Graham Douglas Donath

PRO

Graham Douglas Donath

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 20 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Riverside, CA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Violent Crime, Juvenile ... +4 more

3801 University Avenue, Suite 260, Riverside, CA

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Graham

Biography

Award winning Criminal & DUI defense attorney - State Bar Certified Criminal Law Specialist

Award winning Criminal & DUI defense attorney - State Bar Certified Criminal Law Specialist

Award winning Criminal & DUI defense attorney, providing superior representation that gets results.

Award winning Juvenile defense attorney, providing superior representation that gets results.

Award winning Criminal & DUI defense attorney, providing superior representation that gets results.

Practice Areas

7

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 25%

As a State Bar Certified Legal Specialist in Criminal Law, Attorney Graham Donath stands among the top criminal defense attorneys in the State of California. At the Law Offices of Graham Donath, APC, we have successfully litigated all types of criminal charges ranging from reckless driving to capital murder, and are available to handle any type of criminal matter.

20 years | 4,000 cases

25%
Violent Crime 20%

As a State Bar Certified Legal Specialist in Criminal Law, Attorney Graham Donath stands among the top criminal defense attorneys in the State of California. At the Law Offices of Graham Donath, APC, we have successfully litigated all types of criminal charges ranging from reckless driving to capital murder, and are available to handle any type of criminal matter.

20 years | 1,000 cases

20%
Domestic Violence 15%

As a State Bar Certified Legal Specialist in Criminal Law, Attorney Graham Donath stands among the top criminal defense attorneys in the State of California. At the Law Offices of Graham Donath, APC, we have successfully litigated all types of criminal charges ranging from reckless driving to capital murder, and are available to handle any type of criminal matter.

20 years | 500 cases

15%
Juvenile Law 15%

As a State Bar Certified Legal Specialist in Criminal Law, Attorney Graham Donath stands among the top criminal defense attorneys in the State of California. At the Law Offices of Graham Donath, APC, we have successfully litigated all types of criminal charges ranging from reckless driving to capital murder, and are available to handle any type of criminal matter.

20 years | 500 cases

15%
Sex Crime 10%

As a State Bar Certified Legal Specialist in Criminal Law, Attorney Graham Donath stands among the top criminal defense attorneys in California. At the Law Offices of Graham Donath, APC, we have successfully litigated all types of criminal matters.

20 years | 500 cases

10%
White Collar Crime 10%

As a State Bar Certified Legal Specialist in Criminal Law, Attorney Graham Donath stands among the top criminal defense attorneys in the State of California. At the Law Offices of Graham Donath, APC, we have successfully litigated all types of crimi

20 years | 500 cases

10%
Expungement 5%

As a State Bar Certified Legal Specialist in Criminal Law, Attorney Graham Donath stands among the top criminal defense attorneys in California. At the Law Offices of Graham Donath, APC, we have successfully litigated all types of criminal matters.

20 years | 500 cases

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2022 2012
Top Contributor
Top Contributor
2012
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in California for 20 years

State: California

Acquired: 2006

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Graham D. Donath, APC

3801 University Avenue, Suite 260, Riverside, CA, 92501

gddlaw.com/

Law Offices of Graham Donath, A.P.C.

2030 Main Street, Suite 210, Irvine, CA, 92614

gddlaw.com/

Online Presence

Other places you can find Graham online.

Graham Douglas Donath's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

33 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (33) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Lawsuits & Disputes

Posted by anonymous | August 09, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Amazing Lawyer and Group!!!

This Law firm is by far the most helpful, considerate, respectful, knowledgeable, and communicative group I have ever worked with. I had a horrible experience with another law firm that did not represent me and used scare tactics to get more money out of me and continue getting me unfavorable outcome...s. I finally reached out to this group for help and they were very understanding. They quoted me a very reasonable price for representation and we’re able to fix the mess my previous lawyer made and in fact improved my situation by getting me much better terms only after one hearing. They have given me hope for a better future and I would recommend them to anyone who is dealing with a similar situation as mine. I can’t thank them enough for what they have done for me, they were a blessing in my life.

Posted by Kristin | March 25, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Straightforward, highly effective. Look no further.

Never thought I would have the need to use these services. And made a few calls before calling here. The other calls I made were disappointing, I could practically hear the cash register ringing as I spoke with them. When you are in this situation you already feel “processed” and you want to feel tha...t your attorney sees you as a person, not an invoice. I did a little more research online and really like Graham Donath’s credentials, so called his office. From my very first call to Carrie in the office, I felt reassured and well taken care of. She is empathetic, professional, and super responsive and excellent with follow through. When Mr. Donath called me for my initial consult, (outside of office hours, which I really appreciated) I felt exactly the same way. He immedialy impressed me as very skillful and knowledgable. When we went to the hearing, he was able to resolve my case quickly, the outcome was the best possible one. Having called around before deciding on him, I also found his rate to be reasonable. For the level of professionalism, service, and knowledge, as well as a successful outcome, this was money well spent and peace of mind restored.

