State Years

Georgia - GA 17 years

California - CA 30 years

Massachusetts - MA 18 years
Licensed for 17 years

State GA

Acquired 2006

Status
Active Member in Good Standing No misconduct found
Licensed for 30 years

State CA

Acquired 1993

Status
Active No misconduct found
Licensed for 18 years

State MA

Acquired 2005

Status
Not authorized to practice No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Deirdre Lynn O'Connor

Civil rights Attorney at Torrance, CA

About
Contact
Reviews
Cost
Resume

5 Stars, No Way! She deserves 10!

My mother was convicted of murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole when I was nine years old. This was devastating for my mother and our entire family. The most devastating part about it was that she was entirely innocent. Deirdre O'Connor came into our lives unexpectedly one day and agreed to represent my mother. Deirdre believed in my mother's innocence and from then on we knew we were in good hands. I have never met an individual who works harder and more efficient than Deirdre O'Connor. The passion she had and still has for my mother's case is extraordinary! After spending 17 years behind bars for a murder my mother did not commit, Deirdre was able to prove my mother's innocence. On October 14, 2014, Susan Mellen (my mom) was exonerated and factually proven innocent because of Deirdre's passion, motivation, determination and sleepless nights. This active process of representing my mother and getting her exonerated all happened in less than 1 year! We are so thankful and appreciative of Ms. O'Connor and it would be impossible for us to thoroughly express our gratitude. She is the reason our family is together again! We will never be able to get back the years we spent apart, but now we are able to cherish the future together!

Amazing

“She is absolutely amazing! When I found Deirdre I had already fired one lawyer and interviewed countless others. She was the only one who cared that I was innocent. Even more than that it was important to her to hold others accountable for their actions including police officers so that the truth could come out. This was only possibly through her hard work and persistence. She took the time and effort to obtain every bit of information pertinent to my case, investigate thoroughly all parties involved and most of all fought for me every step of the way. She always made herself available to me and took the time to truly make every effort on my behalf. When I was first arrested all i was hoping for was to not go to jail. I did not think it was possible to ever prove that the officers involved in my arrest were lying. My word against theirs. But somehow, amazingly, Deirdre did just that! If you truly are innocent, Deirdre is the one who will go above and beyond. She will stand with you through the entire process. I would recommend her to anyone who needs the truth to come out. She truly helped me put my life back together!

About Deirdre

Learn Deirdre’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

Civil rights

50%

Civil Rights: Since 2015, I have partnered with experienced civil rights lawyers to handle wrongful conviction civil rights claims.

9 years
Criminal defense

30%

Criminal Defense: I accept a limited number of privately retained criminal trials for clients who are factually innocent.

30 years
Appeals

20%

Criminal appeals/habeas petitions/findings of factual innocence: I accept a limited number of privately retained appeals and habeas petitions for those who have been wrongfully convicted. Must be willing to take and pass a polygraph
... Read more
18 years

INNOCENT? SEAMUS LAW CAN HELP! TRIALS, HABEAS PETITIONS, APPEALS, CIVIL SUITS.

Deirdre O'Connor's practice is exclusively focused on representing the most vulnerable, the factually innocent. Deirdre is an experienced and successfully criminal defense trial lawyer and post-conviction attorney, who, since 2015, has used her trial skills to also litigate civil claims on behalf of exonerees. Deirdre is a Board Certified Expert in Criminal Trial and was the recipient of the 2015 CLAY Awards (Attorney of the Year). She is the Founder and Owner of Seamus Law.

Criminal Trial; Criminal Appeals; Habeas Petitions; Petitions for Factual Innocence; Civil Rights Law Suits

Deirdre is currently accepting new factually innocent clients for criminal trials, direct appeals from their California wrongful conviction, Habeas Corpus Petitions, Petitions for Factual Innocence, Penal Code 4900 Claims, and Civil Rights Suits for exonerees.

