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Karren Melinda Kenney
also known as Karren Kenney, JD, CFS, CFE
About Karren
Biography
Kenney Legal Defense is a California criminal defense firm representing clients throughout Orange County, San Diego County, and Southern California in serious criminal matters, including DUI defense, federal criminal charges, and complex misdemeanor and felony cases.
Our firm is committed to protecting clients’ rights, reputations, and futures at every stage of the criminal process. We handle cases involving DUI and DMV hearings, federal criminal investigations and indictments, drug offenses, white-collar crimes, violent crimes, and probation violations. We regularly advocate for clients in both California state courts and federal court, including matters arising in the Central District of California.
Kenney Legal Defense is known for strategic case analysis, aggressive motion practice, and personalized client service. We work closely with each client to develop a defense strategy tailored to the facts of the case and the client’s goals. Confidential consultations are available.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Federal Crime
40%
31 years | 1,000 cases
White Collar Crime
40%
31 years | 500 cases
Criminal Defense
20%
31 years | 1,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Texas for 1 year
State: Texas
Acquired: 2024
No misconduct found
Licensed in District of Columbia for 3 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2022
No misconduct found
Licensed in California for 31 years
State: California
Acquired: 1994
No misconduct found
Location
Kenney Legal Defense
2900 Bristol Street, Suite C204, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626
Kenney Legal Defense
401 West A Street, Suite 200, San Diego, CA, 92101
Kenney Legal Defense
1301 McKinney Street, 3rd Floor, Houston, TX, 77010
Kenney Legal Defense
80-157 Champions Way, La Quinta, CA, 92253
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Karren Melinda Kenney's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
54 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 6 - 10 of 14 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by anonymous | January 25, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Great Communication and So Helpful!
Interviewed 5 different lawyers and right away knew that Karren Kenney was the the most strategic, well prepared of them. She upfront requested documents for all sorts of scenarios, and shared with me her approach. Karren ended up solving my legal issues in less than a week. They have a great portal ...
Posted by Angel | October 06, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
OC's BEST of the BEST!
Karren is an outstanding criminal defense lawyer, very responsive, professional, has great communication skills, is extremely knowledgeable and is very personable. Karren was referred to me by a close friend after I was wrongfully accused of a criminal charge. I had already consulted over the pho...
Posted by Joseph | January 28, 2015 | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
Case Dismissed!
I had a very unexpected and old forgotten issue come up when I got a speeding ticket. When I went to my arraignment I was shocked at what the judge advised me and at what the DA was proposing as a plea deal. I pled not guilty and started calling attorneys, I interviewed 5 other referred attorneys p...
Posted by anonymous | April 28, 2014 | Criminal Defense
Couldn't be happier!
I am being accused of a crime I did not commit and needed an experienced attorney ASAP. After initial consultation, I couldn't describe the sense of relief I felt, of finally feeling resolution to issue was possible. She was very informative, confident, tentative to everything I was concerned about...
Posted by Lourdes | March 19, 2014 | Employment & Labor
Mrs. Kenney Review
Mrs. Kenney is helping me in a case in regards to the Labor's Law. She is very professional and informative, giving me a clear understanding of the situation. She has been on top of my case. I highly recommend her to anyone.
Karren Melinda Kenney's Lawyer Endorsements
"I had the pleasure of working with Ms. Kenney in the Orange County Publice Defender's Office for 11 years, and if any of my family or friends need an attorney, I would undoubtedly refer them to Ms. Kenney. She cares about each and every client and devotes herself to each case as if it were her only case. Ms. Kenney can skillfully assist a client through each stage of the proceedings. Ms. Kenney is an excellent negotiator, and she would be able to negotiate a favorable resolution if that is what her client desires. If the case cannot be resolved, Ms. Kenney is an exceptionally skilled litigator, who will dissect and organize each case down to the minute detail while preparing for litigation. Her cross-examination skills and passion will continue to serve her clients well and lead to favorable results in trial."
"Karen has ably handled numerous serious and violent felony matters over the years, most recently spearheading our white collar crime and major frauds unit. She has continued to prove herself a most capable and effective litigator: compassionate and responsive to the clients, respected by the bench and opposing counsel, and loved by juries. She is about the most charming and able pit bull I've ever known. I would trust Karen to handle my most complex, difficult and sensitive cases with deep understanding of the risks and opportunities therein, and to get the best possible result."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Karren spent 11 years as a senior deputy public defender handling thousands of cases. Her experience and knowledge of law and procedure is superb. Her reputation as a criminal law trial attorney is well know. Reviews by former clients are to be envied. READ THEM! If you are in or near Costa Mesa get a consultation and than hire her, I would! Experience counts."
"I had the pleasure of working with Ms. Kenny while we she was with the Orange County Public Defender. She is a dedicated, hardworking and talented litigator. She will represent each client to the best of her ability. I wholeheartedly endorse her."
