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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

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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

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Derek S Devermont's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

36 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (36) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 11 - 15 of 16 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by JC | August 12, 2012 | DUI & DWI

The right guy for your DUI case

I was arrested at a DUI checkpoint with a BAC of .11. I had no clue where to begin, but quickly realized that the process of addressing the multiple legal matters that arise in this circumstance was difficult and convoluted. After doing some research on various DUI lawyers, I was told I should cont...act Derek Devermont by not one but two practicing lawyers. Derek proved himself to be very knowledgeable of the criminal process and DMV hearings. Derek was able to explain both of these daunting systems to me and provide up to date information whenever there was a change. In the end, Derek was able to use strong statements made in the DMV hearing to my benefit in the legal case to get my charges reduced significantly from a DUI to a Exhibition Speeding charge. If you find yourself in need of a smart attorney who understands the various legal processes and is able to navigate the Los Angeles criminal courts environment, Derek is worth every dollar. Most importantly, Derek takes pride in doing his job well, and will work his butt off for you.

Posted by anonymous | September 01, 2011 | DUI & DWI

JURY SAID I'M NOT GUILTY!

I was arrested for DUI and hit and run in 2010. Because it happened in simi valley my case ended up in Ventura County. Everyone knows how hard ventura is on this type of stuff. I was well over .08 (too embarassed to say how much) and terrified. The DA told us no deals and if I wasn't going to say... I was guilty than the only option was go to trial. SO we had a trial. Derek was amazing. After the DA was done talking to the cop on the stand, I thought I had made and wasted time and money by having a trial. Then Derek started asking questions and the cop's story fell apart. Then the DA had some expert get up and say I was drunk. Derek took her down too. The prosecution even had a witness and documents they introduced last minute without telling us. Derek used all this to our advantage. After it wall went down, I heard the jury say the magic words "not guilty". We won! The DA was so unhappy she stormed out afterwards. NOT GUILTY! dEREK IS THE BEST LAWYER EVER!

Posted by anonymous | August 02, 2011 | DUI & DWI

MY HERO!!!

I was pulled over for weaving. The officer made me get out of the car and do a bunch of exercises. Then I he took me to the station and I blew a .09. Derek Got the case reduced to a dry reckless and avoided even having a dmv hearing by getting a "not guilty" on the second part of my dui. I didn't... have my license suspended and I don't have a dui.

Posted by anonymous | June 01, 2011 | Criminal Defense

Amazing!

Professional, well organized, and extremely brilliant. He went great lengths to understand my case, the charges, and the evidence. In fact, the charges were dropped because of the due diligence that Derek did on his part. This kept my cost way down since it did not go to trial. I would recommend him ...to anybody. He is on my speedial in case I need him for any reason.

Posted by Tom | May 31, 2011 | DUI & DWI

An amazing attorney

Mr. Devermont helped me with my DUI. He's an incredible attorney, fearless against prosecutors. From the beginning, he handled every aspect of the case and didn't let me worry about the outcome. His knowledge of the law is extensive and the fee was well worth it. I pray I never have to utilize his se...rvices again. But if I do, I can rest assured that he will take the utmost care of me.

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

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
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  • 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