Attorney Profiles

David S. Kestenbaum
Van Nuys, California

Sole Practitioner
phone	(818) 781-1570
fax	(818) 788-5033
email	Email Me

David S. Kestenbaum has been practicing criminal law exclusively since 1979. David was a prosecutor in Van Nuys from 1985 through 1992. Prior to and after his stint as a prosecutor, Mr. Kestenbaum defended citizens charged with crimes. He has had offices in Westwood, Century City and now in Van Nuys, directly across from the Van Nuys Courthouse, the District Attorneys office as well as the City Attorneys office. This prime location has allowed him to act quickly and aggressively in presenting his client’s case to the police or prosecutors prior to charges being filed. When this doesn’t work, Mr. Kestenbaum is always ready to try the case to a jury. At this writing, he has won acquittals in his last five jury trials, including a 22 minute “Not Guilty” in his latest trial in May, 2004.
Over the last twenty years, Mr. Kestenbaum has handled many high profile cases, both as a defense attorney and as a prosecutor. He has appeared on numerous Television interviews as well as radio interviews and newspaper articles. Several of his cases have garnered national news, although, as a rule, Mr. Kestenbaum works very hard at keeping his client’s names OUT of the news.
During his time as a Prosecutor, David learned how to evaluate the Prosecution’s case; both the strengths and weaknesses. This experience has allowed him to aggressively defend his client’s before they go to court, rather than starting work on the first court date. Valuable time can be lost while the prosecutor is deciding whether to file a case; reject it outright, or refer a felony for misdemeanor prosecution. Having a working relationship with the police can also be an advantage for Mr. Kestenbaum’s clients. During his tenure as a prosecutor, he made many long lasting professional relationships with the police, which often can shift a case from being filed to a city attorney hearing based on David’s past credibility with those who investigate the case.
From the moment you meet with Mr. Kestenbaum, he begins developing his “recipe for success.” Each case and client is different, yet there are time proven strategies that, if followed by the client, will help the successful defense of the case. In many instances, Mr. Kestenbaum has been able to come up with alternatives to the harsh punishment often sought by the Prosecutors. His ability to “humanize” his clients together with his refusal to take “No” for an answer often results in favorable outcomes for his clients. He is often heard telling a D.A. who says, “I can’t do that” that “Yes you can, you just WON’T!” David’s dedication to defending people accused of crimes together with his recipe for success have resulted in favorable results as can be seen in other locations of this website.
“Each case presents individual facts which must be tailored in such a way as to benefit the client. We work on changing the client’s (he never calls them Defendants) image in the eyes of the Prosecution; as well as highlighting the factual weaknesses present in every case.” Mr. Kestenbaum’s resources include a Private Investigator on site, to immediately begin the investigation often before the police do; therapists in a wide range of sub-specialties that apply to criminal cases; psychologists and psychiatrists and other specialists to assist in your defense.
Unlike other firms that advertise “Offices throughout the Southland,” Kestenbaum & Eisner, LLP have one office directly across from the Van Nuys Courthouse. There you will meet with an actual attorney, not an office manager or paralegal. At Kestenbaum & Eisner, LLP, you will meet with the attorney who will personally handle your case. As you can see by our testimonials and past cases, our personal and result oriented approach is successful and we maintain a large number of clients referred by other satisfied clients. Just because you have been arrested, it is not the end of the world. Kestenbaum & Eisner, LLP is here to defend you and help you get your life back under control.

Year Joined Organization:

1992

Areas of Practice:

100% Criminal Defense

Litigation Percentage:

100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions:

California, 1979

Education:

Southwestern University School of Law, Los Angeles, California, 1978 J.D. Honors: With Honors Honors: Who's Who In American Universities and Law Schools Law Review: Southwestern University Law Review, Editor, 1978

Boston University School of Management, Boston, MA, USA, 1975 B.S.B.A. Honors: With Honors

Published Works:

"Halting the Erosion of the Right Against Self-Incrimination", 9 S.W.U.L.R. 771, 1977

Professional Associations and Memberships:

California State Bar

National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

San Fernando Valley Bar Association

Burbank Bar Association

Criminal Courts Bar Association

Languages:

Spanish

Hebrew

Farsi

Kestenbaum Eisner & Gorin LLP has been recognized as one of the best U.S. law firms, based on the experience, professionalism, and ethics of its criminal defense lawyers and attorneys. We aggressively defend clients in all Southern California courtrooms on state and federal charges, including DUI, DMV, misdemeanor, felony, juvenile cases, in the following communities and courthouses. Los Angeles County, CA: Agoura, Altadena, Alhambra, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Calabasas, Century City, Chatsworth, Compton, Culver City, Diamond Bar, Downey, Downtown Criminal Court, El Segundo, East Los Angeles, Eastlake, Encino, El Monte, Glendale, Glendora, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, Hollywood, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Los Angeles Lawyer, La Canada, LAX Court, Los Padrinos, Long Beach, Los Angeles Attorney, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Marina Del Rey, Newhall, Norwalk, Palos Verdes, Pasadena, Pomona, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, San Dimas, San Fernando, San Marino, San Pedro, Santa Clarita, Sherman Oaks, Sierra Madre, Santa Monica, South Gate, South Pasadena, Sylmar, Torrance, Universal City, Valencia, Van Nuys, West Covina, West Hollywood, Walnut, Westchester, West Hollywood, Westlake Village, Whittier, Woodland Hills, California. Orange County, CA: Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine Attorney, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, La Habra, La Palma, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange, Orange County Lawyer, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, Yorba Linda, California. Ventura County, CA:Camarillo, Moorpark, Oxnard, San Buenaventura, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village. San Bernardino County, CA: Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland.
For our clients' convenience, we have offices in the vicinity of courthouses in Antelope Valley, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Glendale, Long Beach, Los Angeles,Pasadena, San Fernando, South Bay, Ventura, Valencia, Whittier, and San Bernardino, and we are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our main office is directly across the street from the Van Nuys Court and the Van Nuys LAPD Jail.