"Ms. Kenney is a fierce and compassionate lawyer who will enthusiastically defend her clients and advocate tirelessly on their behalf. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Kenney is an aggressive negotiator and litigator. She is an experienced trial lawyer who gets excellent results for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Kenney is a well experienced criminal defense attorney and is highly respected in her community."
"Stellar attorney with valuable insight to AVVO questions. I endorse this lawyer."
"karren is a superb attorney with excellent people skills! she has a terrific reputation with court staff, judges, prosecutors and fellow criminal defense attorneys. i highly recommend her to anyone seeking a top-notch attorney!"
"Karren Kenney is a gifted criminal defense attorney with substantial experience handling the most complex of criminal cases. Having worked on one of her cases before, I found her strategic decisions saavy and tactically well considered. Her trial skills are outstanding and her arguments persuasive. Karren is thoroughly professional and does meticulous work, and I recommend her without qualification."
"I endorse this lawyer. Karren Kenney is my go to lawyer for anyone facing a white collar charge or matters in federal court. Many lawyers claim they can handle "any case" but the truth is the best lawyers specialize. White collar crimes and federal court issues require a special kind of lawyer, and that lawyer is Karren Kenney."
"Karen is an exceptional trial lawyer who is well respected throughout the state. She is known for her thorough preparation and extraordinary trial skills."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Karren is an excellent litigator with substantial experience with complex criminal cases including white collar crime involving millions of dollars."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I was privileged to work and learn from Karren for over 11 years at the Orange County Public Defender's Office, where she was known for her bulldog trial skills. During that time, she worked tirelessy to perfect her expertise in major fraud. Her work ethic can not be matched. If you want a lawyer with integrity who will not back down until all of your needs are met, then this is your woman. I would confidently refer any friend or family member in need of fraud representation to Karren Kenney."
James Riddet
White collar crime lawyer
Christa Hill
Family lawyer
Edward Dunn
Appeals lawyer
April Gilbert
Criminal defense lawyer
William Hoggard
Business lawyer
Erica Gambale
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2018
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
2016
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
Certified Fraud Specialist (CFS), Association of Certified Fraud Specialists
2012
Top contributor, AVVO.com
2011
Recognition for 10 years of service, Orange County Public Defender
2006
Recognition for 5 years of service, Orange County Public Defender
2003
Attorney of the Year, Orange County Public Defender
Work Experience
2024 - Present
Of Counsel | Senior Trial Attorney, Tharpe & Howell
2014 - Present
Federal Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Conflict Trial Panel Attorney, United States Disttict Court - Central District of California
2012 - Present
Trial Attorney, Kenney Legal Defense Firm
2001 - 2012
Senior Deputy Public Defender, Orange County Public Defender's Office
Associations
2025 - Present
San Diego County Bar Association
2013 - Present
Califoria DUI Lawyers AssociationMember
2012 - Present
Federal Bar Association (Orange County chapter)Member
2012 - Present
Orange County Criminal Defense Bar AssociationMember
2012 - Present
Association of Certified Fraud SpecialistsAssociate Member
2010 - Present
Association of Certified Fraud ExaminersMember
2010 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2001 - Present
Orange County Bar AssociationMember
2013 - 2017
Orange County Bar AssociationLRIS Executive Committee Member
2007 - 2012
Orange County Attorneys AssociationSecretary/Treasurer
2001 - 2012
California Public Defenders AssociationMember
2001 - 2012
Orange County Deputy Public Defender’s AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
People v. R.S.
Case dismissed!
People v. Alvarez
Case dismissed!
USA v. Wardein
Not guilty on all charges
People v. Trevino
NOT GUILTY on all charges and lesser included offenses
People v. Gutierrez
Case dismissed
People v. Fears
dismissed
People v. Oregel
Not guilty on all counts
People v. Nguyen
Not guilty on all counts
Education
2018
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
2003
California State University, Fullerton
Certificate in Basic Applied Forensics
1994
Thomas Jefferson SOL
JD - Juris Doctor
1990
California St Univ Fullerton
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2017
Orange County Criminal Defense Bar Association monthly meeting
Trial Tactics
2010
Annual General Membership Meeting
Prosecutors and Public Defenders - Why We Matter!
2003
Law Day
Defending Freedom
Publications
2024
Fraud Magazine
Falsely Accused of Fraud
2013
LawyerCentral.com
Former NFL Cheerleader Now Defense Attorney
2012
OC Register
Murder Representation
2012
Orange County Register
Murder case ends in hung jury
2012
Orange County Register
Murder trial hangs - mistrial declared
2012
2010
OC Register
Computer Fraud
2008
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can I get federal probation if I am level 33 in zone D?
13 Apr 2025
Q&A
What is the best legal defense towards a woman in her early 70s taking a tablet that was left on a public bus stop bench?
08 Apr 2025
Q&A
Am I facing jail time for a first time violation after a five year probation ?
09 Apr 2025
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
How a Criminal Charge Can Affect Your Medical License
10 Oct 2018
Legal Guide
Steps to Take When You've Been Falsely Accused of a Crime
27 Dec 2014
Legal Guide
Degrees of Theft in California
12 Jul 2014