Evan J. Kelly

PRO

Evan J. Kelly

4.7
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 25 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at West Chester, PA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Sex Crime, DUI & DWI ... +2 more

126 west Miner Street #1, West Chester, PA

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Evan

Biography

Aggressive, award winning former prosecutor

Aggressive, award winning former prosecutor

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 40%

27 years | 2,300 cases

40%
Sex Crime 30%

27 years | 56 cases

30%
DUI and DWI 10%

27 years | 500 cases

10%
Domestic Violence 10%

10%
Violent Crime 10%

27 years

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2019 2015 2014

Licenses

Licensed in Pennsylvania for 25 years

State: Pennsylvania

Acquired: 2000

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Bellwoar Kelly, LLP

126 west Miner Street #1, West Chester, PA, 19382

chestercountycriminallawyer.com

Pottstown Office

934 E High St #2, Pottstown, PA, 19464

chestercountycriminallawyer.com

Kennett Square Office

110 State St, #305, Kennett Square, PA, 19348

chestercountycriminallawyer.com

Media Office

111 N Olive St, Media, PA, 19063

chestercountycriminallawyer.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Evan online.

Evan J. Kelly's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.7 /5.0

35 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (35) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by anonymous | September 18, 2025 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

2nd DUI

My experience with Evan was outstanding. They were knowledgeable, strategic, and genuinely cared about my outcome. Their clear guidance and professionalism turned an overwhelming DUI case into a manageable process, and they fought for the best possible result. I can’t recommend them highly enough to ...anyone facing a DUI in Chester County. I did a ton of research on Chester County lawyers and Evan is the best.

Posted by anonymous | April 08, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

One Hell of an Attorney and a Straight Shooter

After being charged with several serious crimes back in 2019, I retained a supposed high end lawyer to represent me. Fast forward two years and absolutely no progress in my case was made. My attorney was essentially waiting for the prosecutor to offer a deal and did nothing to silicate that deal. I f...inally got the guts to fire my attorney and retain Evan Kelly. That choice has turned out to be one of the most pivotal moments of my life. Evan was upfront with me the entire way and pulled no punches. He also never stopped fighting for my case. Up until the very last day, which made all the difference. Evan is well respected in his field and his tenacity in negotiations resulted in a favorable plea deal put on the table. He went back to the well many times while other lawyers would have thrown their hands up, or do nothing like my previous attorney. I did not spend one day in jail and it could have been 4-8 years. I honestly believe know one else would have been able to get this prosecutor to play ball like Evan did. You want someone who has spent his career in building relationships and respect, choose Evan Kelly. He will get you the best result possible. My family and I thank you Evan.

Posted by Jake | August 18, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Go to guy

Evan Kelly is definitely the go-to guy that you want standing by your side in the court room. His thorough understanding of criminal law, and his legal connections in the DA's office give you the best odds of a favorable outcome. He tells you what you need to hear, exactly, when you need to hear it. ...He will go to bat for you time and time again. I am extremely thankful I found him to represent me, and words cannot describe how relieved I am for the favorable outcome he was able to obtain. We need more attorneys like Evan!!!

Posted by bmaxine20 | January 22, 2015 | Criminal Defense

A case not good enough...

I asked Evan Kelly if he'd accept my criminal case. After speaking to Mr. Kelly and agreeing he would be a good lawyer to handle my case, he specified that in 5 days he would be available to take on my case. I waited the five days patiently to find that Mr. Kelly not only was not Prepared for my case..., he never returned my phone calls. I thought that was very Unprofessional. Not only had I wasted five days of search.. I feel like my case was too unimportant to him. Mr Kelly, seems you forgot where you started from..

See All Client Reviews

Evan J. Kelly's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Evan
Kathleen M. Hyneman headshot
Kathleen Hyneman

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Evan is an attorney who goes the extra mile for his clients. He also truly cares about his clients and that shows in his approach to his cases and the excellent results he is able to receive."

Alexander Louis Silow headshot
Alexander Silow

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Well-known, well-respected lawyer who fights hard for his clients. Highly recommended."

