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Shawn Michael Dorward
About Shawn
Biography
With over a decade of experience fighting for the rights of the accused in Dauphin County, Attorney Shawn Dorward has earned a reputation as the Harrisburg criminal defense lawyer clients can trust. As the founder of the Dorward Law Firm, he has amassed a long list of satisfied clients thanks to his relentless fight and attention to detail. With certifications from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other legal bodies, Mr. Dorward understands how to fight DUI charges and protect your future. Whether you were charged with DUI or any other crime, you can protect yourself by calling the Dorward Law Firm for a free consultation about your case.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Pennsylvania for 17 years
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 2008
No misconduct found
Location
The Dorward Law Firm
4400 Deer Path Road, Suite 102, Harrisburg, PA, 17110
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Shawn Michael Dorward's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 62 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Michael | August 30, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Domestic violence
Shawn is a great attorney I was facing 2 years minimum for charges I didn't commit. He was available anytime I had questions, responding to them promptly. Shawb is undoubtedly professional and competent. I took a plea deal to a misdemeanor in a case that started with felony and 2 misdemeanors. But ho...
Posted by Dakota | August 12, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Wonderful service
I hired him for a dui case and he was able to help me understand everything I needed and helped get my case handled. Shawn is great at his job with plenty of years of experience
Posted by Michelle | April 13, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent..I must say the BEST
Shawn was awesome !! He went above and beyond to get me the outcome that I was hoping for. He always answers my texts every time that I needed anything he always answered my questions and he never once told me something that he didn't think could happen. He was always open honest and very upfront abo...
Posted by MichaelL | January 25, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Top Notch representation
Shawn DORWARD represented me in a court and handled it with extreme care and understanding and judicial acumen. I was extremely satisfied with not only his legal representation but also his communication pretrial and on person. He made the time to discuss the case and to understand my needs and desir...
Posted by anonymous | December 22, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Great Defense Attorney
Mr. Dorward effectively defended my case, getting it dismissed. I appreciated the time he gave to me and his knowledge of defending those who may be charged with a crime built on circumstantial evidence.
Shawn Michael Dorward's Lawyer Endorsements
"Shawn Dorward is an outstanding attorney and person. Very few people care about their work the way that Shawn does. I was lucky to work with him directly for five years. He was an amazing mentor and a leader amongst his peers. If you want representation from someone compassionate, skilled, and dedicated, Shawn Dorward is an exceptional choice."
"I previously worked at a firm with Shawn and found him to be one of the most sought after attorneys for criminal defense and DUI issues. His knowledge, combined with his ability to communicate along with the fact that he is extremely personable makes him an excellent advocate for those who hire him."
"Shawn is great DUI lawyer who cares about his clients and his craft. I’ve sat with him through numerous DUI trainings, and participated in several that he himself has organized. I refer clients his way not because we are personally friendly, but because I know he will do a great job for them."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Shawn Dorward is a well-known DUI defense attorney who is respected by his peers for his outstanding trial skills. Shawn has traveled all over the United States to learn the latest scientific techniques and trial tactics involved in defending DUI cases. Shawn possesses superior knowledge in defending DUI cases. I endorse Shawn’s work as a DUI defense attorney. He’s someone you can trust to handle your case."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Shawn is an outstanding criminal defense attorney. His work ethic and desire to get the best results for his clients separate him from his peers. When I have clients in Pennsylvania that ask me who I recommend they hire for their criminal defense cases I tell them: Shawn Dorward."
"I fully endorse Mr. Doward. He is well thought of in the legal community. He is a skilled litigator and negotiator. You are well-served with him on your side."
"Attorney Dorward is a trained in the latest and best DWI defenses. I know that he attend DWI training seminars on a regular basis where he has developed skills rivaling the best DWI defense lawyers in the nation. Attorney Dorward is a part of the leading DWI defense firm in Pennsylvania. Any person in Pennsylvania would be lucky to have Attorney Dorward working on their case."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Shawn is a rising star. His style and presence match perfectly with a solid legal mind and combine to make him an attorney in whom clients can be confident and comfortable. His role in the McShane Firm just ensures that he will continue to receive top-notch training and experience that will set him apart from the pack in PA. I happily endorse Shawn's quality work."
