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Jess A Lorona

Criminal defense Attorney at Phoenix, AZ

4.4   7 reviews

About Jess

Learn Jess’s areas of practice.

Jess A. Lorona is a partner at Lorona Mead, PLC, and has been practicing law for over 38 years. His practice includes Criminal Defense: Felonies and Misdemeanors including DUI's Post-Convivtion Relief, Criminal Appellate Matters, Personal Injury Litigation, Wongyl Death, Auto Accidents, Civil Litigation and Civil Appellate Matters. He is also a Judge Pro Tem for the  Maricopa County Justice Courts, Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community Tribal Court and the Yavapai-Apache Nation Tribal Court and is a faculty member of the Arizona College of Trial Advocacy.

Photos and videos

Licensed for 39 years
State AZ
Status Active
Acquired 1983
Updated 03/17/2023

Contact Jess

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Lorona Mead, PLC
3838 N. Central Avenue, Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ, 85012

Reviews

4.4 / 5.0
  7 customer reviews
5 Star
 
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14%
Posted by anonymous | August 13, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great Lawyer and Professional Firm
I was injured in a motor vehicle accident whereby I was rear-ended at a stop light. The accident was completely at no fault of my own. The lady had bare minimal insurance and yet her insurance company was fighting me. In the end, Jess was able to fight for me and prove my injuries. He then went to my underinsured and was able to do same. Never did I feel like a number and I was always treated with such compassion and caring from his firm.
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Posted by Charlie | May 19, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
How to Save a Life
At a most crucial time in my life, when as a plaintiff in a case I found myself in search of legal representation of a type most lawyers care not to deal with, my path led me to the door of Jess A. Lorona. As such, and while litigation continued on over a period of several years, I came to realize just how important my decision to team with Jess actually was...both for the outcome of my case in a legal sense and for the way that I would forever look at the profession of law and legal system, thereafter. The particularly cruel nature of the legal system, by definition, can be tamed significantly by a lawyer sensitive to that nature, yet willing to take it on, nonetheless. Jess is one such lawyer. Although important to me, it isn't that the elements of my case were so profoundly interesting to the outside world; but that through the process of managing and implementing my case strategy, Jess developed a uniqueness to my case, a persona as it were, and one that I believe ultimately resulted in a certain respect from our adversaries and the court. And I believe that this, bolstered by facts and accuracy, has led to the peace I feel from my experience with the legal system. Jess not only accepted my case, he believed in me. It is one thing to believe someone, and quite another to believe in someone. As I came to understand what guided Jess along his own path of development as an individual and a lawyer, I too believed in him. I found comfort in his friendly yet assertive demeanor. I was confident in the presentation of my case to the court because Jess was always prepared by the time a deadline rolled around. I enjoyed reading his assertions on my behalf, and he always allowed for my input, and in fact was eager to have it. Years of the accumulation of knowledge and life experience by Jess came together for me at precisely the right moment. And you have to love his smile! I know that Jess is a family man and that he puts his faith not in his own plan, but in His plan. I can only imagine the peace in his heart for his approach to life for himself; for those whom he loves and is loved by; and, for his approach and favor toward the life of his clients and their loved ones. With gratitude, I am a better man, a better person, a better believer because of my relationship with Jess. And further, I pray that others will choose as I have and place their confidence and case in the hands of Jess A. Lorona; an honest, qualified, respected and loved, lawyer and gentleman.
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Posted by Jax | May 15, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
The only person I will go to or send loved ones too!
Lorena Mead is by far the most trusted attorney's you will ever meet. I have known the work of Jess Lorona for may years and he is the only person I would entrust my legal issues too. In this day and age where trust and the attorney don't usually go hand in hand, Lorona Mead is a breath of fresh air. Their work, integrity, and diligence will give you a restored faith in lawyers.
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Posted by Roger | May 15, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Client
Excellent. Honest. Knows the Law. Jess cares for his clients. Jess greatly supported me in a legal manner and cared for me as a person. I refer people to Jess often and the feedback is always positive. Jess always remains my first choice because he consistently makes excellent decisions. Roger
Posted by anonymous | May 15, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
As good as it gets - Lorona works for you.
Jess is probably one of the best lawyers in the Valley. He is well respected and well known amongst the judges. You would be hard pressed to find a better, more experienced attorney who knows how to navigate the AZ court system. Jess was always able to answer my questions, gave me options and was able to expedite the process. I would highly recommend Jess Lorona and his firm for any legal work.
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Posted by anonymous | August 22, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Angelic appearance, masterful delivery
Like many in college I got into some BIG trouble at ASU, luckily Jess was somehow at the courthouse when I made my appearance and my mother got his info. I was looking at 3 years in pink underwear, Arizona understandably was throwing the book at violators at the time. Thanks to Jess I was able to avoid any jail time and as a result was able to create a good life for myself. I wish trouble on nobody yet if in a bind Jess can help you avoid doing time. Sincerely, Jeremy
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Posted by Inge | April 16, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Stir clear of this lawyer
He will cheat you out of your money! You will not get a cost sheet and if you aren’t aware of your rights he and his wife certainly will not either. His wife is a gate keeper to make sure you don’t know what’s going on with your case’s monetary cost. Always, ALWAYS, ALWAYS request that you receive a monthly cost statement because if you don’t, they will pad your costs!!!
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 30 minutes
Payment methods
Cash, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 6.2 (Good)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2022.