Anthony Hasson headshot
Anthony Hasson

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Evan is an exceptional attorney, He is well respected by judge's, district attorney's and fellow members of the defense bar. I would not hesitate to recommend him to my client's to handle any of their criminal matters."

Louis Anthony Mincarelli headshot
Louis Mincarelli

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 30

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I first met Evan while working on a Federal case with him. He is one of the most talented attorneys I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I frequently go to him for advice on my own cases."

Ellis B. Klein headshot
Ellis Klein

Criminal defense lawyer | May 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly recommend Evan for any type of criminal case in Chester County. His past experience as an Assistant District Attorney has prepared him well as he personally knows hundreds of Chester County police officers, prosecutors and he has appeared before Chester County Judges on countless occasions. Highly recommend."

James Richard Lloyd III headshot
James Lloyd

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've known Evan for more than a decade and endorse him with confidence."

C. Curtis Norcini headshot
C. Norcini

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 26

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"It is my pleasure to endorse this lawyer. Evan is a highly competent and very zealous advocate with an excellent reputation within the legal community."

Michael Domenick DiCindio headshot
Michael DiCindio

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 01

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Evan is one of the premier attorneys in his area. He is a wonderful litigator who know his way around the courtroom and has the respect of all who he comes in contact with."

John I. McMahon Jr. headshot
John McMahon

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I strongly endorse Evan as an excellent trail lawyer who gets great results for his clients."

View All Endorsements
Ryan Grace headshot
Ryan Grace

Criminal defense lawyer

Kathleen M. Hyneman headshot
Kathleen Hyneman

Business lawyer

Alexander Louis Silow headshot
Alexander Silow

Criminal defense lawyer

Marissa Margaret Ramsay headshot
Marissa Ramsay

Criminal defense lawyer

Mark Joseph Conte headshot
Mark Conte

Criminal defense lawyer

Thomas Gerald Bellwoar Jr. headshot
Thomas Bellwoar

Criminal defense lawyer

Christian J. Hoey headshot
Christian Hoey

Personal injury lawyer

Matthew Gordon Vassil headshot
Matthew Vassil

Criminal defense lawyer

Louis Anthony Mincarelli headshot
Louis Mincarelli

Criminal defense lawyer

Ellis B. Klein headshot
Ellis Klein

Criminal defense lawyer

C. Curtis Norcini headshot
C. Norcini

Criminal defense lawyer

James Richard Lloyd III headshot
James Lloyd

Criminal defense lawyer

Michael Domenick DiCindio headshot
Michael DiCindio

Criminal defense lawyer

John I. McMahon Jr. headshot
John McMahon

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Top 10 Ranking, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys

2018

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2017

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2014

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2014

client satisfaction award, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys

2014

Top 10 Attorney Award, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys

2011

Top Lawyer, Main Line Today Magazine

2010

Top Lawyer, Main Line Today Magazine

2008

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2007

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

2005 - 2007

Chief Counsel for Oversight and Investigations for Chairman, United States Senate Judiciary Committee

2004 - 2007

Chief counsel, United States Senate

2000 - 2003

Assistant District Attorney, Chester County District Attorney's Office

1999 - 2000

Intern, United States Attorney's Office

Associations

2000 - Present

Pennsylvania Bar Association

Member

2000 - Present

Chester County Bar Association

Member

2003 - 2004

Chester County Bar Association, Criminal Defense Section

Executive Committee Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Commonwealth vs Santos

Pled to misdemenor probation

Commonwealth vs woods

Jury trial

Commonwealth vs isais

Rape charged dismissed

Commonwealth vs miller

Rape charge withdrawn

Commonwealth vs edwards

Case dismissed evidence suppressed

Commonwealth vs chapman

Jury trial

See More Legal Cases

Education

2000

Villanova University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1997

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2010

Southeastern Biker's Association

the Patriot Act

2007

Villanova Law School Guest Speaker

Election Law

2006

United States Sentencing Commission

implications of US vs Booker

Languages

English

Spanish

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