Professional Experience

Leah Naparstek

Leah Naparstek practices exclusively in the area of criminal defense throughout California. She is an aggressive and talented attorney who represents individuals accused of crimes ranging from minor misdemeanors to serious felonies. She is highly knowledgeable in the area of DUI defense and obtains outstanding results in this specialized area of law.

After a lengthy career dedicated to Jewish education and administration, Leah studied law at Abraham Lincoln University of Law where she graduated summa cum laude in 2008 and was bestowed the honor of class valedictorian. Armed with her law degree and license to practice law she vowed to use her knowledge of the law and extensive people skills to continue to help others and to make a positive difference in their lives.

Ms. Naparstek gained valuable insight and experience while working at an immigration law firm throughout her attendance at Law University and for several years after she earned her law degree. Her astute understanding of the law and meticulous attention to details, coupled with her compassionate nature and tireless energy, allowed for many immigrants to realize their dreams of being able to live in the United States.

Leah Naparstek’s lifelong dedication to helping people improve the quality of their lives turned out to be the perfect testing ground for becoming a criminal defense attorney. She believes that a successful advocate for those accused of committing a crime must have more than just knowledge and experience. A good attorney must possess the necessary drive and determination for justice in order to be a true voice for her client’s rights. Ms. Naparstek holds that drive and determination by being tenacious with prosecutors and exacting to the details of a case.

Leah has a wonderful gift of making people feel comfortable and quickly earning their trust. Her diverse background has allowed her to relate to people from all walks of life. Each one of her clients is treated as the most important – because when she works on their case they ARE the most important! She makes herself available day and night and makes sure each client understands that their case is more than just business…. it’s personal for her. Coming from a large family and having raised eight children of her own, Leah understands that criminal charges carry very high stakes for her clients and their families, and she is sensitive and considerate towards them as they face the legal challenges together.

Bar Admissions

Associations

  • California Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • San Fernando Valley Bar Association
  • Criminal Courts Bar Association
  • Private Defenders of California, Inc.

Negin Akhavan

With over a decade of experience in criminal defense, Negin Akhavan is a dedicated advocate committed to protecting the rights, freedom, and future of her clients. For more than ten years, she has represented individuals facing some of the most challenging moments of their lives, providing not only strategic legal representation but also steady guidance and unwavering support.

Known for her compassionate and client-centered approach, Negin Akhavan understands that criminal charges can be overwhelming and deeply personal. She takes the time to listen carefully, evaluate each case thoroughly, and develop tailored defense strategies designed to achieve the strongest possible outcomes. Her clients value her accessibility, responsiveness, and genuine care for their well-being throughout the legal process.

Throughout her career, Negin Akhavan has built a strong record of success through meticulous preparation, strategic negotiation, and confident courtroom advocacy. Whether negotiating favorable resolutions or litigating aggressively at trial, she remains steadfast in her commitment to protecting her clients’ rights at every stage.

Her reputation is built not only on results, but on trust, discretion, and professionalism. Clients turn to her for experienced representation delivered with integrity and dedication.

When freedom, reputation, and livelihood are at stake, Negin Akhavan provides the experience, skill, and personal commitment clients deserve.

Client Testimonials

Leah Legal is committed to each and every client. Cases do not simply stop at the initial meeting, this is a long road and Leah Legal will be by your side every step of the way. When you sign up with our firm you can rest assured you will be treated with kindness, respect, and honesty while obtaining vigorous criminal representation. Some of our past clients have been wonderful enough to leave testimonials on their experiences dealing with our firm. These are real people who faced some of the same things you are facing at the moment and they decided to lean on Leah Legal to represent them in obtaining the best result imaginable. Read a few client reviews here.

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Oftentimes, your initial encounter with the authorities when suspected of an offense is when a police officer questions you. This could arise from a traffic stop, a citizen’s report, an officer’s belief that they witnessed the crime, or as part of a broader investigation. It is never too early to retain a lawyer during police interrogation, even when you have not been arrested yet.

A skilled attorney will advise you on what questions to answer and when you should remain silent. They can also be an intermediary between you and the police, ensuring the officer handles the process appropriately and respects your rights. 

After the police officer completes investigations, they may arrest you if they trust there is sufficient evidence to link you to an offense. When you are arrested, the officer should read you your Miranda rights. One of these rights is the right to a lawyer.

An attorney is essential to safeguarding your rights before and after an arrest. After an arrest, your matter will be sent to a prosecutor, who will assess it. If there is sufficient evidence warranting a prosecution, the prosecutor may formally charge you. By contacting a lawyer early, you may prevent these charges from being filed. The lawyer may find mistakes in your case or negotiate for the best possible outcome, depending on the case facts.

After charges are filed, you will be arraigned in court, where you will enter a plea. You are entitled to seek a lawyer’s advice before you take a plea. Based on how you plead, the judge will then decide whether you should post bail and secure your pretrial release. Navigating the bail process can be intricate, and a skilled lawyer can help.

After the arraignment, the discovery process follows. This is where the D.A. gives the defense the evidence it has collected in developing its case against you and vice versa. The evidence is intended to support the criminal charges and might include witness statements, police reports, photos, and videos. An experienced attorney can scrutinize these materials to determine inaccuracies and weaknesses that they could use in your favor. 

Should your case go to trial, the burden of demonstrating that you are guilty lies with the prosecutor. During the trial, your lawyer will develop the most compelling arguments in your favor. If the prosecution cannot demonstrate its case, the jury will find you not guilty. But if it proves its case, you will be found guilty.

Even if you are convicted, a devoted lawyer will continue working to help you receive the most favorable outcome. They can submit evidence and assert a lighter sentence, which can lead to a reduced incarceration period, court supervision, lower fines, or other lenient alternatives. If the jury found you not guilty or you received court supervision, your lawyer can help you review your eligibility to seal or expunge your record.