Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
27 Client Reviews
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Joseph Abrams
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About Joseph
Biography
From his federal criminal defense and federal sentencing advocacy and mitigation law firm based in Orange County, California, attorney Joseph Abrams provides unmatched legal representation and results to clients in Orange County and throughout California who are under investigation for, charged with, or awaiting sentencing on any type of federal criminal offense. As a recognized lawyer with more than 27 years of legal experience, Mr. Abrams promises to aggressively defend your rights and liberties at all turns as he works hard to achieve the best outcome possible for your case.
With extensive knowledge and experience in all areas of federal criminal practice, including expert knowledge of the federal sentencing guidelines and federal sentencing advocacy and mitigation, Mr. Abrams achieves notable success in obtaining favorable results for the serious and pressing legal challenges his clients face. Mr. Abrams and his firm are a trusted source for individuals and organizations facing accusations of federal crimes.
Prior to starting his own law practice, Mr. Abrams spent his legal career with the federal judiciary as a sentencing specialist and presentence supervisor and served as the exclusive sentencing liaison to United States District Court Judge Cormac J. Carney in the Central District of California. During his career, Mr. Abrams worked on more than 1,000 federal criminal cases, covering virtually every type of offense. Over the course of his career, Mr. Abrams developed expert knowledge of the federal sentencing guidelines and federal sentencing advocacy and mitigation. Mr. Abrams gained recognition within the judiciary, and among the defense bar, as a federal sentencing guidelines expert and a trusted source for matters involving federal sentencing.
After retiring from the federal judiciary, Mr. Abrams founded Law Office of Joseph Abrams. His purpose for going into private practice was to use the knowledge and skills he developed over more than two decades with the federal courts to help ordinary people who find themselves in the serious situation of being the target of a federal investigation or charged with a federal crime to achieve the best outcome possible in their cases.
Mr. Abrams obtained his undergraduate degree in business and finance from California State University, Fullerton. He then graduated from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles in 1997 and passed the California bar examination that same year. Mr. Abrams graduated in the top 10% of his law school class, was the recipient of the prestigious American Jurisprudence Book Award for being top of class in Federal Courts, and was chosen Best Writer in the Moot Court Honors Program Intramural Competition.
Mr. Abrams is a member of the Federal Bar Association, California Lawyers Association, and Orange County Bar Association. He is admitted to all California federal and state trial and appellate courts including the United States District Court for the Central, Southern, Northern, and Eastern Districts of California.
When Mr. Abrams is not busy make things right for his clients, you can find him walking local trails with his Border Collie Jammer or traveling to the beautiful country of Italy and studying Italian language and culture.Law Office of Joseph Abrams is a federal criminal defense and sentencing advocacy and mitigation law firm based in Orange County, California. Led by attorney Joseph Abrams, the firm provides unmatched legal representation and results to clients in Orange County and throughout California.
Law Office of Joseph Abrams is a federal criminal defense and sentencing advocacy and mitigation law firm based in Orange County, California. Led by attorney Joseph Abrams, the firm provides unmatched legal representation and results to clients in Orange County and throughout California.
Law Office of Joseph Abrams is a federal criminal defense and sentencing advocacy and mitigation law firm based in Orange County, California. Led by attorney Joseph Abrams, the firm provides unmatched legal representation and results to clients in Orange County and throughout California.
Law Office of Joseph Abrams is a federal criminal defense and sentencing advocacy and mitigation law firm based in Orange County, California. Led by attorney Joseph Abrams, the firm provides unmatched legal representation and results to clients in Orange County and throughout California.
Law Office of Joseph Abrams is a federal criminal defense and sentencing advocacy and mitigation law firm based in Orange County, California. Led by attorney Joseph Abrams, the firm provides unmatched legal representation and results to clients in Orange County and throughout California.
Law Office of Joseph Abrams is a federal criminal defense and sentencing advocacy and mitigation law firm based in Orange County, California. Led by attorney Joseph Abrams, the firm provides unmatched legal representation and results to clients in Orange County and throughout California.
Law Office of Joseph Abrams is a federal criminal defense and sentencing advocacy and mitigation law firm based in Orange County, California. Led by attorney Joseph Abrams, the firm provides unmatched legal representation and results to clients in Orange County and throughout California.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Federal Crime
50%
White Collar Crime
20%
Drug Crime
10%
Sex Crime
10%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in California for 28 years
State: California
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Joseph online.
Joseph Abrams's Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Recommendation
Posted by Lynn | August 12, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
One of a kind
Joe is one of a kind! He is smart, compassionate, helpful, accessible and wants the best for your loved one who may not have lived like they wanted the best for themselves. Think of him like Uncle Joe. I know we do! No need to look further for a lawyer. He knows the system, the sentencing process, th...
Posted by B.M. | August 12, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
client
Atty Joseph Abrams is very professional, honest and prompt. I would say that that he has all the expertise, experience and knowledge on dealing with complex federal cases. I am very pleased and happy for the positive result on my case. Me and my family are very grateful for the assistance and help he...