Photos and videos

Contact Deirdre

Deirdre O'Connor

(855) 545-1879 Office

2370 W Carson St., Suite 235

Torrance, CA, 90501

seamuslaw.com

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Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0

15 customer reviews

5 Star

100%

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

Posted by Jessica | April 20, 2017

5 Stars, No Way! She deserves 10!

Read less

Posted by anonymous | May 7, 2018

Amazing

Read less

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Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

Founder
Seamus Law, A Professional Corporation
2016 - Present

Executive Director
Innocence Matters
2010 - Present

Summerfuel Faculty
University Of Massachusetts Amherst
2013 - 2013

Owner
Law Offices of Deirdre O'Connor
2008 - 2015

Director of Indigent Criminal Defense Clinic
Emory University School of Law
2006 - 2008

Criminal Defense Seminar Instructor
Williams College - Summer Excel Program
2005 - 2005

Panel Attorney
California Appellate Project
2003 - 2005

Public Defender Trial Attorney
Los Angeles County Office of Public Defender
1994 - 2003

View all work experience

Education

Northeastern University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1993

State University of New York, Albany
BS - Bachelor of Science
1990

Legal Cases

Case dismissed against innocent mother of two!
Child abuse charges dismissed!

Felony resisting arrest and battery on police officer with serious injury
Reversed

Indigent's right to transcript
Court of Appeal ordered trial court to provide transcript

View all legal cases

Associations

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Member
2017 - Present

Innocence Matters
Board Chair
2016 - Present

United States Supreme Court Bar
Member
2008 - Present

Georgia Court of Appeals Bar
Member
2007 - Present

Georgia Supreme Court Bar
Member
2007 - Present

Eyewitness Identification Reform Litigation Network
Point Person
2006 - Present

Georgia State Bar Association, Criminal Law Section
Member
2006 - Present

American Bar Association
Member
2006 - Present

State Bar of Georgia
Member
2006 - Present

United States District Court for the Southern District of California
Member
2004 - Present

Los Angeles County Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section
Member
1995 - Present

State Bar of California
Member
1993 - Present

Innocence Matters
Secretary
2015 - 2016

Innocence Matters
Chair
2010 - 2014

Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
2006 - 2008

View all associations

Languages Spoken

English

Honors and Awards

Top Contributor
Avvo
2018

Lawyer of the Year
California Lawyer Magazine
2015

Board Certified Advocate
National Board of Legal Specialty Certification
2014

Certified Specialist
State Bar of California
2014

Alchemy Leadership Certification
Annenberg Foundation
2014

Client's Choice
Avvo
2012

Semi-finalist for 2011 PopTech Social Innovation Fellows
Pop Tech
2011

Supreme Court Grants Petition
United States Supreme Court
2009

Second Place Table Topics Contest
Toastmasters - Area 95
2008

Proposal Selected for Social Justice Project
Northeastern University School of Law
2007

View all awards

Publications

Innocence Matters Blog
Various articles on the struggles of the innocent
2012

Talk Nation Radio Interview
Savannah GA District Attorney Spencer Lawton defends original trial of Troy Anthony Davis
2008

Talk Radio Interview with Dori Smith
11th Circuit Court gives Troy Anthony Davis new hope for an appeal
2008

CommonDreams.Org
Can Georgia Do Right?
2008

View all publications

Speaking Engagements

Marymount Meid Visiting Mentor Lecturer
Innocence Matters: Protecting all the John Smiths within our reach.
2014

Excellence in Leadership Speakers' Series
Innocence Matters
2013

Televised interview on the Troy Davis case
Innocence not enough to save you from death row
2011

Radio show interview
Troy Davis' pending execution
2011

Radio show interview
Troy Davis (five days after his death)
2011

Radio interview two days after Troy's death
We executed an innocent man
2011

Guest Speaker Forensic Psychology
Criminal Defense Perspective
2009

Emory Law Public Interest Conference
Innocence Matters: Freeing Troy Davis
2007

Southeastern Writing Workshop for Clinical Teachers
Fear Not, You Can Only Lose Once: Teaching Fearlessness
2007

Southeastern Writing Workshop for Clinical Teachers
Wrongful Acquittals? Talk About Being Unclear On The Concept!
2007

Criminal Procedure Class Guest Speaker
Why Defend Criminals?
2006

Eyewitness Litigation Conference
Casting Doubt on the Confident Witness
2006

DUI Conference for Clinic and DeKalb County Public Defenders
Conference Organizer
2006

