Meet Debra S. White
Education, Experience & Personal History
Debra S. White is a distinguished criminal defense trial attorney based in Los Angeles, with a background defined by perseverance and an unwavering commitment to defending individuals accused of crimes. With over twenty-five years of experience in both state and federal courts, she leads a boutique criminal defense firm based in Calabasas and serves clients throughout Los Angeles County and Ventura County.
Debra S. White is a Certified Criminal Law Specialist, certified by the California State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization—a distinction earned by fewer than one percent of attorneys statewide. This credential reflects her exceptional legal knowledge, extensive courtroom experience, and the high regard in which she is held by both peers and the judiciary.
Commitment, Philosophy, and Personal Approach
Debra S. White is fiercely dedicated to defending the accused, guided by a deep belief in justice and fairness—and a determination to level an uneven playing field. Her work ethic, meticulous preparation, and relentless advocacy have earned her a reputation for achieving outstanding results in misdemeanor, felony, and high-stakes cases. For her, criminal defense is more than legal representation—it is the strategic and passionate defense of her clients’ rights and freedoms in the most challenging legal arenas. She approaches every case—regardless of the charge—with the same intensity, preparation, and respect for what is at stake.
To learn more about Debra S. White’s journey, personal insights, and the philosophy that drives her work, scroll below to Debra S. White’s Background & Philosophy—a genuine success story.
Education
University of California School of Law, Los Angeles – J.D. 1999
University of California, Los Angeles – B.A. 1995
Bar Admissions
Supreme Court of California
State Bar of California
U.S. District Court Central District of California
U.S. District Court Southern District of California
U.S. District Court Eastern District of California
U.S. District Court Northern District of California
Honors and Credentials
Certified Criminal Law Specialist — Certified by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. The State Bar of California certifies fewer than 1% of attorneys statewide as Board-Certified Specialists in Criminal Law. This certification is a mark of the highest level of expertise and professionalism (2016–present)
AV-Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell — The highest rating for professional excellence, awarded by peers, prosecutors, and judges for exceptional legal ability and high ethical standards (2013–present)
Super Lawyers® by Thomson Reuters — An honor based on peer evaluation and demonstrated achievement in criminal defense law (2015-present).
10.0 “Superb” Rating, AVVO —Top rating for experience, industry recognition, and professional conduct (2012-present).
State Bar of California
Los Angeles County Bar Association
California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Criminal Courts Bar Association
Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Attorney — Appointed by the United States District Court, Central District of California, to represent indigent defendants in federal criminal cases (2020–present).
Professional Associations and Memberships
Debra S. White’s approach to criminal defense is shaped not only by decades of courtroom experience, but by a life defined by resilience, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in fairness. Her commitment to defending the accused is rooted in a deep understanding that a person’s circumstances do not define their worth—and that every individual deserves a rigorous defense.
Debra S. White’s Background & Philosophy
“Debra S. White is an absolutely amazing attorney. I was frivolously accused of several violent crimes and was facing five consecutive life sentences in prison. Ms. White was able to quickly navigate through the red tape and prove my innocence. She knew exactly what was going to happen and knew how to handle it effectively. Not only was she able to have my case dismissed before the Preliminary Hearing, but she went on to have an Order of Factual Innocence signed by the judge just six months later. This woman is an angel and there is no way on earth that I would trust my life in the hands of another criminal attorney.”
A Former Client’s Perspective:
Mr. Gonzalez’s extraordinary case was featured in two editions of the Los Angeles Times in an article titled: “Could this be happening? A man’s nightmare made real.”
Debra S. White’s Perspective:
Securing justice for Mr. Gonzalez is just one example of the countless battles attorney Debra S. White has fearlessly confronted and conquered—both in her personal life and in the courtroom.
Debra S. White’s journey began in a small farming town in Canada. When she was very young, her mother passed away, and she entered the foster care system. Growing up in foster homes taught her resilience, empathy, and a deep understanding of how life’s circumstances can shape a person’s future. These early hardships also planted the seeds of her lifelong commitment to standing up for those who have no one else to fight for them.
Later, after immigrating to Los Angeles, she faced a new set of challenges in an unfamiliar and often unforgiving city. She adapted, persevered, and transformed those experiences into a driving force, dedicating her life to championing justice and fairness for the accused.
Determined to use her life lessons to protect others, Debra S. White earned her Juris Doctorate from UCLA School of Law. From the very start of her legal career, she committed herself to leveling the playing field against biased agencies, unethical government practices, and overreaching prosecutors. Her unwavering mission is to ensure that every client, regardless of their background or the charges they face, is treated with dignity and the best criminal defense.
“To some attorneys success against overwhelming odds is just a fantasy. To attorney Debra S. White, it’s all in a day’s work.”