Lissa McKinney

PRO

Lissa McKinney

4.9
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 41 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Acton, MA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence, Speeding & Traffic Ticket, Personal Injury

100 Powdermill Rd., Suite 244, Acton, MA

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Lissa

Biography

Finding the "best" lawyer is very different than finding the best lawyer For You. Court cases take time.Choose a lawyer you like and trust: someone you want to work with, and someone that gives you confidence and comfort. Choose a lawyer who will fight your case by choosing strong and strategic now.

Experience Matter. Criminal defense attorney 41 years providing clear direction when you need it most! When you need the right lawyer for you, go with strong, strategic,and resourceful.

Take my trial skills to Court,and leave your fear at home. Restraining and Harrassment Order hearings are emotional mini-trials about safety, child custody, housing, criminal and probate proceedings. Plaintiff or Defendant, protect Your rights and interests with an attorney looking out for You.

If you need your license, then you need a Lawyer at a traffic ticket hearing~even if you don't know it yet. Speeding and motor vehicle tickets implicate SDIP insurance points, driver license suspensions, liability in auto accidents etc. A surcharge may stay for 6 years on your premium.

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 70%

Criminal defense for all cases e.g. assault & battery,domestic violence, traffic /motor vehicle offenses,RMV license suspensions, larceny, shoplifting, fake ID's,drug and sex crimes. Especially effective at all Clerk Magistrate & show cause hearings.

42 years | 2,000 cases

70%
Domestic Violence 15%

An effective lawyer is critical for Restraining /Harrassment Order hearings to prevent loss of access to home/ children, and criminal consequences for violations; excellent knowledge of probate/custody/DSS and overlapping criminal defense issues.

26 years | 400 cases

15%
Speeding and Traffic Ticket 10%

Tickets impact license suspensions, insurance costs, accident liability & work at Uber/Lyft etc. Clerk's hearings are the 1st screening step where an excellent advocate speaking for you can make a real difference. (overlaps criminal defense).

42 years | 300 cases

10%
Personal Injury 5%

Representing Plaintiff's injured by motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall on property, sex abuse, animal bites, or injuries related to the overserving of alcohol.

26 years | 40 cases

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 25 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2025 2024 2020
...
+ 2
Top Contributor
Top Contributor
2024 2019 2018

Licenses

Licensed in Massachusetts for 41 years

State: Massachusetts

Acquired: 1985

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Florida for 39 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1987

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

Lissa McKinney Law

100 Powdermill Rd., Suite 244, Acton, MA, 01720-5932

lissamckinney.com/

Lissa McKinney Law

(by appointment only), 30 Eastbrook Road,Suite 201, Dedham, MA, 02026

lissamckinney.com/

Online Presence

Other places you can find Lissa online.

Lissa McKinney's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

83 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 32 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by Khalif | November 23, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Car Accidents

Lissa McKinney the best lawyer in Massachusetts

Lawyer Lissa McKinney is the best lawyer when it comes to accidents and tickets incidents she helped my case ws complicated and hard but to her was nothing u deserve 5 stars thank you soo much Lissa and may God bless you

Posted by anonymous | July 04, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket

Highly Recommend Attorney Lissa for Traffic Ticket Defense

I recently hired Lissa to help me contest a traffic violation ticket, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. From the very beginning, she explained the process clearly, reviewed all the details of my case, and patiently answered every question I had. Lissa demonstrated deep knowledge of traff...ic laws and identified several issues with the citation that I never would have noticed on my own. She handled all the paperwork, communicated with the court on my behalf, and represented me during the hearing, which took a lot of the stress off my shoulders. Thanks to Lissa's expertise and careful preparation, my ticket was dismissed entirely. I truly appreciated the professionalism, responsiveness, and dedication throughout the entire process. I highly recommend Lissa; She made a difficult situation so much easier to manage.

Posted by anonymous | February 06, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Fake ID/License Hearing

From the first call with Lissa, I could tell how passionate she was about helping me with my case which involved a District Court Fake ID Hearing. She was clear, direct, helpful, and consistent with communication and answered any and all questions that came up. This was my first (and definitely last...) time ever being in trouble with the law, so Lissa was wonderful to have by my side to give me comfort and confidence in a time of fear, worry, and stress. She was also very kind and compassionate, a trait that can be rare nowadays. I couldn't recommend her enough! Thank you Lissa!

Posted by anonymous | September 10, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Domestic Violence

Won 209A RO Extension

Lissa took on my case as a plaintiff for a 209A Restraining Order case. Lissa was easily accessible for questions and addressed any questions or fears I had throughout the RO process. She regularly assured me that she would not allow me to be bullied or intimidated by the defendant and his attorney a...t any point throughout the RO process, and this reassurance helped me feel secure and not alone during a very uncertain time. She won me a one-year extension of my RO and navigated the complexities of me sharing a lease with the defendant with ease. I was able to safely return to my home after couch surfing out of fear for weeks, and the relief of being able to sleep in my own bed and move out with dignity was largely due to her advocacy and diligence.

