Our Team
When you hire DeGrinney Law Offices, you don't hire just one lawyer — you get the whole team!
JP DeGrinney is an aggressive litigator who fights for your rights and interests. He has built a strong reputation with clients and the Portland legal community. Attorney DeGrinney is proud of his track record of success in the courtroom and is ready to help you.
The experienced and caring staff members of DeGrinney Law Offices are always ready to assist you. Peter Richard is an eager, hardworking associate attorney who is fast becoming a name to be reckoned with.
Katie Nickless is a highly qualified paralegal working tirelessly to provide clients with attentive and efficient service.
Find out more about us by reviewing our personal bios:
Contact us
When you need an experienced Maine criminal defense attorney to defend your rights, contact DeGrinney Law Offices to arrange a free consultation.
JP DeGrinney — Founder
Attorney DeGrinney focuses his practice exclusively on criminal law and handles all levels of criminal cases in state and federal courts. Since 1996, JP DeGrinney has been aggressively defending the rights of the accused.
Practice areas
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Admitted to practice
- Maine, 1996
Education
- University of Maine School of Law, J.D., 1995
- Villanova University, B.A., Political Science and History, 1992
- Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society
Professional memberships
- MACDL Board of Trustees
Biography
- Assistant District Attorney Intern, Office of the District Attorney for Cumberland County, 1994–1995
- In Portland District Court and Cumberland County Superior Court, handled countless misdemeanor matters including:
- Operating under the influence (OUI) cases
- Domestic violence cases (threats, assaults, etc.)
- Thefts
- Drug cases
- In Portland District Court and Cumberland County Superior Court, handled countless misdemeanor matters including:
Peter J. Richard, Jr. — Associate Attorney
“I am always preparing for trial, because every client ultimately needs representation from someone who is willing to fight to the end to protect their rights and interests.”
Attorney Richard focuses his practice primarily on trial advocacy in criminal law in state and federal court, while additionally handling protection from abuse hearings, and Bureau of Motor Vehicles hearings for his clients. Attorney Richard has worked in a number of different legal environments prior to joining DeGrinney Law Offices, including working at the Vermont State's Attorney's Office, the Maine Federal Public Defender's Office, and two other private criminal firms in Vermont and Maine.
In addition to practicing as a lawyer, Peter also teaches a number of courses at Kaplan University in South Portland, Maine, including Medical Law and Bioethics and Criminal Procedure.
Prior to entering law school, Peter was a seven-sport NCAA athlete competing at Southern Vermont College on the soccer, cross country, basketball, baseball and rugby teams at the Division III level. Before that he competed in wrestling and track and field at the Division I level at Wagner College in Staten Island, New York. Peter is married to his lovely wife Catherine, and enjoys playing baseball for the Marlins in the Southern Maine Men's Baseball League throughout Southern Maine and frequenting local soccer hubs to play an occasional game.
Practice areas
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Admitted to practice
- Maine, 2010
- New Jersey, 2010 (pending)
- U.S. District Court, Maine
Education
- University of Maine School of Law, J.D., 2010
- Southern Vermont College, magna cum laude, B.S. in Pre-Law with a Criminal Justice minor, 2007
- Northwestern Connecticut College, A.S. in General Studies with a Pre-Law focus, 2005
- Phi Theta Kappa
Professional memberships
- American Trial Lawyers Association, 2008
- American Bar Association, 2010
Lauren Wille – Associate Attorney
Attorney Lauren Wille joined DeGrinney Law Offices as an associate attorney in 2011. She focuses her practice primarily on criminal law, juvenile matters, and appeals, additionally handling Protection from Abuse hearings and Bureau of Motor Vehicle hearings.
Lauren attended the University of Maine School of Law, graduating summa cum laude in May of 2011. Prior to her graduation and admittance to the Maine Bar, Lauren worked at DeGrinney Law Offices as an intern. She also served as a Case Note and Comment Editor for the Maine Law Review and published a Case Note examining the implications of Maine's Sex Offender Registry: "Maine's Sex Offender Registry and the Ex Post Facto Clause: An Examination of the Law Court's Unwillingness to Use Independent Constitutional Analysis in State v. Letalien." Lauren also worked as a student attorney with the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic, where she worked on a variety of cases, from family matters to juvenile defense to writing and arguing Raynes v. Dept. of Corrections before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. Upon graduation, Lauren received the Clinical Legal Education Award for her work with the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic and the Gignoux Award for Appellate Advocacy.
Practice areas
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Admitted to practice
- Maine, 2011
Education
- University of Maine School of Law, J.D. (2011), summa cum laude
- Rutgers University, B.A. (2000), high honors
Professional memberships
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Cumberland Bar Association
Katie Nickless — Paralegal Manager
Gladys Katie Nickless joined DeGrinney Law Offices in 2008, and is a 2008 Andover College graduate with an associate's degree in Legal Studies. She is currently a 2011 candidate for a bachelor's degree in Justice Studies with a concentration in Law and Legal Process at Southern New Hampshire University, and a member of the Husson University Chapter of Lambda Epsilon Chi National Honor Society in Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies.
When she is not working, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband, children and pets, as well as reading, going to the gym or walking with friends and hiking. Katie is trained in Alzheimer's care and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity when time permits. She is dedicated to caring for and protecting the rights of all living beings.
