Outstanding Defense Lawyers For Tough Criminal Cases

Carolyn Ingalls Keeley

Of Counsel to The Worthington Law Centre

Carolyn Keeley joined the Worthington Law Centre in 2005 after working at the Monterey County District Attorney’s office for 20 years.

After graduating from the University of Santa Clara Law School in 1979, she worked as a Monterey County Deputy District Attorney for eight years, handling misdemeanors, felonies and juvenile cases. She then practiced civil litigation for three years at the Carmel firm of Heisinger and Buck. In 2001, Mrs. Keeley returned to the District Attorney’s office as one of two Assistant District Attorneys, second in command to the elected District Attorney. During her 12 years as Assistant District Attorney, she both supervised and prosecuted misdemeanors, major felonies, sexual assault, domestic violence, juvenile, Afconsumer protection, elder abuse and welfare fraud cases. She was in charge of the District Attorney Office’s continuing education, and participated in many community outreach programs.

In 2003, she received a certificate of recognition from the Monterey County Peace Officer’s Association for her successful prosecution of Treandous Cotton, who was convicted of two murders in Seaside, California and is currently serving life in prison.

Since she joined the Worthington Law Centre, Mrs. Keeley has represented clients who have been charged with offenses as varied as traffic offenses to multiple gang related murders, some of which are chronicled in our Notable Cases section. During her career, she has done over 155 jury trials, and continues to carry a caseload involving misdemeanors, juvenile cases, and felonies.

Mrs. Keeley is admitted to the California State Bar, which permits her to practice in all California trial courts and in the California Supreme Court. While working as a District Attorney, she was a member of the California District Attorney’s Association. She is currently a member of the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice and California Public Defender’s Association.

Mrs. Keeley and her husband have lived in the Monterey area for over 30 years where they raised their two children. Mrs. Keeley has always been active in the community, presently being a member of Monterey Rotary Club and Aria Women’s Choir.

AREAS OF PRACTICE:
Criminal Trial Practice
Felony & Misdemeanor Cases (White Collar & Non-White Collar Crimes)

BAR ADMISSIONS:
State Bar of California
Admitted to practice law in:

  • California trial courts
  • California Court of Appeal-Sixth District
  • California Supreme Court

United States District Court – Northern District of California

Monterey County Bar

EDUCATION:
Juris Doctorate, Santa Clara University School of Law, Santa Clara, CA

Bachelor of Arts in English and History, University of Illinois, Chicago, Ill

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS:

  • California Attorneys for Criminal Justice (CACJ)
  • California Public Defender’s Association (CPDA)

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS:

  • Rotary Club of Monterey
  • Arial Choral Group

PAST EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS:

  • Monterey County District Attorney’s Office: 1980-2005
  • Heisinger & Buck, Carmel, CA

Notable Cases & Results

Attorney Brian M. Worthington
  • Dismissed Domestic Violence Allegation
  • Reduced to Misdemeanor; No Jail Time Imposed. Possession of Assault Weapon
  • Probation, Home Confinement and No Sex-Offender Man Accused of Using Craig's List to Contact Minor for Sex
  • Dismissed Rape Charges
  • Probation Molest Victim Charged with Attempted Murder of His Assailant
  • Convicted of Lesser Offense Voluntary Manslaughter
    Coach from Robert Louis Stevenson School Charged with Murder of His Daughter's Boyfriend Convicted of Lesser Offense of Voluntary Manslaughter
  • Misdemeanor Treatment with Probation and No Jail Local Retired Dentist Charged with Felony Child Endangerment Facing a Six Year Prison Term
  • Probation and Only One Strike 18-Year-Old Young Man Facing Six Years in State Prison and Two Strikes
  • Probation 28 Year Old Salinas Man Facing 13 Years in State Prison for Weapons Charges with Gang Enhancements
  • Not Guilty Verdicts Sleep Technician Accused of Touching Patients in a Sexual Manner
    Sleep Technician Accused of Touching Patients in a Sexual Manner Receives Not Guilty Verdicts on All Charges Except One Resulting in a Hung Jury

Our Testimonials

What Our Clients Have to Say
  • “I can’t express enough how satisfied I was with your services and your professional staff. ”

    Former Client

  • “Hard work, diligence and perseverance. ”

    Scott

  • “On behalf of my entire family, thank you so much, Brian, for your amazing efforts and superhuman compassion as you shepherded us through this awful experience.”

    James K.

  • “Tom and Brian Worthington are the real deal!”

    Nick B.

  • “No words can truly express our complete satisfaction with their services.”

    Hipolity & Leticia M.

  • “I was glad I called Tom & his group”

    Mel Jenkins

  • “I feel fortunate that I made the best decision to hire Tom Worthington”

    Sandy K.

  • “I personally feel you did a superb job, and I thank you once again. ”

    Mario C.

  • “Successful results with my criminal case that was my concern.”

    Mrs. Cortez

  • “My family and I will never forget all that you and your staff have done for us.”

    August J S.

  • “Worthington law firm worked at providing the highest quality of professionalism and attention to detail that I needed to prove my innocence and to win my case.”

    Darla M.

  • “From the very beginning of my legal tribulation, Mr. Brian Worthington and his team- showed genuine interest.”

    Lee

  • “The hard work, your time, your perseverance, your dedication and your efforts, helped in the end result of Emma’s Case.”

    Guadalupe B.

  • “This has been anxiety-filled process, but we could not imagine having hired a better firm to get us though this process. Our gratitude for everything.”

    John & Cynthia B.