I just want to say I am so happy I called The Shouse Law Group to handle my Public Intoxication case which was not good for me because I was still on DUI probation for a .10 BAC. I had gotten the DUI 4 1/2 years earlier in Ventura County which is the strictest County you could ever get a DUI in. I was pulled over for swerving in and out of my lane. Later the CHP Camera showed I was driving straight. I decided to do a blood test. They arrested me and took me to hospital to draw blood and then drunk tank for 12 hours. I felt pretty good that the results would come back under .08 because I only drank 6 light beers in a 7 1/2 hour time frame. I was shocked to find my lab results in the mail stating a .10 BAC. I thought something was wrong with the test. I hired a different lawyer at that time and had blood re-tested and it came back a .13 BAC. I felt the blood was mishandle and fermented like wine. I thought I had a good case due to me not swerving in and out of my lane according to CHP Camera and in my opinion mishandled blood evidence. But long story short after 2 years of fighting I lost. LIke I said Ventura County is tough on DUI Cases! I have been a cream of the crop Account Executive for over 20 years! Sales is all I know. I didn't realize that this DUI was death of a Salesman! I ended up losing my job, my house, my car. I had to move in with my parents with my 2 daughters for the first time since I was 18 years old at 45 years old! I could not find a good Outside Sales job for 7 months! Not only that I got double jeopardy on the 1 month Full Suspension and 5 Months To and From Alcohol School Drivers License Suspension. One from the DMV right after my arrest, and one extra from the courts after losing after a 2 year fight! Flash forward 2 1/2 years from DUI conviction and now I find myself at the wrong place at the wrong time while on DUI probation in Ventura County again. The cop basically arrested me right away with no field sobriety test or anything because when he questioned me about drinking I did not want to answer him. Well I was terrified at this point wondering what now? I have finally got a great job! New house! New car! Making Great Money! If I go to jail I will lose it all again! I was calling several law firms and getting consulted. I could not sleep for a month! I thought my life was over! No lawyer made me feel good about my situation! Not until I talked to John Murray and Karthik Krishnan from The Shouse Law Group! They made so much sense and gave me so much comfort. I hired Karthik Krisnan to handle my case and I could finally sleep the following month before my case date. I had 2 court dates. One for the Probation Violation, one for the actual Public Intoxication Case, in 2 separate court rooms. The cases were originally scheduled on 2 separate dates but Karthik moved them together on same date and same court room Judge. He was able to get my Public Intoxication DISMISSED! YAY! I gave him a big hug and started crying of happiness! He then got my Probation Violation plead to 5 days of work release, which with good behavior will be 3 days. Then my Probation was revoked and reinstated with same terms. This was the best money I have ever spent! Thank John Murray and Karthik Krisnan for helping me get my life back! You guys are the VERY BEST!!! read more

First of all, I am writing this review on behalf of my spouse and myself because we simply want to express our deepest gratitude to our lawyers, Counsel Karthik Krishnan and Counsel Leonard Manalo. To begin with, we honestly had no idea what to do when my spouse unexpectedly became involved in a criminal case. We were both overwhelmed, confused, and extremely stressed--to the point that we even considered going back to the Philippines. We are both Filipino, and we had only recently arrived in America when we suddenly encountered this difficult situation, involving another Filipino. I won't go into the details of the case because, if possible, we would rather not relive that experience. We started searching for lawyers who could help us, and thankfully, we found Law Office of Karthik Krishnan and contacted them right away. Their response was incredibly fast, and from there, we were able to speak with them immediately. Attorney Karthik Krishnan was the first attorney we spoke with and the first one to handle our case. He is an excellent lawyer--very confident, strong, and someone you can truly feel has the ability and determination to defend you. However, since we are Filipino, he felt that it would be better for us to work with his fellow Filipino attorney, Attorney Leonard Manalo. We jokingly call him "small but terrible" hahaha! Why? Because he is the complete opposite of Attorney Karthik Krishnan. Attorney Leonard is calm, soft-spoken, and seemingly quiet, but just like Attorney Karthik, he knows exactly what he is doing and how to handle a case. All you need to do is explain everything honestly and clearly to them so they can understand the situation and determine the best approach and solution for your case. From the beginning until the very end of our case, they never left us on our own. Whenever we had questions about the process, they took the time to explain everything to us and tell us what we needed to do. They were also very understanding and cooperative when it came to payment arrangements. They are truly compassionate and understanding lawyers. We are incredibly grateful that we found them and that they helped us get our case dismissed. Our case was handled at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Downtown Los Angeles. What we went through was extremely difficult and stressful, especially because we were just starting our new life in America. But because of the help and guidance of these attorneys, the process became much easier, and they helped ease our fears and worries along the way. So, to anyone looking for a lawyer to help with their case, especially a criminal case, we highly recommend Attorney Karthik Krishnan, Attorney Leonard Manalo, and the Law Office of Karthik Krishnan team. We can personally say this because we experienced their dedication and professionalism firsthand. Thank you so much again to the entire law firm for helping us through one of the most difficult experiences of our lives. We will always be grateful for everything you have done for us. Maraming, maraming salamat po, and more power to all of you! read more

