John L. O'Shea

• Called at 5:22 a.m. to represent two brothers in custody accused of an early morning homicide. Immediately responded to the police department where both boys were being held for questioning. Coordinated the defense of both boys, including engaging co-counsel. Spent the day negotiating with the police. The police charged both boys with Murder. Within minutes of charging decision, reached agreement with the prosecutor for bail and both boys were released less than two hours after being charged. The case was investigated and negotiations continued, which included the presentation of evidence of self-defense. The Grand Jury dismissed (“ignored”) all charges, vindicating both boys.
• Represented individual indicted for Murder, Attempted Murder and Felonious Assault with firearms specifications for shooting and killing one individual and shooting at another. Charges carried life in prison if convicted. Argued self-defense at trial. Not guilty verdict.
• Represented young woman charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, Corrupting Another with Drugs and Tampering with Evidence, accusing client of being responsible for the fentanyl overdose death of a man. Conviction as charged carried up to 22 years in prison and up to a mandatory 8 years in prison. Negotiated a plea agreement to Tampering with Evidence and Drug Abuse with probation and drug treatment. Plea included agreement that case records will be sealed when eligible. Manslaughter and Corrupting charges were dismissed. Plea provided for no responsibility for or involvement in the overdose death.
• Notified late on a Saturday night that client had been jailed on an outstanding warrant. Contacted the prosecutor Sunday morning, who agreed to an own recognizance (“OR”) bond. Then contacted the Judge and drove to his home, where the Judge signed the agreed OR bond entry. Then drove to the jail, filed the OR bond entry, and the client was released by noon, approximately 12 hours after his arrest.
• Notified one evening that client had been hospitalized because of an OVI/DUI accident, after also being charged with felony fentanyl possession. Police issued “hospital hold” warrant, meaning client would be transferred to jail upon discharge from hospital, which was scheduled for next day. Contacted the prosecutor and Judge the next morning, who both agreed to an own recognizance (“OR”) bond. The client was discharged shortly thereafter, but to her home and not to jail.
• Represented client arrested for Driving Under the Influence after refusing the breath test after causing three car accident. Successfully had mandatory pretrial driving suspension vacated at initial court appearance. Tried case and client found Not Guilty. All case records sealed.
• Represented client charged with Domestic Violence after accused by wife of assault. Tried case and client was found Not Guilty. All case records then sealed.
• Represented a mom jailed on warrant for Domestic Violence after 14 year old daughter accused her of assault. Immediately gained client’s release. After negotiations, charge was dismissed and all case records sealed.
• Represented client charged with felony Carrying Concealed Weapon after a Sunday morning traffic stop where firearm was discovered in car. Negotiated with police during arrest, who agreed not to jail client after arrest. Then, after pretrial negotiations with police and prosecutor, all charges were dismissed and all case records sealed.
• Represented client charged with Resisting Arrest after attempting to assault a police officer. Police considered felony charges at scene. Negotiated with police and prosecutor over a nine month period to reach plea agreement to Disorderly conduct and only a $100 fine.
• Represented woman charged with Assault, Criminal Damaging and Disorderly Conduct by a man she had recently started dating. At trial, Assault dismissed after the State rested its case. Client found Not Guilty of the remaining charges. All case records sealed.
• Represented an individual with two Felony OVI convictions from which the Court suspended his driver’s license for life. He was then convicted three times for driving under those OVI suspensions. Filed and argued a motion for driving privileges, which the Court granted.  
• Represented a 17 year old charged with felony possession of MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) in Juvenile Court. Over nearly one year, negotiated an agreement where diversion was granted, the charge was dismissed and record sealed.
• Represented woman charged with Aggravated Burglary, Felonious Assault, two counts of Kidnapping, Abduction, Disrupting Public Services and Assault. Conviction as charged carried up to 45 years in prison. After Jury Trial, client found Not Guilty of all serious charges and convicted only of Abduction, Trespassing, Assault and Disorderly Conduct and sentenced to 30 days in jail.
• Represented individual who was a fugitive for 12 years after violating probation on a felony drug conviction. Negotiated resolution where arrest warrant was dismissed and client released from probation without having to appear in court.
• Represented individual charged in two separate Indictments totaling 24 counts of drug trafficking related offenses. Conviction as charged carried up to 69 years in prison and a mandatory 22 years in prison. Negotiated a plea agreement for probation and no incarceration.
• Represented a man with a Concealed Carry License charged with Aggravated Menacing after showing his handgun in self-defense to another man who was threatening him. Not guilty verdict after trial. All case records sealed.
