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About David
Biography
** Not Currently Accepting New Cases or Clients **
I know exactly what you are going through right now because I was a client before I was a lawyer: you are searching for an excellent lawyer that you can trust. While I am now a Harvard graduate former Assistant U.S. Attorney (federal prosecutor), Deputy District Attorney (state prosecutor) and Congressional Counsel (lawyer in U.S. Congress) who aggressively defends people and companies, I began as someone who was searching for a lawyer after I was hit by a bus. I remember how overwhelming it was to try to hire a lawyer. My experience as a client means that I treat every client the way that I wanted to be treated when I was a client.
I have won nearly 90% of my career felony jury trials in state and federal courts, including fraud, bribery, public corruption and murder. I handled approximately 30 trials and 1,000 court hearings.
I limit my practice to representing good people and companies who have made a mistake, been falsely accused of a crime, received a subpoena, or been contacted by the police, FBI or other law enforcement agencies. I also represent current and former employees in government investigations. Finally, I represent college coaches, student-athletes, and universities in investigations by the NCAA, and am one of the very few attorneys who have defended multiple NCAA enforcement cases through a hearing.
I work on every case myself, which is different than a lot of law firms. You won't be handed off to another lawyer or a legal assistant and never see me again. If you hire me, you are getting me. Because I provide my clients with personal attention, I do not have time to accept every case. Because I am the one personally fighting for you, I also do not take cases unless I think I can help you and that we are a good fit. I will treat you the way that my lawyer treated me when I was a client: with respect and loyalty.
I have been quoted as a legal expert in the Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Daily Journal legal newspaper.
To learn more about me and the successes that I have achieved for my clients, please go to my law firm's website.
Thank you.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
White Collar Crime
50%
34 years | 100 cases
Education
20%
19 years | 10 cases
Business
10%
19 years | 20 cases
Criminal Defense
10%
27 years | 100 cases
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 38 years
State: California
Acquired: 1987
No misconduct found
Licensed in District of Columbia for 36 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 1990
No misconduct found
Location
No contact information is available for this lawyer
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David Patrick Vaughn's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
12 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (12)
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Criminal Defense
Posted by anonymous | February 25, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Excellent Service
Mr. Vaughn’s professionalism goes unmatched. He takes your case on as if he was representing a member of his family. After my initial consultation with Mr. Vaughn, he immediately fought to have a felony charge dropped to a misdemeanor, therefore, greatly decreasing the possibility of jail time to n...
Posted by Frank | March 10, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
The Best Representation!
Mr. Vaughn, I would like to thank you publicly for your honest, caring and professional representation. You kept me informed and without any doubt made me feel very protected, and secure in your approach to my defense. Knowing that you are a very busy Attorney, I was very thankful you always took th...
Posted by ALFREDO | July 29, 2015 | Criminal Defense
A very impressive lawyer !!
I cannot express my deepest gratitude to David. I was very impressed with how he handled my case. I cannot ask for anything more. July 4 2015, was one of my darkest moments. Due to spite and greed, I was "set up" by my ex wife and got arrested for domestic violence. After the arrest, I was dist rut...
Posted by DamianMartinez | November 22, 2013 | Criminal Defense
Damian
I endorse this lawyer. David has substantial experience in a broad range of matters. He has worked on sophisticated public corruption cases and cases involving allegations of corporate wrongdoing. As a result of his many years of experience working as a prosecutor, at both the County and federal l...
David Patrick Vaughn's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse Mr. Vaughn. You can tell from his thorough responses to questions on Avvo and sage wisdom that he has the passion and compassion necessary to be a fine advocate. He spends his own time giving advice to the Avvo community and that is something worth noting."
"When you, or a loved one, finds themselves in need of a criminal defense attorney it is important to retain an experienced, knowledgeable and competent lawyer. Mr. Vaughn is well respected in the legal community for those reasons."
"A former assistant United States Attorney and a former Deputy District attorney with 27 years of experience is what clients want. His knowledge of both the law and procedure is excellent and evident in his pro bono contributions here. His client review is stellar and should be read. Endorsements from his peers are outstanding. Do yourself a favor if you want someone that the prosecutors realize knows what they know and schedule a consultation. KUDOS"
"David is a unique resource for white collar criminal matters and investigations. He is efficient and I highly recommend him."
"Mr. Vaughn is a valuable resource to the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Top-notch lawyer. Highly respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. David is smart and a hard worker. I enjoyed working with him at the U.S. Attorney's Office."
