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Jacob Alexander Gurwitz

Criminal defense Attorney at Reading, PA

4.7   15 reviews
  • Licensed for 17 years
    State PA
    Acquired 2006
    Status
    Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Jacob

Learn Jacob’s areas of practice.

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Feeney & Gurwitz
500 Court Street
Reading, PA, 19601

Reviews

4.7 / 5.0
  15 customer reviews
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Posted by Chris | December 4, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Absolutely the BEST.
Absolutely the most professional, honest, and skilled lawyer anywhere. RESULTS. No overcharging for busy work. He's popular because he's very skilled at what he does, and got a very serious charge dismissed that I was told was impossible to do more than plead out. If you have him in your choices because of his areas of specialty or location, THIS is your choice. Don't just take my word for it, check out his other reviews.
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Posted by anonymous | April 27, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Mr. Gurwitz is your man
After being charged with theft for what seemed like a harmless college prank, I turned to Mr. Gurwitz with not only my reputation but future career on the line. Mr. Gurwitz suggested we go to trial and I took his advice. Thank God, because Mr. Gurwitz was extremely knowledgeable and professional and got me the verdict we all want to hear. NOT GUILTY!!!
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Posted by Jon | April 26, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Honest
I had an issue with a local PD. A newer officer was assaulting a mentally unstable handcuffed man. I assaulted the officer and was facing felony charges. My bondsman told me Jacob was the best honest lawyer around. I also have a friend who I graduated college with who spoke highly of him. There were no hidden fees. One price if it lasted months or years. I got probation for one year. My goal was to avoid jail time and Jacob met my goal. It was all very smooth .
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Posted by anonymous | February 9, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Look No Further. Mr. Gurwitz is the one.
I had a yearlong nightmare finding myself falsely accused of domestic violence by a vindictive ex-girlfriend. I was charged with aggravated assault (felony), simple assault (M2), reckless endangerment (M3), and harassment. If convicted I stood to lose my house, career, everything! It was mortifying. I have never experienced such betrayal or agonizing fear in my life. I turned to Jacob Gurwitz on the bail bondsman’s enthusiastic recommendation as well as my being wholly impressed with his bio. Our consultation on a Sunday night convinced me he was the man for the job. Through the entire process Mr. Gurwitz has shown me that he is Strategic, Competent, Charismatic, Honest, Captivating, Personable, Humble, Thorough, Funny (when appropriate), and Radiantly Intelligent. A true artist in the dwindling yet elite crowd of real trial lawyers; and an all-around good person. He is honest and frank - after all he is your lawyer, not your therapist. Regardless of my own legal research or hopes, all happened exactly the way Mr. Gurwitz casually and directly said it would. Leading up to trial every single move he makes, information he seeks or releases, questions he asks at the preliminary hearing, subpoenas he issues, motions he files, and the timing of it all is strategically done for the single purpose of making his case on your behalf, at the only time it matters – trial. He executes everything thinking 3 moves ahead like a true chess master, which he coincidentally is. During the jury trial, Mr. Gurwitz had a commanding presence. Whether he was citing applicable case law from memory, impeaching a witness, proving a difficult motive to prove; he made things crystal clear to the jury as he is a brilliant wordsmith and a magnificent communicator. Quick thinking and reacting to all developments in the trial coupled with his photographic memory (I thought he had a stenographer in his head!) and thorough preparation make him very powerful in that courtroom. Mr. Gurwitz also applies the human factor with emotional intelligence; adjusting tone, body language, empathy, and directness of questions based on the witness. My accuser’s self-contradicting and ever changing story would have made it easy for a lawyer to point in her face and shout, "liar!" Mr. Gurwitz did not do that. He flawlessly blew her fabrications wide open and showed her dishonesty in a gentle, factual, and elegant manner as to not garnish any sympathy from the jury. He represented me with class, dignity, and integrity. The DA’s office offered me plea deals but I refused to plead guilty to anything that I didn’t do. As a result we went to trial 50 weeks after I was charged. It lasted two days. I was acquitted on both aggravated and simple assault, and then the DA withdrew reckless endangerment and harassment. About 20 of my family and friends were present at the trial for my support. All of them were duly impressed with Jacob’s performance. Specifically my uncle, who has decades of experience as a translator/interpreter. He interpreted several felony trials in Federal and State Courts in NYC with some big shot lawyers involved, some of these trials lasted months. My uncle was extremely impressed with Jacob’s caliber and trial prowess. My family and I cannot recommend him enough! I truly hope nobody finds themselves in a position to witness this master in action, but if you do take comfort in the fact that you are represented by the best. Eternally Grateful, -Yogurts
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Posted by anonymous | January 7, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
He saved our family
My husband was arrested in May, he was falsely accused of two counts of assault on a police officer and reckless endangerment and quite a few misdemeanor charges as well. The police offer stated that he pulled my husband over and when he "spotted something suspicious" in the vehicle, my husband pulled off but not before trying to hit him with the vehicle. My husband was not the man they were looking for, but he was facing at least 15 years if found guilty. I should mention that the officer waited a week and a half before he actually arrested my husband for this. We consulted with Jacob Gurwitz and he agreed to take our case. He worked hard to get the DA to bring charges down or get them dismissed altogether. Without going to trail, my husband would have had to do jail time either way. We decided to take it to trail. I sat in the courtroom and watched Mr. Gurwitz work, so it should have been no surprise when the jury returned with a not guilty verdict. My husband was facing some serious jail time for something he did not do and had it not been for Mr. Gurwitz my husband would probably have missed his daughters birthday, along with our 10 year anniversary. Mr. Gurwitz is a no nonsense, straight to the point, won't sugar coat anything, kind of lawyer. Without him, things would probably have turned out differently, and not in a good way. I will be forever grateful to Mr. Gurwitz for all of his hard work.
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Posted by anonymous | December 28, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
You Are The BEST!!
