Ruth O'Meara-Costello

For individuals in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the surrounding areas navigating the complex and often daunting realms of criminal defense, Title IX, and employment law, Ruth O'Meara-Costello stands out as a highly respected and capable attorney within the "Lawyers Near Me" category. With an office conveniently located at 875 Massachusetts Ave #31, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA, Ruth O'Meara-Costello offers dedicated and experienced legal guidance to clients facing potentially life-altering accusations and challenges.

The environment at the Law Office of Ruth O'Meara-Costello is professional and supportive, designed to provide a secure space for clients to discuss sensitive and personal legal matters. While specific details on the physical office ambiance are not extensively detailed, the nature of her practice—dealing with serious criminal charges and highly personal Title IX accusations—necessitates an atmosphere of trust, confidentiality, and empathy. The Cambridge location offers ease of access for local clients, reinforcing the "Lawyers Near Me" accessibility. Ruth's approach focuses on providing guidance and representation that helps clients navigate challenging circumstances and work towards a return to normalcy, reflecting a client-centered and understanding environment.

Ruth O'Meara-Costello's services are highly specialized, focusing on critical areas of law where individuals often face significant personal and professional repercussions. Her core practice areas include:

• Criminal Defense: Ruth provides experienced legal counsel and personalized defense strategies for clients facing a wide range of criminal charges, from misdemeanors to serious felonies, including murder charges. Her criminal defense practice encompasses trials and appeals in both state and federal court. She is adept at securing favorable dispositions for clients, even before charges are formally brought, and has a strong record of success at pre-arraignment "show cause" hearings, which are crucial opportunities to prevent criminal complaints from issuing. She also handles post-conviction matters, including appeals from convictions, motions for new trial, and other challenges.

• Title IX and Student Conduct: This is a significant area of Ruth's expertise. She represents students and faculty members accused of violating Title IX or other university student conduct rules, including allegations of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, research misconduct, and unprofessional behavior. Understanding the severe consequences these accusations can have, Ruth aims to protect her clients' rights throughout disciplinary proceedings, often successfully exonerating clients in numerous cases. She is recognized as a thought leader in Title IX law, frequently writing about legal issues in campus disciplinary proceedings and providing her expertise to the press.

• University Faculty Representation: Beyond student conduct, Ruth also defends the rights of university faculty members accused of violating university policies, particularly in investigations related to research misconduct or sexual misconduct. This niche area requires a deep understanding of academic institutions' internal processes and regulations.

• Employment & Labor Law: While her primary focus is on criminal defense and Title IX, her broader experience includes aspects of employment law. This allows her to assist clients with issues that may overlap between criminal charges or Title IX accusations and their employment status, ensuring a comprehensive legal strategy.

Ruth's mission is to provide guidance and representation to clients and their loved ones facing life-altering charges, standing by them to help clear their names and return to normalcy.

Several features make Ruth O'Meara-Costello a distinguished attorney. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School (J.D. 2006) and began practicing law in 2007. This strong academic background from a top-tier institution provides a solid foundation for her legal acumen. Her commitment to her clients is evident in her approach: she is described as a "committed and thoughtful advocate" who has achieved "significant victories both in and out of court." She has successfully overturned convictions for clients on serious charges, including sex offenses, and has secured pretrial probation for clients charged with serious violence, sometimes even convincing judges to dismiss charges.

Ruth's dual expertise in criminal defense and campus disciplinary matters is a crucial feature, particularly given the overlap between university codes of conduct and criminal law regarding issues like sexual assault, drug possession, physical violence, and alcohol-related offenses. She advises students facing Title IX charges that may lead to criminal prosecution, helping them avoid making unguarded admissions in school conduct processes that could strengthen a criminal case against them. This integrated understanding provides a unique and powerful advantage for her clients.

Her professional recognition is also a significant feature. Ruth O'Meara-Costello has been consistently selected to the Super Lawyers list for 2021-2025 and to the Rising Stars list for 2017-2020. Super Lawyers is an exclusive list of top-rated attorneys in specific practice areas chosen after a thorough evaluation of numerous criteria, including independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. Being recognized as both a "Rising Star" and a "Super Lawyer" underscores her rapid ascent and consistent excellence in the legal field. She is also listed in the Criminal Trial Practice section of the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and has been recognized in "The Best Lawyers in America" for her work in Criminal Defense and Education Law.

Furthermore, Ruth has previously served as "Of Counsel" at Zalkind Duncan & Bernstein LLP, a prominent firm, which speaks to her high standing among her peers. She speaks Italian, which can be an added benefit for a diverse clientele. She also offers fixed fees for certain legal services and accepts major credit cards, providing flexibility and transparency in billing, which is often appreciated by clients.

Promotional information for Ruth O'Meara-Costello is built on her impressive credentials, specialized expertise, and proven track record. Her website explicitly states her mission to provide guidance and representation to clear clients' names and help them return to normalcy, which is a strong emotional appeal. The Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers recognitions are powerful third-party endorsements that serve as excellent promotional tools, signaling her high level of competence and ethical standards to potential clients searching for "Lawyers Near Me." Her active involvement in complex Title IX cases, including those that have garnered media attention, indirectly serves as promotional evidence of her skill and willingness to take on challenging cases.

For those in Cambridge, MA, or the greater Boston area, who are facing criminal charges, Title IX investigations, or complex employment issues, Ruth O'Meara-Costello offers highly skilled and compassionate legal representation. Her deep knowledge, extensive experience, and unwavering commitment to client advocacy make her a formidable presence in the Massachusetts legal landscape. Prospective clients can contact her office at (617) 658-4264 or +1 617-658-4264 to schedule a consultation and discuss their legal needs.