No Photo

Derek S Devermont

4.8
Rating: 9.5

Licensed for 17 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Santa Monica, CA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense

429 Santa Moncia Blvd Ste 210, Santa Monica, CA

About Derek

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in California for 17 years

State: California

Acquired: 2008

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Derek S Devermont

429 Santa Moncia Blvd Ste 210, Santa Monica, CA, 90402

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Derek S Devermont's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

36 Client Reviews

5 star (34)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (2)

Posted by Jordan | March 3, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

You get what you pay for.

I was driving 120 MPH when I was pulled over and arrested for DUI. It was passed midnight when the lights of the cop car flooded my rear view mirror. I knew I had one too many drinks and I knew I was going to jail. Still, I was hoping I could talk my way out of it. I answered their questions. It ...didn't help. My speech was slurred. I did their tests on the side of the road. I almost fell over a few times. With each second I could feel the jail closing in on me. The cops didn't care about me. They were so pissed I was driving so fast they couldn't wait to take me to jail. I was arrested and blew .12 twice into the breathalyzer. I thought it was over. I knew of Derek from other friends that had used him. They had their cases dismissed or walked away with very little. He wasn't cheap, but my friends swore by him. I saved every nickel and raised every dime I could to hire him. It was the best decision I've ever made. When I met with him he explained everything. He told me "you're paying me to do the worrying for you" and I truly felt he cared. I know he cared. The Torrance DA (Some woman named Gillian) wanted to send me to jail for months because of some rule that says if you're driving as fast as I was you do a minimum of 2 months jail. I couldn't believe it. Derek wasn't having it. He fought with them, but they wouldn't budge. It was take the jail or go to trial. We went to Trial. I was scared to death when the jury was picked. Then Derek started doing his thing. He showed the jury another side. He showed the cops didn't know what they were doing and that they were lying. They didn't need to lie, but they did. Derek was clearly the smartest guy in the room. Everything they threw at us Derek blasted. More than anything, Derek cared. He put his heart and soul into the case. He really cared what would happen to me. I wasn't just a client. He treated me like I was a member of his family on trial. The jury saw that and I won. MY CASE WAS DISMISSED!!!!!!!

Posted by anonymous | April 15, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Hire Derek!!

We hired Derek on 2 separate occasions for a family member. One was a DUI and the other a DV charge. Despite being handed many difficult situations by the client, the judge and D.A., Derek was able to literally pull out a few miracles. The client was able to get very lenient outcomes. Derek is a fig...hter and likes to win. Even better he doesn't like to lose, so if you need a good lawyer who will fight for you, hire Derek.

Posted by Brooke | March 15, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Case Dismissed

I was dealing with a DUI refusal and I already have one DUI. Luckily Derek was referred to me and thanks to him my case was dismissed! He is tough and great at what he does, and I highly recommend him to any one in a similar situation.

Posted by J | November 8, 2015 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Derek Devermont: THE ABSOLUTE BEST

When I got my dui, I was in shock. But not so much in shock that I didn’t think I could get out of it. Then reality hit hard and someone recommended Derek. Derek had no idea what he was getting when he took me on as a client. He was clear and concise. But more than anything, he was patient and he lis...tened. Derek explained the same situation repeatedly, when I asked him to. He took my calls and answered my innumerable texts. He went above and beyond. Derek got me acquitted on the b count with a .12 BAC using an incredibly obscure and confusing defense. Eventually we settled for a wet reckless, but I got to keep my license. Before, during, and after, Derek was helpful and responsive. Only in retrospect do I see how miraculous he was in a situation that other lawyers wouldn’t have even understood. Derek really cares; he knows the law inside and out; and is totally relentless. But most of all, Derek is the absolute best criminal lawyer there is.

Posted by anonymous | August 25, 2015 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

HIRE DEREK!!

