James O Ruane

James O Ruane

also known as Jay Ruane

4.9
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 27 years

DUI and DWI Lawyer at Shelton, CT
Practice Areas: DUI & DWI, Expungement, Speeding & Traffic Ticket

1 Enterprise Drive, Suite 305, Shelton, CT

About James

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

DUI and DWI 80%

27 years | 4,300 cases

80%
Expungement 10%

19 years | 253 cases

10%
Speeding and Traffic Ticket 10%

27 years | 2,304 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in New York for 10 years

State: New York

Acquired: 2015

Currently Registered

No misconduct found

Licensed in Connecticut for 27 years

State: Connecticut

Acquired: 1998

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Ruane Attorneys at Law, LLC

1 Enterprise Drive, Suite 305, Shelton, CT, 06484

Ruane Attorneys at Law, LLC

955 Connecticut Avenue, Unit 1306, Bridgeport, CT, 06607

Ruane Attorneys at Law, LLC

35 Pearl Street, Unit 2C, New Britain, CT, 06051

Ruane Attorneys at Law, LLC

928 Chapel Street, Suite 208, New Haven, CT, 06511

Ruane Attorneys at Law, LLC

82 Chelsea Harbor Drive, Suite 2, Norwich, CT, 06360

Ruane Attorneys at Law, LLC

22 Pasco Drive, East Windsor, CT, 06088

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James O Ruane's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

133 Client Reviews

Posted by anonymous | June 3, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Attorney Did Little Work While Bullying You

It was odd receiving a “Thank You” postcard from Ruane Attorneys, the only real work they completed on my case. As a client, you will get lied to your face, ignored, belittled, yelled at, and all your communication outsourced to a paralegal who gives/untimely texts you wrong information that was i...mportant, and I never had real contact with Attorney Ryan Hunlock assigned to me right out of law school. I never had his number. Attorney Ryan Hunlock was supposed to call me for the first time but his baseball game was more important, and he kept putting me off until the day of, 30 minutes before my first court appearance. I was assigned Attorney Ryan Hunlock, who took his time returning my phone calls on a block number that was forwarded by the paralegal, and Attorney Hunlock was previously in the Mental Health field, and he seemed more interested in mental health than defending me. Attorney Hunlock would yell at me if I tried to get the paralegal and him to do any work on behalf of my case. He said that he had a lot of other cases and my case was not more important than the other cases - basically taking on a lot of cases but totally not working on my case! It was a month and he did not really do anything on my case except change the court date to suit his schedule. He also yelled at me for my trying to work on my case since he was not doing anything. Worst Law Firm: AVOID Ruane Attorneys! Avoid Attorney Ryan Hunlock!

Posted by Alicia | July 10, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Choose Attorney Ruane's Firm!

My experience with the Ruane Firm has been amazing. All of the staff were helpful and attentive. I am very pleased with how they do there work. Krista answered any questions I had promptly, would inform me about anything needed for my application process,and any changes or updates. My exchanges with ...Krista were mostly through email but it was easy to communicate with her because she was very nice, understanding, and knowledgeable throughout the whole process. The firm worked so well and stood on top of my paperwork, making sure everything was handed in on time; they also helped in the completion of my pardon application. The day I was told I was approved for a hearing I was in disbelief, but it felt so good to know my application was accepted. Attorney Ruane helped prepare me for the big day before the board, and made me feel confident the day I had to go before the board. I couldn't have chosen a better law-firm when I went to see them for a consultation I felt secure that my case was in good hands. I am happy to announce that I am able to regain my life once again and have been granted an absolute pardon, and I wouldn't have been able to do it without the Ruane Firm. They are amazing and I would recommend them in a heartbeat. I can't thank them enough for helping me rid of my past that has been stopping me from living my best life. I am forever grateful that God put them in my path and I wish them much love and success. Thank you Krista, and Attorney Ruane for representing me!

Posted by Ramon | February 2, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Pardon

I hired this attorney to help me expunge my record. For a reasonable price they help me with all the paper work and filed it all to the right places. With there help I was granted a full pardon. I would recommend them and there team to anyone that is seeking an expungement.

