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Kevin Joseph Kiernan
About Kevin
Biography
Mr. Kiernan served as an Assistant District Attorney (Prosecutor) for the State of North Carolina for the Fourth Prosecutorial District from 2007 through 2012. Though he began practicing in District Court in Onslow County, and also handled Juvenile Court matters in Sampson County, the bulk of his time was spent handling matters in Superior Court in Sampson and Duplin Counties. While serving as a Prosecutor, Mr. Kiernan gained invaluable experience in working with matters from simple traffic tickets to murder cases, and everything in between.
Mr. Kiernan has successfully handled several bench and jury trials as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney. While actively practicing as a true courtroom advocate, Kiernan also continues to research the evolving areas of law, especially in the fields of criminal defense and bankruptcy, in order to be able to provide the pinnacle of legal advocacy and counsel to his clients in those matters. Indeed, Kiernan played an instrumental role in the developing area of double jeopardy jurisprudence in relation to DWI charges, leading to an appellate ruling mirroring his arguments from the Superior Court level. More recently, Kiernan is now again involved in an unsettled area of jurisprudence regarding traffic stops in relation to search and seizure that is entering appellate review.
With a strong background in chemistry, mathematics, engineering, and computer science, Kiernan is able to draw from those logic based areas of study and apply the same concepts to the practice of law, allowing for well-planned, sound, creative, and most importantly successful legal strategies for his clients' cases.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
55%
19 years | 2,500 cases
DUI and DWI
20%
19 years | 200 cases
Speeding and Traffic Ticket
20%
19 years | 2,500 cases
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
5%
13 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in North Carolina for 18 years
State: North Carolina
Acquired: 2007
No misconduct found
Location
Silva, Kiernan & Associates, PLLC
101 West Main Street, PO Box 1072, Clinton, NC, 28329
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Kevin Joseph Kiernan's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
3 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (3)
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Posted by Michael | November 06, 2025 | Hired Attorney
He is the guy you NEED to hire !
Absolutely the best lawyer out there. Highly professional, committed, and willing to fight for your case with unwavering dedication.
Posted by anonymous | June 30, 2023 | Hired Attorney
Very good lawyer
Mr.Kiernan is a a very good lawyer if he tells u want he going to do for you he does it.he will always be the lawyer I pick in sampson county
Posted by Christal | February 17, 2014 | Criminal Defense
I probably will always call on him for all my legal matters. Hes been the best Attorney I have ever had and court appointed.
I DID NOT SELECT POOR FOR ANY CATAGORY I SELECTED ALL EXCELLENT BUT NOT ALL WOULD CHANGE FROM POOR. . .Mr. Keirnan is outstanding as an attorney and a very thorough attorney at that. He is not judgemental and treated me with sincere respect even having the charges I did. Most aren't like that. He is ...
Kevin Joseph Kiernan's Lawyer Endorsements
"Kevin is one of the sharpest attorneys I know. Frankly, it was a shame when he left the DA's office as it was not only challenging to have him on the other side of a case but also a pleasure to work with him. If you are looking for an intelligent, ethical and hard-working lawyer, I would recommend Kevin."
"Kevin Kiernan is the kind of lawyer that everyone in the legal community respects. This is because of Kevin's work ethic and his superior intellect. It is no secret that as an Assistant District Attorney he was the prosecutor that other Assistant District Attorneys, from several different counties away, called to answer complex legal questions. There are not many lawyers out there who have tried everything from traffic tickets to murder cases. There are many attorneys who talk to the talk, but Kevin has the experience AND intellect to get you the best result possible. This is why Matt Silva and I of Silva, Sweet & Kiernan pursued him as a law partner and asked him to open an office in Clinton, North Carolina. Kevin is the attorney you should call for all your legal needs."
"Mr. Kiernan is probably the strongest advocate you can have in Sampson and Duplin. He and I were hired by the District Attorney's Office at the same time and we shared an office. I watched, in amazement, Kevin repeatedly prevail in cases that most attorneys would have abandoned. It is for that reason I selected Kevin as a NAMED partner in my firm. From my experience in watching Mr. Kiernan, I believe he can take just about any case and provide the best representation possible."
Nicholas Ziolkowski
General practice lawyer
Experience
Honors
2004
Magna Cum Laude - Graduation, North Carolina State University
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Partner, Silva, Kiernan & Associates, PLLC
2013 - 2014
Partner, Silva, Sweet & Kiernan, PLLC
2011 - 2013
Assistant District Attorney, State of NC, Fourth Prosecutorial District - Duplin
2007 - 2011
Assistant District Attorney, State of NC, Fourth Prosecutorial District - Sampson
2006 - 2006
Certified Legal Intern, Durham County District Attorney's Office
2005 - 2005
Legal Intern, Monroe County Public Defender's Office
2000 - 2005
Software Developer, Cisys, Inc.
Associations
2015 - Present
National College for DUI DefenseMember
2013 - Present
U.S. District Court for Eastern District of NCAdmitted to Practice
2013 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember
2013 - Present
Fourth Circuit Bar AssociationExecutive Committee Member
2008 - Present
Sampson County BarMember
2007 - Present
North Carolina Bar AssociationAdmitted to Practice
2007 - Present
Fourth Judicial District BarMember
2005 - Present
Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity
2003 - Present
Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society)
2013 - 2016
Sampson County Bar AssociationPresident
Sample of Legal Cases
State of NC v. McKenzie
Prevailed in Superior Court, was appealed, but our position was ultimately upheld
Education
2007
Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington
JD - Juris Doctor
2004
North Carolina State University
BS - Bachelor of Science
N/A
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
Speaking Engagements
2018
Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)
Courtroom Trial Experience
2017
Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)
Courtroom Trial Experience
2015
Campbell University - Law School Class
Juvenile Law - Abuse, Neglect, Dependency
2015
Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)
Courtroom Trial Experience
2013
Campbell University - Law School Class
Juvenile Law - Abuse, Neglect, Dependency
2013
Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)
Courtroom Trial Experience
2010
Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)
Courtroom Trial Experience
2009
Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)
Courtroom Trial Experience
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
What is a Class C bond?
04 Feb 2016
Q&A
Can I fight my .11 BAC DUI on the basis of low-carb/high protein diet.
07 Feb 2016
Q&A
How do I clear aiding and abetting dui charge in nc? No longer reside in nc
07 Feb 2016