Ann A. Gottesman

Ann represented me about nine months ago on a drug and Dui case. She is not like other lawyers. After meeting with three other lawyers I then met Ann and knew right away she would be the one I wanted to represent me. Ann was patient, caring and really calmed me down at a time I thought I had no hope.... My job and license were at stake and I didn't know how the "system" works. Ms. Ann went through the court evidence with me and took all my calls and questions. She is a sweet caring woman who worked hard to help me. I could not have asked for a better outcome on my case. Ann knows her stuff and took the time to explain things to me. I am lucky I found her and forever thankful. I highly recommend attorney Ann if you are in trouble with the law!

I was arrested for a DUI charge when stopped for no other reason then finding myself in a precarious position late at night. I was followed from a destination and drove all the way back to my residence, parked my car, then the police lit me up after finding no fault in my driving other than to make w...hat I (know) believe is still an erroneous claim. An officer claimed that I was going 40mph in a 25 zone. I hired Ann and with her help hired an expert and proved that the officer was either in gross error or purposefully lying. I still lost the DMV hearing due to what I (know) believe was incompetence. With the situation looking grim, Ann was still able to use the evidence from a second DMV hearing to convince the DA to reduce a DUI to a wet reckless on a .13 BAC, in a tough court. Even the judge was surprised at such a plea bargain. Ann charged $3,500 and worked for 7 months!! on my case. She answered/returned my phone calls after her regular 9-5 hours and on weekends, responded to all of my emails/text messages, and updated me on my case even when I did not inquire throughout the whole process. She got me a temporary license in the interim period of the battle, never ceasing to get a favorable outcome for me and make the process as painless as possible. Every step of the way she offered me insight and advice, even connecting me with another more-than-credible attorney who did not try to make a quick dollar out of me, but instead offered me their free consultations and sincerest advice about my situation. In the end, I decided to plea on the wet reckless instead of risking the loss of a fight in a climate of a less-than-fair justice system that appeared to be working backwards: basically finding evidence then looking for a way to make it stick, instead of asking, "how was the evidence found." Knowing that I had no legal recourse than to accept the wet-reckless, I realized just how favorable this outcome was, given the circumstances of my case. It is extremely rare to plea to a wet reckless in my situation, and Ann proved to be worth the money in avoiding a DUI charge on my now established criminal record. Although I wish the circumstances were different, and every individual case will vary, I made the decision not to go for a motion to suppress given the court I was working with. I feel I made the best choice (it essentially came down to gambling) and I know Ann did everything possible to gain the most favorable outcome with the cards we were dealt. I could not have asked for a better experience with an attorney. Ann has my utmost confidence and I whole-heartedly believe in her ability to perform the duties necessary and possible in any case she takes on. Her compassion, attention to detail, scrupulous attentiveness to the evidence and my thoughts on the case, availability, genuine concern for my well being, and overall willingness to do everything in her power to resolve the case in my favor proved to be worth more than what was paid to her. When an attorney stands by you for 7 months for a fraction of what such labor is worth, even if working a minimum wage job--and still gets you a favorable outcome--you know you have struck gold. I am grateful and indebted to Attorney Ann Gottesman.

I retained the services of Ann Gottesman to defend me against a charge of felony domestic violence and I am glad I did. If you are charged with either a misdemeanor or felony conviction of DV, I strongly urge you to avoid using a public defender. Although PDs may have your best interests in mind, I b...elieve they are overworked with huge caseloads and cannot give your case the time and attention you will need. After being arrested and making bail, I was given a few weeks before I had to appear in court and be formally charged. I used this time to find an attorney. I had free consultations with 3 attorneys, starting with Ann Gottesman. My wife and I both interviewed her to hear what she had to say about herself and how she would defend my case. Ann's office was not as fancy as the other two attorneys I visited, but I felt she truly listened to me and her strategy sounded reasonable. I knew very little about the process - only what I had read in the papers or seen on the news. Her office is in Pasadena and close to the Pasadena Superior Court. Ann is familiar with all of the judges and Deputy DA's in this court. She described her experience, including being a public defender. Ann explained that she went into private practice because she felt she was doing a disservice to people since there was not enough time in the day to adequately defend them. As I said, I visited two other attorneys. They had a good spiel, with varying stories and strategies. Their fees started at $7500, which I am sure went towards their fancy offices and other overhead. My wife and I hired Ann, and she jumped right in. With a letter from my wife, Ann convinced the Deputy DA to reduce the felony domestic violence charge to a misdemeanor at the arraignment. The Deputy DA also agreed not to request a restraining order from me against my wife. The judge agreed to both conditions. Part of Ann's strategy was for me to voluntarily attend weekly domestic violence classes before the next court date. I also did some research on how a conviction of any kind could affect my employment if discovered. She provided this research, along with my attendance record for the DV classes to the Deputy DA, and then made a deal to dismiss all charges against me if I continue with the DV classes for a total of 9 months. At the next court date, this agreement was presented to the judge, and she accepted it. The judge exonerated my bond and asked me to make another appearance after attending another 5 months of DV classes. This will be to check on my progress. I am very grateful to Ann Gottesman for her tremendous help and thoroughness. She is caring, thoughtful, and willing to talk or communicate anytime. I was able to contact her at her office, cell phone, text, or email. She always responded within 24 hours, even on nights and weekends. You will not go wrong if you choose Ann as your private counsel.

Ann was great! She immediately understood the situation without judgment. My husband had needed a criminal defense for some charges he fell into. She got that it was just a mistake and not a determination of his character. She knew exactly what her plan was to be and had 2 other plans in the wing...s. She had extensive knowledge of the court system and the way it worked and what to do for the best results. She not only handled things well with the courts, but she also essentially held our hands. We never had to deal with anything like this and it was really scary and even more scary to think about a single mistake affecting my husband ability to work. Many times she told me not to worry that she will take care of my husband and everything would be ok. She could see what a good man he was and really fought for us and didn't just go to court once, but over and over until she got the results she wanted for us. She really cared about helping us and it was comforting to know she would go for what she believed in and not just get it over and done with. We could not be more relieved with the end results. She was able to fight for two charges to be dismissed and my husband was able to accept a charge that would not be really a big deal on anyone’s record and we could get it dismissed in 2 to 3 years at that. If you are needing a knowledgeable attorney, one you can trust, one that will work with you and your needs and one that will fight to the end and be sure to exhaust all possibilities, this is the one. Ann is an attorney and she makes you feel like a friend. A very strong and smart and tenacious friend you want in your corner. She doesn't mess around and she won't let you down, she fights hard just for you.

Ann was an excellent Attorney for me at a very deep time of need. She was able to make me, the client, more comfortable confident and her work lead to a much better outcome with my case than expected. Her ability to research all possible ways to help me as a client was excellent and all for a very re...asonable rate. Thank you Ann!