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About Shakti
Experienced, Effective & Trustworthy
Vadgama Law has earned the reputation as one of the top Criminal & DUI defense law firms throughout Los Angeles County.
Mr. Vadgama's first experience with criminal law came when he worked for the Chilean Ministry of Justice while studying and working abroad after his first year of law school in Santiago, Chile. Thereafter, Mr. Vadgama worked as a judicial extern in the criminal division of the San Diego Superior Court East County Division. As a judicial extern, Mr. Vadgama prepared bench memoranda for multiple judges on cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies, providing his recommendation on how each case should be determined when applying the facts to the applicable law. Mr. Vadgama also interned at a criminal defense firm, where he worked on various criminal cases and advocated on behalf of individuals serving life sentences at parole hearings. He helped and witnessed his supervising attorney win a parole hearing for an individual who successfully used the prison system to rehabilitate himself and change his life around after serving twenty-five years for second degree murder. This moment left a profound impact on Mr. Vadgama and made him realize that a career as a criminal defense attorney was his true calling.
Shakti Vadgama was born and raised in Los Angeles County and earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). After graduating from UCLA, Mr. Vadgama attended California Western School of Law in San Diego, where he developed a strong passion for advocating on behalf of individuals against entities that are in a position of power.
After law school, Mr. Vadgama spent the first year and one-half of his legal career as a plaintiff's employment law attorney, advocating on behalf of employees in all employment related matters. In his stint as an employment law attorney, Mr. Vadgama successfully negotiated and litigated on behalf of hundreds of clients in both State and Federal court.
Following his brief stint as an employment law attorney, Mr. Vadgama established Vadgama Law and has dedicated his career towards criminal and DUI defense work, his true passion. Mr. Vadgama has been rated Top 10 in Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of DUI/DWI and Criminal Law Attorneys, has been recognized as a "Rising Star in the field of Criminal Law" by the American Institute of Legal Advocates, and has been received the Top 40 under 40 award by both the National Trial Lawyer and the American Academy of Attorneys.
Mr. Vadgama is licensed to practice law in all State courts throughout California and the United States District Court, Central District of California. Mr. Vadgama is also a member of the Los Angeles Bar Association, the Los Angeles Bar Association Criminal Justice Section, and the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice.
Practice areas
Languages spoken
English
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Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA | Active | 2015 | 02/06/2022 |
| Legal answers | 0 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
|---|---|---|
| Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2020 |
| Lawyers of Distinction | Lawyers of Distinction | 2019 |
| 10 Best for Client Satisfaction | American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys | 2019 |
| Rising Star | American Institute of Legal Advocates | 2018 |
| 10 Best for Client Satisfaction | American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys | 2018 |
| Top 40 Under 40 | American Academy of Attorneys | 2018 |
| Lawyers of Distinction | Lawyers of Distinction | 2018 |
| Top 40 Under 40 | The National Trial Lawyers | 2018 |
| Client's Choice Award | Avvo | 2018 |
| 10 Best Attorneys- Client Satisfaction | American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys | 2017 |
| Pro Bono Honor's Society | California Western School of Law | 2013 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Managing Attorney | Los Angeles Criminal and DUI Defense Firm | 2017 - Present |
| Managing Attorney | The Vadgama Law Firm | 2017 - Present |
| Associate Attorney | Law Offices of Goldberg & Loren, P.A. | 2016 - 2017 |
| Associate Attorney | Lawyers for Workplace Fairness, APC | 2015 - 2016 |
| Law Clerk | The Torkzadeh Law Firm | 2014 - 2015 |
| Law Clerk | Law Offices of Laura R. Sheppard | 2014 - 2014 |
| Judicial Extern | San Diego Superior Court - Criminal Divison | 2013 - 2013 |
| Law Clerk | Affordable Housing Advocates | 2013 - 2013 |
| Legal Research & Writing Honors Instructor | California Western School Of Law | 2012 - 2013 |
| Law Clerk | Chilean Ministry of Justice | 2012 - 2012 |
| Law Clerk | Glenn L. Silverii & Associates | 2010 - 2011 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| California Attorneys for Criminal Justice | Attorney Member | 2017 - Present |
| Central District of California | Attorney Member | 2016 - Present |
| Western District of Texas | Attorney Member | 2016 - Present |
| State Bar of California | Attorney Member | 2015 - Present |
| Los Angeles County Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section | Attorney Member | 2015 - Present |
| American Bar Association | Attorney Member | 2015 - Present |
| California Employment Lawyers Association | Attorney Member | 2016 - 2017 |
| National Employment Lawyers Association | Attorney Member | 2016 - 2017 |
| Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles | Attorney Member | 2016 - 2017 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Downey High School News Letter | Know Your Rights | 2019 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| California Western School of Law | JD | 2014 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | BA | 2009 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Law Basics | Understanding Your 4th Amendment Rights | 2019 |
| Downey High School Career Day | Career in law | 2015 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| People v. Zepeda | |
| People v. Aquino | |
| People v. Weber | |
| People v. Weber |
My DUI Case
5.0 stars
Posted by Amir
December 6, 2020
2nd DUI
5.0 stars
Posted by Michael
October 12, 2020
Amazing Service - Charges Dropped!
