April S Gilbert

April S Gilbert

also known as April Zwirn

5.0
Rating: 8.4

Licensed for 31 years

Criminal defense Lawyer Practice Areas: Criminal Defense

About April

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Criminal Defense 100%

Criminal Defense Practice with emphasis on DUI, Drug Charges/Substance Abuse, Treatment, Recovery, Collaborative Courts, and Expungements. Experience defending against serious & violent felonies, thefts, domestic violence, and child abuse charges.

31 years | 65,500 cases

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 45 minutes

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 31 years

State: California

Acquired: 1994

Active

No misconduct found

Location

No contact information is available for this lawyer

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April S Gilbert's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

101 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 101 reviews

Posted by anonymous | July 29, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Exceptional representation from start to finish

I cannot recommend April highly enough. My case initially involved very serious charges that ultimately did not reflect the final outcome. From the very beginning, I felt like I had an uphill battle, but April was incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, and strategic every step of the way. She took the... time to answer my endless questions, explain every option, and advocate tirelessly on my behalf until my case was resolved fairly. Living overseas added another layer of complexity, but April went above and beyond to find solutions that allowed me to comply with the court while continuing to live abroad. She was always honest, reassuring, and incredibly thorough, and I always felt like she genuinely cared about achieving the best possible outcome for me. Thanks to her hard work and dedication, my case truly could not have gone better. I am incredibly grateful for her guidance and support throughout the entire process, and I would recommend her without hesitation to anyone looking for an exceptional defense attorney.

Posted by Alexis | July 22, 2026 | Hired Attorney

I think April’s name must have been misspelled on her birth certificate because she truly is an Angel.

She is one of, if not the most kind, genuine, and compassionate people you will ever have the pleasure of working with. She has helped me through two separate legal situations, and both times she exceeded my expectations while requiring very little from me. From our very first conversation, I knew I ...was in good hands. She immediately took control of the situation, explained exactly how she planned to approach my case, and made sure I understood every possible outcome along the way. What impressed me most was her honesty. She never made promises she couldn’t keep, but she fought for the best possible result. In my most recent case, she achieved an outcome that was even better than either of us had hoped for. April truly listens. She takes the time to understand your concerns, treats you with kindness and respect, and genuinely cares about the people she represents. Legal issues can be overwhelming, but she has a way of making you feel supported every step of the way. If you’re looking for an attorney who is knowledgeable, compassionate, and will fight for you while making you feel like you’re not facing it alone, I cannot recommend April highly enough. She will absolutely have your back and hold your hand through the entire process.

Posted by Scarleth L | July 16, 2026 | Hired Attorney

More Than an Attorney — A True Supporter Through a Difficult Time

I cannot thank Ms. April Gilbert enough for everything she did for my mother and our family. From the beginning, she treated my mother with kindness, respect, and compassion. She took the time to listen, explain the process, and make sure we understood what was happening every step of the way. Ms.... Gilbert’s knowledge, dedication, and determination made such a meaningful difference in my mother’s life. She fought for my mother’s rights and helped give her the opportunity for a second chance. Her hard work and commitment brought hope back to our family during a very difficult time. We are truly grateful for her professionalism, honesty, and the care she showed throughout the case. She is an attorney who not only knows the law but also understands the people behind the cases. I would wholeheartedly recommend Ms. April Gilbert to anyone looking for an attorney who will truly stand by their client

Posted by Fletcher | June 19, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Great experience!

Truly amazing experience with April. She is hard-working, compassionate, kind, and patient. She went above and beyond to help me through a very difficult time. Her results exceeded expectations and she is truly a blessing to work with!

Posted by anonymous | June 06, 2026 | Hired Attorney

I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a reliable and effective attorney. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

April Gilbert provided exceptional representation throughout my case. She was knowledgeable, responsive, and took the time to explain every step of the process, which gave me confidence during a stressful situation. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication to achieving the best possib...le outcome were evident from start to finish. I always felt informed and supported, and she delivered exactly what she promised. I highly recommend April Gilbert to anyone in need of a skilled and trustworthy criminal defense attorney.

See All Client Reviews

April S Gilbert's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse April
Jennifer Elaine Boukidis headshot
Jennifer Boukidis

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"April is an exceptional attorney. She has a wealth of experience in all types of criminal matters. Not only is she skilled and knowledgeable, but she truly cares about her clients, their well being, their families, and their future. She leaves no stone unturned when it comes to serving her client's best interest. April is well respected by her peers, opposing counsel, and the court. I have worked opposite her as a former prosecutor and work alongside her now as a fellow criminal defense attorney. I know her to be honest, intelligent, hard working and compassionate. April is a talented and caring person and an excellent choice for representation in any criminal matter."

Kristine Koo headshot
Kristine Koo

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"April cares. She is someone who will listen to you, take what you say into consideration, and give thoughtful feedback. She also gives wise counsel and is trustworthy. Whenever I have a question in criminal law - I go to April - because she knows!"

Karren Melinda Kenney headshot
Karren Kenney

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ms. Gilbert cares about each and every one of her clients and she takes the time to fight for them in order to get the best disposition possible. Ms. Gilbert is also an extrememely effective trial lawyer. I have seen her in trial and was amazed at the connection she has with the jury...jurors love her!"

View All Endorsements
Alan Castillo headshot
Alan Castillo

DUI and DWI lawyer

Kristine Koo headshot
Kristine Koo

Criminal defense lawyer

John F. Christl headshot
John Christl

Criminal defense lawyer

Lisa Ann Kopelman headshot
Lisa Kopelman

Criminal defense lawyer

Karren Melinda Kenney headshot
Karren Kenney

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.4 (Excellent)

Honors

1993

American Jurisprudence Award Criminal Procedure, Western State University College of Law

1991

American Jurisprudence Award Civil Procedure, Western State University College of Law

Work Experience

2021 - Present

Criminal Defense Lawyer, Law Office of April Gilbert

1995 - 2021

Deputy Public Defender, Orange County Public Defender's Office (CA)

1993 - 1995

Contributing Editor, Orange County Lawyer Magazine, Orange County Bar Association

1986 - 1992

Legal Assistant, Law Office Of Harley A. Feinstein

Associations

2024 - Present

North Orange County Bar Association

Board of Directors

2018 - Present

North Orange County Bar Association,

Member

1994 - Present

Orange County Bar Association

Member

1996 - 1997

William P. Gray Legion Lex American Inn of Court

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Carjacking and robbery of elders with a deadly weapon

My client was only sentenced to three years in prison (instead of 13), which was the lowest possible term.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1994

Western State University College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1990

California State University, Long Beach

BA - Bachelor of Arts English Literature

Speaking Engagements

2019

Publications

1994

Orange County Lawyer Magazine The Fourth Amendment is not a Technicality

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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