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Celebrating 20 Years

2023 Best of Cumberland

25 Years’ Experience in Criminal Law

We have defended those under investigation or accused of crimes in courts across Pennsylvania. Our lawyers are certified to defend death penalty cases in state and federal courts.

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Abom & Kutulakis Attorneys at Law in Carlisle

Our Practice Areas

Criminal Defense

Whether it is your liberty, job, driving privileges, or your reputation at stake, our defense attorneys will fight on your behalf.

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Family Law

Our caring lawyers understand the difficult and complex issues in family legal matters. They will help you make decisions that protect your family and your future.

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Children & Youth

We defend against reported child abuse and Child Protective Services investigations, and we will fight for your parental rights. We can facilitate the return of your child from county custody.

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Wills, Trusts & Estates

Our team provides careful and compassionate planning that allows you to pass on the legacy you have built during your lifetime of hard work.

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Abom & Kutulakis Attorneys at Law in Carlisle

Here’s What Our Clients Are Saying

Attorney Todd "TR" Williams helped me secure a good outcome in a tricky situation that involved a vehicle issue and communication with a state police trooper. He has excellent experience in previously being a magisterial district judge, as well assistant district attorney and public defender. Very friendly and personable.
C – Client
There aren’t enough words to describe how thankful we are with how Attorney Stephanie Cesare represented our son in his case. Coming from another state was a little challenging but once we met Stephanie we just knew we were going to be represented by the best. Great personality and shows that she cares for her clients. She’s will fight for justice and she kicked a— while doing so. If you’re looking for an attorney to represent you well and win she is the way to go. Very flexible as well. Not to mention all of the staff were met in the office were very professional and helped a lot as well.
C – Client
Attorney Stephanie Cesare is great, she is easy to communicate with and very flexible with her clients and also makes them feel comfortable. Hiring Stephanie could have been the best decision throughout my process when looking for an attorney to hire. If you are looking for an attorney that’s going to win you a case, she is the route to go. I 100% recommend Stephanie Cesare. 10/10 for her service. Thank you!
C – Client
Todd "TR" Williams is a great attorney. My husband and I utilized him and the case went better than we had anticipated - best case scenario. TR worked diligently and communicated effectively. We will forever recommend him to anyone, and utilize him if we ever need an attorney for anything.
Holli – Client
Shannon Costa is an amazing attorney. I highly recommend her if you are getting a divorce. She was able to negotiate and get me everything I wanted. You will not be disappointed with her work!
Jonathan – Client
Attorney Erin Kraska is the best. From the first moment, I knew I chose the most qualified and trustworthy person to handle my nightmare with CYS and the expungement of findings in my situation. Not only did Erin know what to focus on from day one, she was always upfront and honest throughout the whole process. Her experience as a prosecutor aides in knowing what the focus should be. Anytime I had questions, she was a phone call away to ease my worries! Not only did she do her due diligence behind the scenes, she kept me updated every step of the way! Erin knew how much this situation meant to me and she did not let me down! I no longer have a nightmare hanging over my head impacting my career and my duties as an involved mother. I know I couldn’t have done this with out Erin. I would recommend her to anyone who is in need of caring, knowledgeable and trustworthy representation!
C – Client
Attorney Shannon Costa was very professional, detail oriented, and quick to react to resolve issues involving my divorce. Not only that but she was able to save me thousands with her negotiating skills. She was able to allow me to keep all my retirement. I believe I got everything that I told her I wanted to keep. She is very knowledgeable and, at times, I had to ask for her opinion to make the best decision and I went with it each time, which ultimately helped me in the long run. This is an attorney that you will be able to trust! I highly recommend Shannon in the utmost way.
C – Client
I had worked with Attorney Shannon Costa to navigate the obtuse requirements of having my name legally changed. Shannon met and exceeded my expectations, and made the entire process easy and simple. Her communication was clear and frequent and at no time did I feel that I had been forgotten or was unimportant.
