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
26 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
Showing 1 - 5 of 16 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Lynn | August 12, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
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 Greggorio | May 23, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Supportive, Clear, and Highly Effective
I’ve only needed legal counsel once before in my life, and it was one of the loneliest, most confusing experiences I’ve ever had with other counsel. This time around, working with Mr. Abrams has been the complete opposite; he’s been nothing short of incredible from day one. Mr. Abrams is extremely...
Posted by Alvaro | October 11, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Federal case
Joseph exhibited remarkable professionalism and communication skills throughout the case. Despite its complexity, he ensured our family was well-informed and provided honest expectations. He ultimately fulfilled those expectations, and we are grateful for his expertise and dedication.
Joseph Abrams
Replied last November 18, 2024Alvaro, thank you for your trust in me. This was a difficult case with numerous challenges that together we fought hard to overcome. Be well!
Posted by Monica | September 12, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Best Attorney out there!
Mr. Abrams was just simply amazing. He worked fast, was very honest, and most importantly he was incredibly caring! He makes you feel like family unlike Most attorneys that are rude and just want your money only to do the do the bare minimum. But but not him, he even helps work with you on price. I...
Posted by Rebecca | April 24, 2024 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
One in a Million.
Joseph Abram's has been there when needed for our family in a difficult situation. He is compassionate and understanding and knows that the system is very difficult to understand and knows not everyone is the same. Each person has their own weakness and he understands this. Thank you for all you ha...
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."
Melissa Cefalu
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Kimberly Zhang
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Rixon Rafter
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Michael Burns
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Francis Cowhig
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Alexander Ivakhnenko
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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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Aneeta Mishra
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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