Aaron McAllister
Firm Founder & Principal Attorney

Bar Admission
California
US District Court for the Central District of California
US District Court for the Northern District of California

Education
Graduate, Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College
J.D., Howard University School of Law
B.A., University of California, Irvine

Honors & Awards

Received more than 40 legal awards and recognitions since 2015, including Super Lawyers “Rising Star” for 2017, 2018, 2019, & 2020

Awarded in 2020

Featured on the Cover of Super Lawyers Rising Stars
Selected as:

  • “Rising Star” – Super Lawyers
  • “Top 10 Under 40 Attorney” - National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
  • “Top 10 DUI Defense Attorney” – Best of the Best Attorneys
  • “10 Best Attorneys” – American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys
  • “America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys” – America’s Top 100 Attorneys
  • “Top 40 Under 40” – The National Black Lawyers
Awarded in 2019

Selected as:

  • “Top 1% Attorneys in America” – Distinguished Justice Advocates
  • “Top 10 Attorney in California” – Attorney and Practice Magazine
  • “Rising Star” – Super Lawyers
  • “Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in California” – The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
  • “10 Best Attorney” for California – American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys
  • “10 Best Attorney” for California – American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
  • “Top 40 Under 40” – The National Black Lawyers Association
Awarded in 2018

Selected as:

  • “Rising Star” – Super Lawyers
  • “Top 1% Attorneys in America” – Distinguished Justice Advocates
  • “Top 40 Lawyers Under 40” – American Society of Legal Advocates
  • “10 Best Criminal Law Attorneys” – American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
  • “10 Best DUI/DWI Attorneys” – American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys
  • “Top 10 Attorneys in California” – Attorney and Practice Magazine
  • “Premier 100 Trial Attorney” – National Academy of Jurisprudence
  • “10 Best Under 40 Criminal Law Attorney” – American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
  • “Top 100 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers” – National Trial Lawyers
  • “Top 100” – The National Black Lawyers
  • “Top 10 Under 40 Attorney” – National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
  • “Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Lawyers” – The American Society of Legal Advocates
Awarded in 2017

Selected as:

  • “Rising Star” – Super Lawyers
  • “Top 100 Lawyer in California” – The National Black Lawyers
  • “Top 10% of Lawyers in the United States” – Lawyers of Distinction
  • “10 Best Criminal Law Attorneys” – The American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
  • “10 Best Attorneys for DUI/DWI Defense” – American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys
  • “Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for California” – National Academy of Jurisprudence
  • “Top 10 DUI/DWI Attorneys in California” – American Jurist Institute
  • “Distinguished Lawyer” (Conferred Upon Top 3% of Lawyers) – Expert Network
  • “Top 10 Under 40 Attorney for California” – National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
Awarded in 2016

Selected as:

  • “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” – National Trial Lawyers
  • “Top 40 Under 40” – National Trial Lawyers
  • “Best in Client Satisfaction Award” – American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys
  • “10 Best” DUI/DWI Law Attorneys in California – American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys
  • “Top 10 Under 40” – National Academy of Criminal Defense
Awarded in 2015
  • “Client’s Choice Award” – Avvo
  • “Excellent Rating” – Avvo
  • Featured as “Young Lawyer of the Month” – John M. Langston Bar Association of Los Angeles
  • “Top 40 Under 40 Award” – National Black Lawyers
  • “10 Best” DUI/DWI Law Attorneys in California – American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys
  • “Best in Client Satisfaction” – American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys

BIOGRAPHY

AARON P. MCALLISTER is a trial lawyer. He is the founder of the Law Offices of Aaron P. McAllister. Mr. McAllister is a highly skilled litigator with substantial experience in federal and state courts. Moreover, Mr. McAllister is a rare trial attorney in light of the fact that he has experience in the areas of both civil (plaintiff’s side and defense’s side) and criminal litigation, as well as experience as both a criminal defense attorney and as a prosecutor. Mr. McAllister’s unique experience makes him highly effective at predicting and identifying the arguments and theories that the prosecution will most likely raise, and developing a defense to rebut the prosecutor’s position. Mr. McAllister has litigated various high profile cases and has represented various high profile and high-worth companies. Mr. McAllister counsels his clients throughout the entire case and zealously advocates for his client throughout settlement or trial.

