Jennifer McKinnon

Jennifer McKinnon, a former Clinical Instructor at Harvard Law School’s Criminal Justice Institute, is an experienced trial lawyer. She spent over a decade representing clients charged with major felonies in Boston and surrounding communities. Attorney McKinnon spent three years teaching law students the art of courtroom advocacy at Harvard Law School, and is now a founding partner at Wiesner McKinnon LLP.

In the present legal culture dominated by settlements in civil cases and plea bargains in criminal cases, Ms. McKinnon’s experience and training distinguishes her from many lawyers who rarely, if ever, bring cases to trial—providing a distinct advantage to her clients.

Ms. McKinnon was also a member of the Criminal Law Section Steering Committee of the Boston Bar Association (2009-2010). She has been a member of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers since 2006. She now represents clients in both state and federal court in civil and criminal matters. She has particular experience representing juvenile clients.

Highlights of Ms. McKinnon’s speaking and teaching engagements and experience include the following:

• Introduction to Trial Advocacy, Harvard Law School, Faculty Member (2019)
• New England Clinical Conference, “Poking the Elephant in the Room: How to Discuss Race in the Classroom,” Harvard Law School, Panelist (2015)
• Trial Advocacy Workshop, Harvard Law School, Faculty Member (2013-2016)
• Criminal Advocacy Clinic, Northeastern School of Law, Guest Faculty (2013)
• Committee for Public Counsel Services’ Regional Supervising Attorneys’ Annual Conference, Organizer (2013)
• Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Panelist (2011)
  Motions for Third-Party Records
• New Lawyer Training, Committee for Public Counsel Services, Faculty member (2010-2014)
• Zealous Advocacy in the District Courts, Committee for Public Counsel Services Training Program, Faculty member (2010-2014)
• Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Panelist (2006)
  Forfeiture by Wrongdoing