Posted by El | December 22, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

EXCELLENT attorney!

First and foremost, I want to thank Graham for walking me through, quite possibly one of the most uncertain times in life. I will not go into the details of my case, but the repercussions were severe, and it could have potentially destroyed my future. Against the odds, Graham successfully managed to ...pull me out of the depths of a legal nightmare, and he went above and beyond to ensure an excellent outcome. Graham’s expertise, professionalism, honesty, and representation are incomparable to other attorneys I have had. Graham handled my case professionally while he and his two excellent legal assistants, Carrie and Deanna, kept me updated on the progress consistently. Furthermore, Graham is greatly respected in the courtrooms and, more importantly, respected by every judge. So, If you find yourself in a legal situation where you need to depend on an attorney, I strongly encourage you to reach out to Graham. He’s a phenomenal attorney that believes in his clients and, more importantly, aggressively fights for them. Thanks again, Graham!

Posted by Ayman A. | January 28, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

THE BEST

"Words can't describe how much I appreciate the level of professionalism and honesty I received as a client of the Law Offices of Graham Donath. Graham was always in contact with me through every step of my case. Easily accessible. Always courteous and attentive. He never sugar coated anything or ga...ve me false hope or unrealistic expectations. He was true to his word and got me everything I wanted out of my case. If you are on the fence about which law firm to choose, do yourself and your family a favor and trust in Graham Donath because he came through for me and I am forever grateful!! I truly wish there were 10 stars to give the Law Offices of Graham Donath. Graham represented me and he was very professional yet made me feel as though he was representing a family member of his. He is patient, persistent, kind, honest, effective, efficient, and gets the job done. Another quality I really liked about Graham that he doesn't like to lose!! I feel compelled to write a review for anyone seeking an attorney who will not just represent you but will make you feel heard and that your case matters ... Graham Donath is the one!!

Posted by Adam | April 26, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Professional

I previously hired another attorney and my experience was awful. I was then referred to Graham and the difference in professionalism is night and day. My trial isn't completed, but I have no hesitation in writing a 5 star review because regardless of the outcome, I have complete confidence in Graha...m as my attorney. I would recommend him if you're looking for a lawyer that is both professional and knowledgeable.

See All Client Reviews

Graham Douglas Donath's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Graham
John Matthew Dorr headshot
John Dorr

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. He does a great job for his clients!"

Nithin Busa Reddy headshot
Nithin Reddy

Criminal defense lawyer | May 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Graham is a refined litigator with a great presence in the courtroom. He works hard to get the best outcome for his clients."

James Melvin Taylor headshot
James Taylor

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Graham for many years now. He is an excellent lawyer who fights hard for his clients. He is very respected in the courts."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | May 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Graham. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Philip Courtland Greenberg headshot
Philip Greenberg

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Mr. Donath for a number of years and have the highest respect for him as a lawyer. He is extremely well versed in the area of criminal law and represents his clients with their best interests in mind and obtains excellent results, whether that is in trial or through negotiations."

William Gerhard Holzer headshot
William Holzer

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 01

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Graham is a talented, hardworking, and ethical defense attorney. He has an excellent reputation in the Riverside legal community. As a former Riverside prosecutor, I witnessed his abilities on numerous occasions."

Laurie Ann Schmidt headshot
Laurie Schmidt

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 20

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

George William Abbes headshot
George Abbes

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 10

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Graham is an excellent litigator with superior research skills and is great at presenting his case to the court."

Jeffrey George Moore headshot
Jeffrey Moore

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Donath is a skilled and dedicated attorney who is well-versed in the complex issues of criminal defense. I endorse this lawyer."

Keith John Bruno headshot
Keith Bruno

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 25

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Graham is a fantastic and diligent advocate. I endorse his work 100%."

Thomas Victor Wallin headshot
Thomas Wallin

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 30

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I strongly recommend Mr. Donath. He is a reputable attorney who I had the pleasure of working on a matter with. He is extremely knowledgeable and I am confident in his ability to handle any case."

Patrick Anthony Rossetti headshot
Patrick Rossetti

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I've known Graham for several years and have had many cases with him. I was always glad to have him as co-counsel on a case because I knew I had an excellant and experianced attorney to work with."

Dale Scott Kirkendall headshot
Dale Kirkendall

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Anthony Sean Khoury headshot
Anthony Khoury

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 10

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I worked with Mr. Donath many years ago at the Ventura County District Attorney's Office and found him to be very engaging and highly committed to the pursuit of justice. Now, as the proprietor of his own criminal defense firm, he uses his extensive experience in the criminal justice system to the benefit of his clients. If you need an experienced, but energized and ambitious, criminal defense attorney in Orange County or Riverside County, you should definitely contact him!"