• Represented a man charged with two counts of Sexual Imposition by two women. Conviction requires registering as a Sex Offender for fifteen (15) years. Negotiate a plea agreement to Disorderly Conduct with only a fine. 
• Represented an individual charged with Aggravated Robbery with a firearm, Domestic Violence, Theft and Criminal Trespass after a domestic dispute. Negotiated plea agreement where both the Aggravated Robbery and Domestic Violence charges were dismissed, no incarceration imposed and client’s firearm and Concealed Carry License were returned.
• Represented an individual involved in an early morning gun battle where client shot the other individual. Immediately responded to police department where client was being held and represented client during ongoing police investigation of shooting. Other individual, the one shot by client, charged with and indicted for Felonious Assault. Client released without being charged.
• Represented an individual, who with a co-defendant, was indicted for Felonious Assault for causing serious physical harm to another. Argued self-defense at trial. Not guilty verdict. All case records sealed.
• Represented individual charged with Sexual Imposition, a conviction for which requires registering as a Sex Offender for fifteen (15) years. Not guilty verdict after trial and all case records sealed.
• Represented a woman charged with Domestic Violence, Child Endangering and Assault for allegedly spanking her boyfriend’s four-year old son. Not Guilty verdicts on all charges.
• Represented individual charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident in one jurisdiction after being apprehended and charged with Driving Under the Influence of alcohol in another jurisdiction. Negotiated plea agreements where both charges were reduced to a minor misdemeanor traffic offenses with no incarceration.
• Represented individual charged with a felony for Conspiracy to Illegally Convey Drugs into a Prison. Negotiated agreement where the case was dismissed and all case records sealed after completion of pre-trial diversion program.
• Represented an individual indicted for embezzling $348,588 from employer. Negotiated plea agreement with no incarceration.
• Represented individual on applications to expunge/seal seventeen (17) criminal convictions. All seventeen applications granted and all records of each of the seventeen convictions sealed.
• Represented an individual charged with Driving Under the Influence of alcohol and drugs after causing high speed multiple vehicle accident with injuries. Not Guilty Verdict.
• Represented a medical practice office manager on a 29 count state court felony indictment, which included allegations of theft of drugs, embezzlement and forgery.  Not guilty jury verdict on all 29 counts. Thereafter, all case records sealed.
• Represented principals of a construction company threatened with Contempt of Court after allegations of submitting false financial disclosures to the Court. Matter closed without contempt proceedings.
• Represented an individual charged with Driving Under the Influence and felony possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle. Negotiated plea agreement where the DUI was reduced to a Reckless Operation and the firearm offense was reduced to the lowest level misdemeanor. No driving suspension imposed and probation terminated early.
• Represented individual charged with Child Endangering and Drug Possession after overdosing on heroin then being revived by emergency personnel while alone with four year old son. Not guilty verdict and all case records sealed.
• Represented a Treasurer charged with embezzlement of $61,000 from a church athletic organization. Negotiated Plea Agreement with no incarceration and early termination of probation.
• Represented an individual accused of and investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service before a Federal Grand Jury for conspiracy to launder more than $2.5 million is proceeds from fraudulent federal tax return refunds. Five year investigation closed without indictment.
• Represented an individual in a state court prosecution under Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) for alleged illegal gambling activities.  Negotiated plea agreement with no incarceration.
• Represented an individual indicted for Felonious Assault with a firearms specification for shooting another four times. Charge carried a mandatory minimum five year prison term if convicted. Proved self-defense affirmative defense at trial. Not guilty verdict. Thereafter, all case records sealed.
• Represented an individual indicted with three co-defendants for Aggravated Burglary with Firearm Specifications.  Negotiated plea agreement with no incarceration.  Co-defendants entered pleas. Two were sentenced to four years in prison and one was sentenced to six years in prison.
• Resolution of five separate wrongful death claims from automobile accident fatalities resulting in payments totaling over $5,000,000.00.
• Represented an employee indicted for felony embezzlement of $62,728.69 from employer.  Negotiated deferred prosecution agreement where charge was dismissed and record sealed.
• Represented an individual indicted with co-defendant for Aggravated Burglary, Obstructing Justice and Tampering with Evidence. Negotiated plea agreement with no incarceration. Co-defendant entered guilty plea and was sentenced to six years in prison.
• Represented a treasurer indicted for felony embezzlement of $175,000.00 from a children’s athletic organization.  Negotiated plea agreement with no incarceration.
• Represented an employee investigated by law enforcement for embezzlement of $274,935.00 from employer.  Negotiated resolution without criminal charges being filed.
