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Thomas A. Kokonowski

Criminal defense Attorney at Orleans, MA

4.9   29 reviews

Licensed for 29 years

Virtual consultation available

Free consultation

(508) 469-5304
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Kokonowski is your guy!
anonymous
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
Thank you for all of your help!
Jon L
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
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About Thomas

Learn Thomas’s areas of practice.

3
Practice areas
  1. Criminal defense
    80%
    I defend people against any and all criminal accusations, wheter they be misdemeanor or felony charges. I represent people accused of crimes in the Massachusetts Superior and District Courts as well as Federal Court.

    29 years

  2. Litigation
    10%
    I defend and prosecute people who are being sued or need to sue other people or entities in civil and administrative actions.

    28 years

  3. Personal injury
    10%
    I handle cases where people ar seriously injured because of the negligence, recklessnes or intentional conduct of others.

    28 years

I AM A FORMER PROSECUTOR WHO HAS BEEN DEFENDING PEOPLE ACCUSED OF EVERY TYPE OF CRIME FOR MORE THAN 29 YEARS. DO NOT TALK TO THE POLICE BEFORE YOU TALK TO ME. DO NOT LET A MISTAKE RUIN YOUR FUTURE. CALL 774-561-2689.

I graduated from Westfield High School and then attended the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, MA as a post-graduate. I continued on to Trinity College in Hartford, CT where I received  a bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

Following in the footsteps of two of my older brothers, I attended the Western New England University School of Law in Springfield, MA.  I  graduated from law school in 1993.

During my last year of law school I was asked by the Hampden County District Attorney to become a “3:03” prosecutor, which allowed me to actually prosecute criminal trials even before graduating from law school.  I conducted approximately 30 criminal trials before graduating from law school.

After graduating and passing the bar exam (yes, I passed it on the first attempt), I became a full-time prosecutor in the Hampden County District Attorney’s office, in order to get as much jury trial experience as I could before going into private practice.

I engaged in approximately 100 trials and other criminal litigation hearings as a prosecutor, mostly in the Holyoke District Court.

In 1994, I went into private practice with a small firm in Springfield, MA.

Along with a large criminal defense practice, I began my civil litigation career, handling everything from car accident personal injury cases to contract disputes.

In 2000, The Law Offices of Thomas Kokonowski, Esq. was founded. From my offices in Northampton and Springfield Massachusetts, I have:

  • defended felony and misdemeanor criminal cases
  • prosecuted and defended civil cases
  • conducted trials in all types of other cases in courtrooms from the Berkshires to Cape Cod and The Islands
  • defended my clients in hundreds of trials, both jury and jury-waived

Awards

Client's Choice 2019,2018
Client's Choice
2019 2018
Licensed for 29 years
State MA
Status Active
Acquired 1993
Updated 03/17/2023

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact Thomas

Thomas Kokonowski, Esq.
57 Route 6A
Unit 6
Orleans, MA, 02653
capecodcriminaldefense.lawyer/
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Thomas Kokonowski, Esq.
20 Maple St.
Springfield, MA, 01103
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Thomas Kokonowski, Esq.
46 Main St
Northampton, MA, 01060
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Reviews

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4.9 / 5.0
  29 customer reviews
5 Star
 