"What a lawyer. Shawn is an awesome trial attorney. I met Shawn at a training seminar in PA. He had the courage to go first in demonstrating his skills in the Court room. I was in awe. He has the ability to take a complex story and tell it to the jury in a simple and understandable fashion with passion and confidence."
"I had the opportunity to see Shawn deliver an opening statement at a recent seminar and find him to be extremely persuasive and skilled trial lawyer. He is a confident and effective speaker. I would recommend him to anyone facing DUI or criminal charges."
"I recently had the opportunity to work with Shawn at a seminar on developing the ability to successfully communicate with juries. Shawn has abundant natural skill as a communicator and worked hard to become even better to protect his clients. Shawn has also made the commitment to understand the science behind the tests the police attempt to use in determining who is a drunk driver. So few lawyers make that commitment even though everyone who helps those charged with DWI/DUI should. I strongly endorse Shawn."
"I have met Shawn and several very high level seminars and I am very impressed with him. I wish that I had the foresight to try to get all of the training that he has at such an early stage in his career. He is definitely a force to be reckoned with. He works for and is trained by one of the best in the business, Justin McShane."
"I recently attending a conference with Mr. Dorward at the Harvard University Law School. Shawn and I were both assigned to have our trial skills evaluated by the nation's best DUI trial lawyers. Shawn was awesome. He is a dynamic trial lawyer, able to adapt to those unexpected circumstances that arise in trial even for the most prepared lawyer (and I know that Shawn thoroughly prepares for trial). I would trust Shawn to represent anyone, even myself, in a DUI trial."
"I had the opportunity to meet Shawn at the DUI Defense College at Harvard University during its summer session. Shawn is not only exceptionally bright, he is dedicated to provided the very best legal representation possible for all of his clients. His commitment to the practice of DUI defense shows in his drive to perfect is skills and maximize his clients' chance of obtaining a "not guilty.""
"On occasion I meet an attorney whom I immediately say to myself, "Wow, this person has it together." I've watched this guy at work. I've seen his natural trial skills and frankly, I left impressed after our sessions at the National College of DUI Defense (Summer Session) which took place at Harvard Law School. Not only is he an excellent attorney, he works for a firm for whom I have a tremendous amount of respect. You won't go wrong using this smart, zealous attorney. He's a top-notch attorney from a top-notch firm."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Shawn, and the other attorneys at The McShane Firm LLC, are committed to providing top-notch defense for all motorists in the unfortunate position of being charged with DUI in Pennsylvania. I would not hesitate to recommend Shawn and the McShane Firm to anyone looking for the best representation in DUI defense."
George Stein
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Experience
Honors
2017
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, American Chemical Society
2016
Solid Drug Pre-consumption Form Forensic Analysis V, American Chemical Society
2016
2015 Criminal Law Update, PBI seminar
2012
2012 Summer Session Graduate, National College for DUI Defense
2011
7th Annual Advanced DUI Seminar, Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association
2011
6th Annual Family Law Institute, Pennsylvania Bar Institute
2011
NCDD Serum Ethanol False Positive Due to NADH, National College for DUI Defense
2011
NCDD Summer Session at Harvard Law, National College for DUI Defense
2011
Litigating Sex Crimes seminar, Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
2011
What Family Court Judges Want You to Know Seminar, NBI
2011
Learning at the Footsteps of the Master seminar, Terry McCarthy II
2010
Child Custody From A to Z: In the Best Interests of the Child, National Business Institute
2010
Regents Choice Award for 2010 Summer Session (1 of 2 recipients), National College for DUI Defense
2010
Controlling the Mob Mentality: Defending Sexual Assault Cases, NACDL
2010
Blood Alcohol Content by Headspace/Gas Chromatography, Perkin-Elmer
2010
Summer Session at Harvard Law, National College for DUI Defense
2010
Certification in Forensic Sobriety Assessment, Forensic Sobriety Assessment
2010
Mass Spectrometry lecture and Workshop, Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists
2010
7th Annual Advanced DUI Seminar Killer Cross in DUI cases, Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys' Association
2010
Just Because You are an Expert…Doesn’t Make You Interesting, TheMcShaneFirm.com Lecture Series
2010
The Truth About Forensic Science Method Validation, PACLE
2009
Drafting Marital Settlement Agreements seminar, Pennsylvania Bar Institute
2009
Annual Criminal Law Symposium, Pennsylvania Bar Institute
2009
Seminar on Criminal Law, Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
2009
Advanced Issues in Breath Alcohol Testing, IT&D Ltd
2009
Computer Forensics Seminar, INA, Inc.