If you're reading this wondering, "Can this guy really help me?" the answer is not just yes... it's hell yes. Karthik Krishnan didn't just handle my case, he changed the entire trajectory of my life when everything felt like it was falling apart. I was facing what felt like a hopeless situation. A DUI case tied to the Airport Courthouse and the El Segundo Driver Safety Office, where the odds were stacked against me. I was absolutely sure my license would be suspended for a full year. I had already accepted that I'd lose everything that depends on my ability to drive: work, independence, peace of mind. But Karthik never accepted that. And he never missed a beat. Not only did he answer every single call, but if I ever sent a text, he would immediately call me back to break things down in detail. Not just with legal language, but with clarity, confidence, and a kind of command that makes you feel like, "Okay... I've got the right guy." And I did. His speed, clarity, and focus were unreal. No fluff. No sugarcoating. He's straight to the point. The kind of presence that doesn't waste your time but also never makes you feel rushed. I honestly didn't believe someone could be that responsive and that effective until I saw the results. When the DMV letter came in the mail, I didn't even understand what it meant. I sent him a picture, called him, and all he said was: "We won." Not "I'll look into it." Not "Let's wait and see." Just "We won." That's when it hit me. This man saw a path when I saw none. That's the mark of a real expert. He doesn't just believe in your case, he sees it through until the win is in your hands. Thanks to him: My license was saved My freedom was restored I avoided a full one-year suspension I never had to miss a day of work because he handled court appearances for me directly He even helped a friend of mine with advice and support, just out of generosity and knowledge. Karthik is the real deal. A sharp strategist, an unshakeable presence in court, and an ally who doesn't flinch under pressure. I'll recommend him to anyone I care about, and to anyone reading this who needs someone who will fight hard to protect your future. If you want a lawyer who answers the phone, shows up with fire, and wins, Karthik Krishnan is that lawyer. read more

In 2019 I was arrested in Pasadena facing 25 years. this was my first time ever being arrested or charged with a crime, and I had 5 felonies. I thought my life was over. The first 3 times I went to (Pasadena) court I was assigned a public defender, who was not only extremely busy with other cases, but also did not seem to believe that I was telling the truth. After speaking with other inmates I had my father contact the Shouse Law Group, where I was placed in contact with attorney Karthik Krishnan. He immediately set up a meeting to come and visit me, where I explained my situation. Unlike with my public defender I really felt that Karthik wanted to help me, and that he would do everything in his power to help me. Within 2 weeks we had made more progress than in the previous 3 months, and my outlook on the situation began to change. I remember one day Karthik was visiting me, and he could see that I was very stressed. He asked what I was concerned about, and I explained that I was loosing hope and that I didn't know if I would ever see the outside would again. After patiently listening Karthik then explained his step by step game plan for every single one of those concerns. I cannot tell you what a difference this made, I went back to my cell filled with hope. This hope was kept alive due to the great communication he had with me, I never felt forgotten. I stopped worrying about getting "lost in the system" because I knew he wouldn't let that happen. Karthik seemed to take a lot of pride in helping me, and I could see that he was actively motivated to get me justice. This in turn motivated me to stay out of trouble in the jail, and to not give up, something many inmates around me had done. I really felt that he went above and beyond to help me not only understand the laws and the legal side, but to also show me that my life wasn't over. In the end I was sentenced to formal probation, with a program instead of state prison. I could not have been more satisfied with this outcome. Karthik even explained that in a few years I have an opportunity to reduce my felonies to misdemeanors, and that he would be able to help me with that too. He went above and beyond to help me, and I could not have been more grateful to have found him and this firm. read more

