Client reviews
What clients across California say.
Verified five-star reviews from Yelp, Google, Avvo, and Justia. Read them in full on the profiles linked below.
★★★★★
Amazing consultation
"Joel provided an absolutely amazing consultation for a DUI case. He brought a lot of insight and experience to answer my questions, was incredibly polite, and overall a great resource in this less-than-ideal time. Unfortunately, we were not able to retain him for our case, but I strongly recommend anybody with a new DUI case reach out to him for consultation."
J B. · Fremont, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Case dismissed
"When I found myself in the middle of a legal nightmare, I didn't just need a lawyer; I needed a strategist who understood the gravity of my situation. Joel Brand is exactly that. He brings a level of intensity and focus to DUI defense that you simply will not find with a high volume firm. He emphasized that the clock starts ticking the moment you are cited, and he immediately jumped on requesting the DMV hearing within that critical ten day window. In the DMV hearing he identified a critical missing document that the officer had failed to disclose correctly. Because of his thoroughness, I won the hearing and kept my license. His fees were fair. UPDATE: my case was dismissed!"
John S. · Piedmont, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Patient and generous
"I reached out to Joel regarding my brother's DUI case and was genuinely impressed. He took the time to walk us through everything, answered all of our questions, and ultimately pointed us in the right direction. During what was a stressful time for our family, his patience and generosity with his time made a real difference. Highly recommend."
Lorenzo F. · Concord, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Above and beyond
"Joel was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. It was a pleasure talking to him. He was very straightforward. He went above and beyond explaining my case and what it would take to dismiss it. He made me so comfortable and helped to ease my stressors."
Anyi M. · Adelanto, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Knowledgeable and kind
"Joel is so knowledgeable and kind. I truly appreciate his willingness to assist me. My husband's case ultimately wasn't one that he could take on, but Joel provided a wealth of information as well as referrals to point me in the right direction. If anyone I know needs DUI representation in the future, I will send them to Joel without a doubt."
Haley H. · San Ramon, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Went above and beyond
"Joel is super friendly and knowledgeable. He followed through and went above and beyond to figure out what happened in my complicated case and clearly communicated next steps. Definitely recommend!"
M H. · Fort Jones, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Transparent and great service
"Joel had answers and solutions to all my questions. Very transparent guy and quite humorous! Great customer service! Positive attitude and energy!"
Nhi H. · Union City, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Dismissed: breath machine excluded
"I was honestly skeptical that any lawyer could help me after my arrest because the breath test result was so high. I work in the shipping industry and a conviction would have meant an immediate termination of my port pass. Joel Brand didn't just look at the numbers. He dug into the maintenance records for the specific Intoxilyzer machine they used and found it had a history of ambient fail errors the department had been ignoring for months. He filed a motion to exclude the breath results entirely. The judge agreed the machine wasn't reliable, and the DA dismissed the whole case before we got to a jury. He saved my livelihood."
Stephen H. · San Francisco, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Out-of-state, dismissed at first hearing
"I was visiting for a wedding and got stopped near the Presidio. Being from out of state made the whole legal system feel like a maze. Joel Brand took care of everything without me having to leave my house in Chicago. He handled the arraignment and the DMV hearing via telephone and Zoom so I didn't lose time at my job. He found a flaw in the jurisdictional paperwork from the park police and got the entire case dismissed at the first hearing. He saved me thousands in travel costs and legal fees."
Ed W. · Seminole, FLvia Yelp
★★★★★
Dismissed: calibration logs
"I'm a delivery driver and losing my license would have meant losing my apartment and my livelihood. Joel was incredibly thorough and didn't just take the first offer from the prosecutor. He looked into the calibration logs for the breathalyzer and found it hadn't been serviced at the proper intervals. Because he did the extra work, he got my entire case dismissed. Truly a lifesaver for anyone who needs to stay on the road for work."
Dean S. · Jupiter, FLvia Yelp
★★★★★
Dismissed: blood storage protocols
"I thought my life was over after that arrest. I'm a nurse and a criminal record would have ended my career. Joel was different than the other lawyers I called. He dug into the actual blood vials and found that the lab hadn't followed the correct storage protocols. Because of that, he got the entire case dismissed at the very first hearing. I still have my job and my license."
