James David Michael

PRO

James David Michael

also known as Jim Michael

4.9
66 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 30 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Decatur, GA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Violent Crime ... +2 more

160 Clairemont Avenue, Suite 645, Decatur, GA

Virtual Consultation Available

About James

Biography

Providing Exceptional Criminal Defense in Metro Atlanta since 1995.

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 70%

I handle predominately felony cases, with an emphasis on weapons and drug offenses.

31 years

70%
DUI and DWI 10%

10%
Violent Crime 10%

10%
Car Accident 5%

5%
Juvenile Law 5%

Including Juveniles Prosecuted as Adults

5%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2024 2020 2019
...
+ 3
Top Contributor
Top Contributor
2014
Gold Client Champion
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Georgia for 30 years

State: Georgia

Acquired: 1995

Active Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of James David Michael

160 Clairemont Avenue, Suite 645, Decatur, GA, 30030

jdmlawfirm.com/attorney-profile/

Law Offices of James David Michael

1827 Powers Ferry Road, Building 1, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA, 30339

jdmlawfirm.com/attorney-profile/

Online Presence

Other places you can find James online.

James David Michael's Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (58) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 11 - 14 of 14 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by Dwayne | May 20, 2013 | Criminal Defense

Professional

Attorney James David Micheal handle a modification to my probation sentences. Dude to the nature of my crime Mr. Michael was very professional and non-judgmental. I will be using Mr. Michael in the future and very confident in his ability to get the job done. He was trustworthy, Knowledgeable of th...e subject matter and very professionals.

Posted by Daven | May 12, 2013 | Criminal Defense

Very in tune with his knowledge about the law and how the legal system works.

Mr. Michael was very aggressive on getting my case resolved without any convictions on my record. I was actually referred to him from a friend so in my mind, I basically knew that he could be trusted and that Mr. Michael would be able to help me out not only just to resolve my case but beyond that li...fe lessons wise. I was arrested on a marijuana charge in which I'm assuming he has had quite a few in his career and he basically knew what to do in order for me to digress. In a Zero Tolerance county, Mr. Michael was able to argue my case well. He did not give up when the prosecutor initially rejected his first attempt to get my case resolved without jail time. He was aggressive on my part which I am sure was the reason I did not go to jail. Then I got arrested a second before resolving my first case for the same charge, he was able to put off my first court date long enough for me to get my second charge resolved to where the county of my first charge was not able to find out about me getting arrested again which would have surely sent me to jail in my first charge had I not been able to hire Mr. Michael as my attorney. Overall, Mr. Michael knows his business and will do everything in his power to resolve your case in a way that satisfies you and the state as well. He will not give up and will argue your case to the fullest extent. Life lesson wise, without saying it verbally, I kind of felt that his aim was to resolve my case so that I could go on in my life without these charges prohibiting me to get the career that I truly want. So I learned that if I wanted to have a stress free life, do not put myself in situations that can impact my future for the worse.

Posted by Chuck | May 12, 2013 | Criminal Defense

Felony and Misdemeanor Defense

James handled a difficult and embarrassing situation with sensitivity and professionalism. Was non-judgmental and provided an efficient expeditious legal defense. James is a life-saver. Do NOT trust the District Attorney or the court system to "do the right thing". I only wish I had him in my spee...d dial when I was erroneously and unfairly arrested.

Posted by anonymous | January 22, 2013 | Criminal Defense

Recommendation

I was falsely accused of a felony by a very convincing self serving lunatic with legal training. Jim reviewed the evidence and saw that it was complete nonsense but was sufficient to confuse a Judge and Jury. He worked with the DA's office to get charges dropped and the charge expunged. His charges w...ere fair and he put a lot of effort into this as it was a complex issue. After the charges were dropped he (without further fee) obtained the expungement pretty much on his own. I highly recommend Jim for his knowledge, tenacity and dedication to his work.

See All Client Reviews

James David Michael's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse James
Charles Christopher Flinn headshot
Charles Flinn

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 30

Relationship: Co-worker

"I've known Jim Michael for nearly 20 years -- professionally and personally. He is one of the finest lawyers in town."

Juwayn Haddad headshot
Juwayn Haddad

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 17

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Jim for almost 15 years. He is a tenacious attorney who always brings passion and dedication to his work. He is a hard-hitting lawyer who never stops fighting for his clients. He is very well respected by the legal community and an extremely talented lawyer."

David Bruce Fife headshot
David Fife

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've known Jim for many years. He has a brilliant legal mind and is always more prepared than his opponent. He genuinely cares for his clients and always fights hard for them. I strongly endorse Jim--great lawyer; great professional and great guy."