Posted by Tracey | June 12, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Probate

Great RO lawyer for Plaintiff

Lissa has represented me for 3 renewal hearings on my first RO over COVID and a new 2nd RO case more recently. The work we did is significant, as my case has always been complicated because it is intertwined with probate, and important to me for many reasons- safety, abuse, child custody, harassme...nt etc. She works intensely as it has been a lot of information with a week or less notice to prepare for court. She works evenings and weekends to get the job done! She knows her SH*T and in deescalating fear for me, and comes prepared with case law. She also knows the judges in multiple courts and knows how to tailor her presentation to the particular judge.

See All Client Reviews

Lissa McKinney's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Lissa
Scott M. Martin headshot
Scott Martin

Probate lawyer | Jun 29

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer without hesitation. I originally met Attorney McKinney (Lisa) years ago when she was against me on a case in Plymouth County. Her knowledge of the law is tremendous. I appreciate great lawyering and Lisa is a fierce competitor, who always fights for her client's best interest. She was professional to work against but never a pushover (this resinated with the judge too). Many lawyers struggle to achieve this balance. Lisa relentlessly pursues the best outcome for her side. I have met several of her clients over the years and all of them speak highly of her. Feedback I have received includes; great client communication, fights hard to achieve best possible outcomes, highly intelligent, honest and fierce litigator. I have never received a negative review of her performance from a colleague or client she represented. The highest praise I can give another attorney is to say that I would risk my name and recommend them and I absolutely recommend Attorney Lisa McKinney."

Andrew P. Bass headshot
Andrew Bass

Litigation lawyer | May 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney McKinney is a highly skilled professional advocating for consumers across the Commonwealth. I endorse this lawyer."

Roland L Milliard headshot
Roland Milliard

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Lissa is always superbly prepared for any case she has. Detailed, thorough preparation is her trademark. She anticipates any argument that may be used by the prosecution and is ready with a reply supported by statutes and case law. Some may argue she "over prepares" but when the result is "Not Guilty", the client perhaps would not agree that is the case."

Kayla Weaton headshot
Kayla Weaton

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney McKinney is one of the best and a mentor to many criminal defense attorneys, including myself. She is highly respected among her peers and I would recommend hiring her without hesitation."

Kevin Patrick Seaver headshot
Kevin Seaver

Unknown lawyer | Jul 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Lissa McKinney as a peer and a colleague."

Richard John Omar headshot
Richard Omar

General practice lawyer | Jul 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Lissa is an excellent attorney with a high level of attention to detail and a strong desire to obtain excellent results for her clients."

David M Owens headshot
David Owens

Unknown lawyer | May 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney McKinney takes the time to actually analyze questions by clients and provide insightful answers that actually answers a clients question. Her responses provide detailed and insightful responses that give a great head start to any potential client she helps."

David P Wolicki headshot
David Wolicki

Criminal defense lawyer | May 20

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have regularly worked with Attorney McKinney on various matters since I first met her almost 8 years ago through a mutual colleague. I frequently refer to her cases that are outside the scope of my own practice but that are in her areas of expertise which include restraining orders, harassment orders, criminal matters, and juvenile litigation. She has litigated and also successfully negotiated excellent results in these cases. I have been more than impressed by her dedication to my clients and have received positive feedback with regard to her professionalism and attention to detail. I highly recommend Attorney McKinney for both lawyers and clients who are looking for someone to handle these types of cases."

Beth M. Nussbaum headshot
Beth Nussbaum

Criminal defense lawyer | May 09

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Lissa is an expert, creative, and impassioned advocate. She will tirelessly pursue all avenues of defense, trial and appellate, and doesn't give up. She is always there for her clients. Highest recommendations!"

Trevor A. Clement headshot
Trevor Clement

Unknown lawyer | Apr 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Lissa is a great lawyer. Very smart, very insightful and a dedicated advocate."

Joshua M Dohan headshot
Joshua Dohan

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Attorney McKinney for thirty years. I have always been impressed with her zealous approach to every case. I can think of few people with her combination of commitment to her clients and intellectual curiosity about the law. Lissa is as thorough and as imaginative as any lawyer I know. I enjoy talking about the law with her and always walk away having learned something, even if it is an area in which I am supposed to be the "expert.""

Rebecca Gaulin Ryan headshot
Rebecca Ryan

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 11

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"It has been a pleasure to collaborate with Attorney McKinney, and we do so as often as we can. Our practice involves substantial probate and family law work where relationships are strained and emotional, and the parties are vying for an angle in probate court. As a result, we often have clients accused of criminal offenses or finding it necessary to defend against restraining or harassment orders. Lissa McKinney has made herself available to our practice and clients as needed, and we are happy to refer our criminal work over to her and encourage others to do the same. She has a wealth of knowledge that overlaps the work we do and has a creative approach to litigation. We entrust our clients to her and know they are in good legal hands when we do."