Nathan T. · Laguna Hills, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Protected my license
"I was stressed out and expecting the worst. Joel Brand took over, explained everything clearly, and protected my license so I could keep working. Professional, confident, and reliable. Best decision I made."
Seth L. · Great Neck, NYvia Yelp
★★★★★
Best decision I made
"I messed up and thought it was going to cost me everything, my license, my job, all of it. Calling Joel Brand was the best decision I made after that night. He didn't judge me or make me feel worse than I already did."
Soren G. · Great Neck, NYvia Yelp
★★★★★
Dismissed
"I was panicking after getting stopped in the Marina District because I rely on my car for everything. Joel Brand stepped in and handled the entire process at the Hall of Justice without me having to stress over every detail. He managed to get my case completely dismissed, a huge weight off my shoulders."
Alden K. · San Francisco, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Completely dismissed
"Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about hiring a private lawyer. Mr. Brand was able to get my case not just reduced but completely dismissed. I am very grateful and satisfied with his service. I would recommend him to anyone I know with a DUI case."
Maxx G. · Virginiavia Yelp
★★★★★
Reduced, kept my license
"Took care of everything. He kept me up to date on every single thing that happened. I usually had a few days notice before he went to any court case on my behalf, so I didn't have to worry about missing work. My charges were eventually reduced to a reckless driving and I kept my license."
Yousha M. · San Francisco, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Charges reduced significantly
"I was literally shaking when I got that yellow slip of paper, but Joel Brand was like a rock through the whole thing. He handled all the heavy lifting with the DA. He managed to get my charges reduced significantly. That meant I could keep my license and stay on the road for my job, which was my biggest worry. He is worth every cent."
Nicole B. · Massachusettsvia Yelp
★★★★★
Case dropped
"I got stopped leaving a game and the cop said I was swerving. I was so scared about my job and my kids. Joel took my call on a Sunday and told me he could help. He found out the breath machine was broken. He went to court and got the case dropped. The judge agreed the police made a mistake with the stop. I kept my license and my record is clean. He knows the local judges and he fights hard."
Zoey · Ajax, Canadavia Yelp
★★★★★
Reduced to wet reckless
"I got pulled over near the Stoneridge Mall and was certain I was going to lose my license for a year. Joel Brand was a total professional and got my DUI charge reduced to a wet reckless. It saved my job and my reputation. He is the real deal and doesn't treat you like another case number on a file."
Isaiah R. · Columbus, OHvia Yelp
★★★★★
Handled the DMV and court
"I got stopped by the highway patrol on the 101. I thought I was going to lose my job, but Mr. Brand was professional and calm. He handled the DMV hearing and the court process so I didn't have to stress as much. He really knows how the system works."
Tyler S. · Bloomingdale, ILvia Yelp
★★★★★
Kept my commercial license
"I got into major trouble after a night out and was sure I was going to lose my commercial license, which is how I pay my rent. Joel Brand didn't judge me and he really knows the folks at the courthouse. He got the whole thing worked out so I could keep driving and stayed out of jail, which was my biggest fear."
Ivan · New York, NYvia Yelp
★★★★★
Dismissed: Title 17 violation
"If you are in trouble for a DUI, you need to call Joel. I was looking at a conviction, but he got my entire case dismissed. Joel found a serious issue with how the lab handled my blood sample under Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations. He takes the time to look at the small details that other lawyers might miss. I am so glad I went with him instead of taking a plea deal."
Konstantin T. · Austin, TXvia Yelp
★★★★★
Incredibly knowledgeable
"Joel is incredible! Extremely knowledgeable and very thorough. He explained everything in a way that helped me understand the legal ins and outs of my case, while giving me the confidence to take this head on. He gave me all the tools I need to mitigate my case. I would highly recommend him for your DUI defense."
