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Josh Kolsrud has practiced criminal law since 2006, when he began prosecuting juveniles as a third-year law student. Since then, Josh has tried over 100 trials, including winning jury trials in Maricopa County, Coconino County, U.S. Federal District Court of Arizona, and internationally in the Republic of Palau. Josh also handled 3,528 cases as a federal prosecutor.
Josh began his legal career handling thousands of felony cases at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for over five years. Josh was awarded the “Attorney of the Month” award several times for his outstanding trial work. Josh was promoted to Major Crimes and spent two years in the Repetitive Offender Bureau.
Josh then headed to the South Pacific working for the tiny island-nation of the Republic of Palau. Palau’s attorney general heard about Josh’s reputation as an aggressive trial attorney and recruited Josh to spearhead an anti-human sex trafficking operation. The operation was successful as Josh helped save hundreds of Filipino girls from sexual slavery. Josh also successfully tried the only second jury trial in Palau’s history while helping bring Palau into the modern legal system.
The Coconino County Attorney’s Office recruited Josh as its Senior Trial Attorney handling all high-profile cases as well as training and supervising less experienced attorneys. Josh handled most homicide, capital cases, sex crimes, and white-collar crimes in Coconino County.
The United States Attorney’s Office later recruited Josh to work on a variety of cases including drug trafficking, illegal reentry, human smuggling, gun crimes, white-collar, undeclared cash, and Fish and Wildlife crimes. Josh spent over five and a half years as an Assistant United States Attorney working closely with federal agencies on complex criminal cases. Josh also worked in the “ACE” unit prosecuting complex civil fraud cases.
Josh is a talented legal writer authoring and winning two complicated appeals before the Ninth Circuit. Josh also has an excellent reputation from his peers, including many judges and attorneys. It is no surprise that Josh has received numerous awards and accommodations for his outstanding trial work.
Josh is a leader at the State Bar of Arizona, which began in 2007 after he volunteered and was accepted by the Young Lawyer’s Division. Josh was later accepted and graduated from the prestigious Bar Leadership Institute. Josh passionately volunteers much of his time helping the disabled. Josh is a member of the Bar’s Council on Persons with Disabilities in the Legal Profession, which he chaired for three years. During Josh’s time as chair, the Bar recognized Josh’s outstanding leadership by rewarding him the prestigious “Presidential Award” twice for outstanding leadership, and excellence in the legal community for its seminar at the annual Arizona Bar Convention. Josh is an outstanding public speaker as noted by his trial experience, and the Bar’s frequent requests to have Josh serve as a faculty member giving motivational speeches.
Josh is a native Phoenician and graduated from Central High School in 1999. Josh later graduated, summa cum laude, from ASU’s Barrett Honors College in 2004. Josh received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 2007.
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State: Arizona
Acquired: 2007
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Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Lawsuits & Disputes
Posted by Ana | January 16, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Success for your case!
Choosing Josh Kolsrud to defend my husband's case was a very good decision. Getting involved right away with everything related to the case to be able to help us in the best ways and working hard for you PERSONALLY for the best possible outcome. Not only he pays extra attention to everything inv...
Posted by anonymous | December 03, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Best criminal defense attorney
Amazing communication very responsible well known in the courthouse very honest and professional helped me for 2 years to get the results we were looking for very happy with the results I would hire him again with no doubt.
Posted by anonymous | June 06, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Best attorney around
Mr. Kolsrud has to be the best attorney I’ve hoped to find. After looking around and talking to multiple offices I decided to go with Kolsrud Law and I couldn’t be happier. He handled my case with professionalism and the right amount of aggressive attorney behavior. My outcome was better than I hoped...
Posted by Elicia Martinez | June 05, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Criminal Defense
KOLSRUD Law Offices is undeniably one of the most professional establishments I have encountered. Their exceptional expertise in managing my case was truly commendable. Mr. KOLSRUD and his team provided unwavering support throughout the process, diligently addressing all my inquiries and ensuring my ...
Posted by Yvonne | October 05, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Excellent & Sincere care
I found Mr. Kolsrud to be forthcoming and genuine upon meeting with him. I was going through an extremely tenuous period & found security with initial visit. As promised, Mr. Kolsrud put forth exceptional effort to meet the best outcome in my situation. Although he may not have been cognizant of m...
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2022
Top 100 Criminal Defense, The National Trial Lawyers
2022
Litigator of the Year, American Institute of Trial Lawyers
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Attorney of the Month (Four Times), Maricopa County Attorney’s Office
2020 - Present
Arizona State Bar - Council on Persons with Disabilities in the Legal ProfessionChairman
N/A
English
Spanish