Jess A. Lorona

Jess A. Lorona

4.4
Rating: 6.8

Licensed for 42 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Phoenix, AZ
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Appeals ... +9 more

3838 N. Central Avenue, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ

About Jess

Biography

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Arizona for 42 years

State: Arizona

Acquired: 1983

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2022

Location

Lorona Mead, PLC

3838 N. Central Avenue, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ, 85012

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Jess A. Lorona's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.4 /5.0

7 Client Reviews

5 star (6)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Inge | April 16, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this 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!!!

Posted by anonymous | August 13, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this 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.

Posted by Charlie | May 19, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this 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 j...ust 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.

Posted by Jax | May 15, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this 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 ai...r. Their work, integrity, and diligence will give you a restored faith in lawyers.

Posted by Roger | May 15, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this 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

See All Client Reviews

Jess A. Lorona's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Jess
K. Bryan Goodman headshot
K. Bryan Goodman

Criminal defense lawyer | 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."

Joshua C. Black headshot
Joshua Black

Litigation lawyer | 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!"

View All Endorsements
Joshua C. Black headshot
Joshua Black

Employment and labor lawyer

Experience

Rating:  6.8 (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.

Honors

2025

Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell

2025

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

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

Work Experience

2016 - Present

Judge, Hualuapai Tribal Court

2014 - Present

Judge, Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community Legal Services Office

2013 - Present

Judge, Maricopa Stanfield Justice & Municipal Courts

2013 - Present

Judge, Ak-Chin Indian Community Court

2013 - Present

Judge, Pinal County Attorney's Office

2012 - Present

Partner, Lorona Mead, PLC

2013 - 2016

Judge, City of Phoenix Municipal Court

2012 - 2013

Judge, Hopi Tribal Court

2006 - 2012

Managing Partner, Lorona, Steiner, Ducar, Ltd.

2000 - 2006

Managing Partner, Ducar, Lorona, and Parks, PC.

1999 - 2000

Associate, Ryan, Woodrow & Rapp, PLC.

1991 - 1999

Associate, Burch & Cracchiolo, PA

1984 - 1991

Partner, Lorona & Associates

Associations

State Bar of Arizona

Member

Maricopa County Bar Association

Member

Arizona Trial Lawyers Association

Member

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

Hispanic National Bar Association

Member

Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice

Member

Education

1982

Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1979

Arizona State University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2020

TV Legal

Ethics

2016

State Bar of Arizona

Law & Order

2013

Maricopa County Bar Association, CLE Committee

Litigation And Trial Basics

2010

Maricopa County Bar Association, CLE Committee

Law & Order

2003

National CLE Conference

The Practice of Ethics

2001

State Bar of Arizona

Criminal Year Seminar

2001

San Antonio Bar Association, Criminal Law and Procedure Committee

Law & Order

1998

Maricopa County Bar Association

Battered Woman Syndrome

1997

Maricopa County Bar Association

Ethical Issues for Criminal Lawyers

Publications

2018

State Bar of Arizona publication Time limitations applicable to criminal actions and procedures

2011

Maricopa County Bar Association Handbook for the Arizona Criminal Law Practitioner

2010

State Bar of Arizona publication Time Limitations Applicable to Criminal Actions and Procedures in Superior

2007

State Bar of Arizona publication Time Limitations Criminal Actions and Procedures in Superior and Appellate Courts

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2022
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
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