Amber O. · San Francisco, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Brought clarity to a stressful process
"Joel is the kind of attorney who brings clarity to a confusing and stressful process. He is steady, responsive, and incredibly knowledgeable about how DUI cases play out in the real world. He laid out a game plan from day one and helped me stay one step ahead. Because of his approach, I ended up with a better outcome than I expected."
Qinhong C. · San Francisco, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Trustworthy and effective
"Joel is an excellent client advocate and a fantastic attorney. I had the opportunity to work with Joel directly on a referral matter; he served the client diligently and obtained a very successful result. He has the ability to explain complex legal matters to the layman in common sense terms. This is the guy you want in your corner if you are faced with DUI charges."
Michael B. · San Diego, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Professional, knowledgeable, dedicated
"From the very beginning, Joel brings a level of professionalism, knowledge, and dedication that immediately puts you at ease. He is incredibly thorough and has an impressive command of the law. What sets Joel apart is how he treats his clients, with respect, empathy, and a genuine commitment. His communication is second to none. He keeps you informed at every step."
Jason R. · Sacramento, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Dismissed in under 60 days
"Joel got my case dismissed inside of 60 days. I am a nurse with an RN license, and a conviction would have to be reported to the Nursing Board. I called him on a Sunday evening at 6pm and he spoke to me for over an hour. I never attended a single hearing; Joel attended all of them on my behalf. The officer had made a procedural error, and Joel made a big deal of it. The final hearing was a 1538 and we won. My case was dismissed immediately. His pricing was reasonable."
Shawna H. · San Francisco, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Dismissed after hung jury
"Joel got my case dismissed! I was stopped by a CHP officer who claimed my car drifted over the line. They had me do a breathalyzer at the station that came in at 0.12%. The next day I called Joel and he spent over an hour talking to me. Joel was fixated on dental work I'd had done that day. We went to trial, and Joel cross-examined the officer at length and called an expert who testified that alcohol can get caught in the pockets around temporary dental work, making the results unreliable. The jury hung. After trial, Joel filed another motion to exclude evidence, and the prosecutor dismissed the case. He knows his craft so well."
Henry W. · Berkeley, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Expunged and dismissed
"UPDATE: Joel got my probation terminated early and my whole case expunged. My case is now dismissed, like it never happened. The expungement process was painless. Joel sent me a questionnaire, took my answers, and wrote up a motion to the court to dismiss. The judge granted it. Joel did an excellent job. He is tenacious; call him Tenacious-J."
Ryan A. · San Francisco, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Generous with his time
"I reached out to Joel even though I was living outside his area of practice. Despite knowing I wouldn't be able to retain him, he took a generous amount of time to speak with me and offer detailed advice. He explained the potential repercussions and what steps I could take. I was genuinely impressed by his knowledge of the DUI legal system and how much he seemed to care."
Grayson W. · Arlington, TXvia Yelp
★★★★★
Fantastic work at my DMV hearing
"Joel did my DUI hearing, and it went very well. The DMV officer announced he would need a continuance because he didn't have a document he needed. Joel argued that not having the document was not good cause. After a long back and forth, the hearing officer agreed. We did the hearing and six days later I got a notice that I had won. The missing document was critical. Thanks, Joel."
Alex S. · Berkeley, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Attentive and thorough
"I recently started working with Joel and my experience has been simply amazing. He's super attentive, responds lightning fast to calls and texts, and is very thorough. I'm hoping to get my case reduced as I have a job that requires me to drive. I'll also be using Joel to get an old arrest sealed. 10/10."
Elisa M. · San Francisco, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
DMV hearing win
"Joel represented me at my DMV hearing and he won. The officer was called to answer questions, and Joel showed that he had no idea what he was doing. The DMV employee conceded that the investigation and report were a mess and that they hadn't met their burden. Joel subpoenaed all the documents and we now know how the officer will answer at trial."
Quid P. · Berkeley, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
A breath of fresh air
"What a breath of fresh air Joel is. I called him up and he picked up directly. We had a 45 minute conversation about my July 4th DUI. He provided all sorts of background and tactical info on how to approach a defense. He asked me to text him all my paperwork, so have that ready if you are calling for a consult."
