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Josh is a Certified Criminal Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and a graduate of Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College. Josh has achieved dozens of "not guilty" and hung jury verdicts in addition to hundred of cases negotiated down to infractions or outright dismissed.
While over 9,200 attorneys in California list criminal law as a practice area on Avvo, under four hundred are Certified Specialists. Before achieving this distinction an applicant must complete a 6 hour examination, demonstrate a broad range of criminal law experience in jury trials, writs, and appeals, and submit dozens of references from judges, defense attorneys, and prosecutors.
Josh graduated from Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College in September 2017. The Trial Lawyer's College is an intensive 3-week program where students learn and practice trial techniques developed by Spence.
Josh has handled thousands of criminal cases, ranging from DUI to homicide, and has tried over 60 cases to a jury. Josh is a graduate of Cornell Law School, an Ivy League institution and one of the top 10 law schools in the country. At Cornell, Josh was a general editor of the Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy, and published a law journal article. Josh knew early in his law school career that his passion was in criminal law, defending individuals who had made a mistake and were now facing punishment in one of the harshest and most punitive criminal “justice” systems in the world.
Josh practiced criminal law as a public defender for almost 9 years, including 6 ½ years at the Public Defender Office in Indio. Josh has shown his vigor and ability as a trial attorney, taking over 20 misdemeanor and 40 felony cases to trial. Josh has done jury trials in almost every kind of criminal case, ranging from simple DUIs and misdemeanor domestic violence to sexual assault, rape, child molest, mayhem, and murder. Josh has been very successful in jury trials and his hard work and creative defenses have resulted in dozens of ‘not guilty’ verdicts for his clients. Josh has presented creative defenses in his practice that have led juries to acquittals in seemingly hopeless cases. For example, in an auto theft case where the stolen vehicle was found in his client’s garage, Josh researched and utilized an obscure and seldom-used mental health defense that resulted in an acquittal without subjecting his client to a lifetime in a state mental hospital. On a separate occasion, Josh was able to qualify a homeless scrap metal collector as an expert, and the jury relied on the man’s expertise in acquitting Josh’s client. Josh’s thorough and smart approach to cases also helped his clients get amazing results in plea-bargaining. Josh recently persuaded prosecutors to accept pleas to manslaughter in two separate homicide cases, a rare success in Riverside County. In another recent case, Josh was able to avoid a 12-year sentence for a client by aggressively pursuing an extensive and judicially acceptable rehabilitation package for a client over the prosecution’s strenuous objection. Now Josh’s client is seriously addressing his addiction issues in a posh rehabilitation facility, rather than rotting in the county jail. No attorney can guarantee results, but the Wilkerson & Mulligan Law Firm can guarantee fair dealing, personal service, and a smart and strong defense. We fight hard to get the best possible result for every client.
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Practice Areas
22 years | 5,000 cases
22 years | 500 cases
22 years | 500 cases
22 years | 100 cases
Free Consultation
$0 first 90 minutes
State: California
Acquired: 2004
No misconduct found
Mobile
78-060 Calle Estado, Suite 21, La Quinta, CA, 92253
mulligandefense.com
Other places you can find Joshua online.
Showing 1 - 5 of 30 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Doug | September 29, 2024 | Hired Attorney
I can’t recommend Josh and his team any higher. My family and I are so grateful to have had Josh Mulligan guide us through a very traumatic and stressful time in our lives. And yes with a happy ending! Josh is a true team player/coach and he played both positions with passion and confidence. I belie...
Posted by Jae S | June 28, 2024 | Hired Attorney
We are truly grateful to Atty. Mulligan. Prior to hiring Atty. Mulligan, we previously hired a law firm that just gave us different lawyers every hearing and was absolutely no help to our situation. As soon as Atty. Mulligan took over, everything was quick and settled. He is very honest, direct, pro...
Posted by Colin | January 26, 2024 | Hired Attorney
I highly recommend Josh Mulligan. He reviewed my case and charged me a one-time fee. He was always available to discuss the case. He was on time and very professional. He had my temporary restraining order dissolved immediately which allowed me to continue to work in the ER I am currently in. Hi...
Posted by Parham | January 15, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is long overdue. I was in need of an attorney in a pretty bad situation. I contacted many law offices and they all had the same behavior. They would put fear in me and try to have me sign the retainer on the spot. They really tried taking advantage of me. When I contacted Josh...
Posted by Candace | January 12, 2023 | Hired Attorney
I was involved in a car accident with a woman and as it was my fault I was terribly nervous over the fact that I could be held accountable for large amount of restitution to her. My case was dismissed due to the excellent handling of my case. I was so grateful that I had chosen Joshua Mulligan as m...
"Josh Mulligan is a sterling lawyer, a cut above. He cares about his clients, knows the law cold, and refuses to be intimidated by aggressive prosecutors. He talks softly and carries a big stick, especially at trial. Unlike some criminal defense lawyers Mulligan has been in the trenches for years, trying the most serious (and apparently hopeless) cases and pulling rabbits out of hats. If you or a family member are in a jam with the awful machinery of "criminal justice" you can hardly pick a better guide through the thicket than Mulligan. He is trustworthy, hard-working, whip-smart, and seasoned."
"As an attorney, we develop a short list of colleagues that we'll turn to for guidance and support. Josh is on my short list. When I have legal questions, I'd never hesitate to question this attorney, as his knowledge of criminal law is not only extensive, but more importantly, accurate. Ask any lawyer a question and you will get an answer. With Josh, you'll get the right answer. I endorse this attorney as a colleague, and although I hope I'd never need his services as a client, if I were in a legal bind, I'd hire Wilkerson & Mulligan to represent me. They have "fight" in them, love a challenge, and will not compromise their client's best interests."
