Michael L Guisti

Michael L Guisti

also known as Michael Guisti

4.3
Rating: 5.6

Licensed for 26 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Irvine, CA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI

2030 Main Street, Suite 1300, Irvine, CA

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024
See Details

About Michael

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 75%

Orange County Criminal Defense Attorneys specializing in Criminal Defense, DUI Defense, serving all of Southern California, Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino. http://www.topcalifornialawyer.com/

28 years | 3,500 cases

75%
DUI and DWI 25%

28 years | 2,000 cases

25%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 26 years

State: California

Acquired: 1999

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2024

Location

Law Office of Michael L. Guisti

2030 Main Street, Suite 1300, Irvine, CA, 92614

Law Office of Michael L. Guisti

10971 Garden Grove Blvd, Suite E, Garden Grove, CA, 92843

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Michael L Guisti's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.3 /5.0

27 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Lawsuits & Disputes

Posted by anonymous | December 10, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

A complicated traffic ticket has been solved with minimal issues

Mr. Guisti has been nothing but a good fortune during the coarse period of taking care of my case (which took about a year). He listened to my case over a simple coffee meeting and he nodded throughout the entire session. What I loved about him is that not only was he helping me understand what kin...d of legal procedure that I'm about to go through, but also didn't forget to share some heartfelt life advice. It felt as if my older uncle was telling me that everything was going to be alright. The case itself was an arduous waiting task. As busy a man Mr. Guisti was, he was understanding enough to answer all my questions and frustration throughout the entire year. Sometimes he was unreachable but I tried my best to not bother him as I understood that he had other matters to attend to. A visual representation of how the case was going would have helped to ease my mind during the process but a couple phone calls was sufficient enough. The very first legal battle that I had I was glad to have Mr. Guisti with me along the way throughout. Even though he was my first attorney that I've hired, I'm more than satisfied to have hired him.

Posted by anonymous | August 30, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Unprepared & Disorganized

I hired Mr Guisti for my case. After the stressful ordeal and now being able to analyze what happened, I would not recommend him. Here is my experience: Mr Guisti was very accommodating in the beginning. He would bring up his same personal story to try to relate to my situation. He did not t...ake notes when I shared my side of the story. After the first few meetings, I requested to review additional discoveries that came up but my call was never returned. Whenever there was a court date, he would rarely show up on time (causing my family and I to wait for our turn with the judge at the end). He did not keep me updated with what is going on unless I ask questions (imagine not knowing what to ask because I do not know the legal process). I had a meeting at his office in Garden Grove which he was not there. I had to call and remind him that we had an appointment. I was not happy with how unprepared and disorganized this experience was. I did not get a sense that he had a support staff. When there was the media, he made it an effort to put himself on the news which I did not find helpful for my case. I wanted to switch to another lawyer early but I could not afford paying another so I dealt with what I had...

Posted by Robert | September 02, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

awesome, easy to talk to lawyer

Michael did a great job for me, his calm knowledgeable confidence and experience in court was obvious and we got a very favorable judgment. Thanks Michael. I highly recommend.

See All Client Reviews

Michael L Guisti's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Michael
Jeffrey Craig Tatch headshot
Jeffrey Tatch

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 23

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Mike and i worked together a few years ago on a gang attempt homicide. we were representing a client together in a stabbing. He is very well versed on pc 186.22 and all the sub sections of the gang law."

Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington headshot
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Mark Wayne Girdner headshot
Mark Girdner

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Michael Guisti. Hard working and aggressive attorney who is dedicated to the success of his clients. Respected by his colleagues within the legal community."

Hieu N Vu headshot
Hieu Vu

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Guisti is a consummate professional who attends to the needs of his clients with attention to detail and does so while simultaneously employing unmatched integrity. He is also very aggressive when he needs to be and cool when the situation calls for it. Put differently, he knows how to litigate and litigate well I endorse this lawyer."

Jesus L Zuniga headshot
Jesus Zuniga

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Shiloh Keith Hoggard headshot
Shiloh Hoggard

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 10

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Ryan Jacob Fishman headshot
Ryan Fishman

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 09

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

Song E Han Bonanomi headshot
Song Bonanomi

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 13

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Michael Guisti for over 10 years. I know he is a dependable attorney who has tremendous experience in the field of criminal law. He has been a great mentor, resource, and friend to me over the years and I have been very fortunate to know him."

Christopher Robert Martens headshot
Christopher Martens

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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

Colin Grant McCallin headshot
Colin McCallin

Unknown lawyer | Oct 03

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. He knows his stuff."

