Michael Keon Athari

Michael Athari is a former Deputy District Attorney who dedicates his practice to defending individuals facing criminal charges and protecting parents in juvenile dependency proceedings. Licensed to practice law in California since 2017, Michael brings an invaluable insider’s perspective to every case. Having served on both sides of the courtroom, he intimately understands how the government investigates, charges, and litigates.

The Insider’s Advantage in Criminal Defense
As a former prosecutor, Michael knows exactly how the state evaluates and builds its cases. Today, he leverages that insider knowledge to anticipate prosecutorial strategies, expose weaknesses in the government’s evidence, and construct highly effective, strategic defenses. He has successfully represented clients facing everything from misdemeanor offenses to serious felony charges throughout California.

Michael understands that a criminal accusation threatens a client’s freedom, career, and family. He approaches every case with meticulous preparation, direct communication, and a fierce commitment to protecting his clients' constitutional rights. Whether negotiating for a dismissal or taking a case to trial, his goal is always to keep his clients one step ahead and secure the best possible outcome.

Fierce Advocacy for Parents and Families
Beyond criminal defense, Michael brings significant experience representing parents in the highly emotional and complex arena of juvenile dependency. Drawing on his background as a defense attorney with the Orange County Children's Advocates Unit, he represents parents facing the devastating prospect of having their children removed or their parental rights restricted. Michael aggressively challenges allegations made by child protective agencies and provides compassionate, strategic advocacy to protect the parent-child relationship.

A Coordinated Legal Strategy
Because legal issues often overlap, Michael also handles restraining order matters from both sides—petitioning for and defending against them. His unique intersection of experience in criminal defense, juvenile dependency, and restraining orders allows him to recognize how an allegation in one courtroom might impact a proceeding in another. This global perspective ensures his clients receive a coordinated legal strategy that protects their entire future.

A Career Dedicated to Justice
Michael's commitment to serving his community began during his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Irvine. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Trinity Law School, where his passion for criminal law was solidified while serving as a law clerk with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Since dedicating his practice entirely to defense in 2021, Michael has handled a wide range of high-stakes cases. Today, he combines his comprehensive experience as a prosecutor, trial attorney, and family advocate to provide results-driven representation tailored to the unique circumstances of every client who walks through his doors.