Sebastian Desantis

Sebastian Desantis

5.0
Rating: 6.1

Licensed for 27 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at New London, CT
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Appeals

345 State St, P O Box 191, New London, CT

About Sebastian

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 90%

Have handled well over a thousand criminal cases ranging from misdemeanor to murder in both State and Federal Court. I also act as an expert in advising attorneys in ineffective assistance of counsel claims. I have testified as an expert in that capacity as well.

29 years | 1,000 cases

90%
Appeals 10%

Have handled appeals, Habeas Corpus matters, in both State and Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

24 years | 50 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Massachusetts for 15 years

State: Massachusetts

Acquired: 2010

Active

Licensed in Connecticut for 27 years

State: Connecticut

Acquired: 1998

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2024

Location

Desantis Law Firm, LLC

345 State St, P O Box 191, New London, CT, 06320-6123

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Sebastian Desantis's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

8 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (8) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Star rating
5 stars 8
4 stars 0
3 stars 0
2 stars 0
1 star 0
What Clients Mention

Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews

Posted by Maureen | May 18, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Client

Attorney Sebastian DeSantis managed my case with integrity, honesty, and to a successful conclusion. Due to my life circumstances, I was not an easy client. He took very good care of my case; I am so glad I found him to work with and for me. Do not hesitate to contact attorney DeSantis. I truly feel ...humbled by how he achieved the outcome of my case.

Posted by anonymous | February 13, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Professional, Reliable, Honest

Attorney DeSantis represented a member of my family. He was always honest with us. Always took time to answer any concerns we had. He represented us to the full extent of his capability resulting in all charges being dismissed. I can honestly say that I recommend Attorney DeSantis as a lawyer.

Posted by anonymous | October 07, 2019 | Hired Attorney

Excellent Atty

Mr Desantis was extremely helpful and understanding with our case. We were out of state and did everything remotely with us. Would definitely recommend him to anyone in need.

Posted by Karen | April 27, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

I was incredibly fortunate to have Atty. DeSantis as my lawyer!!

I was recently involved in unpleasant and extremely stressful criminal matter and I was so grateful that Atty. DeSantis was my lawyer!! His work ethic, dedication and compassion was unwavering throughout the entire process. I was impressed by his demeanor and conduct in and outside of the courtroom.... It is incredibly important to feel confident in your lawyer and I absolutely did!! I highly recommend Atty. DeSantis.

Posted by JK | November 10, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Professional, Courteous, and Delivered Results!

I did something stupid and got in trouble with the law for the first time. I was mortified and anxious! I looked up attorneys in Google and found Attorney Desantis's name among others. Not knowing anything about him (I did not look for reviews at that time) I selected his name and gave him a call. He... helped to get me out of a sticky situation. He handled things with the Prosecutor's office ahead of court time so that the court experience was painless for me! He was professional, courteous, and helpful. I am so glad that I made that call to him and I would definitely recommend him to others.

See All Client Reviews

Sebastian Desantis's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Sebastian
William Henry Paetzold headshot
William Paetzold

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 27

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Sebastian Desantis is a highly competent criminal defense attorney who handles complex matters in state and federal court. He is well regarded by his peers and by the state and federal judiciary. He always provides his clients with sound legal advice. It was a pleasure working with him in the matters where we shared co-defendants."

James O Ruane headshot
James Ruane

Unknown lawyer | Oct 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"As the current President of the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, I endorse Attorney Desantis. Attorney Desantis is a member in good standing in our organization and a well regarded criminal defense lawyer in the state. He has shown a passion for criminal defense issues and zealously defends people charged with criminal offenses."

View All Endorsements
David J. Pazzaglia headshot
David Pazzaglia

Personal injury lawyer

Henry C Weatherby headshot
Henry Weatherby

Probate lawyer

Jerome Paun headshot
Jerome Paun

Criminal defense lawyer

William Henry Paetzold headshot
William Paetzold

Criminal defense lawyer

Damon A R Kirschbaum headshot
Damon Kirschbaum

Criminal defense lawyer

James O Ruane headshot
James Ruane

DUI and DWI lawyer

Matthew Allen Crockett headshot
Matthew Crockett

Violent crime lawyer

Experience

Rating:  6.1 (Good)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024.

Reprimand issued in CT, 2024

updated on 02/10/2025

A reprimand is an order from the Statewide Grievance Committee after it has found that an attorney has engaged in ethical misconduct. If an attorney receives more than 3 reprimands in 5 years, a presentment must be filed against the attorney so the Superior Court can decide if more serious discipline should be ordered.

Honors

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Notable, Martindale-Hubbell

2021

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2021

Notable, Martindale-Hubbell

2021

Board Certified in Criminal Trial Advocacy, National Board of Trial Advocacy

2020

Notable, Martindale-Hubbell

2019

Notable, Martindale-Hubbell

2018

Notable, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

Notable, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2016

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2016

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2014

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2014

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2013

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2012

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2011

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2010

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2009

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2006

Certified as Criminal Trial Advocate, National Board of Trial Advocacy

2004

Client/Peer Review Rating 2.9, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

2011 - Present

Owner, DeSantis Law Firm, LLC

1998 - 2011

Partner, Sabilia & DeSantis, LLC

Associations

2006 - Present

National Board of Trial Advocacy

2006 - Present

Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

1999 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Sample of Legal Cases

State v. Jean Jacques

This case was expected to be an open and shut guilty. A defense was presented that put that assumption aside and presented a real defense where it was not an open and shut case.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1997

Suffolk University Law School

JD/MBA - Juris Doctorate and MBA

Speaking Engagements

2004

Eastern Public T.V.

Criminal Defense

Publications

Languages

Spanish

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 2024
    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