Nicole Lambros headshot
Nicole Lambros

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have had the opportunity to work with and observe Mr. Donath both in and outside the courtroom. Mr. Donath approaches all of his cases with dedication and diligence. He conducts himself with the utmost professionalism, yet he has an energetic and approachable demeanor. His colleagues and his adversaries respect him, but most importantly, his clients appreciate him."

Chase Edward Corum headshot
Chase Corum

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Donath is an intelligent, hard-working, dedicated and passionate attorney. I have worked with him on several matters, as well as referred clients to him, all with fantastic results. I recommend him to the fullest extent possible."

Bart Kasperowicz headshot
Bart Kasperowicz

Criminal defense lawyer | May 18

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer wholeheartedly. Graham Donath doesn't blink in the face of intimidation--which is a quality that only few trial lawyers have. We've worked together on mulitple defendant cases and I've seen his professionalism at work first hand."

Travis Conrad Logue headshot
Travis Logue

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I am honored to endorse Graham Donath. He has an incredible work ethic and knowledge of criminal law and procedure. He understands what it takes to leverage weaknesses of the State's cases into incredible offers for his clients. Further, the district attorneys know that Graham is a fierce opponent in the courtroom who is not afraid to take cases to trial. I trust Graham to obtain outstanding results, so should you."

Troy Austin Pickard headshot
Troy Pickard

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 22

Relationship: Co-worker

"If I was ever charged with a crime in California, I would be very fortunate to have Graham as my attorney!"

View All Endorsements
Nithin Busa Reddy headshot
Nithin Reddy

Criminal defense lawyer

Daniel Linson Greenberg headshot
Daniel Greenberg

Criminal defense lawyer

James Melvin Taylor headshot
James Taylor

Criminal defense lawyer

Peter Joseph Morreale headshot
Peter Morreale

Criminal defense lawyer

Philip Courtland Greenberg headshot
Philip Greenberg

Criminal defense lawyer

William Gerhard Holzer headshot
William Holzer

Criminal defense lawyer

Laurie Ann Schmidt headshot
Laurie Schmidt

Criminal defense lawyer

Jeffrey George Moore headshot
Jeffrey Moore

Criminal defense lawyer

George William Abbes headshot
George Abbes

Criminal defense lawyer

Troy Austin Pickard headshot
Troy Pickard

Criminal defense lawyer

Chase Edward Corum headshot
Chase Corum

Contracts and agreements lawyer

Nicole Lambros headshot
Nicole Lambros

Criminal defense lawyer

Keith John Bruno headshot
Keith Bruno

Criminal defense lawyer

Anthony Sean Khoury headshot
Anthony Khoury

Criminal defense lawyer

Lori Ann Myers headshot
Lori Myers

Criminal defense lawyer

Thomas Victor Wallin headshot
Thomas Wallin

DUI and DWI lawyer

Bart Kasperowicz headshot
Bart Kasperowicz

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

2019

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2018

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2017

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2016

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2015

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Orange County's Top Criminal Defense Lawyers, Coast Magazine

2015

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2015

Nation's Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel

2015

Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys Under 40, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys

2014

Certified Specialist - Criminal Law, State Bar of California

2014

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2013

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2008

Trial Attorney of the Year, Misdemeanors, The Law Offices of the Public Defender of Riverside County

Work Experience

2010 - 2012

Partner, Stepanian & Donath LLP

2007 - 2009

Deputy Public Defender, The Law Offices of the Public Defender of Riverside County

2003 - 2004

Law Clerk, Ventura County District Attorney's Office

Associations

2017 - Present

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

Board Member

2013 - Present

Orange County Criminal Defense Bar Association

Attorney Member

2013 - Present

National Trial Lawyers Association

Member

2012 - Present

Riverside County Bar Association

Member

2012 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Attorney Member

2012 - Present

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

Attorney Member

2012 - Present

California DUI Lawyers Association

Member

2011 - Present

Los Angeles County Bar Association

Attorney Member

2009 - Present

Orange County Bar Association

Member

2009 - Present

California Public Defenders Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

People v. J.S.

Aquitted of all charges

People v. A.D.

Result: Hung Jury on all charges – No Conviction

People v. D.B.

Result: Not Guilty on all charges

People v. M.E.

Result: Hung Jury on all charges – No Conviction

People v. J.B.

Result: Case Dismissed – Illegal Search and Seizure

People v. C.H.

Result: Hung Jury on all charges – No Conviction

People v. D.H.

Result: Not Guilty on all charges

People v. C.A.

Result: Not Guilty on all charges

People v. F.G.

Result: Hung Jury on all charges – No Conviction

People v. P.D.

Result: Not Guilty on all charges

People v. J.M.

Result: Not Guilty on all charges

See More Legal Cases

Education

2005

University of California, Hastings College of the Law

Juris Doctorate

2001

Claremont McKenna College

Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2009

Government

The Role of Criminal Defense in Society

Publications

Languages

English

Activity

Top Contributor

Graham earned significant contribution points in 2012.

Avvo Rating

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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