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have worked on cases where people are facing 10 life sentences, Federal Cases with large amounts of local publicity, multiple codefendant felony cases, and an immense number of DUI cases. I have appeared in courthouses in LA, El Centro, Murrieta, Temecula, Santa Barbara, Newport, Westminster, and every single courthouse in San Diego,” he adds. He attributes his success so early in his career in part to his education. “I have a degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, and I am so proud of that. UBC often ranks in the top 30 in the world. People underestimate how much psychology plays in our profession. Every interaction in criminal defense involves considering the psychological effect of the situation. Trial is like a psychological chess game; you always need to stay one step ahead of your opponent. There are twelve jurors and you have to convince them you are right. You need to think about the way you speak, look, and act. Every mannerism, every movement you make is important,” Ozols says. However, he points out that his background would only have carried him so far. The other reasons for his success include treating his clients with respect and having a sense of humor. “I try to connect with my clients in a personal way. They are human beings and they deserve my respect. I do not talk down to them,” he says. Equally as important for Ozols is maintaining levity in the notoriously adversarial field of criminal law. “I do my best to use humor to lighten the mood, and I always have fun in what I do. If I didn’t, I would hate my job. It has paid off as it has been a huge relationship builder, a great ice breaker
and a great way for people to really take the barrier down, relax and open up,” he adds. Yet, he is also quick to give credit to others for helping him to achieve such marked success so early in his career. “Some people are afraid to ask for help. I don’t know what the reason is, but that’s not the way to do it. I always ask other attorneys for help. I never think that I know it all, and I reach out to people who are experts in their areas. I have learned more from my colleagues here in San Diego than any law school could have taught me in a lifetime,” Ozols says. As far as the future is concerned, Ozols knows he’s just barely scratched the surface, but envisions a career wherein he can ultimately “work on some of the biggest cases in Southern California.” He says, “For me, it has never been about money, prestige or any of that. I honestly just want to help people and I want to love what I do. I don’t ever want to be the guy who worked 15 hour days, but hated his life. In five years, I hope to be able to choose my clients, and go in there and fight as hard as I can for the ones that I choose.” n Contact: Alex Ozols Ozols Law Firm 8880 Rio San Diego Dr. Suite 800 San Diego, CA, 92108 ozolslawfirm@gmail.com www.thesandiegocriminallawyer.com 619-288 -8357 Attorney Journal | Volume 125, 2014
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