Eleanor Duffy Cleary

Eleanor Duffy Cleary

also known as Ellen Cleary, Ellen Duffy

5.0
Rating: 9.5

Licensed for 31 years

DUI and DWI Lawyer at Columbia, SC
Practice Areas: DUI & DWI, Criminal Defense, Appeals

2725 Devine St, Columbia, SC

About Eleanor

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

DUI and DWI 50%

Traffic-related offenses, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving under suspension. Have successfully challenged license suspension with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

27 years

50%
Criminal Defense 40%

Have successfully represented hundreds of clients charged with drug possession, distribution, and trafficking charges; domestic violence, criminal sexual conduct, minor in possession of alcohol, disorderly conduct, manslaughter, murder.

27 years

40%
Appeals 10%

Have successfully handled hundreds of criminal appeals from state court convictions, including post-conviction relief. Also, parole hearings and expungements.

27 years

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in South Carolina for 31 years

State: South Carolina

Acquired: 1994

Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Cleary Law LLC

2725 Devine St, Columbia, SC, 29205

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Eleanor Duffy Cleary's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

14 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (14) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 14 reviews

Posted by Joel | May 14, 2022 | Hired Attorney

Great job, stayed engaged!

Ellen really explained things and gave me options. Very thorough and helped my situation to a more positive result. She stayed engaged through the whole process, and it turned out better than I had hoped for.

Posted by Katie | February 03, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

The Best Attorney!

We cannot express enough our gratitude to Ellen for her representation in defending a matter for us. Her professionalism and experience was truly top notch. Having never been through a legal case before and not knowing what to expect was daunting. Ellen walked us through each step seamlessly. Elle...n did phenomenal work on our behalf and provided us with the best possible outcome. She was always available and handled everything as quickly as possible. We were blessed to have found her to help us and get us through the challenges. We would definitely recommend Ellen. She would be the first person we would call if we should ever need legal help again. If you are looking for legal help she should be #1 on your list

Posted by Warren | December 26, 2020 | Hired Attorney

Great friend and awesome lawyer

Ellen is not only a dear friend to me but has helped me in several legal matters. She's a professional and compassionate lawyer. I highly recommend her for any legal matters you might have.

Posted by Kendal | March 13, 2017 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

Easiest to work with

Ms. Cleary handled my boyfriends DUI case from the moment he went to jail I was on the hunt for the best lawyer. I came across Ms.Cleary while looking for lawyers. Her reviews alone let me know she was personable,easy to communicate with and very professional. Through our entire experience she proved... to be just that! She made us feel comfortable and understood. I highly recommend her. She is awesome! Definitely did not disappoint!

Posted by William | June 10, 2016 | Hired Attorney

Wonderful

Missue Cleary was an excellent lawyer. She sat down with me, explained in detail all of my options, and then worked hard to make sure that I was given the best possible resolution to my situation. She will work hard for you, and I would rate her very highly. If I were to ever need legal aid or advice... in the future, this would be who I called

See All Client Reviews

Eleanor Duffy Cleary's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Eleanor
Daniel Mcleod Coble headshot
Daniel Coble

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"A great attorney who I worked with."

Andrea Culler Roche headshot
Andrea Roche

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ms. Cleary is an exceptional criminal defense attorney with years of experience. She handles the tough cases and gets great results."

Dayne C. Phillips headshot
Dayne Phillips

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Ellen is a passionate and experienced criminal defense attorney. She is also a great advocate in the courtroom."

Melvin Wayne Cockrell III headshot
Melvin Cockrell

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Leigh James Leventis headshot
Leigh Leventis

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ellen works very hard for her clients and has an excellent work ethic. She is extremely capable and competent."

Seth C. Rose headshot
Seth Rose

Unknown lawyer | Aug 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I fully endorse Eleanor. She is not only a top notch lawyer but she is also a top notch person!"

Michael Patrick Kelly headshot
Michael Kelly

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jul 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I met Eleanor at the National College for DUI Defense Summer Session at Harvard. She's dedicated to her clients and she's an excellent lawyer. I highly recommend her for DUI defense."

View All Endorsements
Daniel Mcleod Coble headshot
Daniel Coble

Criminal defense lawyer

Dayne C. Phillips headshot
Dayne Phillips

Criminal defense lawyer

A. Randolph Hough Sr. headshot
A. Hough

DUI and DWI lawyer

Michael Joseph Polk headshot
Michael Polk

General practice lawyer

Leigh James Leventis headshot
Leigh Leventis

DUI and DWI lawyer

Brie Rust Russell headshot
Brie Russell

Criminal defense lawyer

Seth C. Rose headshot
Seth Rose

Criminal defense lawyer

Michael Patrick Kelly headshot
Michael Kelly

DUI and DWI lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.5 (Superb)

Honors

2022

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2022

Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell

2022

Best Lawyer, Expertise

2021

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2021

Best Lawyer, Expertise

2016

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

1994

American Jurisdprudence Award - Criminal Procedure, Lawyers Co-operative Publishing

Work Experience

2008 - Present

Owner, Cleary Law LLC

2017 - 2021

Judge, Richland County Magistrates Court

2010 - 2013

Contract Legal Counsel, South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission

1999 - 2008

Attorney, South Carolina Appellate Defense

1994 - 1999

Staff Counsel, South Carolina State Senate

Associations

2009 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2008 - Present

Richland County Bar Association

Newsletter Contributor

2004 - Present

South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

1994 - Present

South Carolina Bar

Member

2015 - 2017

National College of DUI Defense

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

City of Cayce v. X.S.

not gulty

Shenandoah Life Ins. Co. v. Smallwood (S.C. App., 2013)

Reversed and remanded; settled.

State v. R.B.

Not guilty

State v. Garrard, 390 S.C. 146, 700 S.E.2d 269 (S.C. App., 2010)

Probation terminated

State v. Simuel, 593 S.E.2d 178, 357 S.C. 378 (S.C. App., 2004)

reversed and remanded

State v. Buckmon, 555 S.E.2d 402, 347 S.C. 316 (S.C., 2001)

The murder and attempted armed robbery convictions are reversed and his conspiracy conviction is affirmed.

State v. Ted Dean Hatcher,

reversed and remanded

See More Legal Cases

Education

1994

University of South Carolina School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1987

University of South Carolina School of Law

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2012

SC Bar Pro Bono Legal Clinic

Criminal Law and Expungements

2012

Criminal Litigation from A to Z

Criminal Trial Practice

2009

SC Women Lawyers Association Annual Meeting

Constitutionality of Disturbing Schools Law

Publications

2013

Richland County Bar Newsletter Text Parte: Judge Steedley Bogan

2012

Richland County Bar Newsletter Text Parte: Judge James Barber

2009

Richland County Bar Association Newsletter Text Parte: Judge L. Casey Manning

2009

Richland County Bar Newsletter Text Parte: Judge Kirby Shealy

2009

Richland County Bar Newsletter Text Parte: Judge Stephen Dennis

2008

Richland County Bar Association Newsletter Text Parte: Judge G. Thomas Cooper, Jr.

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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