Eric Vaughn Hackwelder

Eric Vaughn Hackwelder

4.7
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 22 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Erie, PA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Family

137 East 13th Street, Erie, PA

About Eric

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Pennsylvania for 22 years

State: Pennsylvania

Acquired: 2003

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Eric Vaughn Hackwelder

137 East 13th Street, Erie, PA, 16503

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Eric Vaughn Hackwelder's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.7 /5.0

15 Client Reviews

5 star (14)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Thomas | December 6, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

BEST LAWYER

Hands down one of the best lawyers. Hackwelder did everything that he said he would do to get me where I am at now. I was facing some heavy charges. He was always there when I had any kind of concern. Always knew how to calm me in my not too sure state of mind. It was a long 2 years going through the... process but with Hackwelder by my side made it so much easier. For anyone looking for a lawyer definitely hands down recommend Hackwelder you won't be disappointed

Posted by NOAH | August 24, 2022 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

GREAT LAWYER

GREAT LAWYER GREAT LAWYER GREAT LAWYER GREAT LAWYER GREAT LAWYER GREAT LAWYER GREAT LAWYER GREAT LAWYER

Posted by anonymous | April 19, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Save your money

Attorney Hackwelder had me do all the legwork for my hearing. Then at the hearing told me to just accept the charges. When I refused he negotiated with the other attorney and said he got my punishment decreased. When I received the actual punishment, it was nothing like he told me and what I agreed t...o. He wouldn’t help me fix his mistake and dodged my calls from that point forward. He has no ethics whatsoever. Avoid him at all costs.

Posted by Heidi | February 27, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highly Recommend

I hired attorney Hackwelder for a child custody case. It was an ongoing battle for 3 years and Eric stood in my corner from day one. He was attentive, detailed, and so patient with all of my questions. He always got back to me in a timely manner, always fought for what I wanted, and never settled for... less. He never gave up on me or my kids despite all the struggles, complications, and tears I brought to the plate along with my case. Attorney Hackwelder is in my eyes the sole reason I won custody. Despite everything I did correct and how hard I worked, Attorney Hackwelder is the reason I have custody of my son. I could not have done it without him and I would highly recommend this firm to anyone needing an amazing attorney who will fight for you.

Posted by anonymous | June 2, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

eric and Steve are tops

I hired Eric Hackwelder and Steve Seabald for my second and third DUI in 10yrs! for my second after refusing the blood test which throws a person in to the highest bracket they got it down to General impairment which the Judge could only give me 6months total sentence with probation ! I got 3 months... work release 3 months probation ! for my third which carries a minimum of 1yr incarceration and 5yrs probation I got 10 days incarceration which was time served csuse of my 3 months work release and 1yr probation !! how they did it ill never know. I'm still in awe! These two are top lawyers in pa if not the nation !!

See All Client Reviews

Eric Vaughn Hackwelder's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Eric
Garrett Arthur Taylor headshot
Garrett Taylor

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Outstanding courtroom presence! Tremendous advocate who gets results for his clients."

Rebeka Ann Seelinger headshot
Rebeka Seelinger

Family lawyer | Aug 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Eric mixes strong advocacy with compassion for his client. I recommend many of my clients to him for his expertise and they have all been very happy."

Kenneth Allen Bickel headshot
Kenneth Bickel

Family lawyer | Apr 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Eric is professional, prompt and an advocate for his clients. I litigated cases against Eric when he worked as counsel for OCY and the Erie County District Attorney's office and since he has became a defense attorney I have noted his authoritative presence in the courtroom. He gets results for his clients and gives his best effort every single day."

Jeffrey G. Herman headshot
Jeffrey Herman

Contracts and agreements lawyer | Mar 18

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Passionate about his client's cause, yet reasonable to work with."

Jeffrey D. Veitch headshot
Jeffrey Veitch

Litigation lawyer | Nov 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Eric is an asset to his clients and the Erie legal community. Eric is an excellent trial lawyer who does not hesitate to fight for his clients. I am pleased to endorse Eric."

Eric John Purchase headshot
Eric Purchase

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Atty. Hackwelder is a passionate advocate for his clients and his history of successful results for his clients speaks for itself. I am so confident in Atty. Hackwelder's skills that I have personally referred family members to Atty. Sebald."

Darrell Wilmer Kuntz III headshot
Darrell Kuntz

Unknown lawyer | Nov 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Eric is devoted to the needs of his clients. He tirelessly works to achieve the best possible results for his clients. He is one of the most passionate attorneys I know and am proud to endorse him."

J. Timothy George headshot
J. George

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Eric is a well-respected former criminal prosecutor and OCY lawyer, who now defends people who are accused of criminal offenses and DUI. I have both worked with Eric and witnessed his good work in court. I endorse him without reservation."

View All Endorsements
Brian Daniel Arrowsmith headshot
Brian Arrowsmith

Criminal defense lawyer

Rebeka Ann Seelinger headshot
Rebeka Seelinger

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Kenneth Allen Bickel headshot
Kenneth Bickel

Criminal defense lawyer

Jeffrey G. Herman headshot
Jeffrey Herman

General practice lawyer

Darrell Wilmer Kuntz III headshot
Darrell Kuntz

Unknown lawyer

Eric John Purchase headshot
Eric Purchase

Unknown lawyer

J. Timothy George headshot
J. George

Criminal defense lawyer

Garrett Arthur Taylor headshot
Garrett Taylor

Criminal defense lawyer

Jeffrey D. Veitch headshot
Jeffrey Veitch

DUI and DWI lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2001

Deans List, Western Michigan University Thomas Cooley School of Law

2001

Moot Court Semi-Finalist, Western Michigan University Thomas Cooley School of Law

Work Experience

2010 - Present

Attorney, Sebald, Hackwelder & Knox

2006 - 2010

Solicitor, Erie County Office of Children and Youth

2004 - 2006

Adjunct Professor, Mercyhurst College

2003 - 2006

Assistant District Attorney, Erie County District Attorney's Office

2001 - 2003

Law Clerk, Erie County Court Of Common Pleas

2000 - 2000

Intern, United States Court Of Appeals 3d Circuit

Associations

2020 - Present

Erie County Bar Association Criminal Defense Section

Chair

2014 - Present

Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association

2014 - Present

Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

2014 - Present

National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers

2003 - Present

Pennsylvania Bar Association

Erie County Pennsylvania Bar Association

2019 - 2020

Erie County Bar Association Criminal Defense Section

Co-chair

Sample of Legal Cases

Commonwealth v. Jamie Evans

Acquittal

Commonwealth v. Damon Amison

Acquittal on Aggravated Assault

Commonwealth v. Stephen Russell

Acquittal

Commonwealth v. Knight

Acquittal

Commonwealth v. Moore

Case dismissed following a preliminary hearing

Commonwealth v. Stainbrook

Charges reduced to a summary offense.

Commonwealth v. Evans

Acquittal

Commonwealth v. Husband

Acquittal

Commonwealth v. Altland

Acquitted of First Degree Murder

Commonwalth v. Blankenship

Acquittal

See More Legal Cases

Education

2002

Western Michigan University Thomas Cooley School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1996

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2004

Take back the night

Domestic Abuse

Publications

2017

Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL) For the Defense Confidential or Discoverable? Navigating the Files of Child and Youth Services

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
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  • 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
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