Attorney Profile

Mr. Aval has been Certified a "Specialist" in Criminal Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. There are only a limited number of attorneys who have gained such 'certification' in the State of California. A rigorous application process is necessary in order to achieve this status from the State Bar of California. An attorney's background, trial experience, and knowledge of the law is tested by a written test and confirmed by an investigation. Only upon having all the requisite elements necessary in the field does a person become a Certified Specialist in a given area of law.

Currently, there are only 75 active members of the State bar that are classified as a certified specialist in criminal law in Los Angeles County. There are only 18 active members of the State bar that are classified as a certified specialist in criminal law in Orange County. California Bar Specialist Search

Mr. Aval has also completed over 100 Jury Trials with a winning percentage of nearly 90% of his cases. His clients have been charged with crimes such as Multiple Murders, Gang Crimes, Rape, Robbery, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Possession of Drugs for Sale, Assault with a Firearm, and Domestic Violence. (Representation in various State Courts including the counties of: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Ventura, and has also appeared in Federal Courts for the Central District of California in Los Angeles and Orange County, and also San Francisco Federal Court for the Northern District of California.

Recently, Mr. Aval was recognized by his peers for his outstanding work in the field of criminal law. He was voted as one of the Top 20 Lawyers under the age of 40 in the State of California. In fact, he was the only Criminal Defense Attorney present on the list, while others excelled in other areas of law. (Daily Journal, January 26, 2006 issue.) Attorney Simon M. Aval has been recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star by Los Angeles Magazine annually since the year 2004.

He started his career as an Intern at the Los Angeles County Public Defenders Office. While at that assignment, he gained valuable experience working side by side with trial attorneys.

Once he passed the California State Bar Examination on his first attempt, he was sworn in to practice law on June 2, 1999 at the young age of 25 years old. As a young attorney, he worked with experienced criminal defense attorney John A. McDonald where he completed many jury trials and started to gain his reputation as an HONEST, EFFECTIVE, and PROVEN trial attorney.