Sherry A. · San Francisco, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Solid, no-nonsense advice
"I had a DUI scare with a BAC of 0.06 and reached out to Joel for a free consultation. He provided clear and practical advice, explained the legal process, potential outcomes, and my options. His insight into negotiating a plea with the DA and handling the DMV hearing convinced me he was the right attorney. His pricing is fair. If you need a DUI lawyer who offers solid, no-nonsense advice, Joel Brand is a good choice."
Sudarat P. · San Mateo, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Practical and reassuring
"Despite not hiring him for the full case, Joel offered a free consultation that was incredibly helpful. He provided a thorough overview of what to expect and outlined the steps I needed to take immediately. His knowledge and clear communication helped me feel more prepared. If you need initial advice on a DUI charge, Joel Brand is worth consulting."
Mary C. · Pittsburg, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Direct and a straight shooter
"Top lawyer, knows his stuff, very professional. He took time to listen to me. I have a crazy schedule, so we did our phone call at 11pm on a Saturday. He said it was no biggie because he was up working anyway. We discussed costs; he said he can take payments. He called back after I sent the ticket, just like he said he would."
Joel J. · San Francisco, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Knows DUI law in and out
"I can't recommend Joel highly enough. After talking to him for 30 minutes, I felt a pleasant sense of relief. Joel knows the laws relating to DUI in and out. He reviewed my police report and identified critical details that can be used to negotiate against the DA, things I hadn't even noticed. I now have a solid strategy to fight this."
Alan S. · Berkeley, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Great attention to detail
"Joel is a caring guy. He spent a lot of time with me developing a strategy, which was reassuring in a difficult time. My case had complications: a solo collision and a breath testing machine that showed an error. Joel is working to minimize the impact of the first and use the second to throw out critical evidence. Great attention to detail."
Ronald W. · Alameda, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
First-class service
"First-class service. I would give Mr. Brand a 10 out of 10. He has in-depth knowledge of all the California laws and a very strategic mindset. I spoke with him at 7pm and we chatted for nearly an hour. His compassionate and knowledgeable approach made a huge difference in my mindset. His quotation was honest and fair."
Mary M. · San Francisco, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Blew me away with his knowledge
"You'd be out of your mind if you didn't choose Joel as your DUI lawyer. His knowledge of DUI law blew me away. He had me bring things up on my laptop as we talked and showed me why things were the way they were. In the end, he spent nearly an hour with me and honestly referred me to a public defender as a free alternative. Admirable."
Jack M. · San Francisco, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Patient and a great guide
"My partner and I went through the horrifying experience of a DUI. There's so much going through your head. We gave Mr. Brand a call and he was patient in understanding what happened. He counseled us on the best path forward at a great price. I'm happy I selected Joel."
Carol M. · San Francisco, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Six stars if I could
"I would give 6 stars if I could. Joel is a wealth of information. We spoke to 3 different attorneys; Joel was the most insightful, so we went with him. His price was fair to slightly better than other attorneys I called."
Don M. · Hayward, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Takes pride in his craft
"From my first phone call, Joel was exceptionally knowledgeable and helpful. The night I received my first DUI was the lowest point in my adult life. Joel took his time on the phone and broke down exactly what was going to happen, and explained strategies to get the charges reduced. My charges were complicated by a minor collision. His fee structure is fair, and he explained strategies to reduce the auxiliary fees and fines. I've always admired those who take pride in their craft. Joel is one of them."
John S. · Menlo Park, CAvia Yelp
★★★★★
Excellent lawyer
"Joel is an excellent lawyer. He understands the law clearly and is very helpful with breaking it down for those that may not. He assisted me without me being his client and answered my questions diligently and concisely. If you need a lawyer, look no further; you have found them."
STi · Googlevia Google
★★★★★
Joel Brand saved me
"I was pulled over near Oracle Park after a night out in the city and I was certain my record was ruined. Joel Brand saved me."
Dezyon D. · Googlevia Google
★★★★★
So helpful
"Joel provided fantastic information and was so helpful."
Mary Clark · Googlevia Google
These testimonials are from actual clients and reflect their individual experiences. They are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case. Every case is different and results depend on its specific facts.
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