Jonathan Mandel

You may think what I am about to write is an exaggeration. It is not. Jonathan Mandel literally saved my life. I was mis- medicated by a major HMO. This led to me behaving in a very abberant manner and put me in the crosshairs of a zealous D.A. in the San Gabriel Valley on multiple charges, facin...g potential jail time. Jonathan worked with me for a year stridently advocating on my behalf while realistically balancing potential negative outcomes. In the end he negotiated a plea agreement that served to my benefit and led to my eventual acquittal. My case had extremely complicated medical aspects related to it as well as the criminal element. He and his team pored through a lot of case history seeking precedent relevant to my case (there were few). This was in 1998. In the past year due to some changes in how the Federal and State governments interpret plea agreements I encountered a legal complication that Jonathan assisted me with as well. This involved the TSA and CBSA (Canadian Border Services Agency) and many trusted traveler and worker documents that I use in the course of crossing international borders and with working in the maritime industry. Literally three decades later, 1 he remembered me, 2 he helped me, 3 he didn't focus on anything but my need as opposed to filling out forms or getting with a paralegal. The court where this case was heard has been shut down. He found the only remaining document related to my case that was sufficient to resolve my issue and transmitted it to me personally. If you are looking for an ethical upstanding man who is no nonsense, gives you the truth good or bad and will absolutely go to the mat for you. Jonathan Mandel is that man. I would recommend him wholeheartedly to anyone seeking effective counsel.

I hired Jonathan upon the high recommendation of a retired public defender who respected and admired his ethic, background and track record. When Jonathan called us and spoke to me and my son, I felt a huge burden lifted. He clearly knew what was needed to do and told us about his plan and strategy... at our first meeting. It is very reassuring to have someone with experience and expertise in dealing with what was a different world to us. He took time out to give us background on how the judicial process worked which allayed our apprehensions. When the case became more complicated, Jonathan continued to be very patient and understanding. He constantly communicated with us by phone and through email and he was always available to hear us out. Jonathan is someone you definitely want on your side if you are in any legal trouble. Thank you very much.

Jonathan Mandel is an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer. He was referred to me by a trusted friend and prominent Hollywood producer. I thought his services would be way out of my price range, but my freedom's worth much more than I was charged, I can assure you. To dive right in, I was fighting a... maximum of twenty-six years and Jonathan fought and won my 15 month long case by jury trial. Three counts; three "not guilty" verdicts! (If you are curious about what he got my plea deal down to, since this has to be a considered option while fighting charges...4 years prison.) Jonathan has many attributes that contribute to this success, but a few stand out to me. One, is preparedness. He devises strategies a priori and adapts as the court proceedings evolve. For example, his experience and knowledge allowed him to preempt what the District Attorney might do (in terms of what motions need to be filed etc) and was able to keep me informed ahead of time, every step of the way. Another big attribute is his humble nature. He is not afraid to hear and use others ideas. In fact, on my case he brainstormed with and spoke frequently to other law authors, practicing lawyers and law specialists to help him navigate hurdles that are bound to arise in this abstruse legal arena. So, that leads me to value. You get him and so much more via the advice from the aforementioned. That proved invaluable to me. Further, he listened to me and my family, was coherent, and very straightforward about what I was dealing with. I appreciated that. Hopefully, you never find yourself in trouble, but if you are reading this, perhaps you have. Look no further, read no further, Jonathan Mandel is the best lawyer one can get.

I engaged Jonathan after my wife experienced a psychiatric episode from a previously undiagnosed mental illness, and was unfortunately arrested by local law enforcement. He came highly recommended both through my professional network in Los Angeles and through the Department of Mental Health. Jonatha...n was invaluable in helping us maneuver through the very frightening mental competency process, and getting us a hearing immediately after the court declared my wife competent. He successfully negotiated a fair and just resolution of the case with the DA, which will ultimately result in reduction or elimination of all serious charges. Not only is Jonathan THE expert in this area, I am convinced that we would not have had the successful outcome we achieved without the close relationships and respect he has developed with the attorneys, prosecutors and staff of the mental health court and the criminal courts throughout Los Angeles. More importantly, Jonathan helped us feel that someone in this inefficient and often unjust system actually cared about the people caught up in it. I would give Jonathan my highest recommendation for the simplest to the most complex of cases.

Jonathan helped our family through two very difficult situations, involving; the state courts, the ineffectual and apathetic state criminal mental health system, and the federal courts. In every profession, there are a very small percentage of truly outstanding practitioners. What separates them ...from the merely excellent is a passion for performance that springs from a genuine emotional connection with their work. Jonathan is a great example of that passion. He possesses an unbound intellectual curiosity in the human condition, coupled with a deep compassion for those he serves. Add to those characteristics a deep well of experience, dogged determination to achieve the best possible outcome, and a charming and disarmingly easy courtroom demeanor. These are the ingredients of a superstar in the courtroom. If you are unfortunate enough to need the services of someone in Jonathan's line of work, you would be profoundly lucky to have HIM working on your behalf. We are deeply grateful to him.