Dana Alan Curhan headshot
Dana Curhan

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 23

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Lissa is an extremely knowledgable and capable criminal defense lawyer. She is tenacious and dedicated to her clients. I am an appellate lawyer I have worked on numerous matters with her over the past twenty-five years. She is my go to person when I need to refer someone to a criminal trial lawyer, and I cannot recommend her highly enough."

Tracy Dorene Dudevoir headshot
Tracy Dudevoir

Litigation lawyer | Mar 08

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I've known and worked with Attorney McKinney for more than 25 years, and shared office space with her when I first started. She was a highly regarded lawyer back then, and my knowledge of her excellence in litigation has only increased . Over the years we have collaborated on many criminal- probate overlap cases, and I'm very familiar with her work. She is respected in and out of the courtroom and is a dedicated advocate for her clients. I would want her to represent me. Her dedication, passion, compassion and skills are unparalleled."

Elliot Savitz headshot
Elliot Savitz

Unknown lawyer | Mar 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Jared M. Wood headshot
Jared Wood

Litigation lawyer | Feb 22

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Attorney McKinney is a skilled trial lawyer who is masterful when representing clients before the court. I strongly endorse this attorney."

View All Endorsements
Matthew N. Gilman headshot
Matthew Gilman

Licensing lawyer

Tracy Dorene Dudevoir headshot
Tracy Dudevoir

Criminal defense lawyer

Andrew P. Bass headshot
Andrew Bass

Lemon law lawyer

David M Owens headshot
David Owens

Landlord or tenant lawyer

William M. White Jr headshot
William White

Criminal defense lawyer

Kayla Weaton headshot
Kayla Weaton

DUI and DWI lawyer

Roland L Milliard headshot
Roland Milliard

Criminal defense lawyer

David P Wolicki headshot
David Wolicki

Estate planning lawyer

Ryan Edward Alekman headshot
Ryan Alekman

Car accident lawyer

Rebecca Gaulin Ryan headshot
Rebecca Ryan

Family lawyer

Dana Alan Curhan headshot
Dana Curhan

Appeals lawyer

Anthony Wane Fugate headshot
Anthony Fugate

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2025

Massachusetts Super Lawyers 2024, Thomson Reuters

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Massachusetts Super Lawyers 2024, Thomson Reuters

2023

Massachusetts Super Lawyers 2023, Thomson Reuters

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Massachusetts SuperLawyers 2022, Thomson Reuters

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Massachusetts Super Lawyers 2021, Thomson Reuters

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Client's Choice Award, Avvo

2020

Massachusetts SuperLawyers 2020, Thomson Reuters

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Top Contributor, Avvo

2019

Client's Choice Award, Avvo

2018

Top Contributor, Avvo

2018

Client's Choice Award, Avvo

2002

Certificate of Appreciation, Suffolk Lawyers For Justice

Work Experience

1987 - Present

Attorney/Owner, Lissa McKinney Law

1999 - 2004

Staff Attorney (PT), Suffolk Lawyers for Justice

1989 - 1991

Adjunct Professor Clinical Program, Suffolk Law School

1984 - 1986

Staff Attorney Boston & Worcester offices, Committee For Public Counsel Services

Associations

2016 - Present

Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys

Member

1997 - Present

Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

National College of DUI Defense

Member

1991 - 1999

National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys

Member

1991 - 1991

Institute for Criminal Defense Advocacy

Selected to attend training college

Sample of Legal Cases

Zullo v. Ally Motors

Recovered $7,394

See More Legal Cases

Education

1984

Suffolk University Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1981

Suffolk University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2019

Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers: Brown Bag Lunch Defending Against Charges of Domestic Violence and Harrassment

2005

Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services

District Court Bar Advocate Training

2004

Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services

District Court Bar Advocate Training

2003

Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services

District Court Bar Advocate Training

2002

Bar Advocate Continuing Education

Essential Rules of Criminal Procedure

2002

Bar Advocate Continuing Education

Evidence: Getting it In-Keeping it Out

2001

Statewide Public Defender Conference,

Probation Violation Proceedings

2001

Bar Advocate Continuing Education

Defending on a Shoestring

2001

Bar Advocate Continuing Education

Probation Surrender Hearings

2000

Bar Advocate Continuing Education

Pre-Trial Conference Rules

1999

Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc.

Trying Drug Cases in Massachusetts

1998

Bar Advocate Continuing Education

Probation Violation Proceedings

1996

Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc.

Emerging Areas of Criminal Practice

1995

Television guest commentator

OJ Simpson Jury Trial

1993

Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc.

Hot Tips for Trying Criminal Cases

Publications

2002

Suffolk Lawyers for Justice Evidence: Getting it In-Keeping it Out

2002

Suffolk Lawyers for Justice Essential Rules of Criminal Procedure

2001

Bar Advocate Continuing Education Defendiing on a Shoestring

2001

Suffolk Lawyers for Justice Probation Surrender Hearings

1999

Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. ("MCLE") Trying Drug Cases in Massachusetts

Languages

English

Activity

Top Contributor

Lissa earned significant contribution points in 2024.

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution