Attorney Christopher Opiel graduated in the top five percent of his class from Widener University School of Law in 2014. He was recognized on the Dean’s List for five semesters, in addition to being part of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society. Attorney Opiel served as Staff Editor for Law Review: The Delaware Journal of Corporate Law.
In 2013, a unique internship opportunity with the United States Army Judge Advocate Generals Corps. in Georgia allowed him to cut his teeth in Legal Assistance, Military Justice, and Administrative Law while finding ways to navigate the legal complexities of military life and the impacts on individual servicemen and women. He penned an article featured in “Ask the Judge” for the Fort Stewart newspaper.
Two short years after graduating from law school, Attorney Opiel opened Opiel Law. His journey from academic excellence to building a thriving, solo law practice and representing some of the most challenging cases and clients in federal court at such a young age is nothing short of impressive. One of the most impressive things about Attorney Opiel is how he takes calculated and smart risks that have paid off in business and life. He is extremely self-motivated and holds himself to his own self-imposed high standards, never wavering on who he is at his core and doing the hard work to become better every day. Attorney Opiel brings this same commitment to each case he takes and dives two feet into getting the best results for his clients.
Attorney Opiel has represented indigent federal criminal defendants as a CJA (“Criminal Justice Act”) Panel attorney, and his jurisdictional expertise extends to Pennsylvania State Courts, the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Chris served on the CJA Selection Committee for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, where he is part of determining who is fit to be on the CJA panel.
Although the majority of his work centers on criminal defense and federal crimes, he also helps local clients with business law and real estate/zoning challenges. Attorney Opiel served in his community as the Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor for Fairview Township from 2015 to 2020. He is presently the Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor for Wright Township and Slocum Township. Attorney Opiel also volunteers his time to educate the community about critical legal matters, like the Castle Doctrine, that can impact just about anyone.
Although his professional accomplishments are impressive for a young attorney, personally, he is a thoughtful man of integrity, determination, and perseverance, taking radical accountability for himself and his law firm. He is a huge fan of getting outdoors whenever he can — fishing, hunting, four-wheeling, mountain biking, and traveling.
