Ezekiel E. Cortez

Criminal Defense: General Practice

5.0 (1 reviews)

San Diego, California

42+ years experience

Ezekiel E Cortez, Law Offices

Updated: Jan 03, 2026

Contact Information

619-237-0309

https://ezekielecortez.com/team/ezekiel-e-cortez/

402 West Broadway, Suite 1815, San Diego, CA 92101

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Bio

A National Practice Devoted To Complex Federal Criminal Defense, Federal and State Habeas Litigation And Other Federal Matters. Ezekiel E. Cortez is a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist, California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization after passing the federal specialist examination. As a devoted career criminal defense attorney, Mr. Cortez has unwaveringly devoted his practice to the defense of federal criminal cases and other federal matters since 1984. Since 1988 Mr. Cortez has also engaged in Habeas Corpus Litigation of selected federal and state cases. Mr. Cortez's legal ability and ethical conduct have earned the highest peer-review rating available from Martindale-Hubbell - an AV rating. For over two decades now, Mr. Cortez has been continuously listed in The Best Lawyers In America. Mr. Cortez has also been listed in San Diego Magazine's "Best Lawyers In San Diego" in 2001 and 2005-2009 as one of only a handful of elite criminal defense lawyers described by the magazine as the type of lawyer that other "attorneys would go to if they needed a [federal criminal defense] lawyer." Mr. Cortez was also listed in Super Lawyers since the 2007 edition of California: San Diego, Criminal Defense: White Collar category as one of the "Seriously Outstanding Top 5%" in his field. Cordialmente invitamos a clientes de habla hispana.

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense: General Practice

Awards & Recognition

Recognized: Criminal Defense: General Practice
Recognized: Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Special Focus: COVID-19
Special Focus: Criminal Defense
Special Focus: Federal
Special Focus: White-Collar Criminal Defense

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2001

Education

University of San Diego, J.D., graduated 1983

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Reviews

Benjamin Williams

2 weeks ago

A Lifeline in a Federal White-Collar Investigation

When our family faced a daunting federal investigation with potential criminal charges related to complex financial regulations, we were referred to Mr. Cortez. His 42 years of experience, particularly his board certification as a Criminal Law Specialist, were immediately evident. He didn't just handle our case; he educated us on every nuance of the federal process, demystifying the intimidating legal landscape. His special focus on navigating the unique challenges presented during the COVID-19 pandemic was also crucial, as our case had elements tied to that period. Mr. Cortez's strategic approach, honed from decades of complex federal defense and habeas litigation, was meticulous. He anticipated every move by the prosecution and built an unshakeable defense. The result was a favorable pre-trial resolution that avoided the catastrophic consequences we feared. His recognition in both general and white-collar criminal defense is well-deserved. Ezekiel Cortez combines profound legal acumen with genuine compassion, treating you as a person, not just a case file. For anyone in Southern California facing serious federal matters, his office is the first and only call you need to make.