Tara Leigh Knight, Criminal Defense Attorney in New Haven, Connecticut
Over 36 years of legal practice · focused on Criminal Defense and Personal Injury · 4.7/5 rating from 3 verified client reviews
Managing PartneratKnight & Cerritelli, LLC
New Haven, CT
Practicing criminal defense in New Haven since 1990.
- 36+
- Years practicing
- 4.7 ★
- 3 client reviews
- 1
- Bar admission
Practices in
Are you Tara Leigh Knight?
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Quick answer
Tara Leigh Knight is a managing partner based in New Haven, CT. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense and Personal Injury. Tara has over 36 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Knight & Cerritelli, LLC. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 3 client reviews.
- Based in
- New Haven, CT
- Experience
- over 36 years
- Known for
- Criminal Defense · Personal Injury
- Handles Criminal Defense and Personal Injury matters from New Haven, CT.
- Over 36 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About Tara Leigh Knight: Tara Leigh Knight is a managing partner based in New Haven, CT. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense and Personal Injury. Tara has over 36 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Knight & Cerritelli, LLC. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 3 client reviews.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by Tara Leigh Knight
Tara concentrates on criminal defense and personal injury. Each area below outlines the kind of case Tara handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Criminal Defense
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Personal Injury
View other Personal Injury attorneys
Criminal Defense cases in New Haven, Connecticut
Tara takes criminal defense matters in New Haven, Connecticut. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Tara agrees to represent you.
Personal Injury cases in New Haven, Connecticut
Tara takes personal injury matters in New Haven, Connecticut. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Tara agrees to represent you.
Biography
About Tara Leigh Knight — Over 36 years of Connecticut criminal defense experience
Tara Leigh Knight is a managing partner based in New Haven, CT. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense and Personal Injury. Tara has over 36 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Knight & Cerritelli, LLC. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 3 client reviews.
Tara Leigh Knight is a lawyer practicing criminal defense, personal injury. Tara received a B.A. degree from Fairfield University in 1987, and has been licensed for 36 years. Tara practices at Knight & Cerritelli, LLC in New Haven, CT.
Working with Tara on a criminal defense matter
Tara Leigh Knight is a lawyer practicing criminal defense, personal injury. Tara received a B.A. degree from Fairfield University in 1987, and has been licensed for 36 years. Tara practices at Knight & Cerritelli, LLC in New Haven, CT.
Who Tara represents
Tara reviews new inquiries case-by-case for criminal defense and personal injury matters in New Haven and the surrounding Connecticut area.
Credentials
Tara Leigh Knight's legal education and bar admissions
Suffolk University School of Law
J.D. · 1990
Fairfield University
B.A. English · 1987
Jurisdictions
Tara's state bar admissions
Connecticut U.S. Cou
1990 · ACTIVE
Tara studied at J.D. in Suffolk University School of Law and B.A. English in Fairfield University.
Law school and academic background
Tara completed J.D. in Suffolk University School of Law and B.A. English in Fairfield University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Tara runs in Connecticut is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of Tara Leigh Knight
Tara has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Affiliations
Tara's professional memberships and bar associations
New Haven County and Connecticut Bar Associations
membership
Locations
Tara Leigh Knight's office in New Haven
Tara's primary office is at 2 Lincoln Street, New Haven, CT, 06510. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of Tara Leigh Knight — 4.7/5 rating from 3 verified client reviews
Every review below is from a verified client of Tara. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing criminal defense attorneys in New Haven.
4.7
3 client reviews
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Tara Leigh Knight claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Tara Leigh Knight — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new criminal defense attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Tara usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Tara charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Tara's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Tara will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a criminal defense attorney in New Haven, Connecticut
A short list to run through before you commit: How many criminal defense matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Tara
Tara discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in criminal defense practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every criminal defense matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Tara confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Tara's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many criminal defense practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Tara Leigh Knight
How much does it cost to hire Tara for a criminal defense case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Tara walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Tara offer a free consultation?
Tara charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Tara's office. Some criminal defense attorneys offer free consults — check Tara's current terms during booking.
How long do criminal defense cases in Connecticut typically take?
Simple criminal defense matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Tara gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Tara take my case if I'm outside New Haven?
Tara is licensed in Connecticut. Matters governed by Connecticut law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Tara will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Tara?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Tara will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Tara accepting new criminal defense clients right now?
Tara's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Criminal Defense attorneys serving New Haven, Hartford and Stamford in Connecticut
Tara handles criminal defense matters throughout Connecticut. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified criminal defense attorneys in that community.
More counsel
Other top-rated criminal defense attorneys in Connecticut
If Tara's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these criminal defense attorneys in New Haven handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.