Gina M. Famularo headshot
Gina Famularo

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jun 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Aaron Christopher Harper headshot
Aaron Harper

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch lawyer. Highly respected in the legal community."

Scott Matthew Shuman headshot
Scott Shuman

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I strongly endorse Jim Michael as an outstanding criminal defense attorney. He is very professional and vigorous in representing his clients."

Andrew Raymond Lynch headshot
Andrew Lynch

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Stacy Levy headshot
Stacy Levy

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Jim is a hardworking lawyer who gets excellent results. He is always prepared and willing to fight for the rights of his clients. He is well respected in the legal community as an extremely talented litigator."

Michael Allen Kay headshot
Michael Kay

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jim is a hardworking, and knowledgable attorney. He gets good results for his clients, and provides them with zealous representation. Jim has an excellent reputation in the legal community. I endorse Jim."

Sean Derek Gage headshot
Sean Gage

Criminal defense lawyer | May 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've known Jim for years and he is an exceptional attorney who has built a stellar reputation amongst judges, attorneys, and prosecutors in the Atlanta legal community. Not only is his knowledge of the law expansive, but he is approachable in a way that gives his clients a clear understanding of the process and invaluable peace of mind. I highly recommend Jim for any criminal case."

Matthew David Crosby headshot
Matthew Crosby

Criminal defense lawyer | May 16

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have worked with Jim on several criminal matters where we have represented co-defendants. He is an extremely talented and knowledgeable trial lawyer who obtains excellent results for his client and is well-respected in the legal community."

Maurice Gibson Kenner headshot
Maurice Kenner

Criminal defense lawyer | May 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this Jim. He is a top notch criminal defense lawyer. He especially know his way around the courts in Metro Atlanta."

Paola Francesca Torselli headshot
Paola Torselli

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jim Michael is a zealous and concientious attorney for his clients. He is very knowledgeable in all matters involving criminal defense and he always fights to get the best outcome for his clients. I endorse this attorney."

John Arnold Steakley headshot
John Steakley

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 29

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I've known Jim since before I was in private practice (so a long time). He always does a great job for his clients. He is on top of the law and always represents his clients well in court."

Lynn M. Kleinrock headshot
Lynn Kleinrock

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jim is an outstanding lawyer. He prepares his cases diligently and thoroughly. He is very adept at getting the best possible results for his clients. I have recommended Jim as a criminal defense attorney many times over the years."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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

View All Endorsements
Lawrence Delan headshot
Lawrence Delan

Personal injury lawyer

David Bruce Fife headshot
David Fife

Criminal defense lawyer

Aaron Christopher Harper headshot
Aaron Harper

Unknown lawyer

Andrew Raymond Lynch headshot
Andrew Lynch

Criminal defense lawyer

Scott Matthew Shuman headshot
Scott Shuman

Equipment finance and leasing lawyer

Gun Ju Pak headshot
Gun Pak

Criminal defense lawyer

Stacy Levy headshot
Stacy Levy

Criminal defense lawyer

Michael Allen Kay headshot
Michael Kay

Criminal defense lawyer

Sean Derek Gage headshot
Sean Gage

Criminal defense lawyer

Matthew David Crosby headshot
Matthew Crosby

Criminal defense lawyer

Maurice Gibson Kenner headshot
Maurice Kenner

Criminal defense lawyer

John Arnold Steakley headshot
John Steakley

Criminal defense lawyer

Juwayn Haddad headshot
Juwayn Haddad

Criminal defense lawyer

Lynn M. Kleinrock headshot
Lynn Kleinrock

Appeals lawyer

Paola Francesca Torselli headshot
Paola Torselli

Criminal defense lawyer

Charles Christopher Flinn headshot
Charles Flinn

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2024

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2024

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2024

Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell

2010

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2009

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2005

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

2014 - Present

Partner, Burgar & Michael, LLC

2009 - 2014

Partner, Carnesale, Delan, Flinn & Michael, L.L.C.

2007 - 2009

Owner, James D. Michael P.C.

2002 - 2007

Owner, Blend & Michael, L.L.C.

1995 - 2002

Attorney, Dekalb County Public Defender

Associations

DeKalb Bar Association

Member

Gwinnett County Bar Association

Member

State Bar of Georgia

Member

Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

State v. M.L.

The charge was dismissed and our client's arrest was expunged.

State v. D.A.

No charges filed and client not arrested.

State v. S.R.

Not Guilty

See More Legal Cases

Education

1995

Emory University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1992

Duke University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Activity

Top Contributor

James earned significant contribution points in 2014.

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