"I enthusiastically endorse David. I have known him for many years, and we worked together in the U.S. Attorney's Office. He is exceptionally talented and energetic, and he has an unusually diverse background that has exposed him to criminal cases of all types. Beyond that, he is a joy to work with."
"I worked with David at the U.S. Attorney's Office where he had an excellent reputation for his analytical and trial skills. It is my pleasure to see that he has taken his talent to build a solo practice where he can focus his experience and expertise on cases and clients deserving of excellent legal representation."
"I have known David for a while. He and I served on a city commission together and I worked with him at his prior firm. He is an excellent lawyer and with great experience. He is very honest and forthright and I am happy to recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer. David is a very experienced and talented attorney with a wealth of experience across many diverse practice areas."
"David has experience and insight and he's a pleasure to work with. What more could one want?"
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Vaughn is an experienced advocate who always puts his clients first. I would highly recommend him if you are facing any criminal issues."
"David is a great colleague and fantastic lawyer."
"Dave Vaughn is a highly competent and ethical white collar defense attorney with extensive professional experience in handling complex federal criminal matters. I highly recommend him as a defense attorney for both businesses and individuals. Greg Nicolaysen (Los Angeles, CA)"
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known David for many years in his role as an Assistant United States Attorney and a consultant with FTI. He has terrific instincts for identifying the key issues in a case and explaining them in way that is persuasive. During his tenure at FTI he has led numerous investigations together with counsel and acquired significant experience in investigating NCAA violations by college athletic programs. David will bring a sensible and practical approach to cases that he handles and will be valuable as co-counsel in complex white collar criminal matters."
"I endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2026
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2025
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
N/A
Appreciation of Efforts, Federal Bureau of Investigation
N/A
Appreciation of Efforts, U. S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service
N/A
Appreciation of Efforts, U.S. Department of Education, Inspector General
Work Experience
2013 - Present
Attorney, David Vaughn Lawyer -- Law Offices of David Vaughn
Associations
American Bar Association (White Collar Crime subcommittee)
State Bar of California
2009 - 2015
Los Angeles County Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section
2009 - 2015
Association of Business Trial Lawyers
2007 - 2014
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
Sample of Legal Cases
U.S. v. Smyth
Guilty Plea
Represented College Administrator in NCAA Hearing
Represented College Basketball Coach in NCAA Hearing
Represented College Football Coach in NCAA Hearing
Represented Coaches and Athletes in NCAA Interviews
Represented Employee in DA Investigation
Represented Employee in DOJ, FBI and IRS Interviews
No charges filed against my client
Represented Current and Former Employees in Investigations by Government of their Employers
Represented Business in Responding to Government Subpoena for Records and Testimony
Investigation closed with no charges filed against the business or its employees
Represented Law Firm in Responding to Government Subpoena for Records
No Charges Filed
Chemical Spill by Business - Case Dismissed
Dismissal
Federal Insider Trading - No Criminal Charges Filed
No criminal charges filed.
Responding to SEC Inquiry
Theft of Trade Secrets Investigation
U.S. v. Brazil
Guilty verdicts
U.S. v. Robles, et. al.
Guilty Verdicts
Employee Misconduct Investigation
Expert re Sufficiency of Employment Termination Investigation
Defense verdict
Whistle-Blower Investigation
No evidence found to support allegations
Insurance Fraud Investigation
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Due Diligence Investigation
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Compliance Review
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Investigation
No FCPA charges brought
International Asset Search and Recovery
More than $1 million recovered
Ponzi Scheme Investigation
Education
1993
Harvard University
Master in Public Administration
1987
UC Hastings COL
law
1984
Univ of California Berkeley
undergraduate
Speaking Engagements
2013
Presentation to US and Foreign Judges
Defending Corruption and Espionage Cases
2012
University of Southern California
From Tip to Indictment: How Prosecutorial Decisions are Made
2012
Internal Training for In-House Counsel and Investigative Staff
Best Practices in Internal Investigations
2012
FTI Consulting
Responding to NCAA Investigations
2012
confidential
Responding to NCAA Investigations
2012
American Bar Association
Best Practices for Internal Investigations
2011
American Lawyer top 100 law firm internal training
Top 10 Mistakes in International Investigations
2010
Inns of Court
A Comparison of Federal and State Grand Jury Procedures
Publications
2013
Los Angeles Daily Journal
Rise of Internal Investigations Creating Crowded Marketplace
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Does a defendant need an attorney to pled not guilty at arraignment ?
16 May 2021
Q&A
I received a phone call from a deputy saying he wants to talk about an investigation. What do I do?
21 Oct 2020
Q&A
What will happen if I don't find a lawyer with the extra time I was given?
23 Oct 2020