PROFILE

Joseph Axelrad is a former federal prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Joseph has significant first-chair trial experience in a wide range of federal jury and bench trials. He also has an extensive background handling high-stakes civil and criminal matters from inception to resolution.

Joseph advises individuals and organizations on a range of matters, including:

• Complex civil trial litigation
• Commercial disputes
• Internal corporate investigations
• Government investigations

Joseph has also successfully argued and defended his trial and litigation victories before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Joseph draws on his extensive government experience to assist clients as they navigate high-stakes litigation and complex business disputes. His wide-ranging litigation experience includes pre-litigation counseling, trial, and appellate work. Joseph has extensive motion and discovery experience, and routinely litigates issues including false advertising, fraud, contract, and unfair business practices.

Joseph also counsels public companies regarding issues related to community safety, intimate partner violence, and platform intervention.

From 2014 to 2022, Joseph served as an Assistant United States Attorney where he investigated, prosecuted, and tried a variety of federal crimes, including money laundering, civil rights violations, health care fraud, wire fraud, and a range of violent crimes.

Representative matters from his time as a federal prosecutor include the investigation and prosecution of The Minerals Acquisition Company, a multimillion dollar fraud scheme based on the sale of mining waste byproduct; a first-of-its-kind murder for hire prosecution involving the Dark Web and cryptocurrency; as well as the investigation, prosecution, and trial conviction of Paul Gary “Doc” Wallace for decades-long violations of the Racketeering Corruption Organizations Act, including murder, extortion, and witness intimidation. For his work with the Department of Justice, Joseph received the Director’s Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney.

Before working as a federal prosecutor, Joseph practiced at a major international law firm where he represented individual and corporate clients in large-scale Department of Justice investigations. Joseph conducted a variety of internal investigations locally and internationally.

Prior to joining the United States Attorney’s Office, Joseph clerked for Judge Alicemarie Stotler of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Joseph is a member of the Los Angeles offices' Pro Bono Committee. As part of his pro bono practice, Joseph routinely represents clients in domestic violence, veterans’ benefits, and asylum matters.

Before becoming a lawyer, Joseph served as a legislative aide to the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

Joseph received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and his law degree from the UCLA School of Law.