Joseph D Bernard

Joseph D. Bernard has dedicated over two decades to practicing law in Massachusetts, with a specialized focus on OUI defense. His expertise encompasses the scientific analysis of impairment, as well as the forensic standards governing breath and blood testing for alcohol and drugs. Attorney Bernard has played a pivotal role as the lead defense counsel in the landmark case Commonwealth v. Ananias, et. al., 1248CR001075. In this statewide litigation, he successfully challenged the scientific reliability of breath testing, leading to the exclusion of breath test results for eight years due to exposed misconduct at the Massachusetts Crime Laboratory.

Attorney Bernard stands out as the only lawyer in Massachusetts to have completed the prestigious Robert F. Borkenstein courses in both alcohol and drugs. These courses cover essential topics such as pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and the effects of substances, as well as forensic laboratory standards and advancements in impairment testing. His education is further enhanced by multiple courses in gas chromatography and standardized field sobriety testing.

In recognition of his legal acumen, Attorney Bernard was nationally recognized for Trial Advocacy by the National College of DUI Defense in 2018. He was also named Lawyer of the Year by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and honored with the Kent B. Smith Award by the Hampden County Bar Association for his contributions to criminal law. His work has been featured in the New York Times television series The Weekly and the Boston Globe.

As an author, Attorney Bernard contributed to the Massachusetts practice series volume 50 on Drunk Driving Defense, published by West – Thompson Reuter.