2009
Advanced Forensic Blood and Urine Seminar, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National College for DUI Defense, Headlines Marketing
2009
Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement Certification, As Recognized by NHTSA
2009
NHTSA/IACP Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), As Recognized by NHTSA
2009
NCDD Summer Session at Harvard Law School-Cambridge, MA, NCDD
2009
Probate Practice: The Essential Basics, National Business Institute
2008
6th Annual Advanced DUI Seminar, Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney's Association
2008
Introduction to Sentencing in Pennsylvania Seminar, Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing
2008
Certified Instructor of the Intoximeters Alco-Sensor FST, Intoximeters, Inc.
2008
Certified User of the Intoximeters Alco-Sensor FST, Intoximeters, Inc.
2008
Instructor in SFST Administration, Impaired Driving Specialists
2008
Fundamentals of Estate Planning, Pennsylvania Bar Institute
2008
Drugs That Impair Driving, Impaired Driving Specialists
2008
Evidentiary Breath Alcohol Technician for Intoxilyzer 5000, Industrial Training and Design, Ltd.
2008
Annual Criminal Law Symposium, Pennsylvania Bar Institute
Work Experience
2019 - Present
Principal, The Dorward Law Firm
2008 - Present
Litigation Associate, The McShane Firm, LLC.
2007 - 2008
Head Law Clerk, The McShane Firm, LLC
Associations
2015 - Present
Pennsylvania Association for Drunk Driving Defense (PADDDA)Vice President
2014 - Present
DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA)Member
2011 - Present
Pennsylvania Association for Drunk Driving Defense- Newsletter CommitteeCo-chair
2010 - Present
Pennsylvania Association for Drunk Driving Defense (PADDDA)Founding Member
2007 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2007 - Present
Pennsylvania Bar AssociationMember
2007 - Present
Dauphin County Bar AssociationMember
2007 - Present
Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2007 - Present
Federal Bar AssociationMember
2007 - Present
American Association for JusticeMember
2007 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2008 - 2018
National College for DUI Defense, Inc. (NCDD)General Membership
2007 - 2018
National College for DUI DefenseMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Dismissed
Multiple Drug and Firearm Felonies Dismissed
Dismissed
Felony Drug Charges- Withdrawn
Nolle Prossed
Officer Mistakes Rare Disease for DUI
Dismissed at the Preliminary hearing
Felony Drug Dealing and Weapons Charges Withdrawn
Felony Drug Dealing and Weapons Charges Withdrawn
Felony Unlawful Use of Computer, Theft
All counts dismissed
Aggravated Assault (First Degree Felony), Criminal Trespassing (Third Degree Felony): Dismissed at Preliminary Hearing
Dismissed at Preliminary Hearing
Commonwealth v. Justin Chad Tobery
Aggravated Assault by Vehicle While DUI dismissed
Education
2007
Thurgood Marshall School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2004
Temple University
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2019
PADDDA DRE Seminar
Drug Recognition Evaluations – the DRE Program
2012
Evaluating the DUI Case- Pittsburgh
Procedural Issues in a DUI Case
2012
Evaluating the DUI Case- Mechanichsburg
Procedural Issues in a DUI Case
2012
Evaluating the DUI Case - Philadelphia
Procedural Issues in a DUI Case
2010
TheMcShaneFirm.com Lecture Series
How an Analytical Chemist is your Best Friend
2008
Impaired Driving Specialists
NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Test Instructor
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Guides