Andrew O. Krastins is an associate specializing in civil litigation with emphasis on legal research, law and motion matters, constitutional issues, and appellate law. He has been a member of the California State Bar since 1995 when he graduated from Southwestern University School of Law.
At Southwestern, Mr. Krastins received American Jurisprudence Awards in Torts and in Legal Research and Writing. He also received Exceptional Achievement Awards in Legal Research and Writing, and in International Human Rights Law. He was Articles Editor of the Southwestern Journal of Law & Trade in the Americas. He is published on the subject of Canadian constitutional equal-protection law.
Mr. Krastins holds two degrees from UCLA, graduating cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Music, and a master's degree in U.S. History. The UCLA Historical Journal published his review essay on the history of jazz in Russia.
Prior to practicing law, Mr. Krastins was a newspaper reporter and investigative journalist. As a reporter, he published numerous in-depth investigative articles, including an expose of fraudulent multimillion dollar religious charities operating out of Los Angeles' Skid Row and other areas of the city and preying upon recent immigrants. Mr. Krastins worked his way through law school teaching for the Los Angeles Unified School District. He credits his experience as a working journalist and teacher with enabling him to explain complex issues and facts with concision and clarity.
Mr. Krastins is fluent in Latvian. He has traveled widely in Europe, Iceland, Greenland, Africa and the highlands of Chiapas, in Mexico, where he collected indigenous Mayan folk music. He also is a performing classical violinist and has been a member of the first violin section of the West Hollywood Orchestra since its inception. In August 2000, he was recruited by director Francis Ford Coppola for the role of Gidget's violin-playing Russian-immigrant father in the premiere performances of Mr. Coppola's stage musical version of the early 60s classic movie.
You may contact Mr. Krastins via his e-mail at akrastins@hgblaw.com
