Need to search my local bar assoc to find a lawyer who can fight on my side (defendant) to get a PO removed when it expires. What practice area do I look for?

PO = "protection order"? When it expires it expires. Why do you figure you will have to do anything?

It isn't one of those areas that call for an attorney with a lot of expertise in any specific niche of the law. Any reasonably competent attorney admitted to practice in your state should be able to help you there. If you must put it in a category, I would say "family law". Or a lawyer who emphisizes in criminal law would be good. It has some aspects that are similar.

Any tips on how I can easily discern 'reasonably competent' before hiring? I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

It is my understanding that petitioner can renew it or ask for it to be made permanent? I want to be prepared if that happens. It is months away yet, but I lost the chance to appeal it in the first place due to poor counsel.