Deirdre A. Agnew

Born in Philadelphia and raised in Chester County, Deirdre Agnew graduated cum laude from Dickinson College in 1988 with degrees in History and English. After earning her law degree cum laude from Widener University School of Law in 1991, she served as law clerk to the Honorable Charles B. Smith, Common Pleas Court, Chester County until 1992. From 1992 until 1994, Deirdre was law clerk to the Honorable U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles B. Smith. She joined the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company as associate counsel in 1994, a position she retained until 1996. Deirdre founded the Law Offices of Deirdre A. Agnew in December 1996.

Notable cases

Family Reunited- In 2011, Deirdre helped reunite a Mexican couple with their U.S.-born daughters after the parents were deported to Mexico and Chester County Children Youth and Families sought to terminate their parental rights. Since the parents could not travel to the United States to testify, Deirdre arranged for them to appear in court via Skype™ (online conferencing). The case was widely covered by the media as the first use of such technology for testimony in U.S. courts. In July 2011 the parents were awarded custody of their daughters. The children were brought to Mexico where they were reunited with their parents.

BROWN v. MUHLENBERG TOWNSHIP, Kim BROWN; David Brown, H/W, Appellants, v. MUHLENBERG TOWNSHIP - Deirdre brought suit on behalf of the dog owners against a Muhlenberg Township police officer who shot and killed a family dog in an unprovoked incident. This was the first appellate level case in Pennsylvania that ever recognized intentional infliction of emotional distress for the death of a pet. The court also recognized a civil rights case against the officer under the 4th Amendment for seizure of property.

Memberships

Chester County Bar Association

Pennsylvania Bar Association

Doris Jonas Freed American Inn of Court, Master