Posted by Joel | January 15, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Thank You Krista and James!

A couple years ago I started to file a pardon application on my own. while I was in the process I started to realize this was more of a daunting task than I thought. I found Attorney Ruane on Mr. Pardons and gave them a call. Krista worked with me from the start, and was upfront and honest with me on... the odds and this difficult process. The pardon process takes a long time, the paper work has to be perfect which is very difficult and over bearing. Like anything in life you still have to do some foot work, but hard work pays off. After my second run at it, I was approved for a pardons hearing and at the hearing I was happy to have James by my side. I'm a great public speaker and usually not shy but the pardons board is intimidating. I drew a blank on things I wanted to say, James picked up on that and put me back on track. I wouldn't recommend going it alone having this team on my side was the best decision I could have ever made.

Posted by Christopher | December 15, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Pardon

This firm really guided me through the whole process.It took about 12 months but well worth the wait.This firm has really change my life for the better. I just want to say thank you to the whole team for everything going into 2018 with a clean record.

See All Client Reviews

James O Ruane's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse James
Michael C. Judge headshot
Michael Judge

DUI and DWI lawyer | Aug 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Ruane has an impeccable reputation in the practice areas of DUI Defense and Criminal Defense in Connecticut. I would highly recommend his services."

Sebastian Desantis headshot
Sebastian Desantis

DUI and DWI lawyer | Apr 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Ruane is a leader in criminal defense who is always pushing the boundary in the zealous advocacy of his clients."

Daniel L. Kron headshot
Daniel Kron

Unknown lawyer | Aug 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Simply said, James is a great DUI lawyer."

Charles Christian Young headshot
Charles Young

DUI and DWI lawyer | May 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Jay Ruane has well earned his widespread reputation as the preeminent DUI attorney in our state. He is dedicated, insightful, and an excellent colleague to whom many lawyers turn for opinions and advice."

Matthew Morgen Maddox headshot
Matthew Maddox

DUI and DWI lawyer | Apr 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jay is well known for his skill and knowledge in DWI defense. He is a superb source for expert information and advice on even the most technically complicated of DWI cases. He is also a compassionate and driven advocate and unrelenting in his defense not only of his clients, but also of the Constitution."

Kevin M Black headshot
Kevin Black

DUI and DWI lawyer | Dec 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I haven't read any of Jay's reviews but my guess is they can all be summed up with 4 words: "Jay is the man." He is the lawyer other lawyers refer to when they have a complicated case. No higher review than that."

Lucas M Watson headshot
Lucas Watson

DUI and DWI lawyer | Nov 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jay is an extremely hardworking attorney that is dedicated to his clients and his craft."

Thomas Collins Leaf headshot
Thomas Leaf

DUI and DWI lawyer | Dec 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Ruane is the first and last name in OUI defense in CT. I've known him and his firm since I became an attorney and they lead the field in developing case law to turn the tables on the State and zealously advocate for their clients. If you are in CT and get pulled over for OUI, Attorney James Ruane should be one of the first names you dial if not the first."

Cory Earl Yager headshot
Cory Yager

DUI and DWI lawyer | Apr 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Jay is very good at advocating for his clients. He keeps abreast of the science involved in litigating DUI/DWI mattes and he is passonate about defending his clients. Jay is a great lawyer and I would not hesitate to have him help me if I were in need of legal help."

Steven W. Hernandez headshot
Steven Hernandez

DUI and DWI lawyer | Feb 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jay's knowledge is breath testing, blood testing, and urine testing as well as field sobriety testing and drug recognition, have made Jay THE attorney to hire. He is a true zealous advoctae for his clients. If I were arrested for DUI in CT., he is the only lawyer I would trust to properly handle my case."

