James W. Spertus

Los Angeles

White Collar & Commercial Litigation

James W. Spertus is a passionate litigator who has earned his reputation for excellence by winning big cases in federal and state courts. Before founding Spertus, Landes & Josephs, LLP, in 2006, he spent eight years in the U.S. Attorney's Office as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division. Spertus now handles serious civil and criminal matters for companies, celebrities, and executives needing trial expertise.

Spertus also devotes a portion of his practice to public interest cases, trying to effect change for the public good. In 2017, Spertus sued the City of Los Angeles to stop an unlawful practice by the LAPD of seizing property and refusing to return it when it was no longer needed for evidentiary or forfeiture purposes. Sillas v. City of Los Angeles, et al., 2:17-cv-08691-FMO-AFM, (L.A. Super., filed Dec. 21, 2017).

In 2022, Spertus obtained a permanent injunction in federal court prohibiting the unlawful practice.

"I had hoped to avoid the Sillas litigation with a phone call, but instead, the city dug in, and the case required four years of contentious litigation before the court permanently enjoined the unlawful practice at issue in that case," Spertus explained. "The people benefitting most from the permanent injunction are uneducated and often undocumented and, without the injunction, they would likely never get seized property back from the LAPD. This noteworthy case changed behavior at the LAPD and the city, which have both demonstrated a newfound willingness to comply with the law since the injunction was entered."

Spertus has a reputation for tenacity and for never giving up. Whether in a chess match or a knife fight, he brings the same passion for law and justice to every case and loves the art of oral advocacy.

Spertus is also well-known as a critical thinker and a strategic decision-maker who can analyze complex cases from every angle. His keen eye for detail and his analytical skills enable him to quickly identify the strengths and weaknesses of every case and argument, giving him a significant advantage in the courtroom.

Spertus represents both large corporations and individuals in litigation and prides himself on the breadth of his experience. "I develop subject matter expertise in individual cases that require it, but overall, I describe myself as a trial lawyer, which is a specialty not all litigators develop."

-Douglas Saunders