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 - 5 of 7 reviews | Advocacy

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 LTE | November 08, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Nolle Prosequi

Lawyer Bernard was very precise in every step of my case. He never let me down at any moment, he was always there making sure there was the best outcome moving forward against my charge. I’m glad I made the right decision to hire him as my lawyer. When he told me he was not a magician but is the best... at what he does and would fight for me until the end of my case, I knew he was the right guy to represent me in court. He doesn’t promise you anything because he is a lawyer of actions not words. I’m very thankful that he helped me to move forward with my life. I also want to give a special thanks to Attorney Erika Bruno, she was truly an essential part of Joe’s team in my case. She was kind, warm, and a great listener that made this process very smooth. I’ll always be grateful, thank you!

Posted by anonymous | August 23, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Litigation

Strong Allies

I was very pleased with the expertise and professionalism with which Attorney Joe Bernard managed my case. It quickly became clear to me that he has the experience and respect of his peers necessary for effective litigation. From the start Joe admitted that my case would be difficult, a longshot. ...His perseverance paid off in the end and we reached our desired outcome. Thanks Joe ! I’d also like to give Attorney Erica Bruno, appointed by Joe, special thanks. Erica was able to fight for me successfully in two different states ! I always felt respected and part of the team. I’ll always be grateful for what Joe and Erica did for me. They certainly earned every penny of their fee !

Posted by Kathleen | August 19, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Administrative Law

Kathleen O

I had a DMV issue that had involved two different states and DNR. Each state blamed the other state and I was caught in the middle. My license was suspended. Attorney Benard and staff handle my case quickly. Although I lived out of state. They kept me informed step by step along the way assuring me a...nd always letting me know what to expect and what they where doing. The day I had my appeal, I was extremely confident with representation of the firm. Within only 15 minutes of their representation I had my license returned and won my appeal. I would highly recommend this law firm for any issue that one could have. Their rates are reasonable, their proffesional and they not only handled one state but two. They clearly knew the law and I would gladly use them again if the need arised.

Posted by Alexander | April 21, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

To tell it like it is....

A year and a half ago, my life almost ended...I was arrested by a police officer for a crime I did not commit. I was later told by a judge that there was sufficient evidence to warrant this arrest but it took many months to hear this information. In the meantime, since the arrest, I lost many things;... my job, my license, friends, partners, faith in the overall kindness of human beings. Kindness is an important part of how I was raised and who I am. It was kindness that put me on the road that night. It was kindness that led me to create a career where I helped people, the very career that became threatened that fateful night. The very next person who showed me kindness after that traumatic event was Joseph Bernard. There was no way for him to show me that absolutely everything will be ok. He couldn't give me a satisfactory answer no matter how many questions I had (and I ALWAYS had many!!). For facts, he told me straight up it would be unethical if he told me that he could guarantee that everything will be ok. But he did tell me if he lost me case, he would most likely retire. That's the kind of backing you get with Mr. Bernard. That's the kind of restoration of faith and life you get with him. That's the kind of reintroduction to the kindness of humans you get when you hire this man. I went through a lot... and although my case is over I know I have unfinished business that I know Mr. Bernard will undoubtedly help me sort out. But I'm here to tell you as someone who went through it and knows how scary it is when you are facing that black hole and approaching the event horizon and realize that you are about to lose everything you ever knew and fought for-- this is the man you want in your corner. Hands down.

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

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

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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