Smith, Keefe, Moraghan and Waterfall, LLC.

Happy Holidays from our team at Smith, Keefe, Moraghan, and Waterfall, LLC

We are proud to announce that Attorney Moraghan was once again nominated and reccognized for excellence in criminal defense law for the year 2020. He was recognized by the Lawyers of Distinction which is a national organization whose primary mission is to promote excellence and diversity in the legal profession. Attorneys in all fields of practice, including civil and criminal, are recognized. In order to be selected, there is a selection committee that performs independent research, analyzing the work, experience and abilities based upon 12 independent criteria including case results, honors and awards achieved, google reviews, avvo reviews, legal experience, educational background, verdicts and settlements, specific certifications, representative clients, professional activities, community service and lectures, writings and publications. There is also an ethics review and a background check which is then reviewed by the committee and final selections are made. This is the 3rd year that Attorney Moraghan has been awarded and recognized for excellence in the practice of criminal law.

Did you hear an unfamiliar voice on the phone last time you called? That’s Alicia, Attorney David A. Moraghan’s new paralegal. She has 4 years of experience and will be an asset to our team at Smith, Keefe, Moraghan and Waterfall, LLC.

Attorney A. Thomas Waterfall.

WE ARE OPEN. We are meeting with clients on an appointment base only. The doors of our building are secured to protect both the employees and clients. If you have an appointment, please call (860)482-7651 and one of our staff will let you in.

If you are a new client, or someone who is seeking a consultation, please dial (860)482-7651 and we will set up a Telephonic conference, Skype or Facetime Conference if we can.

Again, the law firm is OPEN and will continue to represent you in the same professional manner as we have prior to this virus pandemic.

Attorney Moraghan graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worchester, MA in 1980. He graduated from the Western New England College School of Law in 1983. He was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1983; he was admitted to the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut in 1984; he was admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in 1985, and he was admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States in 2004.
In 1983, he joined the firm of Smith & Keefe in Torrington, CT, and was named a partner in the firm in 1985. Attorney Moraghan has maintained an active trial practice in both criminal and civil litigation. Attorney Moraghan has tried numerous cases in State Courts in Connecticut and in the Federal District Court for the District of Connecticut.
Recently, Attorney Moraghan tried a matter in the United States District Court, United States v. Douglas Lee, where he obtained Not Guilty verdicts for Mr. Lee on charges of murder in connection with a Hobbs Act Robbery, and murder in connection with a kidnapping. Unfortunately, Mr. Lee was convicted of kidnapping resulting in a death, which exposed him to a mandatory minimum life sentence. Attorney Moraghan filed and briefed a Rule 29 Motion for Judgment of Acquittal concerning the kidnapping conviction, and subsequently prevailed on that Motion, and Mr. Lee was released from incarceration on that day.
In addition to a significant and active criminal practice, Attorney Moraghan has also tried and resolved countless numbers of civil cases including personal injury, business litigation, and intentional torts.
Attorney Moraghan was appointed to the CT Bar Examining Committee in 1988, and still remains a member of that Committee, which oversees the State Bar Admission process. He has sat on and chaired numerous hearings concerning applicants’ character & fitness to be admitted to the CT Bar. In addition, Attorney Moraghan served two 2-year terms on the Client Security Fund Committee, which deals with lawyer theft of client funds. Attorney Moraghan was the Vice-Chairman of the Client Security Fund Committee during his final 2-year term. Appointments to both the CT Bar Examining Committee and the Client Security Fund Committee were made by the Judges of the State of CT Superior Court. Attorney Moraghan has also just finished a 2-term appointment to the District Court’s Criminal Justice Act Standing Committee, which monitors the Criminal Justice Act panel, engages in seminars and continuing legal education, reviews applications and qualifications of members currently sitting on and seeking admission to the panel, and works with the District Judges to resolve issues between the panel and various District Judges.
Attorney Moraghan has been a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the National Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He was elected as the President of the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association from 1999 to 2000. Attorney Moraghan also served in various offices in the Litchfield County Bar Association, culminating in his Presidency of the Litchfield County Bar Association in the year 2008. Attorney Moraghan has lectured on various issues for the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and local Bar Associations concerning a wide range of topics on both criminal and civil law.
Attorney Moraghan has also served as a Corporate Counsel for the Town of Wi******er, the Town of Colebrook, and was a Special Designated Corporate Counsel for the City of Torrington, handling matters involving conflicts with the City Attorneys Office. In addition, he was a member of the City of Torrington’s Municipal Building Committee, which undertook studies into the renovation and/or demolition of certain city buildings and properties, including the City Hall. Attorney Moraghan has also been a member of the City of Torrington’s Zoning Board of Appeals for more than 15 years and has been the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals for in excess of 10 years.
Attorney Moraghan has been named one of the Ten Best Attorneys for Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys and has been recognized by the Lawyers of Distinction for Excellence in Criminal Defense Law.

Smith, Keefe, Moraghan and Waterfall, LLC. updated their business hours.

Smith, Keefe, Moraghan and Waterfall, LLC. updated their business hours.

Smith, Keefe, Moraghan and Waterfall, LLC. updated their website address.

Smith, Keefe, Moraghan and Waterfall, LLC. updated their website address.