Chiege O. Okwara

Chiege O. Okwara

also known as Chiege O. Kalu Okwara

5.0
Rating: 8.0

Licensed for 38 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Charlotte, NC
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Federal Crime, Juvenile, Speeding & Traffic Ticket

15720 Brixham Hill Avenue, Suite # 300, Charlotte, NC

About Chiege

Biography

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in North Carolina for 33 years

State: North Carolina

Acquired: 1992

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2001

Licensed in New York for 38 years

State: New York

Acquired: 1987

Currently Registered

Location

Law Office of Chiege O. Kalu Okwara, P.A.

15720 Brixham Hill Avenue, Suite # 300, Charlotte, NC, 28277-1479

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Chiege O. Okwara's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

8 Client Reviews

5 star (8)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by anonymous | August 9, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

AMAZING

My son was a youth offender. When I met this attorney, I was worried. She answered all my questions. She responded to me properly. She helped my son out tremendously. I have nothing but love and respect for her. I wish you could be more lawyers that cared about their clients like she does.

Posted by James | August 6, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

The best attorney ever.

I’m a person, who unfortunately, has gotten into to more than my share of trouble. But I was facing serious time and Ms. Okwara made motions and took actions that set me free.

Posted by Stephanie | July 10, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Excellent lawyer

Chiege is the best at what she does my loved one was facing a murder charges and several other charges this should of never went to court she fought for her client and she ended up getting all the charges dismissed job well done if u want a good lawyer hire her she is the best

Posted by anonymous | July 8, 2020 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Excellent Counsel

I really appreciate Ms. Okwara. She was very professional, proficient, kept me updated every step of the way. And answered my calls and email quickly. I really appreciate my experience with her.

Posted by Danny | June 18, 2017 | Consulted Attorney

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

Excellent!!!!

She was my brother's attorney and help save his life. Chiege was able to identify key points and essential details in order to show that my brother had acted in self defense in a terrible incident that occurred within my family. Chiege is extremely intelligent, articulate and a very kind human being ...that can see when the law is not working properly. Her performance alone and the way she carried herself was amazing. I would compare her to al pacino in 'And justice for all', andy Garcia in 'Nightfalls on Manhattan' or even Cher in 'Suspect' or Denzel in 'Philadelphia'. It was truly amazing to watch her work and I thank her so much for saving my brother's life. I would HIGHLY recommend to anyone who is the victim of something unjust. She made me realize that even though the system is completely broken, there still is a small portion or sliver of complete justice left in this country. I will never forget her...

See All Client Reviews

Chiege O. Okwara's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Chiege
Stephen K. Allinger Jr. headshot
Stephen Allinger

Unknown lawyer | Aug 20

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"As a former Assistant DA I can confirm that Ms. Okwara has a sterling reputation as a litigator. I tried dozens of cases against Ms. Okwara and she always impressed me with her detailed understanding of criminal law, commanding courtroom presence, and professionalism. I endorse this lawyer."

Barry Lamont Brewington headshot
Barry Brewington

Unknown lawyer | Feb 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Chiege is an excellent attorney. Her trial skills are unsurpassed, her compassion for her clients is amazing and her zealous representation is relentless. Further, Chiege has an excellent reputation in the legal community. I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Linda S. Klein headshot
Linda Klein

DUI and DWI lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.0 (Excellent)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2001.

Reprimand issued in NC, 2001

updated on 08/28/2008

Typically in this case the lawyer's poor behavior is exposed to the public in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Honors

2025

THE NATIONAL BLACK LAWYERS TOP 100, The National Black Lawyers Association

2024

NATIONALLY RANKED TOP TEN ATTORNEY, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys

2017

OUTSTANDING ATTORNEY AWARD, John S. Leary Association of Black Attorneys

2017

Top Contributor, Avvo

2016

Top Contributor--Criminal Defense, Avvo

Work Experience

1992 - Present

PARTNER, LAW OFFICE OF CHIEGE O. KALU OKWARA

1995 - 2000

ATTORNEY, GUARDIAN AD LITEM PROGRAM

1987 - 1991

ATTORNEY, LAW OFFICE OF HARVEY SORID

Associations

2018 - Present

North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers

Member

1992 - Present

MECKLENBURG COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

ATTORNEY

1992 - Present

NORTH CAROLINA STATE BAR

ATTORNEY

1987 - Present

New York State Bar Association

Member

1983 - Present

Nigerian Bar Association

Member

2014 - 2015

JOHN S. LEARY BAR ASSOCIATION

PARLIAMENTARIAN

Sample of Legal Cases

State of North Carolina v. Brendon Goodell

FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE: Case dismissed

State of North Carolina v. Brandon Hynson

FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE: Case dismissed

State of North Carolina v. Jeremiah Cunningham

FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE: Case dismissed

State of North Carolina v. Zion Brown

FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE: Case dismissed.

State of North Carolina v. Cori Meadows

FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE: Case dismissed

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. Eric HENDERSON, Defendant - Appellant.

REVERSED AFTER ORAL ARGUMENTS BY PUBLISHED OPINION

State of North Carolina v. REDACTED

FIRST DEGREE RAPE AND RELATED CHARGES: Not Guilty of 6 felony counts. Acquitted after a jury trial.

