Lisa Polansky | Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer

Lisa A. Polansky has been licensed to practice law since 1990 and is committed to providing quality legal representation in both state and federal courts in Colorado.

Ms. Polansky has taught trial skills at the University of Colorado, School of Law and has also trained lawyers for NITA (National Institute for Trial Advocacy), as an International Legal Fellow in Nepal, as a Supervisor in the Los Angeles Public Defender's Office and in a variety of programs on juvenile law, sentencing policy and on pretrial and trial advocacy skills.

Our firm is dedicated to protect our clients' rights and defend them as they face the most serious charges and accusations. As a former Deputy Public Defender and private practitioner, Ms. Polansky is comfortable in the courtroom and willing to take cases to trial if the government wishes to proceed and not dismiss or reach a reasonable disposition of the case.

Ms. Polansky has been successful in negotiating that there be no charges filed when the client retained our firm upon first contact with law enforcement.

The key to a successful law practice is a good reputation. It is the most valuable asset. I say what I mean, do what I say, and walk the talk. I am compassionate, diligent, dedicated, thorough and respectful. I earn the respect of others by respecting them. Clients appreciate it and have recommended me to others. I also accept referrals from lawyers practicing other types of law or are just too busy to take on a new case.

Clients should look for experience in the exact field covering their case. They should look for someone who has time to give their case as well as the ability to handle the complexity of the matter. The client should expect 24 hour response time, returned phone calls, office visits on a regular basis and all questions answered. I provide all of the above on state and federal criminal defense matters.

Local knowledge can be extremely important and a potential client should look for someone who has been practicing in that area for some time.

I provide a 30-45 minute free phone consultation and will discuss the charges, possible consequences, potential strategies, costs and fees.

A potential client should provide a succinct version of the events, the criminal charges, the court date and be ready to decide on a lawyer, meet in person with them as soon as possible, sign a retainer agreement and pay the retainer fee to allow the attorney to get to work on their case.

I am different because I am not going to guarantee that no charges will be filed or that charges will be dismissed but I can guarantee the best defense a client can get. I enjoy what I do and while I am adept at negotiating case disposition, I am also an excellent writer and oral advocate and have won serious cases pre-filing, on motions, at trial, on appeal and even post-conviction.

The most rewarding aspect of my work is winning someone's freedom and speaking truth to power.

I enjoy sailing, travel and reading.

I am a member of numerous organizations, like the NACDL, CACJ, CPDA, and others but mainly I pride myself on volunteering with at risk or incarcerated youth and working as appointed counsel for the indigent on federal and state cases as well as appeals and post-conviction matters.

• Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association
  Member, California Public Defender's Association
  Member, California Criminal Courts Bar Association
  Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  Member, National Trial Lawyers Association
  Member, California State Bar Association
  Member, Colorado State Bar Association

• Top 100 Trial Lawyers (Criminal Defense) 2013

• Most recent case: Denver, Colo. – Lorenzo Montoya was released from prison June 16, 2014 after reaching a plea deal days before a scheduled hearing that would have revealed significant Constitutional flaws in his conviction and new evidence casting serious doubt on his guilt. In January 2000, then fourteen-year-old Montoya was one of three Denver teens arrested and charged for alleged involvement in the brutal murder of a north Denver schoolteacher. Mr. Montoya, later convicted of felony murder and other charges, was sentenced to mandatory life without parole. Mr. Montoya, now represented by a legal team lead by counsel Lisa A. Polansky, filed a petition in June 2013 in Denver District Court challenging his convictions. The challenge was based on egregious Constitutional violations, including ineffective assistance of counsel and incompetence to stand trial, and new evidence, including DNA. Montoya’s new counsel, Lisa A. Polansky, and co-counsel, also succeeded in obtaining new DNA testing that produced powerful evidence of Mr. Montoya’s innocence. Additional new evidence included Montoya’s co-defendant, telling the defense team that Mr. Montoya had nothing to do with the brutal crime. In lieu of a hearing on Mr. Montoya’s claims or a new trial, the Denver District Attorney offered to dismiss all of the charges against Mr. Montoya and release him immediately in exchange for a guilty plea to accessory after the fact. The factual basis for this plea is that Mr. Montoya rode in a car stolen from the victim and did not reveal what he heard about the murder. After 14 years behind bars, including many in solitary confinement, Mr. Montoya pled guilty and was given a time-served sentence.

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