Excel Program for High School Students
Criminal Justice Seminar
2005

New Lawyer Training
Demonstrative Evidence
2000

Voir Dire Practicum
Conference Organizer
2000

New Lawyer Training
Demonstrative Evidence
1999

Monthly In-House Continuing Legal Education
Discovering the Police: Following the Paper Trail
1999

New Lawyer Training
Demonstrative Evidence
1998

New Lawyer Training
Demonstrative Evidence
1997

New Lawyer Training
Demonstrative Evidence
1996

View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (14)

Given (9)

Endorse Deirdre

Larry Wolfe

Criminal defense Attorney | Dec 02
Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have had the pleasure of working with Deirdre on matters in Georgia and in California. I find her to be an insightful and skilled lawyer who is as compelling on the written page as she is in the courtroom. I strongly endorse her work and highly reccomend her to those whose rights are in jeopardy."

Candace Jones

Criminal defense Attorney | Feb 17
Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"Deirdre is the most brilliant criminal defense attorney I know. She is unbelievably passionate and pursues every lead possible when investigating on behalf of her client. She pours over every shred of evidence and analyzes them from every angle. Then she prepares until the case is perfect. She truly cares about people and fights for justice. There is no one I trust more to handle a criminal case or appeal."

Agavni Tulekyan

Criminal defense Attorney | Jan 11
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael Doland

Criminal defense Attorney | Feb 20
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"The answers of Ms. O'Connor are consistently accurate, analytic and customized to the needs of the Avvo asker. These are exactly the qualities that every client would look for when hiring an attorney. A strong, strong local presence here in Southern California."

Hovanes Margarian

Unknown Attorney | Nov 03
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Benjamin Hiltzheimer

Criminal defense Attorney | Apr 13
Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I first met Deirdre through our joint work developing national litigation strategies to combat leading causes of wrongful conviction in trial courts, in collaboration with the Innocence Project. We have since collaborated on other work. Deirdre's drive, dedication, and expertise in her advocacy on behalf of her own clients and the wrongfully accused in general are both impressive and inspiring. I highly recommend her."

Christian Lassen

Criminal defense Attorney | Dec 27
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Her knowledge of complex legal issues is extensive, based on her AVVO answers."

Moises Aguilar

Criminal defense Attorney | Feb 22
Relationship: Other

"Ms. O'Connor is a frequent contributor to the criminal defense section on avvo.com. I have found her answers to be well-reasoned and clear. As a young criminal defense attorney, I have picked up a few things just from reading her responses. I endorse this lawyer's work."

Madge Beletsky

Criminal defense Attorney | Jan 18
Relationship: Friend

"I have been a good friend of Deirdre's for ten years. Although we have not had the opportunity to practice together since we are in different fields of law, I believe she is absolutely a stellar human being who cares deeply about upholidng the rights of the iindividuals she defends in our justice system. I give her my highest endorsement and firmly believe she will do a great job on any case on which she choses to work."

Alexander Henderson

Criminal defense Attorney | Jun 30
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I shared an office with Ms. O'Connor in downtown Los Angeles in the PD's office when she was first assigned to handle felony cases back in 1998. Her intelligence and motivation was absolutely first rate. I can only imagine the skills she has acquired through years of experience. I endorse her with great enthusiasm."

Brian Dinday

Criminal defense Attorney | Apr 30
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. I have been following Ms. O'Connor's discussion and advice on this forum on various cases and topics for a long time and have always found her reasoning and knowledge of the law to be exemplary. She is sensible and well organized in her thinking, and I would consider her a quality asset for anyone in need of criminal defense services."

Joseph Dane

Appeals Attorney | Mar 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Through her answers at avvo.com, Ms. O'Connor demonstrates her vast knowledge of the law and criminal procedure. I've added her to my Rolodex of local attorneys."

Geoffrey MacLeay

Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 01
Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I have worked with Deirdre O'Connor and endorse her work. She is a strong advocate and a great criminal defense lawyer."

Mark Harvis

Criminal defense Attorney | Feb 27
Relationship: Co-worker

"Deirdre is a smart, effective, dedicated lawyer. She has the skills, knowledge, and willingness to fight for you. Bottom line - she's good."

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Candace Jones

Criminal defense

Benjamin Hiltzheimer

Criminal defense