I was arrested for a DUI refusal and I immediately hired Derek to represent me and It was the best decision I could have possibly made. Derek was able to successfully get my charges knocked down to an exhibition of speeding charge. Through the whole process, Derek was always available and made sure t...o always clearly explain each step of the process to me. Thank you again Derek!

See All Client Reviews

Derek S Devermont's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Derek
Jonathan Pierre Lacour headshot
Jonathan Lacour

Unknown lawyer | Jun 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"One of the absolute best. Exceptional attention to detail, service next to none. I endorse this lawyer."

P. Jeffrey Voll headshot
P. Jeffrey Voll

DUI and DWI lawyer | Feb 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Derek has proven time and time again that he will protect his clients from the strong arm of the government at all costs. He is a true believer who is not afraid to try any type of case to a jury. A true class act in every sense of the word."

Richard Carl Binder headshot
Richard Binder

Unknown lawyer | Jun 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Will fight for his clients. Agressive, smart. Looks out for the little guy."

Miguel Duarte headshot
Miguel Duarte

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jan 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Derek is one of the few attorneys i confer with on my cases because his knowledge of the law is second to none. He is a zealous advocate for his clients. If you want to hire someone who will fight for you and not be intimated by judges and prosecutors Derek is your guy."

Richard Wagner headshot
Richard Wagner

DUI and DWI lawyer | Oct 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Devermont is an excellent criminal defense attorney who knows how to defend DUI cases. He knows the law and can explain complex concepts to a jury which makes him a great lawyer."

Mary Frances Prevost headshot
Mary Prevost

DUI and DWI lawyer | Mar 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Derek Devermont is committed to his clients. He knows the law, he knows the prosecutors (good and bad), and he knows how to work his cases to attain the best possible result for his clients. I hold him in high regard."

Hector Antonio Marrache headshot
Hector Marrache

DUI and DWI lawyer | Sep 19

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I've known Derek for many years, and he is an exceptional lawyer. He commands the science and art of defending DUI/DWI cases exceedingly well and is very successful. I not only endorse Derek Devermont, but I highly recommend him to anyone who is seeking a competent and passionate criminal defense lawyer."

Michael Jon Fremont headshot
Michael Fremont

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jul 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Derek is a lawyer that is on the leading edge of DUI defense. As a member of California DUI Lawyers Association Derek is commited to keeping abreast of all the latest developments in DUI law. He will offer you a quality defense against any dui charge or license suspension."

Marc Vahan Kalagian headshot
Marc Kalagian

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jun 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. An aggressive attorney who is a true advocate for his clients."

Lawrence David Rohlfing headshot
Lawrence Rohlfing

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 06

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. He does great work for people getting jerked around by the criminal justice system."

Manuel Jess Barba headshot
Manuel Barba

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jun 02

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I had the pleasure of meeting Derek Devermont when he was a student in the NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Test Participant course that I was co-teaching with Robert LaPier. Derek was one of the top scoring students in the course. Mr. Devermont works hard to defend his clients and is extremely knowledgeable and is dedicated to fighting for his clients’ best interest. He is a tremendous asset to those he represents."

Young Chul Cho headshot
Young Cho

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Jun 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"He is the greatest lawyer I have ever worked with in my entire life."

Sonia Pascher headshot
Sonia Pascher

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Derek is a zealous advocate for his clients and I recommend him highly. He fights for his clients and anyone that retains him is lucky to have him as an attorney."

Chad Raymond Maddox headshot
Chad Maddox

Social Security & Disability lawyer | May 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Devermont stands out among a sea of attorneys as a leader, educated and aggressive."

Scott Ryan Ball headshot
Scott Ball

DUI and DWI lawyer | May 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Derek is a hardworking, knowledgeable attorney who really loves what he does and it shows with his enthusiasm for protecting his clients' rights."

Justin James McShane headshot
Justin McShane

DUI and DWI lawyer | May 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Devermont is a true litigator. He has the necessary reputation, knowledge, experience and guts to fight for any citizen among us who has been accused of a crime. What is more than this, he is a trusted colleague and friend. I can attest to his dedication and desire."