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Client's Choice 2019
Client's Choice
Thomas received a significant number of 4+ stars in 2019
Posted by anonymous | March 22, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Kokonowski is your guy!
From the very first phone call I made to Attorney Kokonowski I knew he was the right choice. He helped me rationalize the situation and gave me advice on handling the immediate circumstances before I even met with him the following day. When we did meet, he took the time to collect every detail of the case and made sure I understood each step of the process and the choices that were available. My case contained many grey areas that don't come up often and Kokonowski took his time delving into the legal literature to look at every potential piece of info out there. If you need someone who will think outside the box and really put the work in, Tom is the first person you should call. Not only that-- Kokonowski has had experience as a prosecutor before becoming a criminal defense attorney so he knows how every aspect of the justice system works and all of the players involved. Definitely a force to be reckoned with and everyone in the court room knew it! Ultimately he was able to work out the best case scenario for my case and because of him a stupid mistake isn't going to haunt me later in life. I could not have asked for better defense. There were many points along the way that I realized just how much he does for each of his clients, and I'm not only grateful for our legal outcome but for all of the genuine life advice as well. Look no further.
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Posted by Jon L | March 27, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Thank you for all of your help!
Tom was really helpful with defending me in my case. Took the time to prepare me and walk me thru the process. I really needed a lot of hand holding and Tom provided that. Thanks again!
Posted by anonymous | February 20, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great Results
I hired Tom a little over a year ago to represent me on a few misdemeanors out of Orleans District Court. Tom is thoughtful, respectful, and responsive. I was going through a particularly difficult time in my personal life and was struggling with some alcohol issues. I sought treatment and kept Tom updated while he helped me maneuver the court system. After almost a year and multiple court sessions, we finally were able to reach an agreement with the prosecution and the judge. The prosecution was not very organized and this delayed my case numerous times. Tom stuck with me the entire time and ensured I kept him up-to-date on my personal progress. In the end, Tom presented my case to the judge which ended in a dismissal of two counts and a continued without a finding on the other two. I could not have been happier! Tom is a caring and dedicated lawyer that will work tirelessly on your side. I highly recommend Tom Kokonowski!
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Posted by anonymous | April 25, 2022
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Personable, Persistent & Reliable
Tom worked with me for about 2 years on a case and i have nothing but good things to say. Aside from the final result on my case, which was more than i could have hoped for, Tom was alongside me the whole way through and went above and beyond to build the strongest defense for me, and guide me through every hurdle and obstacle along the way. He was always very straight forward with me and never made me feel like i was in a powerless position in a very convoluted case. He was always there when i needed him and was extremely reliable in addressing my concerns whenever i had them. He pushed and fought for me when I, myself, thought i had nothing more i could do. I dont only speak for myself, but for my entire family as well, when i say that Tom was the best lawyer, and friend, i could have asked for through a very hard time and ordeal in my life. He wasnt only there for me, he was there for the people around me as well. Im very grateful to have had such a good man represent me in the most honest way possible.
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Posted by anonymous | March 31, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Assault and battery dropped!!
What is the cost of employers scrutinizing your legal history? Far too much!! Not something you should leave to happenstance!! That is precisely why I hired Thomas Kokonowski. He got the charge dropped!! Hes is the best in the west!
Posted by Hartz | January 14, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
The Man. Awesome Attorney, great person.
We needed an attorney to help us with a magistrates hearing in Springfield. The evidence was stacked against us and we felt as though Tom’s experience and knowledge of the system and the players was well worth the investment. Tom was candid and explained the various outcomes- and was even willing to set up a payment plan if things progressed to arraignment. Turns out to be the best decision we could have made- Tom showed up to District Court determined to have things dismissed, and we walked out free and clear within an hour and a half. Tom’s relationship with the DEA agent turned out to be the game changer. Tom negotiated a great deal and we left the courthouse smiling... We’d recommend Koko to anyone in need of a compassionate, professional, dedicated Criminal Defense Attorney! Thanks, Tom!
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Posted by Diane | November 19, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Holiday Weekend help!!
We called Atty. Kokonowski on late on Friday of a holiday weekend. He met with us on Monday! My husband’s case was complicated with a CDL license involved. Tom expertly and successfully helped him through the court process and gave us excellent advice on how to proceed. My husband received the minimum penalty, we believe, due to Tom’s advice and counseling, and the respect that he has earned in the court system. We would recommend him unconditionally. Excellent choice!!
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Posted by anonymous | October 28, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
The BEST
I called Tom on a Saturday morning (he actually answered and talked to me for 30 minutes before I even hired him). I was frantically looking for a criminal defense attorney to guide me in the right direction. I had no experience with the court system and desperately needed guidance to protect my professional license. I hit the jackpot when I found him. Tom is professional, confident, down to earth, trustworthy and very easy to talk to. I always felt he had my best interests in mind. He explained the processes in detail, answered all questions, and allowed me to make informed decisions. In the end, Tom helped me get the best outcome possible and I am very grateful. Even though Tom is a fabulous attorney, his best assets are being a kind, decent, caring human being. I genuinely feel like he isn’t in it for the money. I hope to never need a defense attorney again, but if I did, it would be a no brainer. I wouldn’t think of hiring anyone else! A+++
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Posted by anonymous | August 8, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Highly Recommend