Mr. McAllister began his career as an attorney at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (“PDS”). During his tenure at the PDS, Mr. McAllister represented indigent clients in a variety of criminal proceedings. Notably, while at the PDS, Mr. McAllister completed an extensive trial training program and received feedback, guidance, and mentoring from some of the top senior trial attorneys in the field, which was an invaluable experience for developing his trial advocacy skills. Also while at the PDS, Mr. McAllister obtained the skills necessary to advocate for his clients with a holistic approach, i.e., Mr. McAllister is trained to not only fight the charges at the trial stage, but to also combat the collateral consequences of coming into contact with the criminal justice system and having a criminal record. Indeed, at the PDS, Mr. McAllister assisted persons with criminal records with various legal issues arising from their contact with the criminal justice system, including record sealing, expungement, and early termination of parole. In addition, Mr. McAllister represented incarcerated clients during disciplinary hearings before the adjustment board, and wrote appeal letters on behalf of clients. Several of the written appeals that Mr. McAllister drafted on behalf of his clients were granted; in fact, due to the extraordinary number of successful appeals, Mr. McAllister was placed in charge of training incoming attorneys on how to draft an appeal.

In addition to his criminal defense experience at the DC PDS, Mr. McAllister has experience as a deputy prosecutor in California at the Inglewood City Attorney’s office. As preparation to serve as a deputy prosecutor, Mr. McAllister participated in a five-week trial training course in which he played the role of prosecutor in numerous mock criminal trials; such training covered the pre-trial conference, jury selection, opening statements, direct and cross-examination of witnesses, motions to dismiss, jury instructions, closing arguments, and sentencing. After demonstrating the ability to successfully prosecute criminal cases, Mr. McAllister served as a prosecutor at the Inglewood City Attorney’s office through the Trial Advocacy Project.

Mr. McAllister received his Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law in 2009 and was admitted to the California Bar that same year. At Howard, he was a member/senior editor of the Howard Law Journal and a member of Sigma Delta Tau Legal Fraternity, Inc. Mr. McAllister also earned a merit scholarship, as well as an American Jurisprudence Award for achieving the highest grade in Evidence. Mr. McAllister received his undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) in 2006. While at UCI, Mr. McAllister was a member of the Track & Field team (triple jump and long jump), where he earned consecutive scholar athlete awards from Fall 2004 to May 2006.

Prior to founding the Law Offices of Aaron McAllister, Mr. McAllister was associated with White & Case LLP in Washington, D.C. While at White & Case, Mr. McAllister represented a large corporation and several of its affiliates in antitrust class actions in federal, state, and international courts. Mr. McAlister prepared clients to testify at depositions, defended clients during depositions, and assisted in preparing for and taking depositions. Mr. McAllister also researched and drafted various case filings, including motions to dismiss, answers to complaints, and objections to discovery requests. Furthermore, Mr. McAllister participated in all phases of discovery and document production and review, including supervising staff attorneys and paralegals. Mr. McAllister received a merit-based bonus selectively given to high achieving associates for valuable contributions to the firm. In addition, Mr. McAllister served pro bono clients in family law cases on behalf of the firm, including adoption and guardianship matters. Mr. McAllister successfully represented a birth grandmother in an adoption trial such that the Judge awarded the birth grandmother custody of her three-year old granddaughter. Mr. McAllister also successfully represented a birth mother in a motion for contempt hearing such that the Judge dismissed the motion and the client was not incarcerated. Notably, Mr. McAllister received a pro bono award for exceptional advocacy, and was featured in an article for his outstanding representation.

Prior to establishing the Law Offices of Aaron P. McAllister, Mr. McAllister was also associated with Ivie, McNeill & Wyatt (“IMW”), in Los Angeles, California. While at IMW, Mr. McAllister represented clients in civil litigation – both plaintiffs and defendants – and criminal defense cases in California state courts. Specifically, Mr. McAllister’s practice areas included civil litigation, civil rights, class actions, labor and employment law (harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour), wrongful death, criminal defense, complex litigation, and personal injury. Mr. McAllister handled all aspects of litigation, including attending hearings and arguing motions. Mr. McAllister drafted and responded to various pleadings, including complaints, answers, motions in limine, motions to compel, demurrers, trial briefs, and arbitration briefs. Mr. McAllister drafted several demand letters that resulted in his clients receiving large settlements. Mr. McAllister also successfully drafted and orally argued a motion to compel, at which the Judge awarded monetary sanctions to his client. Furthermore, Mr. McAllister successfully drafted a demurrer and argued at the hearing, at which the Judge dismissed two causes of action. Mr. McAllister also experienced success while advocating for his clients in criminal cases, including successfully drafting and arguing an expungement motion; specifically, the Judge (1) granted early termination of probation, (2) reduced the client’s felony conviction to a misdemeanor conviction, and (3) granted the expungement of the client’s misdemeanor conviction.

Mr. McAllister graduated as one of approximately 50 trial lawyers nationwide handpicked to attend legendary trial lawyer Gerry Spence’s Wyoming Trial Lawyer College in 2019. The Trial Lawyers College is the most selective institution for training trial lawyers in the nation. The Trial Lawyers College is a training school for lawyers who represent the common person.

Mr. McAllister is admitted to practice before the State of California. Mr. McAllister is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Northern District of California as well as the United States District Court for the Central District of California.