Free Consultation: (781) 329-3373Tap to Call This Lawyer
Lissa McKinney

Lissa McKinney

33 Years District and Superior Court throughout Massachusetts
  • Criminal Law, Domestic Violence, Consumer Law ...
  • Florida, Massachusetts
Review This Lawyer
Badges
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&A
Biography

Lissa McKinney graduated Suffolk University (1981) and Suffolk University Law School (1984) and started as a trial lawyer with the Committee for Public Counsel Services in Worcester and Boston. Her courtroom and trial experience spans 40 years and more than 1,000 bench or jury trials, probable cause hearings, restraining order hearings and evidentiary hearings. Lissa's practice concentrates on labor and employment law, personal injury, consumer fraud complaints, administrative hearings, and ALL matters of criminal defense.Out of the courtroom, she represent clients at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, Department of Employment and Training, DSS Fair Hearings, disciplinary hearings of licensed occupations, and firearms licensing appeals.

McKinney was an Adjunct Clinical Trial Practice Instructor at Suffolk University Law School where she supervised third year law students providing indigent criminal defense. She served as Staff Attorney for Suffolk Lawyers for Justice (SLJ), the Suffolk County bar advocate program assuring the quality of lawyers representing indigent criminal defendants. McKinney has also been a lecturer at various educational seminars sponsored by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE), the Boston Bar Association, Suffolk County Bar Advocate Program, Suffolk Lawyers for Justice, and the Committee for Public Counsel Services, such as: District Court Bar Advocate Training; Essential Rules of Criminal Procedure; Trying Drug Cases in Massachusetts; Emerging Areas of Criminal Practice; Hot Tips for Trying Criminal Cases, Probation Violation Proceedings; Defending on a Shoestring; Pre-Trial Conference Rules; Evidence-Getting It In and Keeping It Out.

Lissa is a member of the Massachusetts Bar, the U.S. District Court for the First Circuit, & the Florida Bar,
Membership: Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL); Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys (MATA).

Practice Areas
Criminal Law
Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
Consumer Law
Class Action, Lemon Law
Personal Injury
Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
Employment Law
Employee Benefits, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, ERISA, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination
Traffic Tickets
Suspended License
Fees
  • Free Consultation
    Free consultation for the first 45-60 minutes.Fees for review and assessment beyond consultation are addressed during consultation.
  • Credit Cards Accepted
    Paypal
  • Contingent Fees
    Contingent fees are accepted for personal injury cases such as motor vehicle accidents, property accident and related torts.
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    Consumer law cases brought under MGL ch. 93A will include a claim for attorney fees. Efforts to recover costs and fees are always made in these cases, but not guaranteed. Accordingly, attorney fees on an hourly basis are billed pending resolution and recovery of fees.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Florida
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
Massachusetts
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
Languages
  • English
Professional Experience
Member
Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Current
Member
Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys
Current
Education
Suffolk University Law School
J.D. (1984) | Criminal law, student lawyer clinical program, labor and employment
-
Suffolk University Law School Logo
Professional Associations
Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL)
Member
Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorney's
Member
Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Florida State Bar  # 642540
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Massachusetts State Bar  # 544172
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Speaking Engagements
Probation Surrenders, Boston
Suffolk Lawyers for Justice (SLJ)
Evidence: Getting it in-Keeping it Out, Boston
Suffolk Lawyers for Justice (SLJ)
Pre-Trial Conference Rules, Boston
Suffolk Lawyers for Justice (SLJ)
Defending on a Shoestring, Boston
Suffolk Lawyers for Justice (SLJ)
Essential Rules of Criminal Procedure, Boston
Boston Bar Association
District Court Bar Advocate Training, Boston
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education MCLE
Trying Drug Cases in Massachusetts, Boston
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education MCLE
Hot Tips for Trying Criminal Cases, Boston
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education MCLE
Emerging Areas of Criminal Practice, Boston
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education MCLE
Probation Violation Proceedings, Boston
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education MCLE
Websites & Blogs
Website
Website
social media
Legal Answers
98 Questions Answered
Q. Can an undocumented immigrant be deported for driving without a license in Massachusetts?
A: Well, no one can guarantee that they wont be in the building, but ordinarily an immigrant would not be deported for a misdemeanor motor vehicle offense. It might matter what Court you are going to- it is possible Ice is more in attendance at larger busier courts....they can't be everywhere. However you weigh and measure the risk, it is worse if you do not go. If you fail to appear, a warrant will issue for your arrest, and that warrant gives any law enforcement officer the right to stop and arrest you. You should have attended the clerk's hearing usually offered and then it wouldnot have got to an arraignment. Do you have any license from your own country? can you get a permit or license before Court or start the process so itlook sbetter? Most likely your case would be negotiated at arraignment and dismissed on payment of Court costs. Not going escalates the risk to you substantially. If you want to walk in and walk out, going to Court on your own is the best way. If you can afford an attorney maybe it will make you feel better to be in Court with your own lawyer? only you can answer that, but there are many of us on this list that do these cases all the time. I am sure it is frightening to think about, but having a warrant is far worse from an immigration standpoint- Good luck ... Read More
Q. Will withholding child from father affect child support case?
A: Situations like this are best managed in Court, so the boundaries are clear. You may be afraid, but the real question is whether you have a real fear of harm to your child as a result. If he has never harmed the baby and offers responsible care, you might look bad for refusing the parenting time. It is hard. A Court can decide to order supervised visits if there is any risk, or a parenting/nurturing class too. The important thing is that child support gets paid whether or not the father sees the child, and it is separately treated in Probate Court. Child support gets determined based on incomes and offsets. Parenting time and sharing holidays, vacations, etc. gets negotiated and ordered. They will not want you controlling the development of the child's relationship with the other parent, and will set parameters that offer you guidance and comfort. File in Court. If you need a restraining order, you can see if you qualify as well. Godd luck- ... Read More
Q. Can I take the defensive driving course to get a ticket removed from my record in Mass?
A: No, tickets will always remain on a driving record, and there is no know method of having them removed or expunged. This is because insurance, civil, and criminal decisions can be made based on a driving/rmv record, regardless of how old it is. At a clerk's hearing on a traffic ticket, the cerk may value and appreciate that you elected to do a program as a show of good citizenship and good faith, and treat your case more favorably if it is warranted because they have broad discretion to exercise. There are many of us here on Justia that handle such proceedings regularly, if you require more specific advice. Good luck-
View More Answers
Contact & Map
100 Powder Mill Road
#244
Acton, MA 01720
US
Telephone: (781) 329-3373
By Appointment only
30 Eastbrook Road
Suite 201
Dedham, MA 02026
US
Telephone: (781) 329-3373