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
Including 5 years as a prosecutor, working every type of case from Class 3 misdemeanors to murder.
15 years, 2,500 cases
Including 5 years as a prosecutor. Tried several DWIs, to include jury trials. Successfully argued several stop motions and other motions in district and superior court. Successfully argued the DWI-CDL-Double Jeopardy issue on behalf of the State in superior court in 2012.
15 years, 200 cases
Including 5 years as a prosecutor handling every type of traffic ticket on the dockets.
15 years, 2,500 cases
9 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
NC | Active | 2007 | 06/23/2022 |
Legal answers | 35 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Magna Cum Laude - Graduation | North Carolina State University | 2004 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Silva, Kiernan & Associates, PLLC | 2014 - Present |
Partner | Silva, Sweet & Kiernan, PLLC | 2013 - 2014 |
Assistant District Attorney | State of NC, Fourth Prosecutorial District - Duplin | 2011 - 2013 |
Assistant District Attorney | State of NC, Fourth Prosecutorial District - Sampson | 2007 - 2011 |
Certified Legal Intern | Durham County District Attorney's Office | 2006 - 2006 |
Legal Intern | Monroe County Public Defender's Office | 2005 - 2005 |
Software Developer | Cisys, Inc. | 2000 - 2005 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
National College for DUI Defense | Member | 2015 - Present |
U.S. District Court for Eastern District of NC | Admitted to Practice | 2013 - Present |
American Immigration Lawyers Association | Member | 2013 - Present |
Fourth Circuit Bar Association | Executive Committee Member | 2013 - Present |
Sampson County Bar | Member | 2008 - Present |
North Carolina Bar Association | Admitted to Practice | 2007 - Present |
Fourth Judicial District Bar | Member | 2007 - Present |
Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity | 2005 - Present | |
Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society) | 2003 - Present | |
Sampson County Bar Association | President | 2013 - 2016 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington | JD - Juris Doctor | 2007 |
North Carolina State University | BS - Bachelor of Science | 2004 |
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) | N/A |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) | Courtroom Trial Experience | 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 |
Campbell University - Law School Class | Juvenile Law - Abuse, Neglect, Dependency | 2013 |
Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) | Courtroom Trial Experience | 2013 |
Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) | Courtroom Trial Experience | 2010 |
Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) | Courtroom Trial Experience | 2009 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
State of NC v. McKenzie | Prevailed in Superior Court, was appealed, but our position was ultimately upheld |
Posted by Christal
February 17, 2014
Christopher Welch, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 5, 2013
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
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.
Nathan Sweet, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 31, 2013
Relationship: Co-worker
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.
Christopher Welch, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 5, 2013
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
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.
Nathan Sweet, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 31, 2013
Relationship: Co-worker
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.
Matthew Silva, Unknown Attorney on Aug 31, 2012
Relationship: Co-worker
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.
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