Tamar R. Birckhead is an Ivy League educated attorney and former law professor who has taught at Yale Law School, Duke Law School, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law (UNC).
She graduated with honors from Yale University and Harvard Law School. After a decade as a public defender in Massachusetts, she taught criminal and juvenile defense as a tenured law professor at UNC where she also served as Director of Clinical Programs. She returned to Connecticut in 2016 to teach at Yale Law School and then resume full-time law practice.
For over thirty years, Tamar R. Birckhead has represented individuals charged with criminal offenses in the state and federal court systems at both the trial and appellate levels. Licensed to practice in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina, Tamar has defended clients in a wide variety of criminal cases—from serious 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 District of Massachusetts under the U.S.A. Patriot Act.
In her Connecticut practice, Tamar regularly defends clients facing serious criminal charges in Connecticut's Superior Courts (both GA and Part A) as well as appeals before the Connecticut Appellate and Supreme Courts. She also defends the rights of clients prosecuted in federal court in the Districts of Connecticut and Massachusetts. Tamar offers an aggressive criminal defense strategy and devotes substantial resources to analyzing the government's evidence against you, often working with leading experts, such as former law enforcement officers, toxicologists, forensic computer analysts, forensic psychologists, and forensic accountants.
For many years Tamar has also represented parents in child protection court who are facing allegations of abuse and neglect, and she frequently represents high school, college, and graduate students accused of violating their school's policies or code of conduct, which can result in suspension or expulsion as well as the initiation of criminal prosecution that arises from the same conduct.
Tamar prides herself on the close, collaborative working relationships she has with her clients. She understands that facing criminal charges or the possibility of losing one's parental rights can be a frightening experience, and she spends as much time patiently counseling her clients as she does rigorously advocating for them in the courtroom.
Ivy League Education
Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA: J.D. 1992
Honors: cum laude; Recent Developments Editor, Harvard Women's Law Journal; Certified Law Student, Legal Services Center, Jamaica Plain, MA; Legal Intern, East Bay Community Law Center, Oakland, CA; Legal Intern, Center for Constitutional Rights, New York, N.Y.
Yale University, New Haven, CT: B.A. 1987
Honors: cum laude, John Hersey Prize for a body of journalistic work; Elmore A. Willets Prize for fiction writing; Yale special correspondent, The New York Times; Managing Editor, The New Journal
State and Federal Bar Admissions
- U.S. District Court of Connecticut: 2016
- Connecticut: 2016
- United States Supreme Court: 2011
- North Carolina: 2004 (inactive)
- New York: 1999
- U.S. District Court of Massachusetts: 1993
- Massachusetts: 1992
Recent Blog Posts
What to Do if My Child Faces School Discipline?
How Can I Get a Pardon in Connecticut?
The Most Important Words When You are Arrested: I WANT A LAWYER
Should I Call a Connecticut Child Protection Lawyer Before Talking to DCF?
Juvenile Defense in Connecticut
Recommendations
- Where to begin, because I didn't when I got arrested and falsely charged with a dui. I called a couple other lawyers and firms and didn't have any good feelings about who I talked to, felt like they just wanted my money. Tamar gave me excellent advise and made me have no worries proceeding forwar...
- Attorney Tamar Birckhead is an extremely dedicated and talented attorney for the underdogs of society. I highly recommend her legal talents and abilities in every respect. (Attorney Radler is formerly Chief of Division of Public Defender Services Psychiatric Defense Unit; currently part time pro...
- I had the opportunity to work with this wonderful lady as well as great attorney ATTORNEY! She is dedicated and loyal to her clients and work! Hands-down she is one of the best attorneys I've ever encountered! No one can ever go wrong with hiring an attorney like the great TAMAR R. Birckhead!
- Tamar is the most caring and understanding person around. She is very dedicated and will do everything possible for a positive outcome for her clients. Doesn't matter what time or day, she always responds as soon as possible. She is the best lawyer around!
- Tamar Birckhead is great to work with, she helped me so much with my case and kept me updated throughout the process until everything was taken care of. Anytime I needed her she was always available and explained things clearly and in great detail. Highly recommended!
- I hired her to help with a situation with my sister. I sent her the information she needed and she let me know her cost. She was very honest and said she would try to get it resolved as quickly as possible and she did. I would recommend her and I will certainly use her service again if need be.
- Tamar is a superb jurist and human being. Her knowledge of procedure and law is unparalleled, and her spirit is unmatched. Tamar exudes compassion for her clients and gives everyone the same level of energy and attention that they deserve. Her 30 years of experience in the legal field provide a g...
- I was referred to Tamar by my custody lawyer for a unjustified dui pullover.From the moment I consulted with Tamar I knew she was on her game and the lawyer for me. The night after I hired her she contacted me and had already been in touch with the PD and DMV for my case. She went above and beyon...
- Attorney Tamar Birckhead is very professional and provided excellent legal advice. Her background as a law professor provides her with a different viewpoint of the interpretation of the laws. She answers questions promptly and explains legal terms in an understandable language. Attorney Birckhead...
- Tamar was a great resource and was very responsive when asked questions.
- You've always been a warm and gentle person. The kindness you exhibit is impeccable and thank you for always having my back. The loyalty you have to doing your duties as a lawyer exceed beyond the average effort an attorney would dedicate to executing their responsibilities. You are one of a k...