Laura Mannion

I've spent most of my career helping clients avoid and mitigate the so-called "collateral" consequences of criminal convictions. These can be especially devastating for non-citizens facing deportation for minor offenses and people with a sex offense conviction who are being classified by the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB). These cases require a different approach than ordinary criminal cases. I often have to explain to an American-born judge how my non-citizen client didn't really get a "good deal" by accepting a guilty plea they were unaware would cause their deportation from their home. I provide context and support to SORB hearing examiners to explain why my client who committed a sex offense in the past is no longer likely to reoffend. I also represent clients in their direct appeals from their criminal convictions, litigate complex motions for new trial, and represent clients serving life sentences for second degree murder at their parole hearings. I mentor attorneys who are new to post-conviction and SORB practice and am frequently asked to train and present to other attorneys on these topics. I previously sat on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts of Criminal Defense Lawyers ("MACDL") for six years, and for three years I taught advanced research and writing to second year law students at New England Law | Boston. In 2015 I was honored by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as one of 25 "Up and Coming Lawyers" and I have been selected as a "Super Lawyer" or "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers Magazine every year since 2015.