Harold Mark Garfinkel's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

100 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | 1 star

Posted by anonymous | April 08, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

DO NOT HIRE.

To simply put it, DO NOT HIRE THIS ATTORNEY. Hal, Harold, Mr. Garfinkel, does not care about the people he represents. I was taught better than to write bad reviews about people, but this is well deserved. A good criminal attorney needs to sympathize with their client and take the time to underst...and their client completely because at the of the day you as a client need someone to represent your best interests and advocate for the best outcome. Lawyers need to be compassionate. As a quick disclaimer, I am not a clinically licensed psychologist, but I am able to tell you Mr. Garfinkel does not possess any qualities that a good lawyer should. Between the lack of sympathy and compassion, his huge ego, and an uncanny ability to trip over his own arrogance, it’s a wonder he hasn’t elevated himself to the status of a self-help guru. All jokes aside, I was doomed from the start. The outcome of my situation was terrible. DO NOT HIRE.

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Posted by Kit | October 15, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Federal Crime

He is very unprofessional and a poor criminal defense attorney

He, Hal is very unprofessional and not a good attorney. I read all the reviews of Hal and I was really careful in choosing him. His mistakes and lack of knowledge of Federal law and federal jail hurt me deeply. He miss files things losses evidence and does not do his job. Period. Do not hire him.... If you want the best outcome he is not your man.

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Harold Garfinkel

Replied last October 15, 2019

Mr K: I will refer to you as Mr. K in order to protect your privacy. I would like an opportunity to respond to your review of my legal competency. As you know all to well, I negotiated a tremendous deal for you that would not require you to spend any time in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. All you had to do was not commit any new crimes while on bond which you were not able to do. As I am sure you remember, while on bond for your pending Fraud case, you committed additional federal fraud crimes which destroyed our deal that I had spend more than a year negotiating on your behalf. You need to take responsibility for your actions. Your current legal situation is the direct result of your inability to control your impulses and NOT commit new federal criminal offenses. I wish you luck in the future and I hope you grow in maturity and wisdom and take responsibility for your actions and not blame the world for your bad choices. Respectfully submitted, Hal M. Garfinkel

Posted by anonymous | October 30, 2017 | Hired Attorney

Should be disbarred

Hal Garfinkel is only concerned with 2 things- himself, and your money. I hired him a year ago for my case and fired him within a few weeks. He is leasing office space in a beautiful building, but has a small windowless office the size of a closet. He does not know the law and these reviews are al...l staged. Do not waste your time with this guy as you will be very disappointed in all aspects- his appearance, attitude, knowledge and ethics.

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Harold Garfinkel

Replied last October 24, 2017

Dear Mr. K: From the moment I was hired as your criminal defense counsel, the two things I was most concerned with was your pending criminal case and your serious mental health issue as evidenced by your unstable and chaotic behavior which I witnessed on several occassions in the Will County courthouse and at my office during our client meetings. Your inability to control your rage and anger undoubtedly contributed to your legal problems and I sincerely hope that you seek the mental health treatment you so badly need. It is true that I lease a windowless office in a beautiful downtown office building and to be sure, I intentionally chose this space because I did not want to overcharge my clients to cover the excessive costs associated with an unduly large and glamorous office. To my past, present, and future clients, please rest assured that the client reviews posted below are authentic, accurate, and trustworthy as Avvo's prime service to the public is to verify that a client review is real and not phony or spam. Moreover, to anyone taking the time to read this response, I am devoted to the civil rights of my clients and I will do everything within my power to defend and protect your freedom and constitutional rights. Respectfully submitted, Hal M. Garfinkel, Esq.

Posted by anonymous | September 17, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

A lawyer with no integrity

I cannot believe in lack of professionalism Mr. Garfinkel has shown in the case he was hired to represent, by me for a dear family member! He is only good at making deals with DA, scares the client with jail time without any grounds, bragging about his experience and powerful connections.... Once hir...ed he handed the client over to the prosecution on "a silver platter", even though a different outcome has been promised. What a shame! He has ruined not only the life of the defendant, but also the lives of his disabled family members!!! We lost everything because of him! He has incorrectly advised the client (the only provider for a disabled wife and his autistic children) that the unconstitutionally high bail amount cannot be reduced! We were later advised by another experienced attorney, who looked into the case, that wrong advice was given on purpose, to secure his payment! Do not hire this attorney! You will trust him with your life, pay a lot of money and the result will not be in your favor. He only does what benefits his own connections and career. We fired Mr. Garfinkel once realized he did not do a number of important things that were imperative and he has promised to do. Instead he has stated: "It is a mood point now..." What a horrible mess we are in because of him! He has also demonstrated an unprofessional conduct by harassing us once we refused his services! Disappointed beyond belief and determined to go above and beyond to report this incident.

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Harold Garfinkel

Replied last September 17, 2016

To the Author of this revew, This is the real shame of the internet. You are no doubt a competitor of mine who is trying to malign my name with the hope of hurting my practice in order to help yours. Firstly, to your claim that I am, "only good at making deals with the State", let me be clear, I never deal with a State or Federal prosecutor unless I have no choice. I will fight for my client with every last breathe and cell that I have in my body. To set the record straight, I am not currently representing anyone in either State or Federal court with a no bond. That is a lie and you are a fake. With regard to your claim that all I am concerned about is a making a large fee, that is false as I charge a very reasonable fee and my main concern is for the legal and mental health and welfare of my clients. Its interesting that you posted this review under the name anonymous. If you truly were a client of mine, why didnt you post your name. You are a competitor of mine and I'm sorry that you are so desperate that you have to go to such lengths to hurt another persons livelihood. To my past, current, and future clients, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent your legal interests and should the situation arise in the future that you require my services, I pray that our time together will be short and successful. To my future clients, please read the other reviews that have been posted which I assure you are truthful and honest. I am an honest lawyer. I love practicing federal and state criminal defense and I have devoted my life to helping the downtrodden and accused. Its my privilege to be part of such a beautiful profession and should you encounter the need to contact my office, I assure you I will treat you and your family with the utmost respect, dignity, and compassion. Very truly yours, Hal M.Garfinkel

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