Premier Defense Group is a law firm that focuses exclusively on defending individuals in multiple states who have been accused of committing sexual crimes. It was created in 2009 by Attorney Tom Pavlinic as an extension of his Annapolis, Maryland law firm: The Law Offices of Thomas A. Pavlinic.
Prior to forming the Group, Attorney Pavlinic had spent over ten years exclusively representing clients in Maryland and throughout the country who were accused of sexual crimes. After finding success in working in multiple states with other lawyers, Tom formed Premier Defense Group which implemented the “team approach.”
The Group currently includes Attorney Tom Pavlinic who is licensed in Maryland, and select criminal lawyers who are licensed in states across the country.
The Team Approach
Due to the complex nature and severe penalties associated with cases involving alleged sexual crimes, Tom developed a unique team-based approach to ensure the strongest possible representation for his clients.
To see how a “team approach” has benefited former clients in 14 states, please review our case summaries on the results page.
From 2009 to 2024, Tom implemented this approach by serving as lead counsel in every case, working with a local Group lawyer who served as co-counsel. Now, after 50 years of practicing law, he continues his commitment to his life’s work and to the Group in a new role.
When you hire Premier Defense Group, Tom will select the local Group attorney who will be your counsel of record, handling every aspect of your case from start to finish. Additionally, Tom will strategize with that attorney throughout your case, ensuring your defense benefits from his expertise, insight and guidance.
Each of the Group’s lawyers who will serve as counsel of record has been “hand-picked” by Tom, and has previously worked with him. These lawyers maintain their own independent law firms, but collaborate with Tom in sex crimes cases in their respective jurisdictions. Each lawyer adheres to certain legal standards, holds a strong reputation and proven track record within their home state jurisdiction. Each also possesses extensive experience with the unique sexual offense laws, rules of evidence, and court procedures of their jurisdiction.
Thomas A. Pavlinic
Group Leader, Criminal Defense Attorney, Licensed in Maryland
Tom is the leader of Premier Defense Group. He has over 50 years of criminal defense experience. For the last 30+ years has focused solely upon cases involving alleged sex crimes. Tom is admitted to the Maryland Bar and has achieved case victories for clients not only throughout Maryland, but also in multiple other states by working as pro hac vice counsel. He has prevailed in numerous trials across the country in which his clients were wrongly accused of committing sex offenses against minors and adults. He has also been admitted pro hac vice as Amicus Curiae counsel for the False Memory Syndrome Foundation on briefs submitted to, and accepted by, the Supreme Courts of 12 states.
[Read About Tom’s Extensive Experience in Sex Crimes Cases]
Andrew V. Jezic
Local Counsel, Criminal Defense Attorney, Licensed in Maryland
Andrew V. Jezic serves as the Group’s counsel of record for all Maryland cases, bringing over three decades of experience to the team. As a former prosecutor, he possesses an in-depth understanding of both sides of the legal system which gives him a distinct advantage when defending complex sex crime cases. His undefeated record in 15 child abuse jury trials in Montgomery County between 2008 and 2023 underscores his expertise. Throughout his distinguished career, Andy has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional representation in some of the most sensitive and challenging cases, including allegations of sexual assault, child sexual abuse, and other sex-related charges. He garnered national attention in the high-profile “Rockville High School Rape” case, where all charges against his client were dismissed despite intense media scrutiny. Attorney Jezic is a past president of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys’ Association; co-author of the widely respected 1700-page book “Maryland Law of Confessions”; a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a 4-time recipient of the Top 10 Maryland Lawyers award by Super Lawyers.
Nellie King
Local Counsel, Criminal Defense Attorney, Licensed in Florida
Attorney Nellie King is admitted to practice in Florida, as well as the United States District Courts for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. She graduated from Nova Southeastern University Law School, and since 1996 has practiced in the field of criminal law at the both the state and federal levels. In 2011-2012, she served as President of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. In 2012, Ms. King was elected to the Board of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Attorney Nellie King is a highly decorated veteran of the court room, and currently practices in West Palm Beach where she focuses exclusively on complex criminal defense cases.
Ryan M. Cardoso
Local Counsel, Criminal Defense Attorney, Licensed in Florida
Ryan M. Cardoso graduated from the University of Florida with honors and has been practicing law since 2003. Part of his practice focuses on cases involving allegations of child sexual abuse. He has had success defending these cases at trial, and through negotiated plea agreements, by conducting exhaustive investigations of the facts and circumstances of each case. Ryan has extensive knowledge of the investigative process in which a child’s allegation of sexual abuse is reported, documented, and presented at trial. He consults with experts from various disciplines to analyze scientific issues raised by the evidence and is not embarrassed to ask the tough questions that must be answered to successfully defend your reputation and your future. Ryan makes sure that each of his clients receive the highest quality defense that he can provide.
