Tamar Rebecca Birckhead

EFFECTIVE, EXPERIENCED, EASY TO WORK WITH: For over twenty-five years, Tamar R. Birckhead has represented individuals charged with criminal offenses in the state and federal court systems at the trial and appellate levels.  While she currently practices in Connecticut, Tamar is also licensed in Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina. Tamar has defended clients in a wide variety of criminal cases—from felonies in state court to alleged acts of terrorism in federal court.  Among her clients was Richard Reid, the attempted “Shoe Bomber” prosecuted in the First Circuit under the U.S.A. Patriot Act. 

A cum laude graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School, Tamar taught for twelve years as a tenured law professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law.  She has also taught at Duke Law School and most recently at Yale Law School. Tamar is the author of more than a dozen law review articles on topics related to criminal defense as well as an editor and contributor to several juvenile justice-related books.

Tamar prides herself on the close, collaborative working relationships she has with her clients.  She is always available for consultation, frequently speaking or texting with clients on nights and weekends.  Tamar understands that facing criminal charges can be a frightening experience, and she views herself as a counselor at law as well as a legal practitioner.  

Tamar is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, the New Haven County Bar Association, the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.  She regularly volunteers in the Connecticut Bar Association's Ask-a-Lawyer Program and serves as a judge for Project Youth Court in New Haven. 

Criminal Law

Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes

DUI & DWI

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders

Juvenile Law

Social Security Disability

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted

Connecticut

Since 2016

Massachusetts

Since 1992

New York

Since 1999

North Carolina

Since 2004

Associate Attorney

Parrett Porto Parese & Colwell, P.C.

2017 - Current

Professor of Law and Director of Clinical Programs

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law

2004 - 2017

Assistant Federal Public Defender

Federal Defender Office

1999 - 2003

Public Defender

Committee for Public Counsel Services

1993 - 1999

Harvard Law School

J.D. (1992)

1989 - 1992

Honors: cum laude

Yale University

B.A. (1987)

1983 - 1987

Honors: cum laude

State Bar of Connecticut  # 437965

Member

Current

New York State Bar  # 2957819

Member

1999 - Current