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James Raza Lawrence

also known as Raza Lawrence
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Avvo Rating9.8
  • Beverly Hills, CA
  • Licensed for 16 years
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About James

Raza Lawrence  practices criminal defense and civil litigation in both state and federal court. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 2003, where he served as an executive editor of the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy. From November 2004 to July 2009, Raza worked as an associate for Munger, Tolles and Olson LLP.  Mr. Lawrence has a longstanding interest in protecting civil liberties and individual rights, and has previously worked for the American Civil Liberties Union, the Cato Institute, and the Center for Individual Rights.

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Practice areas

OtherExpungementCivil rightsLitigationCriminal defense
  1. Criminal defense: 70%

  2. Litigation: 10%

  3. Civil rights: 10%

  4. Expungement: 5%

  1. Sex crime: 5%

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

279442 1444246005

Contact

Margolin & Lawrence

8484 Wilshire Blvd
Suite 440
Beverly Hills, CA, 90211

      Resume

      License
      StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
      CAActive200402/09/2021
      We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
      Avvo Contributions
      Legal answers3
      Legal guides0
      Awards
      Award nameGrantorDate granted
      Rising StarSouthern California Super Lawyers2015
      Nation's Top One PercentNational Association of Distinguished Counsel2015
      Rising StarSouthern California Super Lawyers2014
      Rising StarSouthern California Super Lawyers2013
      Work Experience
      TitleCompany nameDuration
      PartnerMargolin & Lawrence2009 - Present
      AssociateMunger, Tolles & Olson LLP2004 - 2009
      Law Clerk for Judge Morris S. ArnoldU.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit2003 - 2004
      Publications
      Publication nameTitleDate
      Hustler MagazineSleaze Legalese and How to Hustle the Court2014
      Hustler MagazineKnow your Rights2013
      Hustler MagazineLiberate the Green Rush2013
      Education
      School nameDegreeGraduated
      Harvard University Law SchoolJD - Juris Doctor2003
      Washington University in St. LouisA.B2000
      Washington University in St. LouisA.B2000
      Speaking Engagements
      Conference nameTitleDate
      Beverly Hills Bar Association MCLE ExtravaganzaElimination of Bias2013

      Reviews

      (7)
      5 Star
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      4 Star
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      3 Star
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      Review James Lawrence

      He'll Fight For You!

      Posted by

      He teamed up and took the case over with Allison Margolin to do me extreme justice. I had a Marijuana sales case to an undercover officer. Raza worked relentlessly to get me a win in the case. I had a prior strike and was facing about 4 years. With his hard work he had the case reduced to a Misdemeanor, and summary probation until the Community Service was completed. Thanks Again. I recommend him to anyone in need of help to keep their freedom.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Great trustworthy attorney

      Posted by

      Raza and her partner were able to help me with an outstanding warrant of 2 years of which I had no idea I had against me until I found out through a background check done on me. I spoke to other attorneys before and not only were they more expensive but they said it could take weeks, even months to get this resolved. Raza was able to do it on the first day he went to the court house for me! I am extremely happy I was able to find such good attorneys who keep their word and work hard for their clients. If you need legal advice or representation, look no further.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Highly recommended

      Posted by

      I called upon Raza of Margolin and Lawrence when things looked very grim for me coming up on trial for a felony DUI. I was referred by a close friend who had hired them. Raza was able to minimize my sentence with 3 days left before trial when my other lawyer admitted to me that things didn't look good for me and he had no other recourse. I wish I would have hired them off the bat, would have had an ideal outcome, I'm sure of it. They are especially familiar with judges and courtrooms in LA county
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Don't be fooled by Raza's calm, cool, and collected demeanor.

