Jerome William Paun

I am a criminal defense attorney. I am responsible for and I proudly represent each and every one of my clients personally. I am honored to have been selected as one of the top 100 criminal defense attorneys in Connecticut by the American Society of Legal Advocates and the National Trial Lawyers each year since 2014. I am proud to have earned a "superb" rating as a top Connecticut criminal defense attorney and I am pleased to have earned "clients' choice" awards each year since 2013 from Avvo.com.

Kelley Finlan is my Legal Assistant. She is the voice most people hear and speak with when they call my office. Kelley frequently answers client questions, putting their minds at ease immediately.

In most cases, I am the only person standing up for my clients' rights. I am the only thing that stands between them and jail. By vigorously asserting my clients' constitutional rights day-in and day-out, I put the brakes on the state's enormous apparatus for incarcerating people.

About 98 percent of all cases are resolved without trial. An effective negotiation strategy is necessary to persuade prosecutors and judges to give my clients the best outcome. I have worked hard to learn and develop excellent negotiating skills. My criminal defense clients benefit from that. Usually, the best results are negotiated agreements.

Trial is the last resort when negotiation fails to achieve a satisfactory result.  If a trial becomes necessary, I’m perfectly willing and able to go to trial and fight to defend my clients’ rights and freedom; prosecutors and judges know that.

I am proud to serve my clients. I would be honored if you would give me the opportunity to defend you against whatever criminal charges may be confronting you.

SUNY Buffalo Law School

J.D. (1979) | Law

1976 - 1979

Honors: Order of Barristers

Activities: Moot Court Board

State University of New York - College at Brockport

M.A. (1975) | Political Science/Urban Administration

1974 - 1975

State University of New York - College at Brockport

B.S. (1972) | Philosophy & Political Science

1968 - 1972

Honors: Graduated with Honors (Cum Laude)

Activities: Inter-collegiate debate team

Regional Counsel

UNITE Greater Northeastern Joint Board

1979 - 2004

After law school graduation, while waiting to be admitted to the New York State bar, I was employed as a law clerk with the Amalgamated Clothing & Textile Workers Union (ACTWU) in New York City. After being admitted to the bar, I became Regional Counsel for the ACTWU Southern New England Joint Board. Over years, the Southern New England Joint Board merged with other joint boards to become the Greater Northeastern Joint Board. ACTWU merged with the International Lady Garment Workers Union to become UNITE. I continued to serve as Regional Counsel for the UNITE Greater Northeastern Joint Board until it was merged into another UNITE joint board.

Avvo “Superb” 10.0 rating

Avvo

2015

Connecticut Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorney

The National Trial Lawyers

2014

The National Trial Lawyers have selected me as one of the top 100 criminal defense attorneys in Connecticut each year since 2014.

Connecticut Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorney

American Society of Legal Advocates

2014

The American Society of Legal Advocates has selected me as one of the top 100 criminal defense attorneys in Connecticut each year since 2014.

Clients' Choice Award

Avvo

2013

I have been awarded the Avvo Clients' Choice Award every year since 2013.

Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

member

2006 - Current

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

member

2005 - Current

Connecticut Bar Association

Member

1988 - Current

American Bar Association

member

1980 - Current

National Lawyers Guild

member, former treasurer

1976 - Current

Connecticut

Since 1988

New York

Since 1980

1st Circuit

Since 1983

2nd Circuit

Since 1983

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 1989

• Free Consultation
  Free consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted
  Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, PayPal
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Pretrial representation fees are generally flat/fixed fees. Pretrial evidentiary hearings requiring examination of witness are charged separately. Trial representation and preparation fees are charged hourly at $250 per hour for lawyer time and $75 per hour for paralegal time.

• Constitutional Law