Jon – Client
A super lawyer. Can't say enough about Attorney Stephanie Cesare; she is the best. Very professional, great at her job. If you need a lawyer, do not hesitate to contact her. She is awesome!!!
Harvey – Client
Truly a brutally honest, yet compassionate attorney; a fighter! Attorney Stephanie Cesare has represented me for over three years. From a major criminal case to child custody. She not only understood the gravity of your legal situation but also the weight it puts on both you and your family. Stephanie and her staff were always compassionate during the entire journey. She fought tooth and nail no matter how small the issue while always having your best interest at heart. She will stand up against anything and anyone for the best outcome, both short and long term. I truly believe there's no better choice and would recommend Stephanie and Abom & Kutulakis above all else.
David – Client
I had worked with Attorney Shannon Costa to navigate the obtuse requirements of having my name legally changed. Shannon met and exceeded my expectations and made the entire process easy and simple. Her communication was clear and frequent and at no time did I feel that I had been forgotten or (was) unimportant.
C – Client
Great Attorney that is candid and is reputable: We met Attorney Stephanie Cesare through a recommendation for another lawyer that doesn't handle the Family Law side of things. Stephanie is great at what she does, with dealing with CYS and state agencies and knows her way around the state. I couldn't recommend Stephanie enough for your case as well.
C – Client
Shannon N. Costa has made my process through the court run smoothly. From consultation all the way up to the court hearing she handled everything. She communicated with me through phone calls, emails, and mail. She assured me of everything that was being handled and done. Shannon updated me constantly and consistently with every action that was taken on her end. At the court hearing, it went so fast and smooth, better than I could have ever imagined. We were in and out. I am grateful for all the hard work she put into my case. The one and only minor bump on the road was a miscommunication we had. On my end I was suppose to get a judgment search. However, I looked everywhere and could not find that I was suppose to do that. Until I received an email. Through email was the most communication we had with each other and she immediately clarified what I needed to do. She answered all my questions thoroughly and made sure we were both on the same page. Overall, my experience was a 10/10 recommend.
Kasey – Client
Shannon Costa has been my lawyer for over two years in family law. Anytime that I need to communicate with her for legal matters, she always responds the same day with a few plans of action. I will always hire Shannon to be my lawyer!
Stephanie – Client
Attorney Erin Kraska has been fantastic to work with! My family has had the incredible displeasure of being in a yearlong battle with CYS (Children Youth Services) and fighting some very scary criminal charges. Erin is calm and collected, a very soothing presence. She takes the time to work with clients and explain options and what is going on. I would recommend her to anyone with the misfortune of having to deal with CYS and/or criminal charges. She has a lot of experience, and will put that experience to work for you. Happily, my family is reunited and the charges have since been dropped.
Client
Attorney Shannon Costa was awesome. She helped me with my custody stipulation. She was very understanding and responded quickly. I would highly recommend her to anyone. Thank you Shannon, for everything.
Randy – Client
Pennsylvania's Most Complete Counselor; Shannon Costa is the real deal, a complete package. As someone who works in Harrisburg at the state legislature and being familiar with the broad range and practice areas of attorneys, Shannon is one of the most promising legal minds I've had the pleasure of working with. I retained Shannon's counsel to help me with a trying custody battle and she did not disappoint; never relenting until the goals in my case were won and actualized. What really sets Shannon apart is that in addition to an encyclopedic knowledge of the law, firm professionalism, and sharp strategics, is her unwavering commitment to serve her clients with an unparalleled emotional intelligence. I never once questioned her ability to serve my desired interests and the necessary communication skills to thoroughly understand and be sensitive to those interests. A top-of-her-class scholar, Shannon is the best of the best.
Patrick – Client
Best service!
I contacted Todd R. "TR" Williams after a disaster experience with (another law firm.) TR and his staff provided the most courteous, professional, and timely service I've ever experienced. They acted so quickly, having my mother's services completed in one week! I would recommend TR and his staff to anyone and everyone! I'm still in awe...
Melanie and Mary Ann – Client
Almost two years ago, my son found himself in a situation where he was about to be charged with a serious crime that he did not complete. My family and I decided to hire him an attorney. We met with Mr. (Craig) Kauzlarich and decided to hire him. In the two years, he fought for evidence to help prove my son’s innocence. He has a calm demeanor but during cross examinations and closing argument that was what was needed. I am happy to say today my son got his life back with a Not Guilty verdict and I do not think that would have happened if we had not hired Mr. Kauzlarich. My family and I will always be grateful. I highly recommend anyone looking for a defense attorney to hire Mr. Kauzlarich.
Beverly M. – Client
I must admit that John Abom really impressed me. He is very direct with his consultation. Every thing was explained to me as if I was a colleague. Not a defendant. When it came time to go to work John is a true professional. He really shines in a court room. I personally have his contact information in my cell. And wouldn't hesitate to acquire his services in the future. That being said, John is on my TEAM!!
Jeffrey – Client
My wife and I are extremely grateful for Mr. Abom. His knowledge, and experience, helped our family in a difficult situation. We appreciate his kindness and expertise in getting the verdict we so desperately needed. We are forever grateful for his hard work and dedication.
David – Client
All charges with felony charge included: Dismissed.
Attorney Craig Kauzlarich defended my son from multiple charges including a felony robbery charge alleged when my son was provoked with racial slurs and threw another young man's cellphone. He was knowledgeable, thorough, with a plan on attacking the charges on specific grounds.
Matthew- Family of Client
TR Williams was professional, thorough, and responsive to our questions and concerns. He did a good job negotiating a fair plea deal for my son. We are pleased with the outcome.
Family of Client
Knowledgable and attentive. Great attorney.
I helped my brother handle his family law case, including hiring an attorney. Shannon Costa came highly recommended. Working with Shannon was a joy. She was accommodating of our situation and skillfully handled my brother's case even though we retained her on relatively short notice. She answered all our questions and responded quickly to my emails and phone calls. She was confident and well-prepared for my brother's court date. My brother and I are extremely satisfied with her representation and will be retaining her again should the need arise.
Stephen – family of client
Assisted with my separation agreement. Shannon provided outstanding assistance in helping me evaluate my draft separation agreement. She was knowledgeable, sympathetic and extremely personable. She guided me through a difficult situation and set my mind at ease. Highly recommended.
Mark – client
Best Lawyer in Central Pa! So, back in 2018 I was a drug addict. My addiction led me to committing multiple felonies while I was already on probation. Long story short, I could have lost a lot of time in my life. But Stephanie (Cesare) fought for me the whole way. She helped me address my drug addiction to the courts and got me the help I needed. Because of her, I got the programs I needed to help change my life. I am now 5 years sober, own a house and have my own little family. Before 2018, I had none of that. Stephanie always answered any questions, if I needed advice even in person, she drove the almost hour drive to the jail I was at without hesitation. (Other lawyers I had before her that were 5 minutes from the jail wouldn’t even drive out). Needless to say, I would recommend Stephanie to anyone who needs a lawyer who actually cares about her clients and will fight for them!
Alexander – client
Mr. Abom and his team did not stop until the case was resolved. They have proper accounting for each thing they have to work on, so you can see how your money is being used properly. I cannot say enough good things about Mr Abom and his entire team to do justice to their clean work ethic and drive to resolve the case. He treated me fairly, as if I was a member of this family. That's how comfortable I felt in their office. Their office is warm and inviting. The secretaries are lovely, kind, knowledgeable, and very helpful. I did not feel overwhelmed by their presence, or their environment. They went out of their way to make sure that the root issue of the case was resolved, where there were no loose ends. Thank you, Mr. Abom, and Team. I hope that your business and success is always well. I hope that when people have issues that need resolved, that they call your firm first.
Joseph – Client
My lawyer T.R. Williams was amazing. He always kept in touch and walked me through every step of the way. I looked up on Google where to find an attorney and it led me to him! His assistant was so kind and helpful as well. They have done a terrific job and I couldn’t be happier.
Maria – Client
Attorney Williams defended my son in a case only having hours to get up to speed with his charges. They only met via Zoom video on the day of his hearing. The end result was more than I ever imagined; case closed. No probation, no community service. Other than the court fees, no fines etc. He was released the same day. Thank you so much for bringing this to a quick end for us.
C – Client
I was in a difficult situation. I made a terrible mistake to which other attoneys I consulted with gave me the belief that a state sentence was looming for me. I then went to T.R. Williams and from the start he was thorough and honest but gave me hope. He tirelessly worked with therapists I was going to for my issues. He gathered much needed information to present a strong case for me. In the end, instead of the state sentence that others were saying was pretty much a guarantee, I received a lesser sentence of house arrest and probation. This guy is truly amazing and has given me a new lease on life. His dedication to me and my family cannot be measured by any dollar figure. He is worth every penny. I would highly recommend Mr. Williams. He's the best.
L.L. – Client
When we called the office and said what we needed, Attorney T.R. Williams jumped right in and helped us with the case. He went above and beyond for our case. Even with little hiccups, he never failed us. From finding details every step of the way, to taking all the stress off of us and handling everything, T.R. And his staff were always so pleasant.
J.B. & L.B. – Client
I needed an attorney to go in for me since I am an out-of-state resident. Attorney Williams was able to take care of the hearing for me. If you need an attorney give him a call.
Simranjit – Client
Highly recommended. Attorney Williams got the moving violation resolved with zero points in one appearance. The outcome is very important, however the service that we have received deserves a separate five-star review. The lawyer and the office kept in contact through the whole process, they were 'holding your hand' all the way till disposition. We have discussed the possible approaches and remedies as outcome may always be different. We have been contacted on every reschedule and minor change in the case and were even reminded couple days before hearing. Again, highly recommended.
Cora – Client
Shannon Costa was incredible. She was so invested in my case, and made sure that she answered any questions I had. She took the time to make sure when we went to court, we had all the information we needed/wanted to present. She was only an email away and that was amazing!
Maggie – Client
Craig was very reassuring, articulate, knowledgeable and effective. We were very pleased with his professionalism and confidence. Craig made this process so much easier with his speedy responses and availability. We would definitely recommend him!
Janet – Client
Craig Kauzlarich did a great job exonerating me from my case. He did a great job and I recommend him to anyone who is wrongfully accused of a crime.
Michael – Client
No one ever wants to “need” an attorney. However, that’s exactly where I found myself about 2 years ago. I am an RN and got into a bit of trouble. Mr. Kauzlarich listened to my issued and immediately began assisting me to “right the wrong.” He represented me well to the legal powers that be. I had never been through the legal system before and didn’t know what to expect. Mr. Kauzlarich explained things to me and made the whole process so much easier. Everything he said he would do, he did. All phone calls or emails were answered quickly. It’s been only 2 years since my issues started and today all of the problems have been resolved. Thank goodness I chose Mr. Kauzlarich to represent me. If I ever need legal services again I know who to call.
Client
I hired Shannon Costa for a case. Ms. Costa was able to work quickly and diligently. She responded quickly to any question that I had. She was very caring and personable. Ms. Costa was very knowledgeable and explained the entire process to me. She was amazing and I will be sure to always hire her if I were to need legal help in the future. Ms. Costa was able to get me the outcome that I wanted!
Heather – Client
Very professional and helpful. Attorney Todd Williams Jr. made the process very clear and easy to understand. He took the time to answer any questions I had. And even though I retained him 3 days before my court case he was able to get everything prepared in time. I would 100% recommend Abom & Kutulakis to anyone in need of legal representation.
Trevor – Client
Absolutely a wonderful attorney. He made the defendant look like a total liar. I would hire this attorney again in a heartbeat. Mr. Abom is a caring and considerate attorney. Never underestimate the power he has.
Client
Craig helped me and my family through an extremely stressful and difficult legal issue. He met with us personally at the outset of the case, gave us great advice, and responded to all of our questions within 24 hours. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Client
I cannot speak too highly of Shannon Costa, who did an amazing job of researching our case, drafting the legal motion that was ultimately approved, and communicating to us at every step of the journey. Not only is Shannon extremely competent as an attorney, but she also brings heart and soul to her work. She was always professional, but also personable and empathetic. It was clear to us that her client mattered to her.
Kathy – Client
Ms. Costa was professional, kind and patient with my son who is deaf. When I reached out to her she was warm and very caring, she assisted us with my son getting custody of his children and the ability to move with me to Delaware. I highly recommend her.
Martha – Client
Mr. Kauzlarich is a very good lawyer and he is really the best lawyer I have ever dealt with and besides that, he is a professional and a polite and classy person. He fully understood my position and supported me in the Federal Court. He enjoys the respect of the court and judges. I really can't do enough thanks and gratitude for what he did for me. If you are looking for an excellent lawyer, it is Mr. Kauzlarich.
Nagy – Client
John Abom is an excellent defense attorney. With my case, he educated me on certain aspects of the law that helped to win my court case. He had a creative legal solution to every problem that was thrown our way. What impressed me most was his willingness to listen to his clients and even implement suggestions from his clients. I am very grateful that he was my lawyer on my case. Without John Abom, my life would have been ruined.
Derrick – Client
I found Attorney Abom to be not only knowledgeable of the law and legal system, but also always courteous and most importantly sensitive to my individual circumstances as he guided me through the court process.
David – Client
The process of trying to maximize my involvement in my daughter's life and increase the amount of time I have with her was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I did not know where to turn, what to do, or how I could make it possible. Mrs. Cesare was my saving grace. She guided me through every step of the process. I didn't know what to expect since I have never been in this type of situation before. Her knowledge, experience, and compassion made everything possible and much easier for me. My daughter and I will always know and remember what Mrs. Cesare did for us. My world is now complete because of her.
Robert – Client
Kathy – Client
I met with Shannon Costa on a Friday afternoon and she had our agreement drafted, reviewed, signed and notarized by the following Wednesday! She was extremely helpful and made this process as easy as it could be. As my daughter gets older and changes need to be made I will definitely reach out to Shannon Costa for assistance. Highly recommend her!
Meghan – Client
TR Williams is the best. Got my charges dismissed He knows the law. He informs you of everything that could happen so there’s no surprises.
Kenneth – Client
Attorney Costa assisted with our family case. She is very passionate about her job and supportive of her clients. She is hard working, diligent, and determined; she does her very best to provide nothing short of exceptional representation for her clients. If you need a top notch lawyer, Attorney Costa is the way to go!
Amy – Client
Jay Abom is an Ace in the pocket. He’s a fighter and will fight to win your case. He doesn’t judge you even if it looks ugly and will fight your case to the full extent of the law. The truth will set you free but it’s great to have Jay Abom on your side too. I feel like I have a friend and a counselor for the rest of my life.  
A – Client
From beginning to end seamless and painless! I was treated with respect and not like a criminal by Attorney Jay Abom, the service was exceptional and exceeded all my expectations. No surprises along the way and my schedule was accommodated.
Sani – Client
Best lawyer I've ever worked with. Completely prepared and able to simplify terms and strategies. Felt like Mr. Craig Kauzlarich was on my side, not just trying to rack up billable hours.
Travis – Client
Craig Kauzlarich always was very professional, and genuinely cared about my needs as a client. I was thoroughly happy with his diligence to address new issues that were raised throughout the time he represented me. Even though the plaintiffs were dead set on a felony charge, we worked together and were not satisfied with what they were proposing and through his keen insight he managed to convince the plaintiffs to change their charges to a misdemeanor charge. Through his diligence and his professionalism, this has helped me to maintain a continuous path in my career field.
Keith – Client
We hired Craig Kauzlarich to defend our son. Our son was sick and had a drug problem. A DUI charge turned into far more serious charges. After 17 months Craig was able to have our son plea to probation. Craig was upfront about what our son was facing. I have no doubt that another attorney would have encouraged our son to take the initial offer of almost 2 years in prison. When Craig met our son, he was a young man lost, with a drug problem. Today, he is a sophomore in college, completed 10 months of rehab and has another chance at life.