Patrick Jennings
Local Counsel, Criminal Defense Attorney, Licensed in New York and New Jersey
Award-winning attorney Patrick Jennings is admitted to practice in the States of New York and New Jersey and is also certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney. A graduate of Rutgers University where he earned his Juris Doctorate, Mr. Jennings has extensive trial experience in a wide variety of criminal law including federal crimes, sexual assault, violent crimes, fraud, extortion, computer crimes and appeals. He also has experience in civil and personal injury matters.With 20 years of trial experience, Mr. Jennings brings a rare combination of experience in criminal and civil law at the state, federal and appellate courts. His clients have included the National Football Association in the civil area of his practice and numerous high profile clients in criminal law.
Heather Barbieri
Local Counsel, Criminal Defense Attorney, Licensed in Texas
Heather Barbieri is a Board Certified Criminal Defense Lawyer in Plano, Texas. Her 15-year practice focuses on state and federal criminal trials and appeals. She received her law degree from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, where she was a Notes and Comments Editor for the Law Review. Heather is the Past President of the Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. She is a Board Member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. Heather is a Graduate of Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College, and attends the Graduate Course annually in Wyoming. She also serves as faculty on TCDLA’s Texas Criminal Trial College, and CAIL’s Criminal Defense Trials Skills Program and Military Defense Counsel Trial Litigation Program. She has served on the Dallas Bar Association’s Publications Committee, and has had two articles published in the Dallas Bar Association’s Headnotes. Heather was also selected to Super Lawyers: 2013 – 2018, and was selected to Rising Stars: 2011 – 2012.
Jim Wronko
Local Counsel, Criminal Defense Attorney, Licensed in New Jersey
Over the past 30+ years, James Wronko has tried over 150 jury trials to verdict. He has appeared in the Superior Court in each county of New Jersey. He is a regular guest commentator and analyst on the Court/Tru Television Network. He has tried numerous types of cases including but not limited to Sexual Offenses, White Collar crimes, drug and homicide cases including death penalty murder cases. He has handled numerous appellate cases with dozens of published cases including New Jersey Supreme court ones. Mr. Wronko graduated from Seton Hall Law School in 1982. He was admitted to the Bar of the State of New Jersey and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey in 1982. After a year in private practice, he joined the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Division of Criminal Justice as a Deputy Attorney General. He left to become Assistant Somerset County Prosecutor in 1989. After 10 years prosecuting cases, he entered private practice to defend the rights of individuals charged with criminal offenses. He also lectures newly admitted attorneys on criminal law on behalf of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Institute for Continuing Legal Education.
Ronald D. Phillips Jr.
Local Counsel, Criminal Defense Attorney, Licensed in Delaware
Ron has been practicing criminal defense for more than 20 years in Delaware and has tried cases in every State and Local Court as well as in the Federal Court for the District of Delaware. He has tried hundreds of cases and approaches every case with practical insight that demonstrates both sensitivity and understanding of the problems and challenges facing his client.
Jeffrey G. Burcham
Local Counsel, Criminal Defense Attorney, Licensed in Virginia and West Virginia
Jeffrey G. Burcham attended The George Washington University at Washington, D.C., from which he was graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science in 1981, and Pepperdine University School of Law at Malibu, California, from which he earned a Juris Doctor degree in 1985. He is admitted to the State Bars of California (inactive), West Virginia (active), and Virginia (associate). Mr. Burcham was appointed by the Honorable Gaston Caperton, Governor of West Virginia, to serve as the Region 20 Family Law Master for the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, which office he held from August 1, 1989 until December 31, 1992. Since then, he has been engaged in the private practice of law, with emphasis on general civil and criminal litigation. He is a member of the Berkeley County Bar Association, Tri-County (WV) Family Bar Association, and Phi Delta Phi Legal Honors Society.
States Where We Have Successfully Represented Clients
We have achieved successful case results for clients in the following jurisdictions (listed in alphabetical order): Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Vermont, Texas and Washington D.C. We also have successfully represented military members in courts-martial proceedings convened by the Army and Navy.
Contact Premier Defense Group
If you would like to discuss the possibility of retaining us for your case, please call 800-993-0632 or use our contact form. Our phone is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Premier Defense Group
1906 Towne Centre Boulevard, Suite 265
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: 800-993-0632
Fax: 410-266-9710
Email: info@premierdefensegroup.com
