Kristen Farrell Bonavita

Kristen Farrell Bonavita

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 20 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Newburyport, MA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI

6 Harris Street, Newburyport, MA

About Kristen

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 50%

From Drugs, DUI, to White Collar crimes, Kristen Bonavita handles all criminal matters in the Essex and Middlesex Massachusetts State Court System.

20 years

50%
DUI and DWI 50%

20 years

50%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Massachusetts for 20 years

State: Massachusetts

Acquired: 2005

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Office of Kristen Farrell Bonavita

6 Harris Street, Newburyport, MA, 01950-2603

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Kristen Farrell Bonavita's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

22 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (22) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 17 reviews | Recommendation

Posted by anonymous | June 09, 2025 | Hired Attorney

No need to search any further, Attorney Bonavita is the BEST.

If there were more than 5 Stars, I would give Attorney Bonavita all the stars in the Milky Way! In our multiple times of discourse, I often told Kristen she was the "best". She is everything you would want in a lawyer representing you: intellect, compassion, honesty, commitment, perseverance, and t...he list goes on. She is not a magician but if there is a need to pull a rabbit out of the hat, she is someone whose knowledge of the law will deliver what at times seems impossible. She is truly a gift to anyone in need of excellent representation.

Posted by Adam | October 07, 2022 | Hired Attorney

Smart, driven, successful attorney who wins

Attorney Bonavita represented me in a case where I was accused of harassment. She was methodical in her discovery process, built a convincing defense, and presented it clearly in court. The charge was dismissed promptly. Then, recognizing that the initial judicial decision-making had been flawed, she... did the legal research to craft an expungement motion - which was also granted. I hope no one I know ever needs a criminal defense attorney, but if they do, I know who I will send them to.

Posted by Mo | May 09, 2020 | Hired Attorney

Outstanding

Ms. Bonavita is the most outstanding attorney I have ever encountered . She handled my challenging case with great attention to detail , kindness and sincerity . Her fees were fair and transparent . I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending her . Thank you so much .

Posted by Stephanie | March 10, 2020 | Hired Attorney

Outstanding Attorney

Kristen Bonavita was a godsend to me at a time when my options appeared defined and the likelihood of a fair and suitable outcome seemed hopeless. Her knowledge was immediately evident with her ability to navigate the court system, more importantly, she was able to defend and protect me from an unju...st accusation with her knowledge of our legal system. I can honestly state, without any hesitation whatsoever, had I not contacted Kristen I would have had a very different outcome. Her ability to remain compassionate, all the while professional struck me from the moment that I met her, I left our first meeting knowing that there was no one other than Kristen that I would want by my side. I am deeply and forever grateful to her and would recommend her without reservation.

Posted by Janelle | February 22, 2020 | Hired Attorney

A Brilliant Mind

In the spring of last year, I found myself in a difficult situation where I was facing serious charges and required immediate legal representation. A trusted advisor strongly recommended Attorney Bonavita’s counsel so I felt an instant sense of relief that I would be in great hands. Attorney Bonavi...ta brings with her a culmination of years of experience, complete professionalism, a strong knowledge of the law she practices, and a level of empathy that put me at ease. I felt as though she listened to my concerns and supported me through the entire process. I knew when the time came, she would bring all her cards to the table and represent me with her very best hand. The end result is that the case was dismissed; all thanks to the time, attention, understanding, and diligence put forth by Attorney Bonavita. It is without an ounce of hesitation that I would recommend Attorney Bonavita to anyone looking for legal representation.

See All Client Reviews

Kristen Farrell Bonavita's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Kristen
Meredith Hurley Makin headshot
Meredith Makin

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Kristen is a tremendously skilled attorney with a tireless work ethic. I highly recommend Attorney Bonavita without reservation."

Theresa L. Gomes headshot
Theresa Gomes

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Stephen T. Novick headshot
Stephen Novick

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Farrell-Bonavita is an experienced and aggressive attorney. With her past experience as an Assistant Attorney General, she is extremely capable of handling cases in the criminal court. Without hesitation, I endorse this lawyer."

John Hancock Kimball III headshot
John Kimball

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Bonavita is a professional who is dedicated to serving her clients. I highly recommend her as she has a proven track record of success."

M. Todd Miller headshot
M. Miller

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Clint Bruce Muche headshot
Clint Muche

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 07

Relationship: Other

"I previously worked with Ms. Bonavita. At present, we both practice within the same communities. I endorse this Ms. Bonavita's skill and experience in criminal defense."

Keith Durden headshot
Keith Durden

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 16

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Craig J. MacLellan headshot
Craig MacLellan

Litigation lawyer

Meredith Hurley Makin headshot
Meredith Makin

Family lawyer

David M Owens headshot
David Owens

Criminal defense lawyer

Edward W. Krippendorf Jr. headshot
Edward Krippendorf

Criminal defense lawyer

Joseph Daniel Eisenstadt headshot
Joseph Eisenstadt

Criminal defense lawyer

William J. Galvin headshot
William Galvin

Criminal defense lawyer

Marjorie Pauleon Tynes headshot
Marjorie Tynes

Criminal defense lawyer

Theresa L. Gomes headshot
Theresa Gomes

Criminal defense lawyer

Fritz M. Pluviose headshot
Fritz Pluviose

Criminal defense lawyer

Lefteris K. Travayiakis headshot
Lefteris Travayiakis

Criminal defense lawyer

Stephen T. Novick headshot
Stephen Novick

Criminal defense lawyer

Kevin Michael Cloutier headshot
Kevin Cloutier

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2019

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2018

Top 100 Lawyers, American Society of Legal Advocates

2018

Client's Choice - Criminal Defense, Avvo

2017

Top 100 Lawyers, American Society of Legal Advocates

2016

Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers

2007

Prosecutor of the Year, Boston Municipal Court, Dorchester Division

Work Experience

2011 - Present

Attorney, Law Office of Kristen Farrell Bonavita

2008 - 2011

Assistant District Attorney, Suffolk County Districit Attorney's Office

2006 - 2008

Assistant Attorney General, Massachusetts Attorney General's Office

2005 - 2006

Tax and Legal Attorney, Ernst & Young

Associations

2015 - Present

Newburyport Bar Association

Member

2011 - Present

Newburyport Chamber of Commerce

Member

Essex County Bar Association

Education

2005

Suffolk University Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1999

Boston College

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2017

What Every Lawyer Needs to Know about Immigration Law

What Every Lawyer Needs to Know about Immigration Law

2010

Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education

Trying Drug Cases

2009

Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education

Trying Drug Cases

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 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.
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