David Joel Shrager

PRO

David Joel Shrager

also known as David J. Shrager

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 26 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Pittsburgh, PA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Sex Crime ... +2 more

437 Grant St #617, Frick Building, Pittsburgh, PA

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About David

Biography

Arrested or Under Investigation? Don’t Be Scared; Be Prepared!™ Call 24.7.

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 30%

Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer David J. Shrager does his absolute best to help people retain their rights and freedom so they can go on with their lives and be hopeful for their future – so they can keep their license, their job, a clean record and provide for their families.

27 years

30%
DUI and DWI 30%

David J. Shrager has been named by the American Institute of DUI Attorneys (AIDUIA) as one of the “10 Best” Attorneys for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the DUI defense practice area.

27 years

30%
Sex Crime 20%

Pittsburgh Sex Crimes Attorney David Shrager provides compassionate counsel and will listen to your side of the story with understanding and empathy, not judgment, reproof or apathy. He will aggressively seek action to prove your innocence and have your charges dropped completely.

26 years

20%
Violent Crime 10%

At Shrager Defense Attorneys, we understand that many accusations of violent criminal activity are exaggerated or even made up. Not every one accused of a crime is guilty. We also understand that good people make bad decisions every day and that is why we work aggressively to fight for your rights.

27 years

10%
White Collar Crime 10%

When you have an experienced attorney who you trust to prepare a sound and just case and whom you know will work hard for your rights, a lot of your stress and worry can be put to ease.

27 years

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Licenses

Licensed in Pennsylvania for 26 years

State: Pennsylvania

Acquired: 1999

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Florida for 26 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1999

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

Shrager Defense Attorneys

437 Grant St #617, Frick Building, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219

shragerdefense.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find David online.

David Joel Shrager's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

19 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (19) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 19 reviews

Posted by Michael | October 10, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

All Dismissed!

ALL DISMISSED! I cannot recommend attorneys David Shrager and Kevin Chernosky enough. Mr. Shrager took my phone call personally to intake my case and explain the next steps. He broke down multiple pricepoints that might meet my needs and helped me get set up. I was facing 5 felony charges and felt in...credibly upset. Mr. Chernosky (who is one of the coolest people I've ever met) had a phone call with me a few days before our preliminary hearing and explained strategy, possible outcomes, and the merits of my defense. The preliminary hearing was long and contentious, but by the end of it the judge dismissed all charges against me. Mr. Chernosky then took the time to talk with me outside the courthouse to help me understand exactly what happened, what the steps were from there, and encouraged me to give him a phone call if anything came up in the future that he could help with. This team is the real deal and worth every penny.

Posted by Kristen | June 10, 2025 | Hired Attorney

Thank You Erin!

I cannot say enough great things about Erin, the Office Manager at Shrager Law. From the moment you speak with her, she is professional, courteous, and incredibly efficient. She goes above and beyond to ensure everything runs smoothly and that clients feel valued and taken care of. Erin's attention t...o detail and organizational skills are unmatched. She is always willing to help, answer questions, and provide guidance with kindness and patience. Her dedication to excellence truly makes a difference in the office and enhances the client experience. If you're looking for a law office with a team that genuinely cares about their clients, Shrager Law is the place to go, especially with Erin, managing operations with expertise and warmth! Highly recommend!

Posted by David F | April 13, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

From Felony to ARD.

I first hired David Shrager as my attorney and he’s the man. My arresting officer came up to me and patted me on the back and said “you got a good lawyer buddy”. That’s when I knew I was set up good. I was arrested for 1 felony distribution of a controlled substance along with 3 misdemeanors. And I w...as caught dead to rights. I later had Cory ricci and Frankie Exler as my lawyers and they were great too. They were trying to get me a deal and boy they did. I went from facing up to 7-8 years and $25,000 fines to getting non reporting-ARD for 18 months and $0 fines. It’s extremely rare to get ARD for a felony, normally just for dui’s, but Shrager defense got it for me. You feel like the man walking in with David by your side. Highly recommend

Posted by Dawn | November 16, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

David Shrager & Lyle Dresbold

Where shall I begin? Do I start with David Shrager answers every one of his calls any time day or night! He immediately ASSURES you to remain calm & his TEAM will get you thru it!!! He listens to you & then, gets you right IN! My meeting was with LYLE DRESBOLD, a senior attorney, which means EXP...ERIENCED & TOP. I had a case that would’ve ruined my life and promise of my continued successful career. When you meet Lyle, he’s sitting behind his desk and at first takes a minute to get a read on him, only because he’s TAKING IN every word & detail of what you say & memorizes it and is already preparing himself for your defense!!!! He has a photographic memory and he knows the LAW like the back of his hand. I asked him to show me what he got, meaning when you’re just taking to him, you can’t see his magic YET, it hasn’t kicked in because he’s not yet sitting Infront of a DA (or) a judge. Well, after my sneak preview of how he really felt & how he was going to defend me - to get me a win & lesson this nightmare, I immediately paid the Fee!! Beg or borrow if you have to, to get the money to pay to hire Lyle. You can always pay those folks back after you’ve won! He’s WORTH EVERY DIME to get you the lowest possible outcome (or) dismissal. DONT HESITATE or take a chance, it’s NOT worth the RISK!!! I did hire someone prior to Lyle because I thought I didn’t need to pay a higher fee, I ended up wasting $ 1,500 elsewhere to show up embarrassed with the wrong attorney & with a complete disaster AND things revealed by an amateur that could hurt your case. 1000% HIRE DAVID SHRAGER LAW FIRM IMMEDIATELY! David and LYLE have YOUR BACK and they don’t stop til you have THE BEST DEFENSE & REPRESENTATION because you’re dealing with THE BEST. They pick apart what you’re being accused of and concentrate on the flaws and holds the opposition accountable!! I LOVE LYLE ❤️THANK YOU FROM MY HEART! Don’t mess with the rest, when you have the BEST xooxzo

Posted by Tamara | February 15, 2021 | Hired Attorney

Amazing professional

Shelley is absolutely amazing!!! She was very thorough and comforting and helped beyond measure with my cases! I highly recommend her! She truly is above and beyond along with Erin at the firm!

See All Client Reviews

David Joel Shrager's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse David
Thomas A Pavlinic headshot
Thomas Pavlinic

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 30

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"David is an exceptional defense lawyer and I would highly recommend him to individuals in the Pittsburgh area who are facing sex crime charges."

Julie A. Jones headshot
Julie Jones

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 02

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I can confidently endorse attorney David Shrager without hesitation. He has handled hundreds of criminal cases with professionalism."

Rebecca Lee Canterbury headshot
Rebecca Canterbury

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Attorney Shrager for all criminal defense and DUI cases. He has a stellar reputation in the legal community."

Ali Ebrahimzadeh headshot
Ali Ebrahimzadeh

Unknown lawyer | Jan 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Marc V. Taiani headshot
Marc Taiani

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Shrager is a consummate professional and takes the time to assist you in every facet of your case."

Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington headshot
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Summer Gomillion Walker headshot
Summer Walker

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Shrager is a very knowledgeable and experienced attorney. I endorse this lawyer."

Mark V. Clay headshot
Mark Clay

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly endorse Mr. Shrager. Very knowledgeable and caring attorney who achieves great results in representing clients! I want all people to contact him for help."

Kevin Robert Churchill headshot
Kevin Churchill

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 17

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Shrager is a skilled defense lawyer who is well-versed in the law. I found him to be very insightful about how to organize facts and themes to produce winning results at trial. Clients will be well served, both because of his experience, but also because he cares enough about his clients to follow through with the subtle nuances of their case."

Jill L Rogers headshot
Jill Rogers

Unknown lawyer | Feb 10

Relationship: Other

"Highly respected and overall a great attorney. I endorse this lawyer."

Colin Grant McCallin headshot
Colin McCallin

Unknown lawyer | Oct 07

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. He is highly respected in his field."

Dmitriy Shakhnevich headshot
Dmitriy Shakhnevich

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 28

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Joseph Torri headshot
Joseph Torri

Unknown lawyer | Sep 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Richard Geller headshot
Richard Geller

Unknown lawyer | Sep 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I strongly endorse David. Highly respected in the legal community with an outstanding reputation for client advocacy and dedication."

Simon Kabzan headshot
Simon Kabzan

Unknown lawyer | Sep 15

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. Excellent attorney and highly recommended as an asset to this community."

Richard Todd Rosenstein headshot
Richard Rosenstein

Unknown lawyer | Jun 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Shrager is a skilled and respected member of the legal community. He is a zealous advocate for the rights and interests of his clients."

David B Pittman headshot
David Pittman

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | May 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse David. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Sean Cleary headshot
Sean Cleary

Criminal defense lawyer | May 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the legal community."

George A. Heym headshot
George Heym

Criminal defense lawyer | May 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Rebecca Lee Canterbury headshot
Rebecca Canterbury

Child custody lawyer

Mark V. Clay headshot
Mark Clay

Unknown lawyer

Beth M. Tibbott headshot
Beth Tibbott

Criminal defense lawyer

Kevin Robert Churchill headshot
Kevin Churchill

Criminal defense lawyer

Simon Kabzan headshot
Simon Kabzan

Criminal defense lawyer

Monte Edward Kuligowski headshot
Monte Kuligowski

DUI and DWI lawyer

George A. Heym headshot
George Heym

DUI and DWI lawyer

Sean Cleary headshot
Sean Cleary

Car accident lawyer

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer

Jonathan Micah Stewart headshot
Jonathan Stewart

Personal injury lawyer

Natalie Nicole Mihalek headshot
Natalie Mihalek

Criminal defense lawyer

Kelie Cummins Schneider headshot
Kelie Schneider

Social Security & Disability lawyer

Andrew Joseph Edelberg headshot
Andrew Edelberg

Car accident lawyer

Christopher Daniel Leroi headshot
Christopher Leroi

General practice lawyer

Brian Christopher Vertz headshot
Brian Vertz

Child custody lawyer

Shawn Michael Curry headshot
Shawn Curry

Criminal defense lawyer

David B Pittman headshot
David Pittman

Personal injury lawyer

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Personal injury lawyer

Charles Thomas Jr. headshot
Charles Thomas

Criminal defense lawyer

James Donald Garrett headshot
James Garrett

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2025

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers

2025

Best DUI Lawyers in Pittsburgh, Expertise

2025

ThreeBestRated® Award, ThreeBestRated®

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Selected to Super Lawyers, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2017

Selected to Super Lawyers, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers

2014

Top 10 DUI Attorneys, American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys

2013

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers

2013

Top 100 DUI Lawyers, National Advocacy for DUI Defense

Work Experience

2001 - Present

Criminal Defense Attorney, Shrager Defense Attorneys

1999 - 2001

Litigation Attorney, Reed Smith

1996 - 1998

Law Clerk, Hoppe & Stokes

Associations

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

Pennsylvania Bar Association, Criminal Law Section

Member

Allegheny County Bar Association, Criminal Litigation Section

Fellow

Sample of Legal Cases

Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer Charges Withdrawn

Charges Withdrawn

See More Legal Cases

Education

1998

University of Miami School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1995

University of Pittsburgh

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution