Selected as "Super Lawyer" 2008-2019 with 42 Years of Experience. Top-Rated Criminal Defense Attorney. Former LA Prosecutor. Client's Choice Winner 2014. Recipient, American Jurisprudence Award. Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbel.
Phil Israels was born in 1948 and raised in California’s Central Valley where he still has family. After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley where he was a member for Zeta Beta Tau fraternity and studied Economics, he continued his education at the University of San Francisco, School of Law where he received the prestigious American Jurisprudence Award.
Upon graduation in 1975 and passing the bar in his first attempt, he was hired by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, where he worked for almost four years as a prosecutor gaining extensive trial experience. Since 1979, he has been a criminal defense attorney. He sees his role as the protector of the accused. However, his prosecutorial experience has helped him understand the mindset of his adversaries both in the trial court and in negotiations.
Although he has much trial experience his background, skills, and contacts has often allowed him to obtain favorable results without the extra expense associated with trial. As a defense attorney, he has successfully handled cases ranging from accusations of driving under the influence, murder, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, and complicated white collar cases. As a prosecutor, he worked in all of the branch offices including West Los Angeles, Van Nuys, San Fernando, San Pedro and downtown (Criminal Courts Building, Bauchet Street and Metro). As a defense attorney, he has practiced in all the major courts in Southern California and has successfully defended clients in the Los Angeles Criminal Courts Building, Metro, Van Nuys, San Fernando, Torrance, Pomona, Ventura, Airport Court, and Citrus, among other courthouses.
When requested he has traveled across the country to represent his clients. As a defense counsel, he has also gained extensive experience in the Juvenile Courts including Sylmar, Inglewood, Los Padrinos, and Easklake. He is a Board Certified Specialist in the field of Criminal Law, a designation which puts him among approximately one percent of those attorneys who refer to themselves as criminal lawyers in the State of California.
Mr. Israels has been named “Super Lawyer” by the Los Angeles Magazine, an honor which he has received several times. He is often referred cases by Judges, other attorneys, prosecutors and previous clients. In 2008 he was joined in his practice by his nephew, Sam Israels, also a former prosecutor with extensive trial experience and many contacts in the criminal courts. His clients appreciate the team approach and are happy to know that they can rely both on Phil and Sam when the need arises. In his spare time he enjoys sports including skiing, swimming and softball.
Practice areas
Top-rated Los Angeles criminal defense law firm defending individuals against any type of charges, including drug crimes, theft crimes, violent crimes, white collar crimes, juvenile crimes, fraud crimes, sex crimes, , criminal appeals, evading arrest, probation violations, expungements, domestic violence.
47 years, 5,000 cases
Top-rated Los Angeles DUI defense law firm defending individuals against any type of driving under the influence charges, including first offense DUI, felony DUI, DUI accident, underage DUI, prior convictions, out of state DUI, involuntary manslaughter, DMV hearing.
47 years, 5,000 cases
Top-rated Los Angeles domestic violence attorney defending individuals against any type of charges, including child abuse, child endangerment, criminal threats, intimidation, protective orders, restraining orders, spousal abuse, stalking.
47 years, 1,000 cases
Top-rated Los Angeles federal criminal defense lawyer defending individuals against ant type of charges, including mail fraud, wire fraud, health care fraud, medicare fraud, mortgage fraud, weapons offenses, RICO charges, child pornography, internet crimes, bank fraud.
47 years, 500 cases
Languages spoken
English, Spanish
Cron, Israels & Stark
11755 Wilshire Blvd
15th Floor
Los Angeles, CA, 90025
Cron, Israels & Stark
401 Wilshire Blvd
#1200
Santa Monica, CA, 90401
Cron, Israels & Stark
21250 Hawthorne Blvd.
Torrance, CA, 90503
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 1975 | 02/03/2021 |
Legal answers | 1812 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Super Lawyer | Thomson Reuters | 2017 |
Super Lawyer | Thomson Reuters | 2016 |
Super Lawyer | Thomson Reuters | 2015 |
Super Lawyer | Thomson Reuters | 2014 |
Super Lawyer | Thomson Reuters | 2013 |
Super Lawyer | Thomson Reuters | 2012 |
---|---|---|
Super Lawyer | Thomson Reuters | 2011 |
Super Lawyer | Thomson Reuters | 2010 |
California Super Lawyer | Thomson Reuters | 2009 |
California Super Lawyer | Thomson Reuters | 2008 |
California Super Lawyer | Thomson Reuters | 2005 |
American Jurisprudence Award | Thomson West Publishing | 1975 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Cron, Israels & Stark | 1979 - Present |
Prosecuting Attorney | Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office | 1976 - 1979 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Santa Monica Bar Association | Member | 1975 - Present |
San Fernando Valley Bar Association | Member | 1975 - Present |
State Bar of California | Member | 1975 - Present |
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 1975 - Present |
Criminal Courts Bar Association | Member | 1975 - Present |
California Public Defenders Association | Member | 1975 - Present |
---|---|---|
California Attorneys for Criminal Justice | Member | 1975 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
San Fernando Valley Bar Association | Defending Criminal Cases | 2011 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of San Francisco School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1975 |
University of California | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1970 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Defending Criminal Cases | cronisraelsandstark.com | 2012 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Drug Possession Charges Dismissed | Charges Dismissed |
Not Guilty Verdict in Assault with a Deadly Weapon Case | Not Guilty Verdict |
Battery & Child Abuse Charges Dismissed | Case Dismissed |
Domestic Violence Case Dismissed | Charges Dismissed |
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Kevin O'Leary, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 30, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Macarena Santos, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 19, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Leonard Boyer, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 8, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Israels is a very knowledgeable and effective advocate for his clients.
I endorse this lawyer.
I endorse this lawyer.
Rachel Miller, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 30, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Lawyers who spend time giving back in pro bono forums like this are special and should be commended and endorsed. Kudos.
Mark Clay, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 19, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I highly endorse Mr. Israeis. Very experienced and caring attorney who achieves great results in representing clients! I want all people to contact him for help.
Sasha Bojat, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 12, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer for his hard work, knowledge, experience and dedication.
Michael LeMond, Criminal defense Attorney on May 5, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Philip. Highly respected in the legal community with a strong reputation for client advocacy and dedication.
Jonathan Lacour, DUI and DWI Attorney on Apr 30, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Keen attention to detail and exceptional client service. One of the best DUIs attorneys there is. I endorse this lawyer.
Gregory Brenner, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 28, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Albert Smith, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 27, 2015
Relationship: Other
I endorse Mr. Israels, unlike other attorneys he is a born investigator. He knows how to track down the facts.
I endorse this lawyer. Based upon the quantity and quality of contributions on AVVO, I have found the contributions to be thoughtful, informative and practical. I highly recommend his legal services
Alake Colwell, DUI and DWI Attorney on Apr 15, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Israels is a leader in his field and is one of the most respected attorneys in his area. He is knowledgeable, professional and a zealous advocate for his clients.
Robert Storrs, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 16, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Mr. Israels. A review of his credentials makes it clear that is well-established in the community.
Christopher Ariano, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 11, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I strongly endorse Mr. Israels to anyone who is charged with a crime. He is a highly experienced and aggressive attorney who fights to defend each of his clients. I would encourage anyone who is facing charges to contact him to prepare their defense.
Zachary Storrs, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 11, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Israels is an excellent attorney who does the work that it takes to get favorable outcomes for his clients. I strongly endorse him for anyone who has been charged with a crime.
David Dastrup, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 6, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
David Carroll, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 5, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Philip. He is a great lawyer and very knowledgeable. Feel free to read his contributions on AVVO and you will see what I mean.