I was charged with two felony counts of IDSI and various misdemeanors. This was after the initial charges were withdrawn and I was re-arrested. Mr. Gurwitz represented me after I had initially contacted another area attorney, who took me for $2000 and did nothing for me and a second who didn't want to look at the case for under $15,000. Mr. Gurwitz was referred to me through a friend and I decided to give him a call. My case dragged out for about 18 months. Mr. Gurwitz met with me every few months or so. He can be short and too the point while meeting with him in person, but if your case goes to trial, he will have you prepared to take the stand. His unique style, his uncanny approach, and his court presence is extraordinary. Mr. Gurwitz is a genious. The smartest and most sauve lawyer I ever met. I heard people tell my family that I hired the best and this was from his peers. That was very comforting under the circumstances I faced. Mr Gurwitz used the preliminary hearing to get the answers he needed and at trial used the same information when my accuser tried to lie on the stand. He squashed her. I was found guilty of a misdemeanor criminal trespass, but found innocent on 6 other charges with various counts, including two felony charges. Mr. Gurwitz is not a counselor, he is a great lawyer. When you hire him keep it professional and he will do the same. Do not look at him as a person who will say it's alright and calm your fears. That is not his job. He will however fight for every client with the same vigor that he did for my case. Mr. Gurwitz knows how to navigate the government BS and get the job done. He will run every angle in his head and attack like a pitbull when necessary. I have nothing but praise for this mans abilities. He is a master of his craft. Take the time to read his bio. It is truly impressive. Thanks again for everything you did for me and my family.
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Posted by anonymous | May 20, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Thank you
I was found indicated for child abuse for disciplining my child by CYS. This was one of the was one of the worst day of my life. With nowhere else to turn, I consulted with attorney Gurwitz who gave me some reassuring words and told me not to accept the label of a child abuser. With time winding down to appeal the decision of indicated, attorney Gurwitz made the decision to request a hearing for my case. At my hearing, attorney Gurwitz defended my right of being a good parent. I was elated when he called me approximately 1 month after the hearing to inform me that we won the case. I had no doubt that we would because he is truly an amazing attorney. He gave me my life back , I don't have to be afraid to apply for qualifying jobs to support my children, as this was my worst fear.
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Posted by Jo | July 12, 2013
thank you
Charged with theft with unlawful taking even thou there was not much he could do he took on my case, he kept me out of jail and had the 2 counts of felony lowered to misdemeanor charges even thou I will have a record for the rest of my life it sure beats 14 yrs in jail and a record THANK YOU MR. GURWITZ !
Posted by chris | May 6, 2013
Honest lawyer
I just returned from speaking with Mr. Gurwitz per a DUI case. I would like to say that although he could have strung me along knowing that there wasn't anything that he could do, Mr. Gurwitz did not. He reviewed the case with me, and told me that there really wasn't anything to be done to help me, that I was hung, so he told me that I should save my money and not pay him to represent me. I respect his honesty and integrity. I highly recommend his services.
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Posted by anonymous | April 15, 2011
Charged with indecent exposure, open lewdness, disorderly conduct in "08"
When I recieved, in the mail, these charges against me in May of "08" I thought my life was over. This incident supposedly happened in Dec."07" on my last drunk. I went to the yellow pages and for some reason Jacob Gurwitz's phone number jumped out at me. I made the call and he sat down with me and asked allot of questions and really got to know me. I was looking at jail time along with the embarrassment. With Jacob by my side and his knowledge of the system i only ended up with probation for two years and my record being expunged. He accomplished this with ARD. I was told that this was very rare. I had alot of questions . Anytime I would call, Jacob would put me at ease with the answers he had given me. This young man knows what he is doing and most of all his honesty is of the utmost. He's a hard working professional that really cares about the people he represents. So if there is a problem in your life that needs to be cleaned up and you feel you have no where to turn just give Jacob a call and he will honestly let you know if he can help you. Most of all I want to personally thank him for what he has done for me
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Posted by anonymous | March 17, 2011
first time offence
first time I had been in trouble and didn't know where to turn. He was very straight with me and told me how it is. Handled everything and went about it smartly. I would call on him if i had anymore problems which I hope never happens again. Thank you sir.
Posted by Trish | January 8, 2011
Outstandingly Honest
As someone who works within the industry daily, I was ultimately impressed by Mr. Gurwitz's honesty, appeal and willingness to be forthright and downright honest about the merits of my case (all within a *FREE* consultation appt.). Additionally, his encouragement that I could represent myself pro se (versus just merely paying legal counsel for a "hand holding fee") was most impressive to me. This commentary is especially important in a world today where EVERYONE seems employed to make a fast buck and take advantage of someone else's naivitivity--or lack of know how in a specific regard!! What a welcome relief and change! I would not hesitate to refer anyone in need of good criminal defense and/or consult to the law firm of Feeney & Gurwitz for the very reason that I experienced. I don't believe you could be disappointed nor was I. .
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Posted by James | April 17, 2010
Excellent Lawyer
In 2009 I was at a crossroad. As many of us do, I found myself asking "how did i get in this situation?" Well, you can't change what has happened. However, you can change what will happen. I was attacked at a bar by a drunk heat seeking missile. As I was attacked something told me to defend myself. During our confrontation I struck the so called victim with my beer bottle. I cut the victim on the forehead and neck. Both cuts needed stitches and he was taken to the hospital. Although I defended myself I'm sure you can imagine the trouble I put myself in. I was charged with agravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and disorderly conduct. All I could think of was "I wonder if Jake Gerwitz can save me once again?" I was facing state prison for the second time and once again Feeny and Gerwitz saved me from going to state prison. The extra effort put in by Jake Gerwitz at my trial paid off. He had all charges dismissed down to a dissorderly conduct. Once again I was saved from state prison by Feeny and Gerwitz.
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Posted by Randall | March 29, 2010
This is the right one.
I have no regrets. These attorney's handled my case well. I recommend them to all who ask.
Posted by anonymous | July 29, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Forced to give one star.
This man took $4000 and did nothing except get us time barred. For $4000 he did not file not one motion that he talked about. He didn't even bother filling for Discovery or transcripts. Nor did he tell us! He showed no remorse for his ineffective council and taking that much money knowing he did absolutely NOTHING. I wouldn't suggest you gamble with your freedom and life!
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 60 minutes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Partner
  • Feeney & Gurwitz LLC
  • 2006 - Present