• Represented business owner in claim against the City of Cincinnati for its failure to comply with law concerning sale of City owned property. Granted injunction against the City protecting client’s rights and then negotiated settlement.
• Represented a semi-tractor trailer driver charged with Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Manslaughter.  Not guilty verdict.
• Represented a Pharmacist indicted for four felony counts of Theft of Drugs.  Negotiated complete dismissal of Indictment and sealing of all case records.
• Represented a corporation investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice in the Commonwealth of Kentucky before a federal grand jury for alleged improper pharmaceutical accounting procedures.  Investigation was closed without indictment.
• Represented a 17 year old charged with felony heroin possession in Juvenile Court. Negotiated a diversion agreement where the charge was dismissed and record sealed.
• Successfully represented an individual in a 2011 petition for Writ of Coram Nobis in federal court to set aside a 1998 criminal conviction for Bank Embezzlement.  Criminal conviction set aside and case dismissed.
• Successful resolution of numerous serious personal injury claims on behalf of plaintiffs.
• Successfully protected an individual in probate court litigation over her rights to proceeds from four (4) multimillion-dollar Trusts.
• Represented a juvenile charged with felony Arson for setting a car on fire.  Negotiated plea to misdemeanor Criminal Damaging with no incarceration.  Thereafter, all case records sealed.
• Successfully represented a corporation in its federal court civil prosecution of organized interstate and international trademark counterfeiting.
• Represented an individual in appeal of conviction for Driving Under the Influence. Conviction reversed unanimously by the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals and case dismissed.
• Represented individual charged with Driving Under the Influence after confronted by law enforcement in parked vehicle. Negotiated dismissal and sealing of all case records at arraignment, three days after arrest.
• Represented a public employee in a state court felony indictment for Theft in Office for alleged embezzlement from a public school fund.  Not guilty jury verdict.
• Represented an individual in appeal of conviction for Driving Under the Influence.  Conviction reversed unanimously by the Ohio First District Court of Appeals and case dismissed.
• Represented an individual charged with Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Manslaughter after collision with motorcyclist. Court granted motion to dismiss case after close of prosecution without having to present a defense.
• Represented a corporation investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service before a federal grand jury for alleged fraud in the administration of an employee benefits program.  Investigation was closed without indictment.
• Represented an individual charged with Felonious Assault for allegedly causing serious physical harm to another be means of a deadly weapon. Presented self-defense affirmative defense to prosecuting authority before Grand Jury proceedings and coordinated accused client being available to testify before Grand Jury. Grand Jury ignored charge and issued no Indictment. Case was dismissed and record sealed.
• Represented a plant manager of a manufacturing corporation in a federal court prosecution by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency for violations of the Clean Air Act in the State of Indiana.  Negotiated plea agreement with no incarceration.
• Represented an individual indicted for drug trafficking after allegedly selling cocaine to an undercover police agent in a recorded “controlled buy” operation. Not guilty verdict. Thereafter, all case records sealed.
• Represented an individual indicted for felony theft of $80,000.00 from an elderly person.  Negotiated deferred prosecution agreement where charge was dismissed and record sealed.
• Represented an individual indicted for Felonious Assault for assaulting another with brass knuckles. Proved self-defense at trial. Not guilty verdict. Thereafter, all case records sealed.
• Represented an individual charged with Driving Under the Influence in trial court and court of appeals.  Trial court dismissed all charges on pretrial motions.  Government appealed dismissal and Ohio First District Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed trial court and dismissed case.
• Represented individual charged with three felony counts of Assault on police officers. Negotiated plea to one count of minor misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct, a non-criminal offense.
• Represented a student in felony indictment for Aggravated Arson for setting fires on a college campus. Negotiated plea agreement with no incarceration.
• Represented an individual in a federal court prosecution for embezzlement from a public school fund.  Negotiated plea agreement with no incarceration.
• Represented an individual charged with Resisting Arrest, during which two police officers were injured. Negotiated plea to one count of Disorderly Conduct with no incarceration.
• Represented a corporation investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, before a federal grand jury for alleged price fixing.  Investigation was closed without indictment.
• Represented an individual indicted for two felony counts of Obstructing Justice for allegedly harboring her ex-husband, who was a fugitive from justice.  Negotiated complete dismissal of Indictment and sealing of all case records.

• Panel Member, Criminal Justice Act Panel, U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio (2014-2017)
• Federal Bar Association
• Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Cincinnati Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Association
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio 
•  U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
• Admitted to practice, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
• Ohio, 1989
• Member, Cincinnati Bar Association
• Member, Federal Bar Association
• Member, Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Member, Criminal Justice Act Panel, U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 2014-2017
• Admitted to practice, U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
• Member, Ohio State Bar Association
• Admitted to practice, State of Ohio Trial and Appellate Courts

• University of Toledo - B.S.
• J.D., University of Cincinnati College of Law, 1989

• Member of the Loyola Club for tuition assistance of St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati, Ohio.
• Member of the Aegis Council for tuition assistance of St. John's Jesuit High School & Academy, Toledo, Ohio.
• Member, Ohio Supreme Court Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program for newly licensed attorneys.
• Member, Advisory Board, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati
• Served the Ohio Justice and Policy Center as a supervisor of new lawyers in its Clinical Legal Education Program
• Served the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners as a member of its 241-KIDS Advisory Panel.
• Member of the Hamilton County Republican Party Judicial Screening Committee.

• Certified Mayor's Court Magistrate, Ohio Municipal League

• "Lawyer of the Year" - Cincinnati Criminal Defense: White Collar, Best Lawyers in America, 2021
• Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Best Lawyers in America, 2021
• Criminal Defense, Best Lawyers in America, 2021
• Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, 2021
• Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Best Lawyers in America, 2020
• Criminal Defense, Best Lawyers in America, 2020
• Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, 2020
• Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Best Lawyers in America, 2019
• Criminal Defense, Best Lawyers in America, 2019
• Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, 2019
• Perfect 10.0 “Superb” rating, AVVO.com
• America's Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys, America's Top 100 Attorneys, 2018
• "Lawyer of the Year" - Cincinnati Criminal Defense: White Collar, Best Lawyers in America, 2018
• "Lawyer of the Year" - Cincinnati Criminal Defense, Best Lawyers in America, 2015
• Client’s Choice Award, AVVO.com, 2014
• Criminal Defense: White Collar, Best Lawyers in America, 2018
• Criminal Defense, Best Lawyers in America, 2018
• Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, 2018
• Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Best Lawyers in America, 2017
• Criminal Defense, Best Lawyers in America, 2017
• Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, 2017
• Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Best Lawyers in America, 2016
• Criminal Defense, Best Lawyers in America, 2016
• Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, 2016
• Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Best Lawyers in America, 2015
• Criminal Defense, Best Lawyers in America, 2015
• Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, 2015
• Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Best Lawyers in America, 2014
• Criminal Defense, Best Lawyers in America, 2014
• Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, 2014

• Magistrate - City of Blue Ash, Ohio Mayor's Court

• Cincinnati Bar Association
• National Association Of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Ohio State Bar Association

“John O'Shea does a tremendous job representing his clients. I have always been impressed with the results of cases referred to him.”