Joseph D Bernard

Joseph D Bernard

4.8
Rating: 6.9

Licensed for 34 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Springfield, MA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense

1 Monarch Place, Suite 1160, Springfield, MA

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2009
See Details

About Joseph

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Criminal Defense 100%

DUI/OUI/DWI/DWAI RMG Hearings Registry Appeals Licensing Issues

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 120 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 350-350 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Massachusetts for 34 years

State: Massachusetts

Acquired: 1991

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2009

Location

Law Office Of Attorney Joseph D. Bernard

1 Monarch Place, Suite 1160, Springfield, MA, 01144

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Joseph D Bernard's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

17 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (17) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | DUI & DWI

Posted by David | November 25, 2019 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

Outstanding Attorney

I am so grateful that I found Attorney Joseph Bernard and he agreed to represent me in my OUI case. I believe that without his guidance and his ability to understand my situation and treat me with dignity and respect made all the difference in my case. I was able to take his suggestions and act on ...them in a positive way by doing the next right thing as my case proceeded. In my humble opinion I would most likely have been sentenced to prison as a felon for violating the public trust if not for Attorney Bernard and his dedicated team. There are really no words that I can say which would be enough to express my thanks and gratitude. Attorney Bernard is not only the best lawyer who has total understanding of the OUI laws but he is probably one of the greatest humans I personally have ever met. The bottom line is that one phone call to Attorney Bernard saved my life. He not only represented me with every tool at his disposal but he was the catalyst I needed to change myself. If you need help and sincerely want to change you will never go wrong by contacting Attorney Joseph Bernard.

Posted by John | June 18, 2019 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

DUI

I retained Attorney Bernard after my daughter who is an attorney reached out to her colleagues for a good DUI attorney. Joe came highly recommended. Joe is very knowledgeable and experienced with MA DUI laws. We worked well together to come up with the best solution for my case. The outcome was w...hat I was hoping for and could not be more pleased. Joe is well known and respected in the court room. I would highly recommend Attorney Bernard.

Posted by anonymous | February 22, 2016 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

OUI

I retained Attorney Bernard for an OUI charge, which I received, and needed an experienced lawyer for my situation. At first, he was easy to get in touch with, very communicative and had an inviting personality. In short order, these qualities quickly dissipated and you felt more like a number, not... an individual. Navigating along this process, you need someone who can help you through the process, from start to finish and was left hanging on many occasions. It took many instances to get in touch with him and to have follow through on certain aspects of the process, further there was a feeling that you were forgotten along the way. This was a process in which there were many stones that were felt to be unturned or untouched and further, that there wasn't a sense of wanting to go down another avenue. Essentially, it was felt a better outcome could've been received in the end, based on a the particular circumstances of the case. I do not think that Attorney Bernard stands out from any other Western MA lawyer and he didn't appear to do anything special, above and beyond, for my case, to make me feel that way. The cons of my experience with him definitely outweigh the pros, as much as I would like to rate him higher, I simply cannot.

Posted by anonymous | February 09, 2016 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

OUI

Attorney Bernard helped not only with my case but also after the case was over, he helped me get my license back. Very knowledgeable about the particular area of law he practices and his staff is very friendly as well.

See All Client Reviews

Joseph D Bernard's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Joseph
Joshua David Zelman headshot
Joshua Zelman

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 26

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Joe represented one of my clients in a new criminal case which violated my client's felony probation in Florida. Not only did he get the charges dismissed, Joe went above and beyond to ensure the client was released from custody in a timely manner (i.e. the same day) when the Florida warrant was recalled. This process typically takes much longer, but with Joe's assistance, the client will be home with his family much sooner."

David J. Rock headshot
David Rock

DUI and DWI lawyer | Apr 22

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer's work. He's knowledge in the area of OUI law is unsurpassed."

View All Endorsements

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  6.9 (Good)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2009.

Suspension issued in MA, 2009

updated on 06/27/2019

This status means that an attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a specific period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Suspension issued in MA, 2009

updated on 02/29/2016

This status means that an attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a specific period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Honors

2010

Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Certificate, Platt and Associates

2010

Top Lawyer for 2010 1Q, 73 State Street

2009

BV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

1990

American Jurisprudence Award, The Lawyers Co-Operative Publishing Co.

1986

Class Award, Clark Unversity

Work Experience

2013 - Present

Owner, Law Offices of Joseph D. Bernard

2010 - 2010

, Bernard & Rock, P.C.

2000 - 2009

, The Law Offices of Joseph D. Bernard, P.C.

1996 - 2000

, Boyle & Chernick, P.C.

1996 - 2000

Member, Springfield School Committee

1991 - 1994

Assistant District Attorney, Hampden County District Attorney's Office

Associations

2009 - Present

Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys

Member

2009 - Present

Hampshire County Bar Association

Member

2000 - Present

Massachusetts Bar Association

Member

1997 - Present

National Criminal Defense Association

Member

1995 - Present

Hampden County Bar Association

Sample of Legal Cases

Commonwealth v. J.B.

Dismissed

Commonwealth v. D.D.

Dismissed

Commonwealth v. EVANDO ANANIAS AND OTHERS

still pending

See More Legal Cases

Education

1990

Western New England College School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1986

Clark University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2016

Understanding Breath Testing OUI

2015

Handling OUI Cases OUI

2015

16th Annual Criminal Law Conference Criminal Law

2009

Trying an OUI case

Trial Preparation

2009

Motions to Suppress

Criminal Defense

2008

New OUI Law

Criminal Defense

2008

Bar Association

Jury Instructions

2006

The OUI Law

OUI Defense

N/A

Masschusetts Continuing Legal Education Inc.

Trial Preparation

N/A

Massachusetts Teachers Conference

School Violence

Publications

2009

Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. ("MCLE") Motor Vehicle Offenses

2008

Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. ("MCLE") Trying OUI cases

2003

Massachusetts Bar Association Preparing a Defense

2002

Continuing Legal Education Seminar publication OUI Defense

N/A

Jury Instructions OUI Jury Instructions

N/A

Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. ("MCLE") Search Warrants

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2009
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
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