Joseph Abrams
Replied last August 14, 2022B.M., thank you for putting your trust and confidence in Law Office of Joseph Abrams. It was a great pleasure working with you, and your cooperation and contributions were most helpful. I'm thrilled for you and your family that everything worked out so well. Be well!
Posted by Brad | July 18, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Excellence
I contacted Mr. Abrams for a federal drug sales charge. I was facing 16 - 40 years in prison. I had already been through two attorneys and was ready to give up when I found Joe. Not only was he extremely affordable, he was more knowledgeable in the Federal system than anyone I had met. I was scared t...
Joseph Abrams
Replied last July 19, 2022Brad, it was a great pleasure working with you and your family. Your case presented significant challenges, but we worked together to achieve an incredible result. Thank you for putting your trust in me.
Posted by Jose Carlos | September 18, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Great Attorney
came to Joseph Abrams with a Felony and 3 current warrant arrests and he was very upfront on he was able to work with. No fake promises were give and true to his words. He moved fast, and was able to recall my warrants and within a month he solved my case and brought my felony to a misdemeanor. Jose...
Joseph Abrams's Lawyer Endorsements
"I've worked with Joe for more than 20 years on a number of cases. He's bright, hard working and has a deep and detailed knowledge of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. I wholeheartedly recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Abrams has assisted many users or this forum and published numerous helpful Legal guides."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"It is clear from Joseph's education, experience and responses on AVVO that he is a knowledgeable and capable advocate who cares about his clients. I endorse this attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Attorney Abrams."
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Michael Burns
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Matthew Moore
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Stephen Sawyer
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Dana Carron
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Michael Khouri
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Robert Richman
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Experience
Honors
2022
Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2022
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2022
Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Anaheim, Expertise.com
2021
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
N/A
American Jurisprudence Book Award in Federal Courts, Bankcroft Whitney
N/A
Best Writer, Moot Court Honors Program Intramural Competition
Work Experience
2018 - Present
Attorney at Law, Law Office of Joseph Abrams
1998 - 2018
Federal Sentencing Guidelines Specialist, Presentence Supervisor, U.S. District Court (C.D. Cal.)
Associations
Federal Bar Association
Member
California Lawyers Association
Member
Orange County Bar Association
Member
Sample of Legal Cases
People v. Jose H.
One felony reduced to a misdemeanor, another felony dismissed, four misdemeanors dismissed. Sentenced to one year informal probation, no jail time
Federal Investigation Re: Basir A.
Investigation into subject dropped
Education
1997
Southwestern University School of Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
N/A
California State University, Fullerton
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2019
United States Sentencing Commission 2019 National Seminar
Understanding the Federal Criminal Sentencing Process
Publications
2021
Federal Criminal Defense Resources for Orange County and all of Southern California
Understanding “Relevant Conduct” Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines
2021
Federal Criminal Defense Resources for Orange County and all of Southern California
The Bill of Rights: What Do They Say About Criminal Justice?
2021
Federal Criminal Defense Resources for Orange County and all of Southern California
Compassionate Release In The Era of COVID-19
2021
Federal Criminal Defense Resources for Orange County and all of Southern California
The Art of the Federal Plea Bargain
2021
Federal Criminal Defense Resources for Orange County and all of Southern California
Sentencing Advocacy in Federal White Collar Criminal Cases
2021
Federal Criminal Defense Resources for Orange County and all of Southern California
Understanding “Grouping” Rules Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines
2021
Federal Criminal Defense Resources for Orange County and all of Southern California
Surviving Federal RICO Charges
2021
Federal Criminal Defense Resources for Orange County and all of Southern California
Why Sentence Disparity In Federal Non-Production Child Pornography Cases Continues To Increase
2021
Federal Criminal Defense Resources for Orange County and all of Southern California
Compassionate Release In The Era of COVID-19
2021
Federal Criminal Defense Resources for Orange County and all of Southern California
The Federal Grand Jury Explained
2021
Federal Criminal Defense Resources for Orange County and all of Southern California
The Irretrievably Broken “Career Offender” Guideline
2020
Federal Criminal Defense Resources for Orange County and all of Southern California
The “First Step Act” One Year Later: How Has It Changed Federal Sentencing?
2020
Federal Criminal Defense Resources for Orange County and all of Southern California
Making a Federal Case Out of It: The Federalization of Common Law Crimes
2020
Federal Criminal Defense Resources for Orange County and all of Southern California
The Enduring Importance of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can evidence from a dismissed misdemeanor state case be used to make determinations in a federal court case?
11 Sep 2022
Q&A
Did a new law pass in Texas for Federal prisoners?
14 Sep 2022
Q&A
When federal restitution approches20 years and person convicted dies, is the debt resolved or does the spouse have to pay ?
15 Sep 2022
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Sentencing Advocacy in Federal White Collar Criminal Cases
11 May 2021
Legal Guide
The Federal Grand Jury Explained
06 Oct 2021
Legal Guide
The Irretrievably Broken “Career Offender” Guideline
02 Nov 2021