Awards, Accolades, Publications

Joshua Mulligan is the most highly-credentialed attorney defending criminal cases in the Coachella Valley. Josh was educated at the top-tier Ivy League Cornell Law School, where he worked on the Journal of Law and Public Policy, and his widely-cited student note was published. Josh has worked exclusively in criminal defense since graduating in 2004 and, through hard work, has obtained thousands of pre-trial case dismissals and dozens of “not guilty” verdicts at jury trial. Josh is recognized as a California State Bar Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist, a title that less than 3% of California attorneys hold. Josh is also a graduate of Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College, a demanding program involving psychodrama, acting, and storytelling training.

Awards, Accolades, Publications

Joshua Mulligan is a Criminal Defense Attorney and a California State Bar Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist—meaning criminal law isn’t a sideline; it’s the whole game. In Indio and Palm Springs, he stands next to real people on their worst day, while the system speaks in acronyms and consequences. At the Larson Justice Center (Riverside County Superior Court), he shows up ready to do the unfashionable thing: make the government prove it—carefully, completely, and without shortcuts.
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Certification & Licensure

State Bar of California — Certified Specialist in Criminal Law (Active) | Bar No. 233009 — State Bar attorney profile

Awards, Ratings & Third‑Party Recognition

Palm Springs Life Magazine — Top Lawyers (Criminal Defense) (selected annually since 2014) — Most recent list
100+ five‑star client reviews — Review summary
Avvo Rating: 10.0 — Avvo profile
Justia Rating: 10.0 — Justia profile

Trial & Courtroom Experience

50+ jury trials (misdemeanor and felony)
9 years as a Public Defender
Serious felony practice, including homicide, rape, mayhem, and gang allegations
Thousands of cases dismissed before trial
Regular appearances in Indio and across the Coachella Valley, including the Larson Justice Center

Education & Advanced Trial Training

Cornell Law School — J.D., 2004
Trial Lawyers College (Gerry Spence) — Graduate, 2017 — Trial Lawyers College

Professional Memberships

Inland Empire Trial Lawyers College Work Group - Founding Member
Warren‑Slaughter Inn of Court — Member — Inn details

Publications & Commentary

Desert Sun (Guest Editorial, Nov. 16, 2022) — I don't want to see Riverside County criminal court dismissals work this way
The Warrior Magazine (Trial Lawyers College, Fall 2022) — Go to Trial! Crash the System!
Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy (2003) — Finding A Forum in the Simulated City (PDF)

What they say

Mariam Ness

Simon Pierro

Ariella Olive

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