Israel Ortega

Attorney

A native Arizonan of Mexican heritage, Israel earned his Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, Magna Cum Laude, and his Juris Doctorate from Arizona State University, where he was a Pedrick Scholar and earned a CALI Award in Jury Selection. With extensive experience in both prosecution and defense, Israel has completed hundreds of trials and brings a well-rounded perspective to family law. Outside of work, Israel enjoys weight lifting, Jiu-Jitsu, riding motorcycles, and cheering on the 49ers, Braves, and Suns. He also adores spending time with his family and their Cane Corso, Tonks.

Israel Ortega

Attorney

Quick facts about Israel

Education

Juris Doctorate (J.D.), Arizona State University, Pedrick Scholar; CALI Award in Jury Selection, 2013

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Religious Studies, Magna Cum Laude, Arizona State University, 2010; Hispanic College Fund Scholarship Recipient, Certificate in Religion, Conflict, and Peace

Enneagram Type

TBD

Star sign

♈ Aries

FUN FACT

Israel was an extra for Season 5 of the tv show, The Chosen (season 5 will start to air April 2025).

What it's like to work with Israel

When you work with Israel Ortega, you’re partnering with a seasoned attorney who brings a wealth of experience and a compassionate, client-focused approach to every case. With a background that spans both prosecution and defense, Israel offers a unique perspective that helps him anticipate challenges and craft strategies tailored to each client’s needs.

Israel’s approach begins with active listening and empathy. He understands that divorce and family law cases are deeply personal and often emotionally taxing. By creating a supportive environment where clients feel heard and understood, Israel ensures that every client knows they have a steady ally throughout the legal process.

Clients value Israel’s ability to balance professionalism with genuine care. His calm, objective demeanor allows him to navigate even the most contentious situations with clarity, keeping clients focused on their goals and the steps needed to achieve them. Israel is dedicated to empowering clients with the knowledge and confidence they need to make informed decisions, helping them move forward with dignity and hope.

Israel’s extensive trial experience, combined with his dedication to his clients’ well-being, makes him a trusted advocate for those navigating challenging family law matters. If you’re looking for an attorney who combines legal expertise with a commitment to your personal and emotional needs, Israel Ortega is ready to guide you through this journey.

If you weren't in the legal profession, what would your alternative career be?

If I weren’t in the legal profession, I’d likely pursue a career in teaching or mentoring. I’ve always enjoyed guiding others, whether it’s training new attorneys, helping law students develop their skills, or teaching in other capacities.

Which fictional lawyer or legal character do you resonate with the most? Why?

As cheesy as it might sound, I resonate most with Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. His unwavering commitment to justice, integrity, and fairness, even in the face of immense social pressure, is something I deeply admire. Atticus represents the ideal of a lawyer who not only fights for what is right but also does so with compassion and respect for all parties involved. His ability to maintain his moral compass in a deeply flawed system is something I strive for in my own practice.

What I particularly admire about Atticus is his approach to legal work as a means to serve the greater good. He’s not just about winning cases but about doing what’s right, even when it’s difficult. His dedication to his clients, his children, and his community reflects the kind of lawyer I aspire to be—someone who listens, advocates with empathy, and stands firm in their principles, no matter the odds. His character reminds me of why I entered the legal profession in the first place: to make a positive difference in people’s lives and to stand up for justice, no matter how challenging the circumstances.

If you could have a legal-themed superpower, what would it be and why?

If I could have a legal-themed superpower, it would be the ability to instantly discern the truth—no matter how complex or concealed. Imagine being able to cut through all the lies, omissions, and evasions in a courtroom and instantly know the full, unvarnished truth of any situation. This superpower would allow me to make the best possible arguments for my clients, ensure that justice is served, and avoid the frustrating uncertainty that sometimes comes with conflicting testimonies or unclear evidence.

The reason I’d choose this power is because at the heart of law is the search for truth. In every case, there’s a desire to uncover what really happened and ensure that the right outcome is reached. Being able to instantly know the truth would not only make the legal process more efficient but would also allow me to serve my clients better by cutting through the noise and focusing on the facts that matter most. It would be like having a built-in compass for navigating the complexities of the law, ensuring that fairness and justice always prevail.

If you could create a new law, what would it be and why?

If I could create a new law, it would be one focused on mandating and supporting mental health resources for individuals going through high-stress legal situations, like divorce, custody battles, or criminal cases. The law would ensure that clients have access to counseling, therapy, or support groups as part of the legal process, helping them navigate the emotional and psychological toll that these cases often take.

The reason I’d create this law is that legal proceedings, especially in family law and criminal cases, can be incredibly taxing on a person’s mental health. Often, people are facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and the emotional strain can cloud their judgment, impact their ability to make sound decisions, and make the process even more overwhelming. By providing support alongside legal representation, we can help clients manage their emotions, reduce stress, and ultimately make better decisions for themselves and their families. It’s about recognizing that the law is not just about legal rights—it’s about people’s lives, and supporting their mental well-being is a crucial part of that.

what others are saying

“Everyone here treated me like I mattered. I was very pleased with the way my child custody case was handled by this office. They were responsive to my needs and acted like my case was important I obtained custody of my children.”

“All your communications and follow-ups were precise, on time, efficient and always reinforced my confidence that my case is handled by the best family law team.”

“Extremely friendly and knowledgeable staff. Warm, welcoming atmosphere helps a difficult situation feel less stressful.”

“Thank you so much for everything you have done. My mind is at rest and I am so happy to have my kids and this whole mess behind me. Using you made the process so much easier.”

Ruby on the modern arizona Podcast

our areas of practice

divorce

Alimony/ Support

Child Support

Property Division

Modification

Custody

Enforcement

Co-Mingled Property Calculator

Israel Ortega

Attorney

Israel Ortega

Attorney

Quick facts about Israel

Education

Enneagram Type

Star sign

FUN FACT

What it's like to work with Israel

If you weren't in the legal profession, what would your alternative career be?

If I weren’t in the legal profession, I’d likely pursue a career in teaching or mentoring. I’ve always enjoyed guiding others, whether it’s training new attorneys, helping law students develop their skills, or teaching in other capacities.

Which fictional lawyer or legal character do you resonate with the most? Why?

If you could have a legal-themed superpower, what would it be and why?

If you could create a new law, what would it be and why?

what others are saying

Ruby on the modern arizona Podcast

Ruby on the modern arizona Podcast

our areas of practice

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The Modern Arizona Podcast

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