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Criminal Defense Lawyers in Willoughby, OH: 2026 rankings

112 criminal defense lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in Willoughby: Quinn Legal Associates, LFR Score 73/100; 4.9★ from 473 Google reviews; open 24/7.

  2. 2

    Open 24 hours (per Google): The Botnick Law Firm | DUI/OVI and Criminal Defense Attorneys, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 112.

  3. 2

    Most-reviewed: The Botnick Law Firm | DUI/OVI and Criminal Defense Attorneys, 393 Google reviews at 5.0★, the most of 112 ranked after Quinn Legal Associates; ranked #2.

Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank

112 Willoughby criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 32 are open 24/7, 48 open Saturdays and 33 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.6★ across 112 rated law firms.

Most of this list also appears on the Criminal defense lawyers in Parma ranking. See Criminal defense lawyers in Parma

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Willoughby at a glance

Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Willoughby at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1Quinn Legal Associates734.9★ (473)Euclid, 4 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Top score
2The Botnick Law Firm | DUI/OVI and Criminal Defense Attorneys725.0★ (393)Shaker Heights, 14 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Open 24 hours, Most reviews
3Brad Wolfe Law, L.L.C. | Cleveland Criminal Defense Attorney715.0★ (150)Mayfield Heights, 8 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
4Watson Kuhlman, LLC704.9★ (345)Cleveland, 17 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
5HMW Law704.8★ (364)Cleveland, 17 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
6Patituce & Associates - Ohio Criminal Defense Attorneys684.7★ (235)Cleveland, 18 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
7The Elkhatib Law Office | Cleveland Criminal Defense684.9★ (156)Cleveland, 19 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
8Piazza Law Office684.9★ (81)Brook Park, 14 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
9Cuyahoga Criminal Defense675.0★ (98)Cleveland, 19 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
10Zukerman, Lear, Murray & Brown Co., L.P.A. | Cleveland Criminal Defense Attorneys674.8★ (105)Cleveland, 16 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—

All 112 criminal defense lawyers in Willoughby, in rank order

Ordered by LFR Score, a 0–100 score from nine published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.

Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.

Scores below: based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected. Hatched segments mark factors we don't have yet.

  1. Ranked #1 in Willoughby

    Based in Euclid, 4 mi away

    73/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 473 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 473 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    34351 Chardon Rd #8, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094
    View profile for Quinn Legal Associates(440) 516-3800

  4. #4 Watson Kuhlman, LLC

    Based in Cleveland, 17 mi away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 345 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 345 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    75 Erieview Plz Ste 108, Cleveland, OH 44114
    View profile for Watson Kuhlman, LLC(216) 279-9022

  5. #5 HMW Law

    Based in Cleveland, 17 mi away

    70/100LFR Score

    Ranked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 364 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.8★ from 364 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    1231 Superior Ave Ste 200, Cleveland, OH 44114
    View profile for HMW Law(216) 369-1352

  8. #8 Piazza Law Office

    Based in Brook Park, 14 mi away

    68/100LFR Score

    Ranked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 81 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 81 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    View profile for Piazza Law Office(216) 612-6561

  10. #10 Zukerman, Lear, Murray & Brown Co., L.P.A. | Cleveland Criminal Defense Attorneys

    Based in Cleveland, 16 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 105 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.8★ from 105 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    3912 Prospect Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44115
    View profile for Zukerman, Lear, Murray & Brown Co., L.P.A. | Cleveland Criminal Defense Attorneys(216) 696-0900

  11. #11 Corrigan Law Ohio

    Based in Lyndhurst, 9 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 64 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.6★ from 64 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    5495 Mayfield Rd Ste 200E, Lyndhurst, OH 44124
    View profile for Corrigan Law Ohio(440) 840-9101

  14. #14 Mastandrea Law, LLC

    Based in Cleveland, 13 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 39 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 39 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    20620 John Carroll Blvd #216, Cleveland, OH 44118
    View profile for Mastandrea Law, LLC(216) 306-5105

