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Michael L Guisti
also known as Michael Guisti
About Michael
Biography
photography, music, motorcycling, travel,
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
75%
28 years | 3,500 cases
DUI and DWI
25%
28 years | 2,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 26 years
State: California
Acquired: 1999
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
Gallery
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Michael L Guisti's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
27 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (27)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Case Results (18)
Advocacy (17)
Recommendation (12)
Professionalism (10)
Practice Area Knowledge (9)
Character & Conduct (8)
Communication Style (8)
Responsiveness (8)
Compassion (6)
General Knowledge (6)
Cost of Services (5)
Trustworthiness (4)
Staff & Support (2)
Free Consultations (1)
Punctuality (1)
Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews | Character & Conduct
Posted by Charles | June 25, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Worst lawyer you can hire. Don’t waste your money like I did.
THIS MAN IS A FRAUD!!!!!!!! I want to start formost by warning anyone who is willing to give Michael L. Guisti a shot at defending them in the court of law, this man is a horrible lawyer. HE WAS SUSPENDED AND DISCIPLINED BY THE CALIFORNIA STATE BAR MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE HE WAS MY LAWYER!! AND FAILED ...
Posted by anonymous | January 18, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt
Deadbeat!
Does not pay his debts for work performed. Does not respond to any contacts and when confronted just makes excuses for why he cannot pay "right now". Almost a year behind and now he says he doesn't feel he owes me because I posted a negative review about him not paying me. Deadbeat!
Posted by Brian | October 03, 2017 | Criminal Defense
Best Lawyer Ever
I made a mistake and had a run in with the law. Being my first time in trouble with the law, I would say fear and panic would be an understatement. I spent so much time researching lawyers that can help me get out of my situation. Out of the MANY lawyers I researched, Mr. Guisti made an impression. E...
Posted by Asel | September 21, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Perfect attorney
Michael is very high educated and prof attorney. I had good experience working with him, he is opened and friendly to his clients and tries to do his best to make case dismissed. I'm glad that Michael helped me!
Posted by anonymous | November 11, 2014 | Criminal Defense
Avoid Mr, Guisti at all cost
I hired Mr. Guisti to represent my criminal case. He was extremely rude and belligerent throughout the ordeal so I had to fire him and hire another attorney. Mr. Guisti is not recommended.
Michael Guisti
Replied last November 11, 2014I avoid responding to reviews because I don't like to sound petty. However, this review is just not true. A conflict developed which impaired my ability to represent this client. I made a motion to be relieved as counsel of record. The court granted my motion and appointed the public defender. This client ended up pleading guilty through the public defender. Never hired another attorney.
Michael L Guisti's Lawyer Endorsements
"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
Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. He knows his stuff."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Michael is well known in the legal community as an effective advocate for his clients."
"I endorse Michael. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"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."
"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."
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Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024.
Discipline with Actual Suspension issued in CA, 2024
updated on 05/21/2024This 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 CourtBarrister
1999 - Present
Orange County Bar AssociationMember
1999 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
1999 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
1999 - Present
Italian-American Bar AssociationMember
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
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
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Why was I not arrested or cited on shoplifting, Was I or'd
04 Dec 2014
Q&A
Does it matter if a call to dcfs resulted unfounded when allegations of past child abuse is made against other parent?
20 Nov 2014
Q&A
Disorderly conduct alcohol. Penal Code 647(f) PC "Drunk in Public"
09 Nov 2014