For 23 years I have been a trial lawyer practicing personal injury and criminal defense cases.
Practice areas
I have handled all types of criminal cases from murders, sexual crimes, gang crimes, third strike cases down to less serious crimes like petty theft or vandalism. I represent both adults and juveniles charged with crimes. I was a former Senior OC Public Defender where I spent 9 1/2 years handling only serious felony cases. I have represented 1000's of clients and tried 100's of cases. I am very well known by prosecutors as being an aggressive, prepared attorney who fights for every client.
31 years, 2,000 cases
Personal injury cases cover a wide variety of cases including car collisions, medical malpractice cases, slip and fall incidents, dog bites, assaults, batteries, or injuries from defective products. Generally any times one person or entities actions injure another person a personal injury case can result. Each case must be thoroughly reviewed and analyzed by an experienced personal injury lawyer to determine who may be at fault and the various causes of actions which may result from any injury.
20 years, 150 cases
The types of civil rights cases my law firm handles typically involve people who have been injured by members of law enforcement either during street encounters, inside a police station, incidents that occur inside a jail or prison, high speed pursuits, during the service of search warrants or during the many other times a member of law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics or others involved with or associated with law enforcement agencies ultimately injure a member of the public.
20 years, 50 cases
The Juvenile cases I handle are "Dependency cases". These are cases where a Social Services Agency ("SSA") either takes a minor child from their family home or threaten to do so. I represent one of the parents of the children removed by a SSA. SSA agencies have extraordinary powers to remove children based upon little or no evidence. SSA's decisions to "shoot first and usually ask no questions later" are often upheld by the Court's; thereby making the Dependency courts the scariest in California
18 years, 500 cases
Languages spoken
English
8231 Westminster Blvd
Westminster, CA, 92683
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 1991 | 02/07/2022 |
Legal answers | 24 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2017 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2016 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2015 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2014 |
Top Attorneys | Orange Coast Magazine | 2014 |
Top criminal defense lawyers | Southern California Super Lawyers | 2014 |
2012 Best Hard Charging Lawyer | OC Weekly | 2012 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Owner | The Law Office of Sean Hennessey | 2006 - Present |
Senior Deputy Public Defender | Orange County Public Defender's Office | 1995 - 2006 |
Associate | Law Office of Marc Stern | 1991 - 1995 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Martindale Hubbel | Member | 2014 - Present |
Litigation Counsel of America | Fellow | 2012 - Present |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of San Diego School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1991 |
Ohio Wesleyan University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1987 |
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November 11, 2020
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May 3, 2017
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June 4, 2016
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February 25, 2014
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February 19, 2014
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February 18, 2014
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February 17, 2014
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February 17, 2014
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February 16, 2014
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February 14, 2014
Paul Molinaro, Civil rights Attorney on Sep 15, 2014
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Michael Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 4, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Sean. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Paul Molinaro, Civil rights Attorney on Sep 15, 2014
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Michael Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 4, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Sean. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Alan Castillo, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 21, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have known Sean Hennessey for well over 15 years. Simply put, one of the best cross-examiners that I have ever met in my 20 years of practice as a Lawyer. Sean is a skilled criminal defense and personal injury lawyer. More importantly, he cares about his clients and is committed to fighting for their cause. The fact is he is relentless and an outstanding advocate. I highly recommend Attorney Sean Hennessey.
Mark Devore, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 19, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have known Sean professionally for nearly 20 years. IMO he is probably the best cross-examiner in Orange County. Whether civil or criminal his preparation is always top notch and his questioning tenacious. If you have to go trial criminally or have a tough civil case where the defense is a well-funded corporation or government entity, Sean is definitely a lawyer you consider.
Jennifer Holden, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 19, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I worked with Sean on a felony trial several years ago resulting in a not guilty verdict. He is a skilled trial lawyer and is passionate about his client.
Vincent LaBarbera, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 19, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Sean is a zealous advocate and skilled trial lawyer. I first met Sean over fifteen years ago - we successfully defended two young clients accused of attempted murder. Both clients were exonerated at trial - the jury found them not guilty. I would not hesitate to work with him again.
John Mango, Personal injury Attorney on Feb 18, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I've known Sean for close to 10 years and witnessed his work both first hand and through word of mouth of trusted attorney colleagues. Based on this experience, I feel one hundred percent confident giving him the highest endorsement possible. In fact, I've received a few civil litigation referrals over the years from friends and family. These are important cases because they involve people I care about. Civil cases are beyond the scope of my expertise, and the one and only attorney that I trust to refer these cases to is Sean Hennessey. He is a tireless advocate for his clients. He always seems to have the right answer at his fingertips. Let me put it this way, if I personally needed an attorney, Sean Hennessey would be my guy.
Kirra O'Toole, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 18, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I strongly endorse this lawyer. He is an excellent trial attorney and will go to great lengths to ensure his clients get the best representation possible.
Paul Dequattro, Juvenile law Attorney on Feb 17, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have over 38 years of lawyering experience. Over a 15 year span, I’ve worked with, and observed Mr. Hennessey in numerous juvenile cases, and criminal cases, including reading transcripts of his trials. If any member of my family should ever need a lawyer in a criminal or juvenile setting, Mr. Hennessey would be my first choice for representation. His litigation instincts, particularly his cross-examination skills, are amongst the best in Orange County.
Case Barnett, General practice Attorney on Feb 16, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have worked with Sean on various matters over the last several years and there is no lawyer in Southern California who fights harder for his clients than Sean. He is fearless in his representation and backs down from no one. He is a skilled trial lawyer who understands the nuances of being in front of a jury. I endorse Sean wholeheartedly.
Cash, Check