We hired Attorney Kokonowski to represent our son for an OUI charge. Living out of state added to the stress of having many questions and concerns, however, Tom was very responsive, knowledgeable and compassionate. He thoroughly explained all of our options and found the best one for our situation. Before the hearing, Tom prepared our son by explaining what to expect from the Judge. He also worked with the prosecuting attorney to confirm acceptance of our plea, and the Judge to assure we received the best result from a bad situation. We would highly recommend Attorney Kokonowski if you are in need of legal representation.
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Posted by Jack | June 13, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Attorney Kokonowski
Attorney Kokonowski is a well-versed criminal defense lawyer with extraordinary character. He made it extremely easy for me to focus on schoolwork and applying for jobs while he handled the casework, yet he made sure it was abundantly clear to me where the case was headed and the options I had to choose from. Attorney Kokonowski is the reason my case went exactly the way I had wished and I would absolutely urge anyone in need of a criminal defense attorney to hire him.
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Posted by anonymous | May 23, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Presented a polite but razor sharp defense
Thomas Kokonowski saved me from a great deal of angst by getting two serious charges dropped due to insufficient evidence. He gently but incisively shredded the police report's presentation of a traffic stop. The judge sided with him and found insufficient evidence for all but a low level moving violation. I would highly recommend him if you need any type of criminal defense. He handled my case with a clear grasp of the facts and a measure of grace which I think impressed the judge. I certainly am grateful I hired him to defend me.
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Posted by Jean | December 21, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Outstanding Attorney
Attorney Kokonowski gave 100% to me and my case. For the first time in my life I needed an Attorney and he had compassion, concern & respect. He did an outstanding job & my case went well. I would highly recommend Mr. Kokonoski! Thank you very much. Sincerely, Ms. Jean Krull
Posted by anonymous | November 30, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
great lawyer
tom is a great laywer, the first day i met him after he read my police report, right off the bat he was confident in helping me fight and overcoming the year and half journey we had, tom also was very helpful in helping me as his client to fully uderstand word for word whats going, now i feel like i got my life back after tom helped me beat multiple charges, i certainly recommend him.
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Posted by Elise | October 23, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Fantastic Representation
If you are looking for someone who is very well respected in the court system and fantastic at their job then look no further than Attorney Kokonowski. He has now personally represented me three times and all three cases were won. He takes the time to prepare his clients and thoroughly evaluates each case. You will not feel as though you were misrepresented if you choose to have him represent you. Attorney Kokonowski is my #1 go to for both myself and anyone who asks me for referrals.
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Posted by Joshua and Tiffany | October 19, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
BEST ATTORNEY OUT THERE!
The best attorney out there going above and beyond. Making sure you are both on the same page. Any problems I would definitely use him again! I would refer and recommended him to everyone. If you need a down to earth attorney he is the one to call and will not make you feel uncomfortable!!
Posted by anonymous | August 3, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great attorney
Tom was an excellent attorney. He was efficient, direct and very knowledgeable about my case. I was very concerned about the charges that were against me and worried about the consequences, but after my consultation I had a clear understanding about the direction I needed to go in and it helped put my mind at ease. Tom was prepared and handled my case quickly and thoughly and I couldn't be happier to put it behind me. If you're looking for a professional, upstanding attorney- I highly recommend Attorney Thomas Kokonowski.
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Posted by anonymous | August 1, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Top notch.
Tom was very informative through the whole process. Very knowledgeable and professional. I would highly recommend him to anyone.
Posted by Patrick | August 13, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
True Professional
I contacted Attorney Kokonowski in regards to a legal situation I was involved in and found him to be very knowledgeable & understanding of my situation he made me feel very relaxed and comfortable during this difficult time . I would highly recommend any one going thru any legal difficulties contact Attorney Kokonowski he is a true professional
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Posted by anonymous | March 10, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
"One of the Best"
When I was facing a Magistrate’s hearing and had never previously had the need for a defense attorney, I found myself scouring the internet for representation. I had only websites and reviews to go by, compared many local attorneys, and based on a number of factors ultimately decided to contact Tom Kokonowski. A simple phone call where I was to admit that I was in need of an attorney was, for me, very unnerving but his staff was incredibly kind and nonjudgmental, answering any questions I had and setting me up a consultation with Tom. Tom was professional and informative and I found talking about my situation with him to be much less arduous than I had feared. Tom informatively laid everything out for me and covered the possible scenarios and outcomes. His insight and clarity helped me to leave the consultation feeling better than when I went in. At my hearing the Magistrate commented on my choice of representation, saying that I had “Chosen well” and that Tom was “One of the best” (Tom himself had told me this but hearing it from the Magistrate himself gave it a little more weight!). Tom presented a clear, professional, effective defense and in the end he gave me the best possible outcome by winning my hearing for me. He helped me through a scary learning experience, making it as painless as possible and I am relieved to have had him on my side.
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Posted by anonymous | January 31, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent Attorney
Attorney Kokonowski was great to work with, very clear about the situation, and did exactly what he said he would. I am confident in his abilities and although I hopefully will not need to, I would definitely hire him again if needed.
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 120 minutes
  • Contingency 25%-33%
  • Retainer Always
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 8.5 (Excellent)

Work Experience

  • Owner
  • Thomas Kokonowski, Esq.
  • 2022 - Present
  • Partner
  • Adams & Kokonowski, LLC
  • 2017 - 2022
  • Associate Attorney
  • Antonucci and Associates
  • 1994 - 2000
  • Prosecuting Attorney
  • Hampden County District Attorney's Office
  • 1992 - 1994
  • Victim/Witness Advocate
  • Hampden County District Attorney's Office
  • 1989 - 1991
View all work experience

Education

  • Western New England University School of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1993
  • Trinity College-Hartford
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • 1988

Legal Cases

  • Commonwealth v. J.S.
  • Not Guilty
  • Commonwealth v. P.C.
  • Not Guilty of all charges
  • Commonwealth v. M.G,
  • Mistrial-Dismissed
View all legal cases

Associations

  • Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Member
  • 1993 - Present
  • Hampshire County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2011 - 2015

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Distinguished
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2022
  • Distinguished
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2021
  • Distinguished
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2020
  • Client's Choice
  • Avvo
  • 2019
  • Client's Choice
  • Avvo
  • 2018
View all awards

Speaking Engagements

  • PBS public Forum
  • Prohibition
  • 2011
  • WWLP Live News
  • Connecticut Death Penalty Case
  • 2010
  • WWLP In Focus Live Broadcast
  • Criminal Bullying
  • 2010
  • Live CBS Broadcast
  • Criminal Bullying/Victim
  • 2010
  • WWLP Live Interview
  • Drunk Driving
  • 2010
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (1)
Given (0)
Endorse Thomas
Jesse Adams headshot
Jesse Adams
Criminal defense Attorney | Nov 25
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Tom Kokonowski is one of the most skilled trial attorneys in Western Massachusetts. He is well known for his ability to fight for the just outcome of each case. Any person charged with a crime will get the highest quality criminal defense attorney in Tom Kokonowski."
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.
Orleans Criminal defense Lawyer Thomas A. Kokonowski
Thomas A. Kokonowski
Criminal defense Attorney
Orleans, MA
Licensed for 29 years
Free Consultation
Virtual consultation available
(508) 469-5304 Book A Time Message Website