State of North Carolina v. Hakim Eads

FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE AND OTHER CHARGES: Cases dismissed

State of North Carolina v. Michael Oliver

FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE: Case dismissed

State of North Carolina v. Kevin Smith

FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE and Larceny of a Firearm: Cases dismissed

State of North Carolina v. Martin Lee Forney

DRUGS AND HABITUAL FELON CHARGES: Not guilty

State of North Carolina v. Howard Watson

ASSAULT ON A FEMALE: Not guilty

State of North Carolina v. Andwele Eaves

DRUG CASES: Acquitted of all charges but convicted of the lesser included offense of Class 3 Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana

State of North Carolina v. Terry Morrison

DRUG CASES: Dismissed by the Court at the close of all the Evidence and prior to jury deliberations

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA V. T.S.

ACQUITTED OF ALL CHARGES AFTER A TWO (2) WEEK JURY TRIAL; CASES DISMISSED DUE TO LACK OF SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION BY THE SUPERIOR COURT

United States of America v. Cedarian Grier

Judgment Vacated and Remanded by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals for Re-Sentencing. Mr. Grier was sentenced without the Armed Career Criminal Act Enhancement

State of North Carolina v. Cesar Lavandier

HABITUAL FELON : CASES DISMISSED AFTER MISTRIAL ON OCTOBER 3, 2014

State of North Carolina v. Cesar Lavandier

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: CONVICTED ONLY OF MISDEMEANORS

United States of America v. Emmith Marrel Snell

Acquitted of the more serious charge of Conspiracy

State of North Carolina v. Gary Clyde Keever

Motion for Appropriate Relief Granted; Sentence Reduced.

State of North Carolina v. Kelvyn Vales-Contreras

ACQUITTED OF MOST THE SERIOUS FELONIES (3 Counts of First Degree Rape)

State of North Carolina v. Timothy Lawing

FOUND NOT GUILTY OF BEING A HABITUAL FELON

IN THE MATTER OF: K.A., E.A., K.A., Nos. 12 JA 704–06

I represented Respondent Mother in Juvenile Court in this Abuse/Neglect/Dependency Proceedings. The decision of the trial court was reversed by the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

State of North Carolina v. Anthony Coleman

REMANDED FOR A NEW TRIAL AFTER APPEAL

State of North Carolina v. Anthony Coleman., No. COA 12–946. Decided: May 21, 2013

I represented Mr. Coleman in Superior Court during the trial of this action. Convictuion and sentence reversed on appeal. New Trial ordered by the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

State of North Carolina v. Darryl Whiteside

ACQUITTED OF ALL CHARGES

State of North Carolina v. Kinchen Lee, Jr.

ACQUITTED OF ALL FELONIES

State of North Carolina v. Trayon Glover

ACQUITTED OF ALL CHARGES

United States of America v. Damien Cosme Cisneros

MOTION TO DISMISS Money Laundering is granted by the Court: Acquitted of Drug Conspiracy Count: NOT GUILTY

State of North Carolina v. Robin Pettice

MIXED VERDICT

State of North Carolina v. Rudolph Brooks

CASES DISMISSED AFTER MISTRIAL ON DECEMBER 15, 2011

State of North Carolina v. Marcez Lee

ACQUITTED OF ALL CHARGES

State of North Carolina v. Trayon Glover

ACQUITTED OF ALL CHARGES

State of North Carolina v. Rudolph Brooks

MISTRIAL; HUNG JURY; RETRIED IN DECEMBER 2011

State of North Carolina v. Robert Lamar McFadden

Mixed Verdict

State of North Carolina v. Anthony Jones

HABITUAL FELON INDICTMENT DISMISSED; CONVICTED OF LESSER OFFENSES;M CREDIT FOR TIME SERVED.

State of North Carolina v. Edward Hicks

MISTRIAL: (Cases were subsequently dismissed in April 2011)

State of North Carolina v. Edward Hicks

MISTRIAL: (Cases were subsequently dismissed in April 2011)

State of North Carolina v. Ramon Ayala-Guardado

MISTRIAL: HUNG JURY (Cases were subsequently dismissed on 2/6/2012)

State of North Carolina v. Latron Hoover

CASES DISMISSED AFTER MISTRIAL

United States of America v. Leslie Fountresa Freeman

Judgment Vacated and Remanded by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals for Re-Sentencing.

United States of America v. Chad Eric Simpson

Remanded by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals for Resentencing

State of North Carolina v. Tony Edward English, No. COA 04-890, Decided: July 5, 2005

I represented Mr. English in Superior Cout during the trial of this action. His conviction was upheld, but case remanded for a new sentencing hearing.

United States of America v. Thomas Gooding

Acquitted: NOT GUILTY

United States of America v. Ronald Clifford Mack

Case Voluntarily Dismissed by the Government

See More Legal Cases

Education

1994

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL

J..D.

1987

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

LL.M

1985

HARVARD LAW SCHOOL

LL.M

Speaking Engagements

2018

In honor of the 150th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 14th Amendment

Criminal Litigation Panel: Process & procedure for Juvenile Court (Abuse/Neglect Dependency & Delinquenc); State & Federal criminal practice pointers, Victims’ rights’’/Marsy’s Law; jury trials; appellate practice, Law Enforcement issues.

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2001
    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
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