If you’ve been following the true-crime-turned-legal-thriller that is the Karen Read case, you know the names. Alan Jackson. Yannetti. Proctor. But lately, one name has been popping up in court filings and local news segments that feels like a glitch in the Matrix: Victoria George.
Wait. Wasn't she on the jury?
Yes. That’s exactly why everyone is talking. Victoria George, attorney Massachusetts based and recently admitted to the bar, has moved from the jury box to the defense table in one of the most sensational murder trials in New England history. It’s the kind of thing that sounds like a plot point from a John Grisham novel, but in the Norfolk County Superior Court, it’s just another Tuesday.
The Juror Who Became the Lawyer
Let’s clear up the confusion because the timeline is wild. Victoria George (formerly Victoria Brophey George) wasn't just some random lawyer who showed up for a job. During the first Karen Read trial—the one that ended in a hung jury and a mistrial in the summer of 2024—George was actually Juror No. 6.
She sat through weeks of testimony. She saw the "Free Karen Read" shirts outside. She heard the grueling details about the death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe. But on the final day, right before deliberations started, she was pulled as an alternate. She never got to vote.
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Fast forward to 2025. She’s no longer sitting in the gallery or the jury box. She is a licensed attorney working for David Yannetti’s law firm. Talk about a career pivot.
Why This Matters (and Why It’s Legal)
Honestly, when news broke that a former juror was joining the defense team for the retrial, people lost their minds. Is it ethical? Is it even allowed?
In Massachusetts, the rules of professional conduct are pretty specific. Generally, a lawyer can’t represent someone in a matter where they acted as a judge or "adjudicative officer." But a juror who didn't actually deliberate? That’s a gray area that the defense team navigated carefully. Since George was an alternate and didn't participate in the final verdict (or lack thereof), the legal hurdles were manageable.
Basically, she has a perspective no other lawyer in the world has: she knows exactly how the evidence landed with the people in those seats. She saw which witnesses looked shifty and which ones felt "real" from the perspective of the twelve people who actually matter.
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Victoria George’s Professional Background
Before she was the "Juror Lawyer," Victoria Brophey George was building a solid foundation in labor and employment law. She’s not just a headline; she’s a Princeton grad with a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law.
Before joining the Yannetti team, she was an associate at Morgan, Brown & Joy, a heavy-hitting Boston firm. There, she wasn't dealing with murder charges. She was focused on:
- Workplace discrimination and harassment claims.
- Wage and hour disputes.
- Developing internal corporate policies.
- Defending employers against litigation.
She even spent time as a judicial intern for the Honorable Nathaniel M. Gorton at the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. She knows her way around a federal courtroom just as well as a state one.
The Strategy Shift
Why would David Yannetti and the rest of the Read defense team bring her on? It’s not just for the PR—though the PR is definitely interesting.
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It’s about the "inside baseball" of the first trial. George can tell the team which parts of the "McAlbert" conspiracy theory resonated and which parts felt like a stretch. She lived the experience of a juror for months. In a case where the "vibe" of the jury is everything, having a former juror on staff is like having the opponent's playbook.
What People Get Wrong About Her Role
There’s a misconception that she’s going to be standing up and cross-examining State Troopers every day. While she is a fully licensed attorney, her role in the high-profile Read retrial is likely more about strategy, research, and trial prep.
She's an asset because of her unique vantage point. Think of her as a "jury consultant" who also happens to be a brilliant legal mind.
Practical Insights for the Public
If you’re looking for Victoria George because you need legal help, it’s important to know her current focus. She is deeply embedded in high-stakes litigation now.
- Check the Firm: She is currently associated with the Law Offices of David Yannetti in Boston. If you’re looking for employment law advice—her original specialty—you might find she’s a bit busy with the trial of the century right now.
- Verify Status: You can always check the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers (BBO) to verify any attorney's standing. George is listed under her full name, Victoria Brophey George.
- Understand the Conflict: If you were involved in the first Read trial in any capacity, she (and her firm) likely can't represent you due to conflict-of-interest rules.
The move from juror to defense attorney is rare, but Victoria George has proven that the transition is possible if you have the credentials to back it up. She’s no longer just watching the trial; she’s shaping the way it ends.
Next Steps:
If you are tracking the progress of the Karen Read retrial, keep an eye on the defense filings signed by the Yannetti firm. You’ll see George’s influence in the way they frame evidence to appeal to the "common sense" of the new jury—a sense she knows better than anyone. For those needing employment-related legal counsel in Boston, researching her previous work at Morgan, Brown & Joy provides a clear picture of her expertise in workplace compliance and litigation defense.