Matthew O'Connell Ward headshot
Matthew Ward

Unknown lawyer | Oct 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Guisti, is a true expert in his field, his outstanding contributions and legal opinions are relied upon by many of the practicing attorneys on Avvo."

Russell J Hebets headshot
Russell Hebets

Unknown lawyer | Oct 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Timothy Edward O'Laughlin headshot
Timothy O'Laughlin

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Michael is well known in the legal community as an effective advocate for his clients."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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

Kirk Seungil An headshot
Kirk An

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 20

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I strongly endorse Michael. I have known Michael since 2002 when we started to work together in a law firm. Since then, I have referred criminal cases to him, worked together in cases, consulted with him on many matters, and vice versa. If there in one aspect that makes him so unique is his intelligence. He is a member of Mensa. His keen intellect helps him to see and spot issues that many lawyers may simply ignore or don't understand. His skill as an seasoned attorney is best illuminated in his trenchant arguments in the courtroom. On top of his legal skills, he also possesses the compassion and ability to mollify the legal demands and intricacies. I have personally experienced him going out of his way to help his clients. As you may surmise, I strongly recommend Michael Guisti if you have a legal problem."

Van Thai Tran headshot
Van Tran

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 20

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I highly endorse Attorney Mike Guisti, a legal colleague who had worked for and with me for many years. I have known Mike professionally since the early 2000's when he was hired on as an associate in my law office. I was highly impressed with Mike's legal work, whether it was drafting a motion/brief or appearing in court on my behalf for a client. He was always professional and efficient. But equally important, I was most impressed with his dedication for the clients, working hard to represent their best interests and explaining to them the intricacies of our judicial system, which could be intimidating to anyone. Over the years, Mike has excelled in his craft and profession as he continues to build his own practice and his reputation as a criminal defense attorney. I know that he works hard on every case, at times consulting with me on legal matters from his law office late at night. I'd recommend Mike for any client who needs an experienced attorney in a crim matter."

View All Endorsements
Jesus L Zuniga headshot
Jesus Zuniga

Criminal defense lawyer

Shiloh Keith Hoggard headshot
Shiloh Hoggard

Criminal defense lawyer

Ryan Jacob Fishman headshot
Ryan Fishman

Criminal defense lawyer

Hieu N Vu headshot
Hieu Vu

Criminal defense lawyer

Douglas MacMillan Borthwick headshot
Douglas Borthwick

Personal injury lawyer

Matthew O'Connell Ward headshot
Matthew Ward

Administrative law lawyer

Russell J Hebets headshot
Russell Hebets

DUI and DWI lawyer

Colin Grant McCallin headshot
Colin McCallin

Unknown lawyer

Song E Han Bonanomi headshot
Song Bonanomi

Litigation lawyer

Casey Reed Johnson headshot
Casey Johnson

Personal injury lawyer

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer

Timothy Edward O'Laughlin headshot
Timothy O'Laughlin

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  5.6 (Average)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024.

Discipline with Actual Suspension issued in CA, 2024

updated on 05/21/2024

This sanction means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Honors

2016

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2015

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2015

The Nation's Ton One percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel

2014

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2011

Top Ten Litigators, Brutaco

2004

Marjorie Day Award, Robert A. Banyard Inn of Court

1999

American Jurisprudence Award, Bancroft Whitney

Work Experience

1999 - Present

Attorney at Law, Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti

Associations

2000 - Present

Robert A. Banyard American Inn of Court

Barrister

1999 - Present

Orange County Bar Association

Member

1999 - Present

State Bar of California

Member

1999 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

1999 - Present

Italian-American Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

People v. Roberts

Charge reduced from felony to infraction

People v. Bui

DA reduced charges from Gang Murder to to accessory after the fact

See More Legal Cases

Education

1998

Western State University College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1991

American College

CLU

Speaking Engagements

2014

Regular meeting

Office of Board of Equalization

2011

Hearing on VotingPrecinct Re-districting

Re-Districting of Voting Precincts

2008

Townhall Meeting

Police Brutality

2004

Regular Meeting

The Accidental Accomplice

1999

Commencement Ceremony

Commencement Address

Publications

2013

Orange County Register DA Adopts Shaming Tactics

2012

California Civil Procedure Foreign Judgements

2004

Western State University Law Review California Antitrust Law After Weil

2002

California Appellate Reporter In Re Marriage of Rassier

Languages

English

Activity

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
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024
    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