      Posted by

      Raza Lawerance is a top notch lawyer. Don't be fooled by his calm, cool, and collected demeanor. He is silent but deadly. In the court room he is like a Grandmaster chess player. He knows his stuff. I watched him many times, listening to the prosecutor calmy, and digesting all of what was being said and the information, you can tell his mind is working hard and planning his next move. And with great success. I had three felony charges pending against me. Cultivation, sales and pirating electricity. This was in the Pasadena court system. It was a lengthy process because the court did not want to budge on a decent deal. Raza and team persevered pulling out no stops, filing motion after motion until we had a great deal on the table. One felony dropped, one felony reduced to a misdemanor with the ability to be expunged, and the last felony diverted to a PC 1000 program, which I will not receive a felony for. A great deal at that, considering. Raza, is very communicative, he answered any and all of my questions. If he was unavailable he would get back to me within a timely manner. He even took my call while he was on vacation. He kept me very informed on what was going on and where we were at with my case. I would highly recomend Mr. Lawerance. James

      James Raza Lawrence is my Hero!

      Posted by

      I hired the Lawrence/Margolin team after two earlier attorneys had left a lot to be desired. I was charged with two felonies: Possession of Marijuana with the intent to sell and Transportation of Marijuana. James and his partner Allison did everything in the book and never relented on my case. They tried a number of different approaches including a Pitchess Motion, a 995 Motion and finally a Motion to Suppress Evidence which resulted in both charges being completely DISMISSED!!!. James was arguing the motion to suppress evidence and did so brilliantly. I am now using the Lawrence/Margolin team in a civil case in which I am suing the police department for violating my fourth amendment rights and the resulting lost wages I suffered from the two pending felonies that lingered on my background report for the two years I was fighting my case. I can't thank James enough for his hard work and dedication.

      Great defense attorney

      Posted by

      Very knowledgable and a very informative attorney which was highly recommended by a friend , I would definitely recommend James Raza Lawrence to any one in a bind .

      I'm super happy with the outcome of my case.

      Posted by

      I would absolutely, unequivocally recommend this lawyer. I'm proof that he gets the job done. I got the second chance I only dared wish for after getting arrested on four felony drug charges. I am not gloating because that would jinx me... I am thanking God and this attorney for my clean record and complete dismissal of the charges. Bottom line... He is smart and knows what he is doing. He had my entire case dismissed through a very complicated preliminary motion regarding evidence. I had spoken with a couple other attorneys before speaking with him who had told me I would have to do some time because I was ineligible for Prop 36 related defenses... This attorney didn't even resort to that---he attacked instead of just defending. That's why I got off with a complete dismissal.

      Attorney endorsements

      (6)
      Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

      Ryan Camastra, Personal injury Attorney on Dec 18, 2020
      Relationship: Family member

      I strongly endorse this lawyer. He is among the most intelligent, diligent, and effective attorneys I have met.

      Melissa Lewkowicz, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 29, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I have had the great pleasure of working with James and seeing his brilliant legal mind in action. James is creative and dedicated to getting his clients the best possible outcomes. If you are looking for a true advocate, look no further! I endorse this lawyer without pause.

      Jessica Arteaga, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 11, 2014
      Relationship: Co-worker

      Raza Lawrence is a Harvard trial attorney with great work ethic. I have worked with Raza for the past 4 years, he is very knowledgeable about the law, and great with judges and juries. Raza Lawrence is a great mentor to myself and the associates at the office. I would recommend Raza to anyone in need of legal assistance.

      Paul Molinaro, Civil rights Attorney on Sep 15, 2014
      Relationship: Other

      I endorse this lawyer.

      Marcus Musante, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 15, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I first met Raza while I was a DA in Van Nuys. I could tell right away that he was vey smart and knew the law. As time went on, I took notice of just how much better he was getting in front of the jury and how his unique style had developed. A Harvard-educated trial attorney with his own unique style? A valuable thing, says Captain Obvious. But I also respect Raza for his work ethic and fully endorse him for anyone who gets in trouble.

      Allison Margolin, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 2, 2014
      Relationship: Co-worker

      I endorse this lawyer. Raza and I have worked together for the past five years. He is extremely effective because he is human, unassuming, and very intelligent dealing with judges, juries, and our clients. I could not ask for a better law partner.