5.0 stars
Posted by Charles
August 13, 2020
Simply the Best
5.0 stars
Posted by Noah
January 23, 2020
The Best Lawyer you want on your case.
5.0 stars
Posted by Christo
December 30, 2019
You want him in your corner!
5.0 stars
Posted by Ghazal
August 31, 2019
Thank you shakti and law firm for major sucess
5.0 stars
Posted by anonymous
July 5, 2019
AMAZING...NOT your shark lawyer!!!
5.0 stars
Posted by anonymous
June 5, 2019
Best lawyers around
5.0 stars
Posted by Dustin
May 1, 2019
They make it easy, best decision I ever made was to call.
5.0 stars
Posted by Michelle
October 30, 2018
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Attorney endorsements
(15)
Andrei Armas, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 2, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Adriana Quintero, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 28, 2019
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. He is sharp, knowledgeable, and zealous and goes the extra mile to fight for his clients.
Andrei Armas, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 2, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Adriana Quintero, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 28, 2019
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. He is sharp, knowledgeable, and zealous and goes the extra mile to fight for his clients.
Ghazal Sharif, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 12, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Shakti is compassionate, empathetic and kind. He is an experienced criminal defense attorney, master negotiator, good communicator, outstanding writer and has impeccable analytical skills. His clients can rest assured they are in good hands!
Brandon Naidu, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 19, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I highly endorse this lawyer. Mr. Vadgama is one of the most professional and hard-working attorneys I know. If you are considering hiring him for your criminal defense needs, rest assured you are in excellent hands.
Reza Torkzadeh, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 5, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Shakti Vadgama is a top notch, honest, hardworking and skillful attorney. I have had the pleasure to see is work close-up and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone. I highly endorse him. If you are looking for A+ legal representation, look no further.
Richard Wagner, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 14, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. He understand that facing a DUI or criminal charges can be overwhelming and that hiring an attorney is an important decision. He enables people to understand their and options. During the consultation, he takes the time to review the facts of your case and will provide you with the opportunity to ask questions.
Lorena Roel, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 20, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Shakti is knowledgeable about criminal law. He works hard and I endorse him for all criminal law matters.
Shabnam Raiszadeh, Unknown Attorney on Feb 9, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Having known and worked with Shakti for years, I can speak from direct knowledge and firsthand experience to attest to his excellent work ethic and adept knowledge of the law. He is a creative thinker and an excellent advocate who truly cares about the well-being and interests of his clients.
Marissa Sunio, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 23, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Shakti is attentive to detail and a strong advocate for his clients.
Sabrina Hashmi, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 23, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Shakti Vadgama is a fully knowledgeable and well trained attorney in all practices of law.
Ramin Raiszadeh, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 23, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Shakti is a bright attorney and a strong advocate for his clients. We have worked together on several matters and I have aways found his work to be outstanding. I enthusiastically endorse this lawyer.
Noah Peterson, Employment and labor Attorney on Apr 1, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Shakti is a rising star in the legal community. I endorse this lawyer.
Joshua Bannister, Employment and labor Attorney on Mar 31, 2016
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Harrison Le, Employment and labor Attorney on Mar 1, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Mr. Vadgama is a true professional, both inside and outside of the courtroom. Without question - one of the most knowledgeable, compassionate and hardworking attorneys in the community. When I have questions about employment matters I go to Mr. Vadgama. When I have questions about civil procedure - again, I go to Mr. Vadgama, as he always has the answers. I wholeheartedly endorse this attorney.
Sami Haddad, Employment and labor Attorney on Jan 12, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Shatki is a very professional and capable attorney. He is knowledge in all areas of employment law.
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