Reprimand and Probation issued in AZ, 2022
updated on 06/02/2022

Reprimand means the attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. While on probation, the State monitors the attorney's activities for a period of time in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Work Experience

  • Judge
  • Hualuapai Tribal Court
  • 2016 - Present
  • Judge
  • Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community Legal Services Office
  • 2014 - Present
  • Judge
  • Pinal County Attorney's Office
  • 2013 - Present
  • Judge
  • Maricopa Stanfield Justice & Municipal Courts
  • 2013 - Present
  • Judge
  • Ak-Chin Indian Community Court
  • 2013 - Present
  • Partner
  • Lorona Mead, PLC
  • 2012 - Present
  • Judge
  • City of Phoenix Municipal Court
  • 2013 - 2016
  • Judge
  • Hopi Tribal Court
  • 2012 - 2013
  • Managing Partner
  • Lorona, Steiner, Ducar, Ltd.
  • 2006 - 2012
  • Managing Partner
  • Ducar, Lorona, and Parks, PC.
  • 2000 - 2006
  • Associate
  • Ryan, Woodrow & Rapp, PLC.
  • 1999 - 2000
  • Associate
  • Burch & Cracchiolo, PA
  • 1991 - 1999
  • Partner
  • Lorona & Associates
  • 1984 - 1991
View all work experience

Education

  • Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1982
  • Arizona State University
  • BS - Bachelor of Science
  • 1979

Associations

  • State Bar of Arizona
  • Member
  • N/A
  • Maricopa County Bar Association
  • Member
  • N/A
  • Arizona Trial Lawyers Association
  • Member
  • N/A
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Member
  • N/A
  • Hispanic National Bar Association
  • Member
  • N/A
  • Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice
  • Member
  • N/A
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Peer Review Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2017
  • Top 100 Lawyers
  • American Society of Legal Advocates
  • 2016
  • Premier DUI Attorney
  • American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys
  • 2016
  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  • National Trial Lawyers
  • 2016
  • BV Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2014
View all awards

Publications

  • State Bar of Arizona publication
  • Time limitations applicable to criminal actions and procedures
  • 2018
  • Maricopa County Bar Association
  • Handbook for the Arizona Criminal Law Practitioner
  • 2011
  • State Bar of Arizona publication
  • Time Limitations Applicable to Criminal Actions and Procedures in Superior
  • 2010
  • State Bar of Arizona publication
  • Time Limitations Criminal Actions and Procedures in Superior and Appellate Courts
  • 2007
View all publications

Speaking Engagements

  • TV Legal
  • Ethics
  • 2020
  • State Bar of Arizona
  • Law & Order
  • 2016
  • Maricopa County Bar Association, CLE Committee
  • Litigation And Trial Basics
  • 2013
  • Maricopa County Bar Association, CLE Committee
  • Law & Order
  • 2010
  • National CLE Conference
  • The Practice of Ethics
  • 2003
  • State Bar of Arizona
  • Criminal Year Seminar
  • 2001
  • San Antonio Bar Association, Criminal Law and Procedure Committee
  • Law & Order
  • 2001
  • Maricopa County Bar Association
  • Battered Woman Syndrome
  • 1998
  • Maricopa County Bar Association
  • Ethical Issues for Criminal Lawyers
  • 1997
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (2)
Given (1)
Endorse Jess
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Jess is a hard working and extremely knowledgeable attorney. He fights for his clients and has years of experience that gets the job done. I endorse this lawyer."
Litigation Attorney | Mar 02
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I have worked with Jess on a number of occasions and have found him to be an excellent advocate for his clients. He is competent, knowledgeable, and helpful. I would definitely recommend Jess!"
Employment and labor
Phoenix Criminal defense Lawyer Jess A Lorona
Jess A Lorona
Criminal defense Attorney
Phoenix, AZ
Licensed for 39 years
Free Consultation