Find a Lawyer in Los Angeles
Browse vetted attorneys and law firms across Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Long Beach, and the greater LA area.
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Attorneys & Law Firms in Los Angeles
Browse attorneys and law firms across the Los Angeles metropolitan area. All listed professionals have been reviewed through our editorial process.
MyLegalWin selections are made through a documented research process. Read how selections work →
For First-Time Clients
How to Choose a Lawyer in Los Angeles
If you've never hired an attorney in Los Angeles before, the process can feel overwhelming. Here is what to look for, what questions to ask, and how legal fees work in California.
What to Look For
When evaluating an attorney in the Los Angeles area, focus on three key criteria:
Experience in Los Angeles County courts
Los Angeles County operates the largest unified trial court system in the United States. Local court rules, filing procedures, and judicial practices vary across courthouses (such as Stanley Mosk, Van Nuys, or Torrance). Choose an attorney who regularly handles cases in LA County courts.
Specific practice area experience
A general practitioner or corporate attorney is not equipped to handle complex personal injury or criminal defense litigation. Ask how many cases similar to yours they have handled in the past 12 months and whether they have trial experience.
Clean California State Bar record
Always verify that an attorney is licensed and in good standing. Check for disciplinary actions, suspensions, or public reprovals on the State Bar of California website.
Questions to Ask in a Consultation
Most Los Angeles attorneys offer a free initial consultation for personal injury matters, and paid or complimentary consultations for other practice areas. Ask the following questions:
- 1.How many cases like mine have you handled in Los Angeles County in the past year?
- 2.Will you personally manage my case, or will it be assigned to an associate or paralegal?
- 3.What is your fee structure — contingency, hourly, or flat fee?
- 4.What case costs (filing fees, expert witness fees, court reporters) will I be responsible for?
- 5.What is the realistic timeline for resolving my case in LA County courts?
- 6.What is the likelihood of settling vs. going to trial?
How Legal Fees Work in California
Contingency fee
The attorney receives a percentage of your total financial recovery only if you win or settle. Standard contingency fees in California range from 33.3% to 40%. Note: California law imposes statutory caps on attorney contingency fees in medical malpractice cases under Business and Professions Code § 6146 (MICRA rules).
Hourly rate
You pay for the attorney's time billed in 6-minute or 15-minute increments. In the Los Angeles market, hourly rates typically range from $300 to $600+ per hour depending on experience and firm size. Common in business law, employment disputes, and family law.
Flat fee
A fixed price for a specific legal service. Common for uncontested divorces, basic estate plans, and routine criminal defense matters (such as first-offense DUI).
Red Flags
Guaranteed outcomes
No lawyer can guarantee a win or a specific settlement figure under California ethics rules.
High-pressure tactics
Avoid attorneys who pressure you to sign a representation agreement immediately without giving you time to read it.
Unwritten fee agreements
California law requires written fee agreements for representation expected to exceed $1,000.
Poor communication
If an attorney cannot explain the legal strategy in clear language during your consultation, communication will likely be worse after you hire them.
Verify an Attorney's License
Before hiring any lawyer in California, verify their license status and disciplinary history on the State Bar of California search portal at calbar.ca.gov.
Find a Lawyer
Common Legal Needs in Los Angeles
Browse vetted Los Angeles attorneys by practice area. Learn what each legal specialization involves, what to expect, and applicable deadlines.
Personal Injury
If you were injured in a traffic accident, highway collision, slip and fall, or workplace incident in Los Angeles, a personal injury lawyer helps you recover compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.
What to expect
Your attorney will investigate the incident, preserve evidence, coordinate with medical providers, handle negotiations with insurance adjusters, and file a lawsuit in LA Superior Court if necessary.
How long you have to file
California generally applies a two-year limitations period to actions for injury to a person under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Medical-malpractice, public-entity, minor, delayed-discovery, and other claims can follow different accrual or notice rules.
How fees work
Fees vary by lawyer, matter, and agreement. Ask whether billing is contingency, hourly, flat-fee, retainer, statutory, or another structure, and how case costs are handled.
Business Law
If you are starting a company, drafting commercial contracts, facing partner disputes, or navigating commercial litigation in Southern California, a business law attorney protects your commercial interests.
What to expect
Business attorneys handle corporate entity formation, contract drafting and negotiation, shareholder/partner dispute resolution, and commercial litigation in state or federal court.
How long you have to file
The statute of limitations for breach of a written contract in California is 4 years (2 years for oral contracts).
How fees work
Fees vary by lawyer, matter, and agreement. Ask whether billing is contingency, hourly, flat-fee, retainer, statutory, or another structure, and how case costs are handled.
Criminal Defense
If you have been arrested, cited, or charged with a crime in Los Angeles County — from a DUI to felony charges — a criminal defense lawyer defends your constitutional rights and represents you in court.
What to expect
Your defense attorney will review police reports, challenge unlawful searches or arrests, negotiate with prosecutors from the LA County District Attorney's office or City Attorney, and represent you at preliminary hearings and trial.
How long you have to file
Criminal charges move quickly once filed. Contact defense counsel immediately following an arrest or investigation notice.
How fees work
Fees vary by lawyer, matter, and agreement. Ask whether billing is contingency, hourly, flat-fee, retainer, statutory, or another structure, and how case costs are handled.
