Keith Howard Rutman

PRO

Keith Howard Rutman

4.2
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 36 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at San Diego, CA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Civil Rights, Appeals

501 W BROADWAY, STE 1650, San Diego, CA

Free Consultation

About Keith

Biography

Telling you what you need to know, not what you want to hear.

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 65%

37 years

65%
Civil Rights 25%

37 years

25%
Appeals 10%

37 years

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 175-250 per hour

Contingency

33%-40%

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Distinguished Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in California for 36 years

State: California

Acquired: 1989

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Keith Howard Rutman

501 W BROADWAY, STE 1650, San Diego, CA, 92101-3541

krutmanlaw.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Keith online.

Keith Howard Rutman's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.2 /5.0

5 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (5) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Communication Style

Posted by Thomas | November 26, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Misleading , worsened my case

He answers your case questions once when you hire him. But then wouldn't notify / answers your calls and emails about progress on the case. Provided me with misleading info just to get rid off me till the hearing. And then when the hearing date come up , he told me completely different scenarios of... outcome for which I sure was not prepared for based on what I heard from him previously. I wouldn't even hire him if he told me that before. What a waste.

Keith Rutman

Replied last November 27, 2022

I’m sorry you feel this way. This case and situation are not familiar to me. Please provide me your full name so I can locate and review the file and further respond. Thank you

See All Client Reviews

Keith Howard Rutman's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Keith
Somair Syed Alam headshot
Somair Alam

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Keith is an exceptional criminal defense attorney whose reputation speaks for itself. Highly recommended lawyer."

Michael Colin Macneil headshot
Michael Macneil

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 17

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Paul J. Molinaro headshot
Paul Molinaro

Civil rights lawyer | Sep 15

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Charles L. Goldberg headshot
Charles Goldberg

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 11

Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer.He is honest, smart, diligent and always has his client's interests in mind."

James Nelson Dicks headshot
James Dicks

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"This attorney works very hard for the client and keeps up with the law by attending legal seminars to assist them in this regard. I endorse this attorney."

Michael Shemtoub headshot
Michael Shemtoub

Appeals lawyer | Sep 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Your resume speaks for itself and I consider you a valuable member of the attorney community. I would recommend you to anyone and everyone who needs your services. I whole heartedly endorse this lawyer!"

Samuel Clayton Gazzo headshot
Samuel Gazzo

Civil rights lawyer | Nov 18

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I worked opposing Keith in a federal civil rights claim brought in federal court. Keith was creative and determined to advocate his clients interests and was a pleasure to work with. A true professional in every regard. Enthusiastically recommended and endorsed!"

Jon Martin Pettis headshot
Jon Pettis

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Rutman is a talented lawyer who I have had the pleasure of observing in court for years. He zealously works to advocate for his clients and is a talented criminal defense attorney."

Anthony Kidd headshot
Anthony Kidd

Civil rights lawyer | Mar 06

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Mr. Rutman is a outstanding attorney. I opposed him in a Civil Rights case when I was employed by the San Diego City Attorneys Office. I found him to be smart, hard working, and passionate about his case."

Brian Paul Funk headshot
Brian Funk

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 05

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Daniel Martin Smith headshot
Daniel Smith

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Keith is an incredibly talented and dedicated lawyer. He is equally adept in State and Federal Courtl. I Highly recomend Keith Rutman. Sincerely, Dan Smtih"

Mary Frances Prevost headshot
Mary Prevost

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have had the opportunity to both work on cases and consult with Keith Rutman over the years. He is an outstanding trial lawyer and advocate."

Frank Vincent Puglia headshot
Frank Puglia

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 01

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Keith and I have handled very complicated trials together including multiple bank robberies and murder cases. I highly endorse Keith for your panel. He is always a well prepared, caring, and aggressive criminal defense attorney."

View All Endorsements
Michael Colin Macneil headshot
Michael Macneil

Criminal defense lawyer

Gretchen Fusilier headshot
Gretchen Fusilier

Criminal defense lawyer

Charles L. Goldberg headshot
Charles Goldberg

Criminal defense lawyer

Patrick Q. Hall headshot
Patrick Hall

Criminal defense lawyer

Samuel Clayton Gazzo headshot
Samuel Gazzo

Litigation lawyer

Daniel Martin Smith headshot
Daniel Smith

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2016

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2015

Board Certified, National Board of Trial Advocacy

2015

Trial Lawyer of the Year, Criminal Defense Bar Association of San Diego

2014

BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

1994 - Present

Founding Partner, Law Office of Keith H. Rutman

Associations

2002 - Present

William B. Enright Inns of Court

Master

1989 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

1989 - Present

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

Education

1989

Univ of San Diego SOL

JD - Juris Doctor

1986

Brandeis Univ

BA - Bachelor of Arts

1982

Stuyvesant HS

Publications

N/A

san diego lawyer magazine san diego lawyer magazine

Languages

Spanish

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution