O’KEEFE LAW, PLLC (August 2013 – Present)
WWW.OKEEFELAW.NET
I have been the sole, managing member of this professional company specializing in criminal defense. I work almost exclusively in this area. Personal relationships with law enforcement and judges are critical in this business. When I reach out to a member of law enforcement—state or federal—they know me to be insightful, prepared, effective, persuasive, and professional.
My strong background in law enforcement gives me an edge over other defense attorneys because of my inside knowledge and solid relationships with law enforcement officers and prosecutors all over the state. After all, I was one of them at one time. The law enforcement officers always enjoyed working with me due to my unparalleled work ethic and willingness to go to trial.
I have successfully tried hundreds of cases, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, from DUIs to homicide. I have counseled police officers on officer-involved shootings and represented them in criminal and civil matters. I have traveled all over the state representing clients charged and accused of felonies and misdemeanors.
There is no substitute for experience. I have learned by doing—by trying hundreds of cases over my many years of practicing law, and I learn something new every time. I am always learning, looking for new and better ways to advocate for my clients.
Additionally, I have extensive federal experience, having appeared on criminal and civil cases many times before the western district of Michigan.
I frequently engage in extensive pre-charge negotiation on behalf of my clients and many times have persuaded state and federal prosecutors to forego issuing criminal charges on many occasions through rigorous independent investigation and thorough research.
INGHAM COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE (August 2007 – August 2013)
As an assistant prosecuting attorney, I was responsible for handling a full criminal circuit court docket consisting of capital and low severity felonies arising out of the greater Lansing, MI area. I would estimate I tried approximately 75-100 jury trials in this span. I was also assigned to help law enforcement draft search warrants and respond to defense motions to suppress evidence collected by law enforcement officers. I met with law enforcement officers on an almost-daily basis and formed strong relationships with them which last to this day. They know they can trust me to do the right thing and enjoy working with me on cases. They also know I will keep our communications in strict confidence.
KENT COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE (August 2003 – August 2007)
As an assistant prosecuting attorney, I was responsible for handling a full criminal docket consisting of felonies and misdemeanors arising out of the greater Grand Rapids, MI area. I would estimate I tried approximately 50-75 jury trials in this span. I was also assigned to help law enforcement draft search warrants from time to time, as well as respond to motions to suppress evidence collected by law enforcement officers. I met with law enforcement officers on an almost-daily basis and formed strong relationships with them which last to this day.
MICHIGAN GAMING CONTROL BOARD (December 1999 – August 2003)
While attending law school in the evenings, I worked full time for the State of Michigan’s Gaming Control Board, which is responsible or licensing and regulating Michigan’s three private Detroit Casinos. Based in Lansing, I served as a departmental technician in the Records Management Division, where I organized and filed thousands of license applications over nearly four years. I also assisted in constructing shelving for the storage of thousands of documents in our Detroit office. I worked closely with our investigators to ensure that they could examine files quickly and efficiently in order to make recommendations to the Board on whether or not licensure should be granted to the applicant. I also acted as a Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) coordinator who was responsible for locating documents and making a team decision—in consultation with the Department Supervisor—as to whether the material would be released to the public.
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL (May 1997 – December 1999)
I served as personal assistant to Attorney General Frank J. Kelley, who at that time was the chief law enforcement officer of the State of Michigan. I gained valuable insight and experience in this capacity. My responsibilities were transportation, errands, organization, and field services with constituents. I met many influential people during my tenure there. I formed strong relationships with members of law enforcement while assisting Assistant Attorneys General, Michigan State Police troopers, and investigators within our department. Since that time, I have spent nearly half of my life in public service.
INSTITUTE FOR CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION, CONTRIBUTOR ON MODEL CRIMINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS, 2014 – PRESENT https://www.icle.org/modules/About/bio.aspx?&Pnumber=P59324
WHY THE LEGAL PROFESSION NEEDS TO RESTORE CIVILITY IN SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES, INGHAM COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION “BRIEFS”, MARCH 2019
People v. Wiles, 1 count of civil infraction causing death – REDUCED TO LESSER OFFENSE OF RECKLESS DRIVING, NO JAIL (CLIENT WAS POLICE OFFICER WHO KILLED SOMEONE IN THE LINE OF DUTY) (December 2019)
People v. Walters, 2 counts of criminal sexual conduct – NOT GUILTY ON BOTH CHARGES (JURY DELIBERATIONS LASTED 7 MINUTES) (October 2019)
People v. Kihn, 5 counts of criminal sexual conduct/child under 13, facing minimum 25 years to max life in prison – NOT GUILTY ON ALL CHARGES (January 2018)
People v. Brand, 3 counts of criminal sexual conduct – NOT GUILTY ON ALL CHARGES (December 2017)
People v. Adams, 1 count of assault with a dangerous weapon – NOT GUILTY (September 2014)