John Paul Thygerson headshot
John Thygerson

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jan 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Hands down the best DWI attroney in the state! If the case involves unique issues relating to the breathalyzer, who ya gonna call? Jay Ruane. If the case involves scientific testimony and a beatdown of the state's experts, who ya gonna call? Jay Ruane. If the client is facing significant jail time because this is the 5th dwi arrest in 10 years. who ya gonna call? You know who...Jay Ruane! He truly is a nationally recognized expert in this field and I endorse him without reservation."

John C. Collins headshot
John Collins

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jul 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have attended several national seminars with Jay and have been very impressed with him. Whether it is a seminar where he is presenting or where we talk about strategy over a burger, his attention to detail and knowledge of the relevant issues always impresses. I would hire him for a dwi in a heartbeat."

Douglas Blake Chanco headshot
Douglas Chanco

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jul 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jay is a nationally recognized attorney who has the expertise to represent clients at the highest level. I had the privilege of attending an advanced trial skills seminar with him. He clearly demonstrated to me that he has a high level of knowledge in all matters related to DUI. Jay is among the elite lawyers in the field of DUI anyone charged with a DUI in Connecticut is lucky to have him on their side."

Mark L. Stevens headshot
Mark Stevens

DUI and DWI lawyer | May 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Jay Ruane for years. Whn my clients have Connecticut licensing issues or questions, or when they are arrested for DUI in Connecticut, I recommend Attorney Ruane to them. The feedback I have received from clients I have referred to him has been overwhelmingly positive. Attorney Ruane is THE go-to DUI lawyer in Connecticut."

Josh D Lee headshot
Josh Lee

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jan 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jay is a lawyer who is dedicated to his profession. He travels across the US constantly learning and teaching in the field of DUI defense. I have learned a lot from Jay and I am confident that you can do no better than hiring Jay to be on your side."

Frank J Riccio II headshot
Frank Riccio

DUI and DWI lawyer | May 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. Attorney Ruane is the preeminent DUI defense attorney in the State of Connecticut. His experience and proficiency is unmatched."

William T Bly headshot
William Bly

DUI and DWI lawyer | May 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I first met Attorney Ruane at a forensic conference in San Diego, CA. He is a top notch DUI attorney and the go to lawyer in Connecticut. He is a tireless advocate for his clients and is constantly spending time in training to hone an already impressive set of trial skills. His knowledge in the DUI field is vast and his approach to DUI cases is to act in a professionally aggressive manner. Attorney Ruane's opinion is constantly being sought by attorneys in the DUI community. He has lectured on DUI subjects to other lawyers in the field and has all of the qualifications and credentials you would expect from a lawyer at the top of his game. I would recommend his services to a friend or family member charged with a DUI in Connecticut. I have no reservation in endorsing him and I look forward to watching his reputation in the DUI community continuing to grow."

Patrick J Cooney headshot
Patrick Cooney

DUI and DWI lawyer | Apr 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I strongly endorse Attorney Ruane. We have consulted on numerous cases and I have seen Jay "in action" in court. He is highly competent, energetic and knowledgeable. He believes in and fights for his clients. His work is always top notch and his knowledge of DUI/DWI practice area is second to none."

James Morris Balagia headshot
James Balagia

DUI and DWI lawyer | Apr 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I met James a number of years ago at one of the top DUI seminars in the nation. James was well known among the attendees and our mutual dedication to our trade made us fast friends. James has an outstanding reputation for his tenacity, knowledge, courtroom ability and winning record. I have enjoyed seeing James every year at the big four national DWI seminars. James is on my list to exchange emails when a particularly difficult case arises for trial strategy ideas. James' practice includes Felonies and the most difficult alcohol related cases faced in the criminal defense arena. I am proud to endorse James and would be honored to try a case with him if ever the opportunity presents itself. As a former police officer and judge I have seen the best of the best in criminal trial lawyers. I respect James and place him securely on this list and on my list of "go to" attorneys that I keep handy when i need to refer out of state cases."

Donald John Ramsell headshot
Donald Ramsell

DUI and DWI lawyer | Apr 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jay Ruane is a hard-working, no-nonsense attorney who gets results! He is known across the country as one of the best defense attorneys in the U.S. If you are arrested in Connecticut, call Jay Ruane now!"

View All Endorsements
Charles L Kurmay headshot
Charles Kurmay

Personal injury lawyer

Matthew Morgen Maddox headshot
Matthew Maddox

Criminal defense lawyer

Gregory D. Oberhauser headshot
Gregory Oberhauser

Unknown lawyer

Patrick Paoletti headshot
Patrick Paoletti

Criminal defense lawyer

Stephen Anthony Lebedevitch headshot
Stephen Lebedevitch

Criminal defense lawyer

Charles Christian Young headshot
Charles Young

Unknown lawyer

James Albert Welcome headshot
James Welcome

Unknown lawyer

Daniel P Weiner headshot
Daniel Weiner

Unknown lawyer

Lucas M Watson headshot
Lucas Watson

Unknown lawyer

John Paul Thygerson headshot
John Thygerson

Unknown lawyer

Anthony D Sutton headshot
Anthony Sutton

Unknown lawyer

Linda J Sullivan headshot
Linda Sullivan

Unknown lawyer

Peter W Soulsby headshot
Peter Soulsby

Unknown lawyer

Alan J Sobol headshot
Alan Sobol

Unknown lawyer

Gregory Nason Smith headshot
Gregory Smith

Unknown lawyer

Shari-Lynn Cuomo Shore headshot
Shari-Lynn Shore

Unknown lawyer

Conrad O Seifert headshot
Conrad Seifert

Unknown lawyer

Frank W Russo headshot
Frank Russo

Unknown lawyer

Salvatore Ritacco headshot
Salvatore Ritacco

Unknown lawyer

Susan Dale Red headshot
Susan Red

Unknown lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2016

DUI Superlawyer, SuperLawyers

2016

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2015

DUI Superlawyer, SuperLawyers

2015

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2014

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2014

Service Award, National College for DUI Defense

2013

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2013

Innovation Award, Lex Innovatio

2010

Service Award, Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

2009

Service Award, Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

2006

New Leader of the Law, CT Law Tribune

1998

M. Joseph Blumenfeld Award, University of Connecticut School of Law

Work Experience

1998 - 2000

Deputy Assistant Public Defender, State of Connecticut Office of the Public Defender

Associations

2017 - Present

National Trial Lawyers Association

Top 100

2015 - Present

DUI Defense Lawyers Association

Faculty

2014 - Present

DUI Defense Lawyers Association

Founding Member

2000 - Present

National College of DUI Defense

State Delegate

Connecticut Bar Association

Member

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Member

Greater Bridgeport Bar Association

Member

2015 - 2016

Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

President

2014 - 2016

National College of DUI Defense

Faculty

2014 - 2015

Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

President Elect

Sample of Legal Cases

State v. Pilotti

Affirmed

See More Legal Cases

Education

1998

University of Connecticut School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1994

University of Scranton

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2017

CLFree

DRE

2016

Nuts & Bolts Seminars

Nuts & Bolts of Criminal Defense

2015

2015

2014

Spring Seminar Social Media Ethics

2014

Seminar Social Media

2014

Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Visuals In Closing Arguments

2014

Lunchtime Series

Nuts and Bolts of DUI

2014

Joint DUI Seminar Important DUI Caselaw

2014

Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association

Social Media Ethics

2014

Annual OVI Seminar Closing Arguments

2014

Annual Criminal Litigation Seminar Anatomy of a DUI Trial

2013

Connecticut Bar Association

DUI Defense

2013

Annual Criminal Litigation Seminar DUI Soup to Nuts

2012

Winter Session

Social Media Ethics

2008

Oklahoma DUI Lawyers

Why Breath Testing is Unconstitutional

Publications

2014

The Champion magazine Practice Pointers

2014

Ruane Attorneys Connecticut DUI Survival Guide

2014

Different Middle Initial, LLC LadyDUI's Connecticut DUI Survival Guide

2007

The Connecticut DUI Trial Notebook Treatise

Languages

English

Activity

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