  16. #16 Brockler Law

    Based in Cleveland, 18 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 380 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 5.0★ from 380 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–6 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    75 Public Square #920, Cleveland, OH 44113
    View profile for Brockler Law(216) 306-5999

  17. #17 CARUSO LAW OFFICES, LLC

    Based in Cleveland, 18 mi away

    65/100LFR Score

    Ranked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 69 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.6★ from 69 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    323 W Lakeside Ave #450, Cleveland, OH 44113
    View profile for CARUSO LAW OFFICES, LLC(216) 233-0321

  18. #18 The Martinez Firm

    Based in Willoughby

    65/100LFR Score

    Ranked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 63 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    • 4.9★ from 63 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    4230 OH-306 Suite 240, Willoughby, OH 44094
    View profile for The Martinez Firm(216) 875-5555

Criminal defense lawyers ranked #27 to #39

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #27 to #39, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 39 of 112 ranked criminal defense lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.

criminal defense lawyers in Willoughby, ranks 27 to 39
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
27The Law Office of Scott J. Friedman624.6★ (11)17 mi
28Law Office of John T. Forristal624.8★ (17)23 mi
29Patituce & Associates - Ohio Criminal Defense Attorneys624.3★ (7)13 mi
33The Law Office of Craig W. Smotzer, LLC614.9★ (11)15 mi
39Gary H. Levine593.2★ (9)16 mi

How we ranked Willoughby criminal defense lawyers

We scored 112 Willoughby criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, weighted as shown. A law firm is ranked when its practice area is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.

Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Attorney advertising businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.

Read the full method: formula, sources and exclusions

LFR Score factors and weights
FactorWeightComputed fromIn Willoughby data
Reputation25%Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back itMeasured
Bar status10%An active bar or law society record matched to a lawyer at the firm (not measured until a record source is loaded)Not yet collected
Review volume10%Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the listMeasured
Recency10%Share of reviews from the last 12 monthsNot yet collected
Availability5%Weekly office hours, Saturday, Sunday, and phones answered 24/7Measured
Practice focus15%How clearly the firm practises this area (its Google category and name)Measured
Proximity5%An office in the city scores highest, less the farther away it isMeasured
Claimed profile10%The firm has claimed its Law Firms Ranked profile (free and paid earn the same)Measured
Law Firms Ranked reviews10%Verified client reviews collected by Law Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there areMeasured

How to choose a criminal defense lawyer

  1. Check the lawyer’s status and any public discipline in the state bar or law society directory.
  2. Ask how many criminal defense matters the lawyer handles each year, and who at the firm will do the work.
  3. Get the fee arrangement in writing: hourly, flat or contingency, and which costs are charged on top.
  4. Ask how and how often the firm will update you, and how fast it answers calls and emails.
  5. Read recent reviews for how the firm communicated and billed, not only for outcomes.
  6. Ask whether the lawyer regularly appears in the court where your case is filed.
  7. Meet more than one firm; many offer a short first consultation, sometimes free.

Questions to ask a criminal defense lawyer

  • How would you approach a matter like mine, and what are the realistic options?
  • How do you charge, and what will the total likely cost?
  • Who will be my main contact, and how quickly do you reply?
  • What does the flat fee cover, and what costs extra if the case goes to trial?
  • Who will appear with me at each hearing?
  • Is there any conflict of interest that would stop you representing me?

