Michael P Cognata

I hired Michael in the past for a DUO case. I called him recently on an unrelated question and I remembered how well he treated me during my hour of woe. so I decided to make this review. I was arrested for DUi and he took my case. it was a kind of high alcohol case and an accident. no one injur...ed but me. long and short. Michael found a technicality that he brought to the DA. He agreed to reduce my duo to a reckless driving. Michael also saved my license at the DMV. Michael in his firm made it Tolerable the experience, save my license and got me a reduced charge. d

I hired him after my mailbox got bombarded with numerous lawyer solicitations. He was a great salesman with the whole, "I'm a ex-cop, pro temp judge thing" but immediately it became just about me ponying up the dough. Onset he told me he submitted a proof letter, that there where too many inconsisten...cies in my police report which he later dismissed saying he found no probable cause after he took the first plea bargain the DA put on the table, then got upset when I questioned him about it. I have NEVER met this man in person, he would say sure we can meet to appease me but NEVER had time to consult with me in person and strategize just E-MAILS that's it. He sends this other lawyer Conrad in his place which is very confusing, "If you are sending your legal assistants from Legal Rights Advocates located in Westlake Village why does Conrad's card say Placentia, CA? Michael has no compassion or heart and doesn't have a problem showing it ONCE he's gotten your $2500. I also received a nice bonus from CHP, here's what happened: DMV suspended my license and ordered me to go to AB541 (alcohol classes) I paid the fine $125. to get a restricted license, half way through the classes I got a letter informing me that CHP has went to the judge and had him put a $25,000. warrant out for my arrest for failure to appear in court and/or pay fines (which at the time HE supposedly was appearing on my behalf) he definitely dropped the ball, he then explains over the phone to just ignore, they call that bagging a body and how I'm no longer a human being just a number/ body in the system. Now I have collections agency threatening if I don't pony up $1122. for the CHP being dispatched to my accident scene and me getting arrested for a DUI. If I let a 7 year old read this police report they would say the police keeps changing his story, obviously lied about Field Sobriety Test, huge time gaps that's because the officer omitted vital evidence and lied on witnesses just to build a solid case against me. I hired Michael Cognata to defend me, he acted like I worked for him, spoke to me in a condescending tone and let me down! I asked for calibration and maintenance logs and I have this e-mail from Michael upset because I wouldn't take the first deal saying, I demanded the logs and 911, wait this should have been part of his 4 point investigation and already in his possession? I am emotionally, mentally, physically and financially broken. If you can't afford a lawyer with a PROVEN history settle for a Public Defender.

Micheal Cognata is nothing more than a court appointed attorney, but will charge you $2500 to do the same job. When you speak with him he'll always call you from a private number, does not return phone calls, and has no concerns for his clients. He sent someone else to represent me, and kept me wai...ting as well. I truely believe he is the worst lawyer I have ever dealt with, period.

My first phone call with him was great! He spoke to me for 45 minutes explaining to me every last detail and I felt he would be a great person to represent me. Never heard from him again until right before my court date. He said he emailed me the papers with the court info and time which he didn't.... He had me show up to DTLA at 8:30 am. 1. I didn't need to be there. 2. It was an all day court that didn't even start until 9:30. 3. HE DIDN'T SHOW UP UNTIL 10:45! He was in other courtrooms. He gave me his ipad to look over some papers and I could see he had 6 other hearings that morning and stacked them all on the same morning. I was frustrated because I never received my paperwork so I was driving to DTLA that morning not knowing if it was even the correct date (I had remembered it in my head) and couldn't get a hold of him. Finally, after multiple attempts, he texted me that he was in another courtroom and would be there soon. When he finally showed up, I told him he never sent me any of my paperwork. He snapped back at me that it doesn't matter anymore and to move forward! He went in front of the judge, said nothing, 2 seconds later I was done and have a DUI charge. Had I known then what I know now, a first DUI, a lawyer is a complete waste of money, especially a jerk. His initial phone call made me very optimistic that I could get out of it and that there were many options but that is not reality. Oh and best part, this was DTLA, NOT a nice area, and he had on this massive watch with every ounce fully covered in diamonds; not just the face but that band and every little piece.

Michael just called me and gave me the news. After hopping up and down I decided it was something I should do for him and that is to leave this review. I have this first time DUI where I crashed my car. It was a drug DUI. I'm in my 60's and am a CFO of a large corp. needless to say I did not need a d...ui. michael has appeared for me in court 8 or 9 times as the prosecutor was not ready to make the deal I needed. Michael did tell me that not all cases can be reduced especially where there's been an accident. he also early on told me that he looked into possible mandatory dismissal issues but there were none for me to take advantage of. But when he called today he did not sound excited so I didn't quite hear what he had to tell me it took a while to process but they finally agreed to dismiss the DUI and allow me to plead to regular reckless driving. Not what they call wet reckless but a dry reckless. Michael has explained this to me as that dry means none alcohol related and no DUI school and it is not a prior conviction against me for any future DUI cases that I swear I wont get anyway. kept me well informed he is a master at what he does I cannot tell you how relieved and pleased I am at the end of the day. I will definitely refer anyone I find having a similar problem in the future to Michael and his firm. Thank you so much for your compassion and your skill.