Family Law & Divorce
If you are navigating a divorce, child custody matter, spousal support determination, or marital asset division in Los Angeles, a family law attorney guides you through California's dissolution process.
What to expect
California is a community property state. Assets and debts acquired during marriage are divided equally. Your lawyer will handle property valuation, negotiate child custody and visitation plans, and represent you in LA Superior Court family law divisions.
How long you have to file
California requires a 6-month waiting period from the date of service before a divorce can be legally finalized. You must meet California residency requirements (6 months in state, 3 months in county).
How fees work
Fees vary by lawyer, matter, and agreement. Ask whether billing is contingency, hourly, flat-fee, retainer, statutory, or another structure, and how case costs are handled.
Employment Law
If you experienced wrongful termination, unpaid overtime, wage theft, meal break violations, sexual harassment, or workplace discrimination in Los Angeles, an employment lawyer enforces your rights under California's Labor Code and FEHA.
What to expect
California maintains strict employee protection laws. Your attorney will file claims with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or Labor Commissioner, negotiate settlements, or litigate in civil court.
How long you have to file
California employment deadlines depend on the claim and forum. FEHA administrative complaints generally use a three-year filing period, while wage and other claims can follow different statutes. Confirm the current deadline for the specific claim.
How fees work
Fees vary by lawyer, matter, and agreement. Ask whether billing is contingency, hourly, flat-fee, retainer, statutory, or another structure, and how case costs are handled.
Immigration Law
If you need assistance with family-based visas, green cards, employment authorization, naturalization, or deportation defense in Los Angeles, an immigration attorney navigates federal immigration systems.
What to expect
Your attorney will prepare and submit filings to USCIS, represent you in interviews, handle consular processing, or defend you in Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) immigration court.
How long you have to file
Filing deadlines depend heavily on specific visa categories, notices to appear, and administrative appeal windows.
How fees work
Fees vary by lawyer, matter, and agreement. Ask whether billing is contingency, hourly, flat-fee, retainer, statutory, or another structure, and how case costs are handled.
Real Estate Law
If you are involved in commercial or residential real estate transactions, boundary disputes, lease agreements, or landlord-tenant litigation in Los Angeles, a real estate lawyer protects your property rights.
What to expect
Real estate attorneys draft and review purchase agreements, handle title disputes, navigate zoning issues, and represent clients in real estate litigation or commercial lease disputes.
How long you have to file
California uses different limitation periods for injury to property and contract claims, and accrual rules can change when the clock begins. Confirm the statute and accrual date for the particular real-estate dispute.
How fees work
Fees vary by lawyer, matter, and agreement. Ask whether billing is contingency, hourly, flat-fee, retainer, statutory, or another structure, and how case costs are handled.
California Law
What to Know About California Law
Key statutory rules impact legal claims filed in Los Angeles.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations sets the mandatory deadline for filing a lawsuit in California:
| Type of Case | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Personal injury (car crashes, slip & fall) | 2 years |
| Medical malpractice | 1 year / 3 years |
| Property damage | 3 years |
| Breach of written contract | 4 years |
| Breach of oral contract | 2 years |
| Employment discrimination (CRD complaint) | 3 years |
| Wrongful death | 2 years |
Damage Caps
Medical Malpractice
California Civil Code § 3333.2 uses annually increasing limits for noneconomic damages in medical-malpractice cases. For 2026, the scheduled limits are $470,000 for non-wrongful-death injury claims and $650,000 for wrongful-death claims, with separate statutory defendant categories and further annual increases. The MICRA limit does not cap economic damages.
General Personal Injury
California does not impose one general statewide cap on compensatory damages in ordinary personal-injury cases such as auto accidents, although claim-specific statutes and rules can limit particular categories of recovery.
Community Property
California is one of nine community property states. Under California law:
- •All assets and debts acquired during the marriage are considered community property and divided 50/50 upon divorce.
- •Property owned prior to marriage, or received during marriage as a gift or inheritance, is separate property.
At-Fault Auto Insurance
California is an at-fault state for motor vehicle accidents. The driver who caused the crash is financially liable for injury and property damages. Claimants pursue compensation through the at-fault driver's liability insurance or via civil court.
Court System
Where Your Case Will Be Heard
Los Angeles County Superior Court handles state matters, while federal cases go to the Central District of California.
Los Angeles County Superior Court
State civil, criminal, family, and probate matters in Los Angeles County are handled by the LA County Superior Court system:
Primary Civil Division
Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 N. Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Handles general civil litigation, personal injury lawsuits, and family law.
LA Superior Court ↗Criminal Division
Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, 210 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Federal Courts
U.S. District Court, Central District of California: Handles federal civil rights, federal criminal, and multi-state commercial disputes.
Main LA courthouses: First Street Courthouse (350 W. 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012) and Edward R. Roybal Federal Building (255 E. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012).
Central District administrative office at 350 W. 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014.
Central District of California ↗Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Resources
Los Angeles Legal Resources
State Bar of California — License Verification
Search attorney standing and history
Los Angeles County Superior Court
Case search, court calendars, local rules
U.S. District Court — Central District of California
Federal court information
California Civil Rights Department (CRD)
Employment and housing discrimination complaints
California Courts Self-Help Guide
Official state legal forms and guides
Coverage Area