Joe – Client
I was in need of legal representation for an out of state matter & was referred to Mr. Craig Kauzlarich by my personal attorney. Mr. Kauzlarich was a pleasure to do business with. I could not be more pleased with his representation. I found Craig to be very knowledgeable, easy to speak to, professional and courteous. Excellent communication, follow-up & follow through.
Michael – Client
Danielle – Client
Attorney Linda Clotfelter was always well prepared for our case. She was compassionate and listened to our issues and handled them appropriately. I would definitely recommend her!
Lisa – Client
Attorney Stephanie Cesare was great from the start! I knew from the moment I had my consult with her, that she was the one I wanted to represent me in my case. She was upfront and honest and explained different scenarios that could happen. Stephanie went above and beyond for my case and got things resolved very QUICKLY! What could have been several misdemeanors on my background she got down to one simple citation charge.
Wesley – Client
We appreciated Attorney Stephanie Cesare's thoroughness and enthusiasm in defending our son in a PFA hearing. It was refreshing to have a an attorney that is approachable and quick to address issues that come up. She does an excellent job communicating and keeping the client informed. It was very evident she understands the inner "workings" of the justice system and is knowledgeable about the law. She also does a great job explaining the legal process to the family members involved. It is quite evident she loves what she does.  
David and Justine – Clients
I used Attorney Abom several years ago for a criminal case. He advised me through the case, didn't just tell me what I wanted to hear to drag things out and get more money out of me. I feel he achieved the best results under the circumstances and his fees were fair. Recently, I contacted Attorney Abom again about a driver's license/ DUI situation with trying to get my license reinstated. (I tried several avenues to find out why PennDOT would not reinstate my license for a interlock system.) Within a day Attorney Abom had the answers that I needed, even though it was not what I wanted to hear. He advised against taking it to court and gave only a 10% chance of winning, I think the majority of attorneys may not be this honest to advise this way. Dealing with an attorney is always expensive and not something anyone looks forward to, but it helps if you can fully trust the one you are dealing with!
Denny – Client
I won't go into the specifics of my case but when I went to see Attorney John Abom I was extremely distraught and worried to say the least. John took his time and listened to my concerns carefully and in a genuinely caring way talked with me, calmed me down and put my mind at ease. We discussed the issues at hand and he explained everything and the best case/worst case scenarios in a way I could understand. I could tell he also took a personal interest in my well-being which meant a lot to me. As the case moved through the process John was always available to talk to me and his staff kept me informed of what was happening. I never felt like I was just another "case." John made some great recommendations and offered advice along the way so that when it came time to "face the music" I was as prepared as I could be. It turned out that John was spot-on in his assessment and was able to successfully negotiate an agreement that was far better than anything I expected. And for that I will be forever grateful. I would highly recommend John's firm to anyone needing a competent legal representation. Hopefully I will never need his services again but if I do I would not hesitate to call him.
Steve – Client
Jay Abom's firm did family law work for us several years ago. The work was fantastic, timely and we felt like we had a great advocate in our corner fighting for us. I would highly recommend Jay Abom and his firm.
Carol – Client
Mr. Abom provided excellent service. Because of him, the outcome of my legal case was far better than I had hoped for. He succeeded in getting one of the major charges against me dismissed, and worked on my behalf to get very favorable terms of sentencing. He and his staff were always prompt in responding to my phone calls and emails. He always answered my questions and provided understandable explanations throughout.
Michael – Client
I called Attorney John Abom on a Sunday with intentions of just leaving a message because I never thought he would answer during his personal time regarding an important worrisome heavy-hearted question. He not only took the time to answer my question he also assured me he would double check to make me feel even more comfortable; so, not even 24 hours later he did just that. I could not be happier with his thoughtfulness and unselfishness, certainly a good experience if you’re seeking trustworthy guidance… simply pleased.
Joshua – Client

Abom & Kutulakis Attorneys at Law in Carlisle

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