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Michael Sean Devereux
About Michael
Biography
- Top 100 Trial Attorney
- 2020 Litigator of the Year American Institute of Trial Lawyers
- 2020 Elite Lawyer
- 2019 Top 40 Civil Rights Verdicts from TopVerdict
- Published Appellate opinion in Ninth Circuit
- Nominated by the Cochran Firm as their best criminal defense lawyer in 2005.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 22 years
State: California
Acquired: 2003
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2022
Location
Michael Devereux
9171 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 500, Beverly Hills, CA, 90210
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Michael Sean Devereux's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 25 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | December 30, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Replaced by the judge for postponing trial 3 years
After paying him $25,000 as a retainer, I got a lot of information about what he said he was going to do but he never did any of it. We were supposed to go to trial and he postponed it for 3 years. No plea agreement and no motions filed. Finally, the judge replaced him with a court appointed attorney...
Posted by anonymous | May 24, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Do not hire or contact this guy. You will need to check whether his license be suspended soon.
Michael is being investigated at California Bar due to positive misconduct. I left a yelp review against a dentist who claimed $250,000 for defamation. My review was true and based on real experience. and I was confident I could win the case easily. I hired Michael in 2020. Beyond his negelct, he...
Posted by anonymous | April 18, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Save your money, don’t hire him
I hired him approximately 1,5 years ago, after paying him he disappeared completely, his phone numbers are always busy, he never answered any phone calls or voicemails, his address in Beverly Hills is wrong, receptionist told me he moved more than a year ago, so it seems he is scamming people with ol...
Posted by anonymous | April 7, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Don't play with Lions tail.
He is very powerful in his profession. I had a case connected to another country , I checked with several lawyers they want a lot of money or they didn't know how to do it. As soon as Michael saw that he said I will dismiss the case within 10 hours. and guess what? he defeat my enemy as he promised....
Posted by anonymous | September 14, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
A highly incompetent and dishonest attorney!
If you want the worst attorney that money can buy, Michael Deveruex is your man. He is a con artist. His record was so bad that he changed his name. He used to be Michael Cernyar. Don't be surprised if all his positive reviews are fake. Go look up his reviews under his real name Michael Cernyar. ...
Michael Devereux
Replied last September 24, 2022It's sad to hear. Although it's difficult to determine who this is without any facts, at the time of this posting I was being trolled by a former mentally ill client, an ex-con, who was charged with assaulting several healthcare workers at UCLA Harbor Hospital. Because she was mentally ill, she received a huge discount and was only charged $3,500 for a case involving violence. I did very well and had a deal in place to dismiss the matter, but she refused to take the deal. She wanted to go to trial. I refused to respresent her at trial because I believe that it wasn't in her best interest. The video tape of the incident was not going to assist her. She later went to trial and was convicted. Apparently she's bitter that she didn't take her attorney's advice.
Michael Sean Devereux's Lawyer Endorsements
"In the course of my career as a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles I have had the honor and privilege to know dozens and dozens of criminal defense lawyers. I have known a handful whom I would recommend without hesitation to a potential client or fellow lawyer. Among such handful, there is a few, no more than perhaps 3 or so, whom I would trust without slightest hesitation if I ever found myself in trouble. Michael is among the elite criminal defense attorneys whom I can always rely on for help and advice and who, I know from personal experience, always provides the best client representation possible. Michael is an excellent and experienced attorney with significant intellectual and writing skills, as well as great courtroom presence and trial experience. One cannot go wrong with Michael. I endorse him without any reservation."
"Michael is an intelligent aggressive and compassionate attorney who will fight the good fight for his clients. I would gladly refer him any case in Southern California. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Michael Devereux is a modern Renaissance man - his areas of legal expertise being both broad and deep. His client satisfaction ratings are similarly outstanding. I endorse this lawyer. WM"
"Mr. Devereux is undoubtedly a top notch attorney who has skillfully mastered his primary area of practice over the course of his professional experience. His sharp critical thinking and flawless work ethic are perhaps the key qualities which ensured the success of a remarkable number of his cases. I endorse this lawyer and encourage anyone who needs superior legal representation to opt for his services."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. Michael is a well-regarded and driven attorney who has provided exceptional legal representation to numerous clients throughout the U.S. With his extensive knowledge, broad experience and impressive professional skills, he is bound to invest his time and energy into achieving the best outcome for each case, regardless of its level of complexity."
"I cannot believe I have not endorsed Mr. Devereux before now. He has posted years of answers that are accurate, analytic, and customized to the needs of the Avvo askers. These are exactly the qualities that every client would look for when hiring an attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"A highly skilled attorney who is well respected in the legal community. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Devereux provides consistently accurate and helpful answers to Avvo Askers. He is a very knowledgeable and experienced attorney."
"I have known Michael since my first days as a criminal lawyer 12 years ago. He was then, and is now, one of the best attorneys I have known. He is passionate, caring and goes the extra mile for each client."
"I endorse this lawyer. I know Attorney Devereux by reputation. He is very skillful and very experienced."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have read many of the answers given by this attorney. I can say that the answers are well done and give solid advice."