"Joshua is one of the smartest lawyers I have met and worked with. He rose quickly at the Riverside County Public Defender office where we worked together as lawyers for several years to successfully handle the most serious cases there were. He has since grown a successful private practice with his wife and continues to enjoy and enhance a very strong reputation within our legal community. I would not hestitate to seek his representation on any type of criminal matter. His work ethic and character are strong and he has a strong committment to defending the rights of those who are accused of crimes; more importantly, he exhibits sincere empathy and concern for those who seek his help."
"I consider Josh a brilliant legal mind whose pure dedication to his clients, and the defense of their rights, has gained him very positive favor within the legal community. Although his zealous defense and advocacy skills are top notch, perhaps his most admired characteristic is his unrivaled desire to obtain nothing but the most equalizing justice. I would feel completely comfortable having Josh serve as my defense counsel in any criminal matter, regardless of significance, He is also a Gerry Spence Trial Lawyer's College Graduate as well, so he has extensive training in Trial Advocacy through hands-on training by some of the greatest attorneys of our generation."
"Joshua is an amazing attorney. He is skilled, compassionate, and knowledgeable. He attended a prestigious trial college where he was able to develop his skills. I have the utmost faith in him. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I had the privilege of working with Joshua at Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College in Wyoming. He is an aggressive advocate who will go the extra mile for his clients."
"It is my pleasure to work in a legal community where Joshua Mulligan and his partner Forest Wilkerson are defending clients charged with criminal defenses. My work in civil rights often overlaps with these types of cases and client communities, and I feel privileged that Josh and Forest are available to offer guidance to me, and also to serve as a resource and potential attorneys for my clients who need them."
"Mr. Mulligan has an unblemished reputation in the community as a serious, seasoned, and intelligent advocate for his clients. I asked Mr. Mulligan for some input a few months back, and he gladly listened and then provided valuable advice. I came away very impressed with him. I would not hesitate to recommend Mr. Mulligan."
"Without hesitation, I endorse this lawyer. I worked with Josh for many years at the Public Defender's Office, and while there I would often seek his advice and counsel on cases, especially when there were complex issues involved. Josh is extremely creative, intelligent, and aggressive in his approach to defending clients. He also has a big heart and is trustworthy, which helps Josh connect well with clients. The combination of the above make him one of the best attorneys out there. If you're searching for a lawyer, look no further."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. Josh and I worked together for the Riverside County Public Defender's Office for several years, where Josh was a senior attorney to me. I would often go to Josh for advice and ideas due to the breadth and depth of his knowledge and creative arguments. I always considered him as one of the anchor attorneys of the office and would not hesitate recommending to anyone that they retain Josh for their defense needs."
"Lawyers there are aplenty in California and elsewhere; but lawyers with heart, not so much. I worked with Joshua Mulligan when we were deputy public defenders in Tulare County and I know him both as a lawyer and as human being and I unhesitatingly, unreservedly and enthusiastically endorse him as both a lawyer and a human being."
"Josh was my mentor at the Public Defender Office in Indio and taught me, most importantly, to be creative in defense of my clients, to never be afraid to present a tricky defense, and, most importantly, to never be intimidated by judges or prosecutors. These lessons have served me well in many victories in criminal trials. Josh is one of the most intelligent attorneys that I've known, and his intellect is most obvious during difficult cross-examinations. He is thorough in his approach to cases and dedicated to his clients in a way that is rare among many defense attorneys. Josh not only works through his own cases, but has an interest in the policy that relates to all criminal defendants and others caught up in our overreaching criminal "justice" system. Josh has experience beyond his years and has tried many more cases than those at his level. He has also been able to resolve difficult cases, sparing his clients life in prison. I strongly endorse this lawyer."
"Few attorneys can survive, must less thrive in the environment of the public defender's office. Josh is the exception. My work with Mr. Mulligan illustrated his considerable breath of experience, insightful approach to cases, patience in client communications and complete and practical understanding of the processes that defendants and attorneys find themselves subjected to. I would gladly recommend him for even the most serious criminal cases...especially those that are trial bound."
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2020
Top Lawyer, Palm Springs Life Magazine
2018
Top Lawyer, Palm Springs Life Magazine
2017
Top Lawyer, Palm Springs Life Magazine
2016
Top Lawyer, Palm Springs Life Magazine
2016
Certified Criminal Law Specialist, The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
2015
Nation's Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2015
Top Lawyer, Coachella Valley, Palm Springs Life Magazine
2014
Top Attorney, Coachella Valley, Palm Springs Life Magazine
2013 - Present
Partner, Wilkerson & Mulligan
2007 - 2013
Deputy Public Defender, Riverside County Public Defender's Office
2005 - 2007
Deputy Public Defender, Tulare County Public Defender
2004 - 2004
Full time internship, Alameda County Public Defender's Office
2003 - 2003
Summer Intern, San Francisco Public Defender
2007 - Present
California Public Defenders AssociationMember
2003 - 2004
Cornell Journal of Law and Public PolicyGeneral Editor
2002 - 2003
Cornell Journal of Law and Public PolicyAssociate
dismissed
lesser charge
lesser charge
Dismissed
2017
Graduate
2004
JD - Juris Doctor
1999
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2019
Mock Trial Attorney Coach
2013
2004
English
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