Thursday, September 18, 2025
John P. “Jack” O’Hale was presented with the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award on September 18, 2025 at a ceremony at the State Bar Building in Raleigh, North Carolina. State Bar President Matthew W. Smith presented the award.
Admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 1970, Jack O’Hale is a 1975 graduate of the UNC School of Law and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court; the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals; the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of North Carolina; and all North Carolina Courts.
Mr. O’Hale has nearly 50 years of experience representing individuals and businesses in criminal and civil cases across North Carolina, throughout the Eastern United States, and in federal courts. He has defended clients in cases involving allegations of fraud, tax crimes, customs violations, environmental crimes, money laundering, drug offenses, and murder. He also has represented clients in high-stakes civil matters in both North Carolina state courts and federal courts.
A Board-Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Law since 1993 and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Mr. O’Hale has tried more than 100 jury cases, demonstrating skill at the highest level and fearless advocacy guided by integrity, wit, and professionalism. For the past eight years, he has been nationally ranked by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Since 1995, he has consistently been recognized in Best Lawyers in America, has been named Lawyer of the Year, and his firm, John P. O’Hale, P.A., was recognized as one of the Best Criminal Defense Firms in North Carolina.
Mr. O’Hale’s career reflects the highest ideals of the legal profession. He has served as an esteemed legal educator, presenting Continuing Legal Education at UNC, Duke, and Wake Forest Schools of Law, mentoring countless young attorneys, and playing a pivotal role in implementing the first Board Certifications for North Carolina lawyers — developing programs, preparing exams, and grading them — thereby elevating professional standards for the entire bar.
Throughout his career, Mr. O’Hale has devoted time and resources to ensure equal access to justice and to serve the public good. He has taken on cases others would not, often for little or no fee, particularly for churches, fire departments, and law enforcement officers. He has championed diversity in hiring and mentoring, giving opportunities to many who might otherwise have been overlooked, including a retired school teacher, a disabled Marine veteran, and an African-American receptionist, all of whom achieved success in their respective fields. These efforts demonstrate Mr. O’Hale’s leadership in service to the community, legal institutions, and the public interest.
Mr. O’Hale has also distinguished himself in civic life. He served two terms on the Johnston County Board of Education (2000–2009), where his fairness, diligence, and sound judgment guided key financial and policy decisions for the benefit of local schools. He also served on the UNC School of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors and the UNC Board of Visitors, reflecting his lifelong commitment to civic leadership and legal education.
Throughout his career, Mr. O’Hale has been honored with numerous accolades, including the Wade M. Smith Award for Criminal Defense Attorney of the Year (2014, sometimes cited as 2019), recognition in Super Lawyers (Top 10 in NC, Top 25 in Raleigh, Top 100 in NC), Legal Elite, and Best Lawyers in America. He is widely lauded for his honesty, civility, and insightful legal acumen, earning the respect of colleagues, judges, and clients alike. He is considered a “complete lawyer,” known for his knowledge, courtroom skill, mentorship, and integrity.
Mr. O’Hale’s distinguished career includes extensive trial experience in both criminal and civil matters, and he is frequently sought by Superior Court judges for complex indigent cases. He is celebrated as one of the top criminal defense lawyers in the country, a mentor to generations of attorneys, and a lawyer whose wit, fearlessness, and integrity have left an indelible mark on the profession. His devotion to law and humanity, shaped by his Catholic upbringing, is reflected in his lifelong commitment to service, mentorship, and advocacy.
For these reasons, and in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the legal profession, his community, and the people of North Carolina, the North Carolina State Bar is proud to present John P. “Jack” O’Hale with the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award.
