Our Practice
Michael J. Khouri
Michael Khouri has been practicing law in Orange County for over 30 years. He is considered an expert in professional licensing defense and the defense of Medicare/Medi-Cal audits, and has tried in excess of 100 cases. An expert in representing health care providers, Michael has proven his abilities with a number of cases and has spoken at multiple events. He is recognized throughout California and the Country for his integrity and firm resolve to help his clients get the best possible resolution to their licensing or criminal matters.
Experience
Mr. Khouri started his career as a Deputy District Attorney in Orange County.
He routinely practiced before the trial and appellate courts when he was a prosecutor and focused his practice on the legality of police conduct in major narcotics investigations. In this regard, Mr. Khouri argued the case of People v. Bravo (1987) 43 Cal.3d 600 before the California Supreme Court and represented the state wide association of prosecutors. The Bravo case established a new standard for the search of repeat narcotic offenders.
For almost 40 years, Michael Khouri has defended all types of criminal cases in federal and state courts across the country. Known for his down to earth style of relating to juries and judges, Mike is equally comfortable defending a murder, sexual assault or other violent crime as he is defending a complicated fraud cases arising out of a healthcare or other business transaction. Mike has successfully defended countless health care providers, officers and directors of corporations, as well as hardcore prison and street gang members. He has tried over one hundred cases from Virginia to California and many places in between.
Once in private practice, Mr. Khouri began to develop a specialty representing health care providers (ie doctors, dentists, podiatrists, chiropractors, pharmacists, psychologists etc) in criminal cases such as medical billing fraud, narcotics cases and sexual assault on patients, including rape. He has handled these cases across the country and has lectured nationally in front of state wide medical associations. Mr. Khouri is a member of the indigent defense panel in the U.S. District Court-Northern District of Texas and in that capacity acts as a privately contracted federal public defender. He recently was lead counsel on the Mexican Mafia organized crime case and has represented other major defendants in large drug conspiracy cases, alien smuggling cases, bank robberies and more. Mr. Khouri is AV rated by Martindalle-Hubbell.
Selected Cases
Prevented indictment of prominent physician caught up in alleged fraudulent charity.
Obtained probation for prominent software engineer who caused death of cyclist while driving.
Saved license of chiropractor accused by multiple patients of sexual assault.
Saved prominent orthopedic group hundreds of thousands of dollars by advising how to structure adjunct physical therapy practice to comply with auditors demands.
Obtained dismissal of Indictment of prominent podiatrist by discovering and exposing fraudulent billing company.
Representative Clients
NCMIC Insurance Co., Podiatry Insurance Co. of America, Professional Solutions Ins. Co., Cooperative of America Physicians, the Dentist Insurance Company, and countless individual health care providers and other professionals consisting of Medical Doctors, Dentists, Nurses, Podiatrists, Chiropractors, Pharmacists, DME Companies, Ambulance Companies and Rescue Squads, Home Health Care Agencies, Advanced Prosthetic Device Companies, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Board and Care Homes, all types of Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities, Diagnostic Sleep Centers, Lawyers, Real Estate Salespersons and Brokers, and Accountants.
Speaking Engagements
An interview with Michael Khouri on the Business and Technology Report featuring “America’s Best Lawyers” as presented on the Forbes Business Channel produced by Sky Radio Network
* Mr. Khouri has lectured before the state podiatric associations of Washington, California, Ohio, Michigan and New York on Medicare issues.
Education
Loyola Marymount University, 1978
Loyola Law School of Los Angeles., 1981
Associations
Indigent defense panel in the U.S. District Court- Northern District of Texas
Bar Admissions
California State Bar
State Bar of Texas
Bar of the United States Supreme Court
Bars of U.S. District Courts Southern, Central, Northern, and Eastern Districts of California
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee
* On various occasions, Mr. Khouri has been admitted to practice in the federal courts of Washington, Ohio, Arizona, Nevada, Virginia, & Louisiana
The Associates
Behzad Vahidi
Email: bvahidi@khourilaw.com
Behzad Vahidi is an associate attorney with the firm’s Orange County Office. Behzad works on a wide range of matters such as criminal defense and administrative law and has experience in a multitude of civil matters including personal injury, intellectual property, and business law. He has many years of professional experience working with companies of varying sizes in the mortgage lending industry and the automotive industry. As a formerly licensed Mortgage Loan Originator, both nationally and in the states of California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, and Kentucky, Behzad has an intimate familiarity with federal and state real estate laws.
Behzad graduated summa cum laude from Western State College of Law, where he was given the honor of class valedictorian. He was the Executive Publishing Editor of Western State’s Law Review where he was in charge of reviewing and approving all inside and outside articles submitted for publication in Western State’s Law Review Journal. In addition to his Juris Doctor degree, Behzad earned a certificate in business law with an emphasis on civil trial practice, negotiations, and business associations. He was also the recipient of nine Witkin Awards in courses such as Criminal Law, Contracts, Constitutional Law, and Corporate Finance & Accounting to name a few. Behzad graduated cum laude from California State University Long Beach with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
Stephan DeSales
Email: stephan2201@yahoo.com
Stephan DeSales is one of the most respected criminal defense attorneys in all of Southern California. Backed by over 50 years of experience and more than 250 jury trials, Stephan has defended thousands of clients while working with prosecutors and judges alike. Simply put, he has managed to build a reputation that many lawyers dream of. He is an expert in legal motions and negotiation. He believes there is no substitute for hard work and abides by two rules: “Never lie to your client and work your tail off for them.” His time as an attorney inevitably led him to know many top lawyers and judges within Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. Thus, enabling him to successfully navigate the legal system like no other criminal defense attorney.
Stephan served as a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney before becoming a partner with Lawton-Christenson. In 1978, he formed the DeSales Law Corporation. Currently, Stephan can be found working Of Counsel at Khouri Law Firm, APC.
Education
- The University of Notre Dame, School of Law. J.D. 1967 – 1970
- University of San Diego, B.A. Political Science, 1963 – 1967
Michael Tran
Email:mtran@khourilaw.com
Michael Tran is an associate at the firm’s Orange County Office. Michael represents healthcare providers and licensed professionals in criminal defense, civil litigation, and administrative matters at both the state and federal levels. He has worked on criminal and civil healthcare fraud cases, including state and federal false claims actions, and has obtained favorable outcomes for professionals involved in license disciplinary proceedings. Michael is also engaged in the firm’s appellate practice and has experience drafting appellate briefs in the California and United States courts of appeals.
Michael graduated from Notre Dame Law School where he was the Submissions Editor for the Journal of International and Comparative Law. He also participated in the Community Development Clinic where he advised nonprofit organizations and startup companies on corporate governance and transactional matters.
Education
- J.D., University of Notre Dame Law School, 2018
- B.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 2014
Licensed in California and Texas
Irvine California Office
101 Pacifica, Suite 380
Irvine, California 92618
Dallas Texas Office
8150 N. Central Expressway
10th Floor
Dallas, Texas 75206
