Richard G. Novak

Richard G. Novak is a criminal defense attorney in Pasadena, California, who represents defendants, witnesses, and people under government investigation. His practice covers federal and state criminal cases, appeals, and forfeiture matters. He also represents parents and minors in juvenile dependency and delinquency proceedings, including cases involving allegations of child abuse or criminal conduct by teenagers. His work extends from advising clients during investigations to defending them at trial and pursuing appeals.

Richard earned a Bachelor’s degree with honors in economics from the University of California, Berkeley. He later received his Juris Doctor from UCLA School of Law and was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1990. That same year, he received a Skadden Fellowship, which enabled him to establish a legal services program for homeless youth in Los Angeles. His early career also included serving as a trial attorney and lead appellate counsel in juvenile dependency proceedings.

Richard has handled criminal matters involving government property theft, firearms charges, mortgage fraud, money laundering, and securities fraud investigations. His trial experience includes securing not-guilty verdicts for clients charged with theft of government property and possession of an illegal firearm. In a federal murder case, a jury failed to reach a verdict on the murder charge, and prosecutors declined to retry that allegation. He has also negotiated immunity agreements for clients involved in government investigations.

Richard G. Novak brings experience as both a defense attorney and a former judicial officer to his practice. He served as a Deputy Federal Public Defender in the Central District of California and as a juvenile court referee. He later became a Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner, presiding over criminal proceedings before returning to private practice. His background informs his case preparation, negotiation, trial advocacy, and representation of clients facing serious criminal and juvenile court matters.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, The Law Offices of Richard G. Novak
• Member, The State Bar of California
• Past President, Los Angeles Chapter of the National Lawyer’s Guild
• Present or past member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Present or past member, California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
• Present or past member, Individual Rights Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association
• Present or past member, Federal Bar Association
• Present or past member, American Bar Association

Licensed State

• California

Education

• UCLA School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)

Awards & Badges