Health and Safety Code 11365 HS - Aiding and Abetting Unlawful Use of a Controlled Substance
Sale of Synthetic Stimulants - Health and Safety Code 11375.5 HS
Making False Statements to Obtain Prescription Drugs - Business & Professions Code 4323 BPC
Conceal Drugs in a False Compartment - Health and Safety Code 11366.8 HS
Are DUI Sobriety Checkpoints Legal?
Recommendations
- Yelp Client Review Went to Phil and SAM for a DUI case, Phil was very considerate and courteous as well as being reasonable. Now SAM is the one who handled my case and did far more than i expected, if you ever are going to put your money into the pockets of a firm or an attorney. I would bar non...
- Last May I was charged with an aggravated DUI, and Sam Israels worked an absolute miracle for me! He negotiated a fair deal with the prosecutor that was the best-case scenario for an extremely difficult case. I was very pleased with the outcome, and so relieved. From our first meeting, Sam was in...
- From our first phone conversation I was immediately put at ease. As I am sure most people are in a situation for which they need to call Sam, I was coming from a place of distress and uncertainty having received a DUI at a police checkpoint. His temperment was always kind, compassionate and calmi...
- Sam will fight for you, he has saved my little five year old daughter and is in process of helping to re-unite she and I – me, her father, Thomas Lopez. Sam will help you with any needed criminal defense, but you as a defendant best get your programs and documentation in and before you execute, m...
- M.T. Hi Steve,I hope you are well. Just wanted to drop you a note. You had represented my daughter in Santa Barbara back in 2013, in her arrest for drunk in public and took good care of us. I know you have daughters too and thought you would like to know that she graduated a couple of weeks ago ...
- Dear Sam,I want to thank you again for your efforts in getting this matter resolved satisfactorily in such an expedited manner. As we discussed, I now have a copy of the minute order and will keep a copy with me on my person. Thanks again for your efforts.
- Dear Sam,A deep heartfelt thanks for all of your hard work helping our family with my niece's case. Your loving and caring heart eased us during a stressful and difficult time. It was wonderful to have you and Phil's support. Your kind, gentle and professional manner quickly put me at ease and ca...
- Sam,This ordeal has been quite miserable for me and my family, but without your help resolving the court case in exemplary fashion and your ongoing advice regarding the driving license issue, I know I wouldn't be as poised as I am to resume my normal, productive life. Thank you very much for effo...
- Dear Phil,Honestly there is not a day that goes by for me that I don't think about you and I thank god that I had you as my attorney – You Saved Me !!!!! Again, I truly appreciate your time and great efforts on my behalf.
- Sam, THANK YOU! This is FANTASTIC news. I am so thankful that it all came together, despite the obvious resistance of the judge and the hesitancy on the part of the prosecutor. I now understand the multiple appearances that were required to pull this off. Because of your efforts, my life now has...
- Sam Israels is a superb lawyer. I have utilized his services in two instances for a civil restraining order - once initially and then for the renewal. In both instances, Sam exceeded the desired result. Beyond the results, Sam is responsive, honest, and forthright. Further, he does not "promise t...