"Mike is an excellent and dedicated attorney. He works tirelessly for his clients and has great results. I have no hesitation in endorsing him."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Devereux is a fine lawyer who fights hard for his clients. I endorse his work."
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Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2022.
Discipline with Actual Suspension issued in CA, 2022
updated on 11/07/2023This sanction means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.
Discipline with Actual Suspension issued in CA, 2022
updated on 10/09/2023This sanction means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.
Discipline, Probation; no Actual Suspension issued in CA, 2020
updated on 10/15/2020This sanction means the attorney had a suspension placed on hold (and ultimately removed) by complying with certain requirements.
Michael’s comment:
“In 2019, I had health issues including several heart attacks causing several strokes which were significant reasons behind the action taken. I'm in good standing with the state bar. I'm working with my physicians and attorney in having the record mitigated.”
Honors
2021
Lawyer of the Year, American Institute of Legal Professionals
2021
Top 10 Attorneys, American Jurist Institute
2021
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2020
Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyers of America
2020
Litigator of the Year, American Institute of Trial Lawyers
2019
Top 40 Civil Rights Settlements, TopVerdict
2018
Excellence in Litigation, Lawyers of Distinction
2017
Top Lawyers, Legal Network
2017
Distinguished Lawyer, Expert Network
2014
Top Lawyers In California, The Legal Network
2014
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2013
Top Lawyers In California, American Lawyer Media
2008
Best Lawyer (nominated), LegalForce Media
2005
Top Criminal Attorney (nominated), The Cochran Firm
Work Experience
2005 - Present
Attorney, Michael K. Cernyar, Esq. A Professional Corporation
2004 - 2005
Attorney, The Cochran Firm
2001 - 2004
Attorney/Law Clerk, Law Offices of Charles Pereyra-Suarez
Associations
2013 - Present
United States District Court for the Northern District of CaliforniaAdmitted to Practice
2007 - Present
United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth CircuitAdmitted to Practice
2006 - Present
United States District Court for the Southern District of CaliforniaAdmitted to Practice
2004 - Present
United States District Court for the Eastern District of CaliforniaAdmitted to Practice
2003 - Present
United States District Court for the Central District of CaliforniaAdmitted to Practice
2003 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaAdmitted to Practice
2002 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersAttorney Member
California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
Attorney Member
State Bar of California, Criminal Law Section
Attorney Member
Internet Attorneys Association
Attorney Member
American Bar Association
Attorney Member
Los Angeles County Criminal Courts Bar Association
Attorney Member
Criminal Courts Bar Association
Attorney Member
Footprinters #58
Member
NORML Legal Committee
Attorney Member
California Public Defenders Association
Attorney Member
Federal Bar Association
Attorney Member
Beverly Hills Bar Association
Attorney Member
Croatian Bar Association
Attorney Member
Los Angeles County Bar Association
Attorney Member
2001 - 2005
Harbor Winds IISecretary
1995 - 2000
Harbor Winds IIPast Secretary/Treasurer
1991 - 1994
Harbor Winds IIPresident
Sample of Legal Cases
People v. Kibriya
All cyberstalking & harassment charges dismissed at prelim
People v. McCahon
Murder charge dismissed at prelim
People v. Robert Blake
Acquitted of Murder
Cheryl R. v. John Doe
Photographs removed
Television Anchorman v. John Doe
Cyberharassment and cyberstalking stopped.
Education
2001
Loyola Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
1996
California State University, Long Beach
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1978
Purdue University
Speaking Engagements
2014
St. Anthony Career Day
Career Day
2013
St. Anthony's Career Day
Career Day
2013
Chapman University School of Law: Nexus Journal of Law and Policy Symposium-Privacy and the Internet
Privacy & the Internet
2008
Tincher School Law Day
Law Day
Publications
2014
America Now News
Sextortion: Why You Should Never Keep Intimate Photos On Your Phone
2013
KGO, San Francisco
Iphone Theft Ring
2013
Gil Gross Radio Show
Cell Phone Blackmail
2013
2013
America Now News
An Innocent Picture Could Be Photoshopped Into A Racy One
2013
E-Commerce Law & Policy
Government, Industry Join in Paying Lip Service to Piracy Fight
2012
E-Commerce Law Report
Kinder, Gentler, Perhaps More Annoying Copyright Alert System Coming Soon
2012
Technology Times
FTC Slams Door on Tech Support Scammers
2007
CTV News
The Verdict with Paula Todd
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
If my husband is not living in my home and I am not on probation, can they come in my house with no search warrant?
03 Oct 2023
Q&A
When one party is denied & outsourced in gainful access to service for legal matters, can they be granted a (Ex Parte ) TRO?
06 Oct 2023
Q&A
Consultation Request: Civil Rights Post-Federal Drug Conviction?
11 Sep 2023
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Is it a HIPAA Violation to Ask for Proof of Vaccine Status?
22 Jun 2021
Legal Guide
Civil Asset Forfeiture
17 Apr 2021
Legal Guide
California Law - Regarding Non-Consensual Recorded Conversations
12 Apr 2021