Terms explained

Contingency fee
A fee that is a share of the money recovered, paid only if there is a recovery. Common in injury cases; not allowed for criminal defense or for securing a divorce.
Retainer
Money paid up front and held in a trust account, which the lawyer draws on as fees are earned.
Flat fee
One set price for a defined piece of work, such as a will or an uncontested matter.
Limited-scope representation
Paying a lawyer for part of a matter only, such as reviewing documents or coaching for one hearing (also called unbundled services).
Statute of limitations
The deadline to file a lawsuit or charge. It differs by state or province and by type of claim.
Good standing
A lawyer’s status as active and eligible to practise with a state bar or law society.
Law society
The body that licenses and disciplines lawyers in a Canadian province or territory.
Board certification
Recognition in a field of law by a state program or an organisation accredited for that purpose. Lawyers may only claim it when they hold it, naming the certifying body.
Attorney–client privilege
The rule that keeps confidential communications between a client and lawyer, made for legal advice, out of court.
Conflict check
The search a firm runs before taking a matter to make sure it does not represent someone on the other side.
Pro bono
Legal work done for free, usually for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
Legal aid
Publicly funded legal help for people with low incomes, through legal aid offices, public defenders or provincial legal aid plans.

Criminal defense lawyers in Willoughby: frequently asked questions

Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Willoughby?

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Willoughby, OH is Quinn Legal Associates with an LFR Score of 73/100. It has 4.9★ from 473 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. The Botnick Law Firm | DUI/OVI and Criminal Defense Attorneys (#2) and Brad Wolfe Law, L.L.C. | Cleveland Criminal Defense Attorney (#3) follow. We ranked 112 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Willoughby?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 112 criminal defense lawyers serving Willoughby, OH. 3 of them are based in Willoughby; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Counts are as of November 2026.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Willoughby are open 24/7?

32 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Willoughby post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Quinn Legal Associates (#1), The Botnick Law Firm | DUI/OVI and Criminal Defense Attorneys (#2) and Brad Wolfe Law, L.L.C. | Cleveland Criminal Defense Attorney (#3). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Willoughby work on weekends?

48 of 112 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 33 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Quinn Legal Associates (#1), The Botnick Law Firm | DUI/OVI and Criminal Defense Attorneys (#2) and Brad Wolfe Law, L.L.C. | Cleveland Criminal Defense Attorney (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do Willoughby criminal defense lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 112 rated criminal defense lawyers in Willoughby is 4.6★, with a median of 29 reviews. Quinn Legal Associates has the most, 473 reviews, and ranks #1. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.

How does LawFirmsRanked rank criminal defense lawyers?

Each criminal defense lawyer gets a 0–100 LFR Score from nine published factors, led by reputation (25%), practice focus (15%), review volume (10%) and recency (10%). A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only law firms with a confirmed practice area and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.

Do criminal defense lawyers outside Willoughby count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Willoughby city center, our service radius for criminal defense lawyers. Each listing shows where the law firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the LFR Score, so a nearby law firm gets a small edge.

Can criminal defense lawyers pay to rank higher on LawFirmsRanked?

No. The LFR Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured law firms may appear above the list, labelled Attorney advertising and showing their honest rank.

How do criminal defense lawyers in Willoughby, OH charge?

Criminal defense lawyers usually charge a flat fee per stage (for example, through a plea or through trial) or an hourly rate. Contingency fees are not allowed in criminal cases under ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Lawyers using Clio billed an average of $219 an hour in this area (Clio Legal Trends data, October 2026; all areas $362). Ask for the fee arrangement in writing before you agree.

What if I can’t afford a criminal defense lawyer?

If a charge can lead to jail, the court must appoint a lawyer for you if you cannot afford one (Gideon v. Wainwright, 1963; Argersinger v. Hamlin, 1972). Ask about a public defender at your first court appearance. This is general information, not legal advice.

How is this list of criminal defense lawyers in Willoughby, OH ranked?

By LFR Score only, from public data on reviews, practice focus, office location and hours. Firms labelled “Attorney advertising” paid for that placement; payment never changes a rank, and a rank is not an endorsement.

Does a lawyer need an office in Willoughby?

No, but the lawyer must be licensed in your state (or, for federal matters such as immigration, in some state). A local office makes meetings and court appearances easier, so proximity is one of our factors.

Update log for Willoughby

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 112 criminal defense lawyers serving Willoughby.

More criminal defense lawyers and Willoughby pages