Well, this is as good as it gets. It all started when I was looking for an attorney literally 1-2 days before the court date ON a weekend. I called about a good 5 different places and even typed up my situation on various websites for help!! I was scared at what was coming at me, confused, and I learned that I needed an attorney for 2 misdemeanor tickets I received. I got a call late Saturday night, at around 7pm while I was at work. At first I didn't want to answer it but something told me to. God definitely answered my prayers. Leonard Manalo introduced himself as well as the Shouse Law Group and I asked myself, they're open on the weekend?! The man was awesome, He made me feel so relieved, and was real comfortable to talk to! (pretty funny too lol) He asked about what was going on, told me how this will go down, and after that, He immediately took on the 2 cases I have and plus getting my license back from a prior ticket holding it from 2014. So in all, 3! I gave him everything he needed by email and text and at this point I was shocked and amazed. He gave me a good price (keep in mind, this was very VERY last minute) and I asked if I was able to set up a reasonable payment plan (i work minimum wage so I don't make much). Boom. I sent part of the payment as agreed via email. No type of hassle, no hard time, no worries! We stayed in contact, discussed the plans on how to win these cases and told me that they will even appear on my behalf! They work so hard at what they do, and I appreciate everything they've accomplished so far. Shout out to Leo and the rest of the group for helping me out. I'll say it again, They appeared on all my cases on my behalf, (2 of them weren't filed yet so we are waiting, got proof of appearances for me as well) I can honestly say, that this is the best decision I've made in my life. They beat the case that was holding my license (FTA) i'll just be paying a little fee to court and we now have 2 remaining. What more can I say? You guys are awesome! Thank you again for the excellent service and helping me. Can't wait to knock out these last 2! I Definitely recommend the Shouse Law Group. They contacted me on my situation, and here I am writing a review! -Keenen G. read more

Leo Manalo is a fantastic criminal attorney. He is extremely responsive and gave me his personal cell, replying right away to my calls, as well as texts. Leo is very forthright and realistic when it comes to setting client expectations of possible outcomes, but always communicated in a calm, sympathetic and reassuring demeanor that put me at ease in the face the most nerve-racking experience of my life. He was concise and clear about my options and the decisions I needed to make, explaining it all in simple, 'non-lawyer' terms and answering every question, regardless of how silly they seemed. Leo has a great relationship with prosecutors and court staff, which no doubt played a significant roll in facilitating and expediting what ended up being an easy negotiation of my case. We settled without having to go to trial, and with a much better outcome than I even expected. The cherry on top was when we were standing in the courthouse, ready to sign the paperwork reflecting the details we had negotiated with the prosecutor, which I was satisfied with, and he said to me, "You know, I don't want you to take this deal... I'm going to try one more thing..." He walked back into the courtroom and came out a few minutes later with an even lesser charge than we negotiated. Boom. That level of tenacity is impressive. That's the difference between a public defender, to whom you are simply a case number, and a skilled criminal attorney at the top of his game. There is no comparison. When you're faced with the prospect of putting your fate in someone else's hands, especially in a situation that has massive potential impact on your life going forward, Leo's demeanor, expertise, communication and thoroughness are invaluable. After court, he sent me an email summarizing everything, pertinent dates and my exact obligations going forward. Court documents can be confusing and unclear, and sometimes the clerk's handwriting can be difficult to read, so Leo completely 'idiot-proofed' for me. I highly recommend him and, if I ever need a criminal attorney again (god forbid), there is no other attorney I would call. read more

David B. 4/27/23 I believe one of the most difficult things I've ever been faced with was to source out a solid reputable attorney to defend me in a criminal case. My prayers were answered when I came across the Shouse Law Group and in particular attorneys Karthik Krishnan and Leo Manalo. In my initial contact with Karthik he was able to explain the law regarding my case in simple terms. He took the time to reference legal documents while talking with me over the phone to support his legal position. I immediately felt comfortable with him as he guided me through the process that would take place to address my case in court. I found Karthik to be very knowledgeable about the law involved in my case and in navigating the court system. Throughout the entire process I had a lot of questions and Karthik was very quick to respond to my phone calls. When my court date came I was represented at the LA Superior court in downtown Los Angeles by attorney Leo Manalo. I was very nervous during the court hearing but Leo put my mind at ease.They were able to get my probation terminated as well as getting the charges reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor. I was ecstatic to say the least. Leo asked the judge for a hard copy of the minutes which is something they were not that accustomed to doing, I guess, but did agree that if I came back in a couple of hours they would provide that for me. Leo stayed with me by phone the whole time which was a good thing because they had made an error in the minutes which Leo quickly addressed with the court. I was able to get the corrected copy within minutes and I was on my way home. In my opinion these guys are the Gold Standard when it comes to attorneys. Their work and achievements with my case was beyond my expectations. If you're looking for a reputable attorney you can stop your search with the Shouse Law Group, as I did. I would recommend this firm without reservation.They know the law, they know the court system, they are responsive, and they are passionate about what they do. Thank you for changing my life. read more

