$ 150-325 per hour
David J. Harris
About David
Biography
Although I once worked for large and medium sized law firms, I am now a sole practitioner who maintains an office in downtown Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, dedicated primarily to the individual consumer and taxpayer.
I practice in the areas of bankruptcy, tax, estate, business and real estate law and engage in litigation involving those practice areas.
I received a bachelors degree in history from the Pennsylvania State University, a law degree with honors from the University of Miami where I was the recipient of American Jurisprudence awards in Trusts and Estates and Administrative Law and a Master of Laws degree in Taxation from the New York University School of Law.
I am a member of the Bars of the States of Pennsylvania and Florida, and am admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and the United States Tax Court. I have been accorded an “AV” rating, the highest rating in the Martindale-Hubbell law directory. I also serve as a mediator in bankruptcy and estate matters.
I am particularly proud to be a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers.
I serve as well as an officer and on the boards of many civic and charitable organizations.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Bankruptcy and Debt
40%
43 years | 3,000 cases
Tax
20%
43 years | 300 cases
Wills and Living Wills
20%
43 years | 500 cases
Contracts and Agreements
10%
43 years | 1,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Pennsylvania for 39 years
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 1987
No misconduct found
Licensed in Florida for 41 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 1984
No misconduct found
Location
Law Office of David J. Harris
69 Public Square, Suite 700, Wilkes Barre, PA, 18701-2515
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
David J. Harris's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
33 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (33)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by Ashley | July 29, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Tax
Highly recommended
I had a complicated legal situation and went to David Harris. It was my first time working with a lawyer and he made the experience as seamless and stress-free as possible. David is skilled, kind, responsive, and understanding. He helped me navigate the situation with patience and explained every...
Posted by Nicole | July 16, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Tax
The Best Lawyer in NEPA
I was in a very complicated situation involving an IRS legal matter. David Harris was there every step of the way guiding me in my legal matter. Though the situation was emotional for me on a client level, David remained level headed and guided me forward all the way through to resolution. Once the m...
Posted by Jennifer | January 08, 2018 | Hired Attorney
Excellently Service
Attorney Harris was fantastic. I was so nervous about the entire process. He kept me at ease the whole time, and always reassured me. Highly recommended.
Posted by Brenda | October 15, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Business Owner
Attorney Harris provided accurate information regarding my situation and options available to me. He was professional and made every effort to assist in navigating through this process successfully. His responses to my questions and concerns had also been provided quickly. I would highly recommend ...
Posted by Donna | May 09, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Attorney Harris
Attorney Harris was excellent at describing our options and walking us through every process. He was available when needed and returned calls quickly. He explained everything to us in terms we could understand.
David J. Harris's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have known David for years. As a bankruptcy attorney, I have worked with him and have spent time discussing many bankruptcy issues with him. David is highly regarded for his knowledge in the field of tax law. He is courteous and conscientious with his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Harris is an exceptional attorney. I highly recommend his services."
"David has been a very close friend and mentor whom I deeply respect and admire. David’s knowledge of the law is remarkable, and, as a fellow practitioner, he is someone I reach out to with tough questions. David is always willing to go above and beyond for his clients and for this peers. He treats people with dignity and respect, and I am grateful to know him."
"I endorse this lawyer. David is an excellent attorney. He has a deep understanding of bankruptcy law and business, and uses that knowledge to achieve the best possible outcome for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is an excellent bankruptcy attorney who is very highly respected by his colleagues in the Middle District."
"I endorse this lawyer. A winner!"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I've known Attorney David Harris for over twenty years, having first met him while I was working for the local Chapter 13 Trustee. Our professional relationship has remained since. I never hestitate to turn to David to discuss a difficult bankrutpcy question, as he is very knowledge in all respects in every niche of bankruptcy practice. David's reputation within the bar is outstanding. His ethics and integrity - the highest! With utmost confidence, I endorse Attorney David Harris in all regards, without exception."
"I have been referring my business clients to David for tax and bankruptcy representation for over ten years. In all of that time not once has a client expressed regret over the referral. To the contrary, my clients frequently call me to thank me for recommending David as their tax or bankruptcy counsel. I would never hesitate to recommend David and have even sent members of my own family to him."
"David Harris is an outstanding attorney in the areas of business, tax, bankruptcy and the like. When potential clients call me for these services, I do not hesitate to refer them to David. He is extremely professional, highly competent and a fine gentleman in all respects, one who puts clients at ease with his affable demeanor. In short, he's the best!"
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I had my own bankruptcy practice for several years. I accepted a position with the federal government in 2006 and closed my doors. Since that time, I stil have about a dozen people contact me each year asking for bankruptcy advice. I tell every one of them, without reservation, that I no longer do that type of law and that they should contact David Harris. David is, in my estimation, the best in the business. I have referred close friends and family members to David because there is no bankruptcy attorney I trust more than him. One of these people I referred recently came back to me and said they were amazed by how smart and capable he is. I just smiled and said, "See, I told you so." If you are looking for a bankruptcy attorney, your search should start (and end) with David Harris."
"I endorse this lawyer and the quality of his work without qualification. Dave is conscientious, hard working, knowledgeable and his ethics are beyond reproach. I have never hesitated to refer cases to him and have the utmost confidence in his legal abilities."
"I have known David personally and professionally for many years. Throughout my 30 years of family law practice I have found Dave to be an invaluable resource for both complex bankruptcy and tax matters. He is one of the preeminent bankruptcy attorneys in our region and his client's are well served by his advice, counsel and trial skills."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I have known Dave for many years as a fellow practitioner and as a friend. He is hard-working, intelligent, honest and has the highest degree of integrity I have often sought his advice on matters that we both deal with in the practice of law, and I also often refer to him clients that need advice in areas of the law that I do not normally practice and in particular income tax and bankruptcy law. I would not hesitate to recommend him and endorse him wholeheartedly. His primary fields of law are tax and bankruptcy."
Paul Batyko
Litigation lawyer
Lisa Doran
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Jason Provinzano
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Jonathan Comitz
Litigation lawyer
William Gregory
Litigation lawyer
Joseph McIntyre
Personal injury lawyer
Thomas Ford
Business lawyer
Experience
Honors
1994
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell
1983
Cum Laude, University of Miami
1983
American Jurisprudence Book Award in Administrative Law, American Jursiprudence
1982
American Jurisprudence Book Award in Trust and Estates, American Jurisprudence
Work Experience
1991 - Present
Owner, Law Office Of David J. Harris
1986 - 1991
Associate, Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald, LLP
1985 - 1986
Associate, Mershon, Sawyer, Johnston, Dunwody & Cole
Associations
2005 - Present
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy AttorneysMember
1998 - Present
Middle District Bankruptcy Bar AssociationMember
1986 - Present
Pennsylvania Bar AssociationMember
1986 - Present
Luzerne County Bar Association
1985 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
1984 - Present
Florida Bar Association
1993 - 2002
American Bankruptcy InstituteMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Floyd C. and Marian L. Hoffman v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue
Case Settled By IRS's Withdrawal Of Assessment
Thomas J. Greco v. United States of America
Partial Summary Judgment Granted
Pelliccia v. United States Department of Education
Remand Resulted In Judgment in Favor of Plaintiff
United States of America v. Joseph A. and Phyliss G. Donoto
Bankruptcy Court Decision Affirmed
Theresa M. Carter, et al v. Vilma Tagnani et al
Superior Court Reversed Orphans Court
Marquis Art & Frame v. City of Wilkes-Barre
Held in Favor Of Plaintiff
Education
1985
New York University School of Law
LL.M
1983
University of Miami School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1979
Pennsylvania State University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2018
23rd Annual Bankruptcy Institute
Advanced Stay Relief and Other Contested Matters
2017
22nd Annual Bankruptcy Institute
Treatment of Tax Claims in Chapter 7, 13 and 11
2016
21st Annual Bankruptcy Institute
What Every Consumer Attorney Needs to Know About Tax Issues in Bankruptcy Cases
2015
20th Annual Bankruptcy Insititute
Top 10 Issues Lawyers Face When Filing Personal Bankruptcy for Small Business Owners of Consumer Debtors
2014
19th Annual Middle District Bankruptcy Institute
Taxes and Bankruptcy: Pre-Petition Strategies and Post-Petition Consequences
2011
16th Annual Bankruptcy Insitute
Strategic Uses Of Tax Returns To Prepare A Bankruptcy Petition and Schedules
2010
Nuts and Bolts of Bankruptcy Law
The Basics of Chapter 13
2009
Annual Conference
Mortgage Modification Legislation
2008
Annual Conference
Tax Law in Bankruptcy
2007
Annual Conference
Cramming Down a Car Loan In Bankruptcy
2005
Cutting Edge Estate Planning Techniques
Crummey Trusts
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Income tax attorney about employee status ?
18 Mar 2020
Q&A
IRS says I didn't pay but I have receipts?
13 Mar 2020
Q&A
How to collect from nondebtor codefendant after bankrupt defendant paid bankruptcy plan and the lawsuit claim was discharged?
30 Nov 2009