George Peter Mccarthy

Dear Potential Client,

I've built my practice around taking care of peoples legal problems since 1990 as a prosecutor and then as a criminial defense attorney as well as a general civil attorney since 2002.  My clients find me easy to reach and I promptly return phone calls or email messages usually the same day or sometimes the day after. 

I believe in keeping clients informed about their cases and believe that it is important that clients understand the process as much as the results so they can make informed decisions.  I return calls promptly and have regular communication with my clients. On student cases, parents usually have more questions than the client which I am happy to answer.  I also help students with collateral issues with the Ohio University's Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility issues (formerly known as OU Judiciaries).

My clients have the benefit of my experience as a former city prosecutor as I have seen well over 20,000 cases over the last 20 years.  I've also been a felony prosecutor handling serious crimes such as murder, robbery, rape, breaking and entering, drug trafficking, domestic violence, and felonious assault.  I've also been  a prosecutor in juvenile court as well. 

As a result I  have seen a multitude of cases, defenses and assertions over that time.  So I know what works and what does not in relation to preparing defenses, juries and bench trials over a wide spectrum of cases.  Because of that experience I also represent a  growing number of clients  including OVI/DUI clients as well others for Underage Consumption, Possession of Drugs and speeding cases including truckers with CDLs. 

I've attended trainings by the Ohio State Highway Patrol on various topics including speed, accident reconstruction,  and drug interdiction, and been certified by the Ohio Peace Officer's Training Academy for purposes of presenting instruction. I've presented instruction to officers, deputies and cadets on search and seizure, drug laws, use of force, and updates in the law.

I've given many presentations over the years due to my experience  in the area of criminal law including search and seizure, domestic violence, protection orders, obsenity law, OVI/DUI, Fourth Amendment Law, and recent trends in the law.  I was a co-founder of the city prosecutor's section for the Ohio Municipal Attorney's Association. I've been a lecturer at our local bar association annual winter seminars.  I also have taught a paralegal course since 1998.  

I previously had experience reprenting clients on behalf of insurance companies in personal injury suits.  So I have 10+ years experience in personal injury cases in seeing how insurance companies evaluate such cases, assess them, and negotiate.  I now represent Plaintiff victims in such cases and am able to put that experience to use for those who are hurt in accidents to successfully negotiate their cases and protect them in court.   I've also had an extensive amount of experience in reviewing, analyzing and presenting evidence in traffic cases based upon my experience as a city prosecutor, insurance defense attorney and personal injury attorney.

I have over 10+ years experience in Divorces/Dissolutions/Child Custody Matters (Domestic Relations Court).  I only take so many of these types a cases a year so that I'm sure that I  can devote enough time to them as they are among the most time consuming and emotionial cases to have. 

I've been practing law since 1990 in common pleas court,  muncipal court, county court, federal district court and various mayor courts. 

I've argued cases before the Ohio Supreme Court and Ohio Appellate Court. I also appeared in the United States Supreme Court.  I've testified in state hearings concerning domestic violence and protection orders.  I've sat on the state committee for the Senate Bill 2 Felony Sentencing restucturing bill.

I have volunteered my time as an attorney to the Southeastern Ohio Legal Poverty Clinic for over a decade, as well as to Athens Sandlot Baseball & Softball and the Athens Bulldog Blitz - two youth sports organizations. I also have donated my time as an attorney to the Richland Area Fire Department since 1995.

I have served as President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary of the Athens County Bar Association. I am a Life Fellow of the Ohio State Bar Association.

I'm a founding member of a youth baseball/softball organization (Athens Sandlot-2003). I am a Board Member with our  high school football booster organization which helped install a new football/soccer field and track (2008).   I have been a volunteer rescue/firefighter since 1995.

If I find time I golf. . .poorly  -  and fish.