Not long ago, I found myself on the absolute WRONG side of the law & order equation. A stupid mistake put me in a horrible jam, and I was facing multiple serious charges in Los Angeles County, specifically the Van Nuys criminal courthouse. Then I did something SMART... I hired ATTORNEY KARTHIK KRISHNAN (co-counsel with the Shouse Law Group in Encino) to represent me. Right from the jump, his incredible knowledge of the law, combined with his calm and professional demeanor put me at ease. He took the time to explain the entirety of my situation, and went through all the steps of the proceedings to come, laying everything out in plain and simple terms so I could fully understand not only the process, but his approach to my legal defense. Not once did he make lofty promises that he might not have been able to keep, but rather he gave me an honest assessment of my case, and assured me he would do everything in his power to affect a positive outcome. It was abundantly clear that Mr. Krishnan truly cares about his clients. When he represents you, you're not just a "case" to him--you're a human being going through something awful and stressful, and it's not just his job to help you get through it--it's his mission. Well, not only did Mr. Krishnan "get me through" my situation, he delivered a result that was far better than I could have ever imagined... He was able to get ALL CHARGES DISMISSED! When it comes to legal representation, there are no shortage of competent lawyers out there. But when your freedom is on the line, "competent" just won't cut it -- you need THE BEST... A rock star attorney who will treat you with respect and dignity, fight for you tooth and nail, and never once allow you to feel overwhelmed or overpowered by the system. That's EXACTLY who Karthik Krishnan is! Were it not for Karthik Krishnan, I am certain my story would have had a much different ending - and I'd still be living my nightmare, not just writing about it. THANK YOU, KARTHIK! Sincerely, AJS read more

Fantastic lawyer who went above and beyond Leo was hired by my family to assist in a case concerning a family member. Without going into all the details of the case Leo was simply amazing. With Leo's help we were able to get a result which included only a few days in jail. At the start of the process the DA would not negotiate past at least two years jail time so what was achieved was nothing short of a miracle (mixed in with a lot of hard work from Leo). Leo acted professionally at all times and made sure that we understood what was going on. In addition, Leo was able to single handedly negotiate a deal with the DA who were maintaining a very tough stance. We started in a position of being offered no room to negotiate, and ended in a position of being able to have all of our requests met which was very impressive. All credit to Leo for this. This particular case was made more complicated because of the non-US nationality and the mental health issues that the defendant suffers. Leo completely understood these issues and worked with us as a family to work past these issues to get the best outcome for the defendant and the defendant's well-being. Clearly jail (a million miles away from home), is not the right place for someone with mental health issues. Leo's job was not made easy due to the changing moods of the defendant, the ability of the defendant to conceal his illness, and Leo's own legal obligation to follow the instructions of the defendant which weren't always well thought out. Despite all of this, Leo worked patiently and tirelessly to help us through it and for that we are very grateful. It is very rare to find a professional lawyer that can understand the changing faces of mental illness, let alone be able to work through them. Thank you, Leo, for a job well done. As the defendant's family we cannot think you enough for your support and most of all for your ability to be a great lawyer. read more

If you're reading this because you've been charged with a DUI and are trying to weigh all of your options, I for one understand your pain. Having now gone through the ups and downs of this legal process, my first recommendation would be to shell out the cash and hire a private attorney rather than go with a public defender. Now comes the choice of selecting the right fit as far as counsel, there are tons of DUI lawyers, from the billboard guys yammering on the radio to smaller upstart guys. Well the best thing you could have done today is read this review. My second whole hearted recommendation is to hire Karthik Krishnan. My first experience with Karthik is what initially sold me. I talked to a lot and I mean a lot of DUI lawyers and a lot of them seemed insincere and to be blunt, like sharks. Sharks that seemed to be tuned to just how stressed and completely nervous I was about the situation Karthik sat down with me and more or less gave it to me straight with what to expect and what was possible as far as lessening the charges. He seemed to actually care about the case and so I gave him a shot. The process was nerve wracking and at there were times when I had doubts, but Karthik always stood by my side and was available around the clock. He was always quick to return my calls and even answered when he was off. He would often times offer reassurance and peace of mind about the entire process. Honestly, my case wasn't the greatest and it was a stretch to have any sort of reduction in charges but Karthik was willing to fight with me until the bitter end. We were actually in the beginning stages of taking my case to trial. However, because of Karthiks persistence, general legal knowledge, knowledge of the system, and all around professionalism the charges ended up being reduced. Karthik will get you the best possible outcome. Hire this guy. read more

