Skilled Representation in Matters Big & Small
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Jean O’Hearn
Attorney at Law
With a background in theatre and dance, I started as a legal assistant with the firm in 1995 with no consideration of becoming a lawyer. It was just a transitional job out of college. I viewed the law as a tool for the elite instead of an engine for individual and social change. The firm and its clients challenged me to reconsider. First, watching Jeff and Gary engage with clients, carefully preparing their cases, getting insight into their lives, and gaining their trust. Second, clients who took that counsel to transform their lives. I came to realize that lawyers are crucial and necessary to guide and counsel a person through the most difficult time of their life.
Born in Texas and later raised in Atlanta, New York City has been my home for over thirty years. I came to New York first as a young performer at a downtown theatre and was entranced with the liveliness of the City. As a drama student at NYU, I focused on working collaboratively within an ensemble, to create new works and tell new stories. As a lawyer, I aim to give the people the voice to tell their stories.
When your rights are in jeopardy, I'll be there to advocate for you.
Q & A’s
What made you choose a career in law?
I chose a career in law because, consistent with my arts background, it is an expressive and meaningful way to illuminate and improve our daily lives. It requires hard work and discipline, as well as the ease of the improvisational, to respond to the unexpected.
How does having experience benefit your clients?
My practice in multiple areas of the law enables me to serve clients beyond a single forum. A single investigation or allegation may have multiple collateral consequences: arrest, potential loss of job, placement in a statewide registry that may impact licensing and career opportunities. Being able to navigate these various tribunals helps the client make thoughtful and strategic decisions.
What types of cases do you specifically handle?
Labor and employment law is universal: work, for better or for worse, defines us; we toil or thrive depending on our working conditions.
What sets you apart from other criminal defense attorneys – why is this important?
Criminal defense is a commitment to due process, that a risk to our liberty requires the highest burden of proof.
What advice do you most often give your clients & why?
Administrative law tribunals are a maze and a puzzle yet they are where the majority of law is currently practiced. These tribunals can have devastating consequences on our livelihood, whether we keep or can pursue certain jobs, whether we can be obtain or retain a professional license. In some instances, these tribunals may provide more considerate and compassionate relief than many courts.
In your opinion, what sets your firm apart from other firms in the area?
In my opinion, the things that sets KMMO apart is our compassion and diligence of all of our staff who understand that a client calling us is at a crossroads, making tough choices. But they respond not just with empathy but with hard work and organization to help us prepare the best cases.
Tell us about a case that you are particularly proud of:
I am particularly proud of the case in which I prevented a a long term employee from being fired and instead persuaded the tribunal and ultimately the employer to place the employee on a medical leave.
What steps do you take to prepare for a difficult case?
In preparing for a difficult case, I often take a problem-solving approach. I first assess that a client may have many goals beyond winning or goals that may be beyond this case. As I help them articulate the goals, and identify the potential or actual obstacles, we can work together to find a path towards these goals. At the outset, clients may not yet know all of the facts or know what evidence may exist, so thorough investigation and research and including the client in understanding the relevance of the ongoing investigation into these facts is key to preparing strong cases.
How do you view your role in the attorney-client relationship?
I view my role in the attorney-client relationship as demystifying the legal process and acting as a problem-solving guide for the client.
Bar Admissions
New York
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Education
J.D., New York Law School, Magna Cum Laude, 2006
B.F.A., New York University Tisch School of the Arts
Professional Associations
New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers