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Colleen Kirby
About Colleen
Biography
I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware, where I majored in Criminal Justice and participated in the Honors Program. I later attended the University of Baltimore School of Law where my concentration was litigation and advocacy. I studied under Professor Byron Warnken, who was my instructor for Criminal Law, Constitutional Criminal Procedure I and II.
Graduating cum laude and winning an award for academic excellence, I earned my JD while ranking in the top 20% of my class. After participating in the University’s Clinical Program, I became licensed to practice law, serving as a public defender in Baltimore City. While working for the Office of the Public Defender, I also worked in the private sector for Towson attorney Richard Karceski, handling criminal matters. I was admitted to the Maryland Bar in December of 2007.
Following law school, I served as a law clerk to the Honorable Joseph F. Murphy, Jr. When I began my clerkship, Judge Murphy was the Chief Judge of the Maryland Appellate Court. Subsequently, Judge Murphy was appointed to the Supreme Court of Maryland. While working on both courts, I was responsible for conducting legal research and drafting appellate opinions, some of which have been published and now serve as Maryland law.
In 2009, I began working as a prosecutor for the Howard County State's Attorney's Office. I became a skilled trial lawyer by handling a variety of criminal and traffic cases for the State of Maryland.
I established my own practice in 2014, and have defended thousands of clients with a variety of criminal and traffic matters. Getting to know my clients is essential to providing the best representation. Developing that trusting relationship has led to many former clients keeping in touch with me over the years.
As an accomplished defense attorney for over 15 years, I have successfully litigated countless DUIs/DWI cases and criminal matters alleging crimes such as domestic violence, assault, drug possession, theft, and other jailable offenses.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Maryland for 18 years
State: Maryland
Acquired: 2007
No misconduct found
Location
Law Office of Colleen M. Kirby, Esq.
5850 Waterloo Road, Suite 140, Columbia, MD, 21045
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Colleen Kirby's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 56 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Leah | January 16, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Smart, dedicated and knows her stuff.
Colleen is the absolute BEST! I was lucky to find her online by reading reviews and seeing dogs on her website definitely helped my decision to work with her. She's got an amazing rapport with Maryland judges, DA's, clerks and beyond. She was empathetic, attentive and had amazing recommendations to g...
Posted by Syed | November 25, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Syed
She is the best in the business! My present and future moving forward! She’s family to me now!
Posted by Courtney | October 4, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
A caring and knowledgeable attorney who gets results!
We were introduced to Ms Kirby in traffic court when the judge asked her to consult with my son who represented himself in a speeding ticket case. After the judge informed the officer he got the wrong guy, the judge still had to sentence him as he had received a PBJ in a prior appearance. Ms Kirby h...
Posted by Ama | January 28, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Best attorney if you’re smart enough to retain her
I retained Colleen to represent me on a disorderly conduct case, along with a whole bunch of other charges, trespassing, resisting arrest, etc. They were all dismissed on the first day of court. On top of that, I got arrested a few days before this disorderly conduct court date in a different county,...
Colleen Kirby
Replied last January 31, 2024Thank you for this wonderful review. It has been a pleasure working with you. Please keep in touch!
Posted by Nisar | September 16, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Speeding ticket
I contacted attorney Colleen for my speeding ticket and she was very professional about it. She said that I don’t have to worry about this issue. I asked her to fight this ticket for me, I didn’t had to go to the court with her. Colleen did an amazing job and I didn’t get any points and was found not...
Colleen Kirby's Lawyer Endorsements
"Ms. Kirby is an excellent attorney. She is dedicated, passionate, hard working, and very knowledgable in her field. Definitely one of the best!"
"Simply said, Colleen is an outstanding criminal attorney. Highly recommended!"
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Kirby is aggressive, professional, and knowledgable. Clients that use her services are in good hands without a doubt."
"I endorse this lawyer no doubt. Colleen is a compassionate and zealous advocate for her clients- both human and canine. I tried cases against Collen when she was an Assistant State's Attorney, have seen her try cases now as private defense, and have worked alongside her in her capacity as an advocate against breed specific dog legislation. She is a consummate professional and will go to the ends of the earth for her clients."
"Colleen Kirby is a serious Maryland defense attorney with a true passion for her practice. She is worth her weight in gold!"
"I endorse this lawyer for her skills in criminal defense. I have referred Colleen a few cases and each time the cilent has been more than satisfied with Colleen's work. She cares about each cilent and is attentive to their case. Colleen has had great experience in her career, which makes her a better advocate for her clients. She is a hard worker and will do her absolute best for each client."
"Colleen is a terrific lawyer. She is one of the sharpest legal minds that I know. She brings a great deal of knowledge, skill, and dedication to her clients. I highly recommend her."
"Colleen Kirby is a tireless advocate for her clients. She has leverage her experience as a prosecutor to become a top notch defense attorney. I would recommend Colleen to my friends and family without reservation. She is also a generous colleague who will share her knowledge and common sense to help other attorneys improve their defense strategy. Colleen is also a brave and passionate defender of pit bulls. I greatly admire her as a professional and as a woman."
"Colleen Kirby is an aggressive and effective criminal defense attorney. I would not hesitate to refer an important matter to her knowing she will handle it in the best possible way for the client."
"I love working with the Pit Bull. She is sweet on the outside but get her in a courtroom and wow. Tough, aggressive and smart."
"Colleen is awesome. I have worked with her for several years. She is known as the Pit Bull Lawyer and she is certainly someone I want in my corner."
"Colleen is the type of lawyer that every other lawyer should have in the contacts file. Her ability to break down complicated criminal issues is fantastic and she is a tremendous advocate for her clients. When I have a Maryland criminal defense or traffic question, Colleen is a trusted colleague on speed dial."
"Getting to work with Colleen has been a pleasure. She is a pit bull in the courtroom but the nicest person to kick back with after the day is done."
"Colleen is a pit bull! First as a prosecutor now as a defense attorney. She is someone you want in your corner."
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Experience
Honors
2014
Top 40 under 40, National Trial Lawyers Association
2013
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association
2013
Top 40 under 40, National Trial Lawyers Association
2013
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2013
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2006
Mt. Royal Scholarship Award, University of Baltimore School of Law
2006
Mt. Royal Scholarship Award, University of Baltimore School of Law
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Owner, Law Office of Colleen M. Kirby, Esq., LLC
2011 - 2013
Associate Attorney, Price Benowitz, LLP
2008 - 2010
Assistant State's Attorney, Howard County State's Attorney's Office
2007 - 2008
Law Clerk, Maryland Court of Appeals, Hon. Joseph F. Murphy, Jr.
2006 - 2007
Rule 16 Attorney, Office Of The Public Defender Maryland
2005 - 2007
law clerk, Law Office of Richard Karceski
Associations
2014 - Present
Howard County Bar AssociationMember
2014 - Present
National Trial Lawyers AssociationTop 100 Trial Lawyers
2013 - Present
National Trial Lawyers AssociationTop 40 Under 40
2011 - Present
Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys' AssociationMember
2007 - Present
Maryland State Bar AssociationMember
Education
2007
University of Baltimore School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2004
University of Delaware
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Should i request a waiver hearing or trial in MD?
19 Aug 2024
Q&A
MD case search says : "docs returned by lawn enforcement ( no action)" The person is in jail with no bond on an assault charge.
17 Aug 2024
Q&A
What happens on your first violation of Probation
13 Apr 2017