Christopher Opiel

After graduating in the top five percent of his class from Widener University School of Law in 2014, Christopher Opiel, Esq. opened Opiel Law two short years later. 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. 

Chris is a graduate of King's College, McGowan School of Business. He was recognized on the Dean's List for six semesters on the path to earning his Accounting degree. At King’s, he was involved in the Pre-Law Society and Accounting Association, played football, and served as a peer tutor. 

While in law school, 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 and served as Staff Editor at Law Review: The Delaware Journal of Corporate Law. 

One of the most impressive things about Chris 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. Chris brings this same commitment to each case he takes and dives two feet in to get the best results for his clients. 

In federal court, the stakes are unbelievably high; verdicts can be life-changing. Chris navigates the complexities of the law, client personalities, and each individual situation with the wisdom and confidence of someone much older. 

He has represented indigent federal criminal defendants as a CJA Panel attorney, and his jurisdictional expertise extends to Pennsylvania State Courts, the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the United States Virgin Islands. Chris also serves on the CJA Selection Committee for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

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. Chris served his community as the Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor for Fairview Township from 2015 to 2020. He is presently the Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor and UCC Solicitor for Wright Township, the Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor and Planning Commission Solicitor for Slocum Township, the Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor for Dorrance Township, and the UCC Solicitor for Honesdale Borough. Chris 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 always making time for his family and closest friends. He is a huge fan of getting outdoors whenever he can — fishing, hunting, four-wheeling, and mountain biking — and traveling.