Lissa McKinney, Criminal Defense Attorney in Acton, Massachusetts
Over 41 years of legal practice · focused on Criminal Defense, DV Defense, and Government
PrincipalatLissa McKinney Law
Acton, MA
Practicing criminal defense in Acton since 1985.
- 41+
- Years practicing
- 2
- Bar admissions
Are you Lissa McKinney?
This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.
Quick answer
Lissa McKinney is a principal based in Acton, MA. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, DV Defense, and Government. Lissa has over 41 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Lissa McKinney Law.
- Based in
- Acton, MA
- Experience
- over 41 years
- Known for
- Criminal Defense · DV Defense · Government
- Handles Criminal Defense, DV Defense, and Government matters from Acton, MA.
- Over 41 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
About Lissa McKinney: Lissa McKinney is a principal based in Acton, MA. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, DV Defense, and Government. Lissa has over 41 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Lissa McKinney Law.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by Lissa McKinney
Lissa concentrates on criminal defense, dv defense, government, ip, and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case Lissa handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Criminal Defense
View other Criminal Defense attorneys
DV Defense
View other DV Defense attorneys
Government
View other Government attorneys
IP
View other IP attorneys
Litigation
View other Litigation attorneys
Personal Injury
View other Personal Injury attorneys
Traffic
View other Traffic attorneys
Criminal Defense cases in Acton, Massachusetts
Lissa takes criminal defense matters in Acton, Massachusetts. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Lissa agrees to represent you.
DV Defense cases in Acton, Massachusetts
Lissa takes dv defense matters in Acton, Massachusetts. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Lissa agrees to represent you.
Government cases in Acton, Massachusetts
Lissa takes government matters in Acton, Massachusetts. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Lissa agrees to represent you.
IP cases in Acton, Massachusetts
Lissa takes ip matters in Acton, Massachusetts. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Lissa agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in Acton, Massachusetts
Lissa takes litigation matters in Acton, Massachusetts. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Lissa agrees to represent you.
Biography
About Lissa McKinney — Over 41 years of Massachusetts criminal defense experience
Lissa McKinney is a principal based in Acton, MA. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, DV Defense, and Government. Lissa has over 41 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Lissa McKinney Law.
Lissa McKinney graduated Suffolk University and Suffolk University Law School, initially starting as a trial lawyer with the Public Defender's Office/ Committee for Public Counsel Services the Worcester office, serving in CDC and all of the north county courts inluding Fitchburg, and Leominster. She later transferred into the Boston offices and was largely in the Boston Municipal Court "BMC" and Suffolk Superior Court. As a bar advocate, she spent 10+ years in Brighton, Roxbury, and Chelsea and grew her practice throughout all of eastern MA, Suffolk, Norfolk, Middlsesex, and Worcester Counties. If you have been accused or arrested, she has been to your court before, or is regularly there now.
Her courtroom and trial experience spans 40+ years and thousands of prceedings such as bench or jury trials, probable cause hearings, restraining order trials (209A) and harrassment order trials (258E) and evidentiary suppression hearings. Her criminal practice includes extensive experience in Superior Court, District Court, and some Appeals work over most of her career.
Lissa presently focuses her practice on all criminal complaints in the District Court all over the state. Her District Court work also includes clerk magistrate hearings on many issues including shoplifting, fake ID's, minors with alcohol or adults serving to minors, and traffic violations including tickets for speeding, unlicensed or uninsured operation, negligent operation etc. She also handles administrative hearings at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, for license suspensions including immediate threats, tickets, accidents etc; and firearms licensing appeals. On the civil side, she handles all domestic violence restraining and harrassment order cases; wage cases, and personal injuries from accidents or animals.
In addition, Lissa has previously been an Adjunct Clinical Trial Practice Instructor at Suffolk University Law School where she supervised third year law students providing indigent criminal defense. She also served as Staff Attorney for Suffolk Lawyers for Justice (SLJ) the bar advocate program assuring the quality of lawyers representing indigent criminal defendants in Suffolk County. She has been an instructor and lecturer at numerous educational seminars sponsored by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE), the Boston Bar Association, Suffolk County Bar Advocate Program, Suffolk Lawyers for Justice, and the Committee for Public Counsel Services, such as: District Court Bar Advocate Training; Essential Rules of Criminal Procedure; Trying Drug Cases in Massachusetts; Emerging Areas of Criminal Practice; Hot Tips for Trying Criminal Cases, Probation Violation Proceedings; Defending on a Shoestring; Pre-Trial Conference Rules; Evidence-Getting It In and Keeping It Out.
She is highly regarded by her peers and clients, as reflected in the reviews on this site and others. She has been designated a "SuperLawyer" from 2019-2023 as well.
Lissa is a member of the Massachusetts Bar, the U.S. District Court for the First Circuit, the Florida Bar, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Membership: Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL); National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys (MATA).
Offering concrete and practical information, advice, and direction is what Attorney Lissa McKinney does best. If you want to review some of the questions she has taken time to answer, see : https://www.avvo.com/attorney-answers/01720-ma-lissa-mckinney-1319956/answers.html
How Lissa handles criminal defense matters
Lissa McKinney graduated Suffolk University and Suffolk University Law School, initially starting as a trial lawyer with the Public Defender's Office/ Committee for Public Counsel Services the Worcester office, serving in CDC and all of the north county courts inluding Fitchburg, and Leominster. She later transferred into the Boston offices and was largely in the Boston Municipal Court "BMC" and…
The kind of cases Lissa takes
Lissa reviews new inquiries case-by-case for criminal defense, dv defense, and government matters in Acton and the surrounding Massachusetts area.
Credentials
Lissa McKinney's legal education and bar admissions
Suffolk University Law School
J.D. · 1984
Jurisdictions
Lissa's state bar admissions
Florida
1987 · ACTIVE
Massachusetts
1985 · ACTIVE
Lissa studied at J.D. in Suffolk University Law School.
Law school and academic background
Lissa completed J.D. in Suffolk University Law School. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Lissa runs in Massachusetts is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Locations
Lissa McKinney's office in Acton
Lissa's primary office is at 100 Powdermill Road, Suite 244, Acton, MA, 01720. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of Lissa McKinney
Lissa has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.
No reviews yet
Only verified clients who have consulted with Lissa McKinney can leave a review.
Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire Lissa McKinney — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new criminal defense attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Lissa usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Lissa charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Lissa's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Lissa will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a criminal defense attorney in Acton, Massachusetts
A short list to run through before you commit: How many criminal defense matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Lissa
Lissa discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in criminal defense practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every criminal defense matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Lissa confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Lissa's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many criminal defense practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Lissa McKinney
How much does it cost to hire Lissa for a criminal defense case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Lissa walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Lissa offer a free consultation?
Lissa charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Lissa's office. Some criminal defense attorneys offer free consults — check Lissa's current terms during booking.
How long do criminal defense cases in Massachusetts typically take?
Simple criminal defense matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Lissa gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Lissa take my case if I'm outside Acton?
Lissa is licensed in Massachusetts. Matters governed by Massachusetts law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Lissa will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Lissa?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Lissa will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Lissa accepting new criminal defense clients right now?
Lissa's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Criminal Defense attorneys serving Acton, Boston and Cambridge in Massachusetts
Lissa handles criminal defense matters throughout Massachusetts. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified criminal defense attorneys in that community.
More counsel
Other top-rated criminal defense attorneys in Massachusetts
If Lissa's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these criminal defense attorneys in Acton handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.