Education

  • University of Pennsylvania Law School
  • juris doctor
  • 2005
  • University of Texas System, Dallas
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • 2000

Associations

  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
  • Chair Elect
  • 2010 - Present
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, Board of Governors
  • Member
  • 2010 - Present
  • Berks County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2006 - Present
  • Berks County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
  • Member
  • 2006 - Present
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2006 - Present
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
  • Member
  • 2006 - Present
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
  • Zone 2 Coordinator
  • 2007 - 2010
  • Pennsylvania Association for Justice
  • Member
  • 2006 - 2009
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • Spanish
  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Rising Star
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2010
  • James J. Manderino Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy
  • Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association
  • 2005

Speaking Engagements

  • University of Pennsylvania Law School Mock Trial Teams
  • Evidence Seminar for the Penn Law Mock Trial Teams
  • 2010
  • University of Pennsylvania Law School Mock Trial Teams
  • Evidence Seminar for the Penn Law Mock Trial Teams
  • 2009

Attorney endorsements

Received (5)
Given (0)
Endorse Jacob
Criminal defense Attorney | Sep 27
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Jake is a skilled, honest and professional attorney is every aspect. His character, shown in his private life, guides his practice of law."
Criminal defense Attorney | Feb 06
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 14
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Jacob is a very knowledgeable and hard working lawyer. I would not hesitate to recommend him to handle your criminal case."
Criminal defense Attorney | Aug 22
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Jacob is one of the most dedicated and hard working lawyers I have seen. He will never give up on you."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jun 29
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Jacob Gurwitz is a smart, dedicated attorney with an aggressive style. I highly recommend him."
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.