Attorney Karthik Krishnan of Shouse Law Group helped me with both criminal defense and record expungement. I reached out to Shouse Law a few years ago after my first and only arrest. I was humiliated, scared, and didn't know what to do. Fortunately, my case was assigned to Karthik Krishnan and he took care of me from start to finish. Despite the unusual circumstances surrounding my case, Karthik was very kind and professional. There were issues with the DA and scheduling that made the case drag on for months and months, but Karthik was in constant contact with me. I don't think there was one week that went by where he didn't reach out and give me a status update. The DA wanted to penalize me pretty harshly (a pretty insane number of community labor hours and to have my property taken away from me permanently) but Karthik was able to secure a lower number of hours and have all of my property (excluding one item) returned to me. This was a huge deal considering that having my property restored saved me literally thousands of dollars and protected some things that were invaluable to me. Fast-forward three years when my summary probation came to an end. I had completed all of my community labor hours and had paid all fines and wanted to try to have my record expunged. I shopped around and reached out to a few expungement attorneys. Some never bothered to respond to me, and a couple were just pretty rude. I thought of Shouse Law and decided to see if they handle expungements as well as criminal defense. Sure enough, they did. I sent an email inquiry and was contacted within an hour by Leonard. My expungement was again assigned to Karthik, and he was, once again, great with communication. My expungement was recently granted and I couldn't be happier. read more

I was in an absolute panic after receiving a DUI, and had no idea what to do. I had consults with a number of different attorneys, but none of them felt quite right, and most felt like they were just telling me what I wanted to hear without having any sincere interest in me or my case. On a recommendation from a friend, I decided to go with Karthik Krishnan from Shouse Law Group, and I'm so glad that I did. From the very beginning, Karthik has been extremely helpful, responsive, and informative throughout the entire process. He took the time to get the full story of what happened with my case, responds to all of my calls or texts in a timely manner, has been patient about trying to answer all of my questions in a way that is easy for me to understand, and was able to work out a payment plan that worked for my budget. In addition, I have been pleasantly surprised with how good of a job he has done with handling my case so far. I was told by every single person I spoke to, both friends and other attorneys, that my DMV hearing would be impossible to beat, even harder than my court case. To my surprise, Karthik was able to present a solid argument on my behalf, and ended up winning my DMV hearing! Thanks to that, I was able to keep my license, pending my court results. This has made a huge impact on my life, and has allowed me to maintain a job so that I can support myself while dealing with this whole situation. Karthik has surpassed all of my expectations so far, and I can definitely say that I am able to feel confident knowing that I have such a great attorney on my side. I highly highly recommend both Karthik and Shouse Law Group if you find yourself in need of legal help. read more

I had received a letter informing me a complaint had been filed at the Los Angeles city attorney's office. This was almost a year after the incident took place, and all evidence of my innocence had been lost. I was somewhat panicked, and did not have the necessary money in the bank to just run out and hire anyone. The first place I looked to was family and friends. I had a friend suggest an attorney who gave me some consultation and said he'd call me. Three days before the arraignment he decided to go on vacation to Palm Springs and leave me high and dry with no idea what to do. I had previously called Shouse Law Group to get an estimation of how much it'd cost to have an attorney accompany me to the complaint hearing. At the time I hadn't the money to pay, but three days before the trial I was desperate and needed people I could trust. Less than 3 hours after I had called the phone number on their website I had an appointment. During the appointment Karthik Krishnan and Leonard Manalo (Leo) spoke with me and assured me of my chances. They explained that they had handled dozens of these hearings and there hadn't been a single one that went to trial. I felt at ease, and said to myself silently, "As long as these guys show up with me I'm going to walk out without a problem." While the hearing was set for 10 AM by the attorney's office manager, Karthik and Leo said to show up by 8:30. The morning of it was Leo who accompanied me into the office. I didn't have to answer a single question, and walked out with Leo less than 15 minutes after going in. If there's ever a point in the future I'm on the wrong side of the law, it's going to be Shouse I call first without hesitation. read more