Cameron Sehat headshot
Cameron Sehat

DUI and DWI lawyer | May 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Derek throughout law school and professionally as a fellow colleague. He is definitely a fighter."

Michael James Kennedy headshot
Michael Kennedy

DUI and DWI lawyer | May 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I enthusiastically endorse Derek as a resourceful, thoughtful, energetic, dedicated, creative, and ethical practitioner of his craft, and anyone who retains him for drunk driving or other criminal law matters would be well-served indeed."

Felipe Iniguez Plascencia headshot
Felipe Plascencia

DUI and DWI lawyer | May 29

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Derek is not afraid to try cases. He has associated himself with the best DUI lawyers around and is now a top notch DUI attorney because of the experience he gained by atteding many DUI seminars and trying cases as co-counsel."

Okorie Okorocha headshot
Okorie Okorocha

DUI and DWI lawyer | May 29

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Derek Devermont and I have tried DUI cases together. He is one of the greatest of all time."

View All Endorsements
James Patrick Shea headshot
James Shea

Social Security & Disability lawyer

Erica Lynn Madrid headshot
Erica Madrid

Criminal defense lawyer

Craig Michael Sturm headshot
Craig Sturm

Criminal defense lawyer

Mark K Rosenfeld headshot
Mark Rosenfeld

DUI and DWI lawyer

Lauren Ruth Angelos headshot
Lauren Angelos

Criminal defense lawyer

P. Jeffrey Voll headshot
P. Jeffrey Voll

Criminal defense lawyer

Ori Samuel Blumenfeld headshot
Ori Blumenfeld

Unknown lawyer

Miguel Duarte headshot
Miguel Duarte

Criminal defense lawyer

Michael Jon Fremont headshot
Michael Fremont

DUI and DWI lawyer

Edward Cyril Stark headshot
Edward Stark

Medical malpractice lawyer

Marc Vahan Kalagian headshot
Marc Kalagian

Social Security & Disability lawyer

Young Chul Cho headshot
Young Cho

Social Security & Disability lawyer

Chad Raymond Maddox headshot
Chad Maddox

DUI and DWI lawyer

Cameron Sehat headshot
Cameron Sehat

Unknown lawyer

Lawrence David Rohlfing headshot
Lawrence Rohlfing

Social Security & Disability lawyer

Hector Antonio Marrache headshot
Hector Marrache

Unknown lawyer

Darryl Wayne Genis headshot
Darryl Genis

Unknown lawyer

Sonia Pascher headshot
Sonia Pascher

Unknown lawyer

Nicholas Paul Madans headshot
Nicholas Madans

Unknown lawyer

Scott Ryan Ball headshot
Scott Ball

Unknown lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.5 (Superb)

Honors

2015

Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine

2015

Rising star, Los Angeles magazine

2014

Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine

2013

Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine

2012

Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine

2011

Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine

2011

graduate of the college's course taught at Harvard law school, National College for DUI Defense

2010

NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Test Practitioner, La Pier and Associates

2010

NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Test Practitioner, La PIer and Associates

2009

specialist member, california dui lawyer association

2008

admission to practice, united states district court southern district of california

Work Experience

2008 - Present

Supervising Attorney, Law Offices of Devermont and Devermont

Associations

2008 - Present

Los Angeles County Bar Association

2008 - Present

California DUI Lawyers Association

2008 - Present

National College of DUI Defense

2008 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

member

2008 - Present

Criminal Courts Bar Association

member

2008 - Present

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

member

cacj

Sample of Legal Cases

People v. C.E.

Case Dismissed

See More Legal Cases

Education

2007

University Of West Los Angeles School of Law

JD

Speaking Engagements

2016

Suppression of blood evidence in a criminal case

Suppression of blood evidence in a criminal case

2011

Los Angeles County Bar Association, Social Security Law Section

Social Security Disability trial strategies

Languages

English

Spanish

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 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.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution