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Ted Harvatin
also known as Theodore J. Harvatin
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About Ted
Biography
I was born Benton, Illinois a small coal mining town in southern Illinois. We moved to the Springfield area in 1960-61, when I was about 5.
I attended a small high school outside of Springfield. I obtained my undergraduate degree from Knox College, a small liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois. (The Knox campus houses the only building that still stands at the site of a Lincoln-Douglas debate). I graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1981. I have been in private practice in Springfield since that time.
I enjoy spending time with my son Alex, who was born in 1997. We are both interested in cars (he has very expensive taste) and just about anything else mechanical (my brother and father are both engineers and I think he gets it from them). I am a fairly avid bicyclist, riding about 5,000 miles a year.
Driver's license hearings and DUI are not just "fill in" work for me. They are what I do.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
25%
DUI and DWI
25%
Speeding and Traffic Ticket
25%
Transportation
25%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2024 2022 2021
...
+
9
2016 2012 2010
Licenses
Licensed in Illinois for 44 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 1981
No misconduct found
Location
Harvatin Law Offices
(877) 257-2493
Mobile
1100 South 5th Street, Springfield, IL, 62703
harvatinlaw.com/lawyer-attorney-1137689.htmlGallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Ted online.
Ted Harvatin's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
35 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Professionalism
Posted by Lance | May 03, 2019 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Skilled and Professional Representation. Without question, Highly Recommended
In 2012, I received a DUI and hired a local attorney to represent me throughout the proceedings. Having never been in trouble with the law before, I was largely unfamiliar with the court system. I briefly talked with that attorney once on the phone, then again in-person the morning of the court app...
Posted by Mark | May 03, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
BEST OF THE BEST!!!
I contacted Mr. Harvatin, with a lifetime suspension. He was accurate and followed thru with a vast understanding of the legal system. In less than 5 months license fully reinstated! Ethical, professional. 100% Recommended. God bless Ted and his team!!!
Posted by Jason | September 21, 2014 | Administrative Law
Awesome Lawyer!
I would 100 times recommend this lawyer to anyone with license reinstatement issues. Harvatin is extremely responsive to questions and concerns. He answers his email quickly once you are his client. He will prepare with you before the hearing and give you tips. The most important part however, is he ...
Posted by Shawn | July 01, 2014 | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
Looking for an attorney who actually cares?
If you're looking for an attorney who actually cares about your case...call Mr. Harvatin. From my initial consultation, until the reinstatement of my drivers license Mr. Harvatin helped me understand the procedure and kept his word. He methodically worked through the legal process & guided me ...
Posted by Laura | October 15, 2012
THE BEST LAWYER EVER!!!!!!
To put it simply, Mr. Harvatin is the BEST! Professional and kind. He eased my fears and did everything he could to help me, and that he did. Anytime I had a questions he was quick to reply. His knowledge of the system and situation was spectacular. I forever owe him my grattitude. If you are l...
Ted Harvatin's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Ted. He is well respected in the legal community and gets great results for his clients."
"Mr. Harvatin has an impeccable reputation among his colleagues. He is a knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced attorney. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to any of my friends or family in the Springfield area, if they should need help in his practice areas."
"Mr. Harvatin is a talented attorney truly dedicated to serving the best interests of his clients. I endorse this lawyer."
"Ted is at the top of our field for defending clients at Secretary of State hearings for license reinstatement. He is exceptionally well-versed in the law and I trust his expertise, knowledge and skill. As an attorney in the same field, I regularly refer cases to Ted when they are in his region. I fully trust that any referral to his office will be satisfied with his work ethic, knowledge and overall defense at a hearing."
"Ted is an exceptional and highly respected attorney who always represents his clients with the utmost of skill,knowledge and understanding.i can readily endorse him without hesitation or reservation."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Harvatin's advice is professional and well-reasoned. I endorse this attorney 100%!"
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ted's knowledge and ability as they relate to driver's license reinstatement issues are very impressive."
"I endorse Ted Harvatin fully. He is a very experienced and knowledgeable attorney, and he can help you with your case. You should call this man if you got a DUI/DWI."
"I endorse Atty. Harvatin. He is a skilled and well respected attorney in the legal community."
"I endorse Mr. Harvatin. Excellent knowledge of procedure and law. You will benefit from his skill and knowledge and be glad you hired him. KUDOS"
"I endorse this lawyer. An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Talented attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have had the pleasure of consulting with Mr. Harvatin on behalf of my own clients. He is an excellent advocate for his clients."
"I have been a lawyer for 42 years in California and nicknamed 35 years ago by a judge "DUI KING". I do not know Ted personally but have been reading his answers on AVVO for a long time and I am astonished by his knowledge. I strong endorse him"
"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."
John Remus
DUI and DWI lawyer
Todd Goebel
Criminal defense lawyer
Frederick Nickl
Licensing lawyer
Merrill Davis
DUI and DWI lawyer
Sami Azhari
Criminal defense lawyer
Dan Way
Adoption lawyer
Thomas Speedie
DUI and DWI lawyer
Dan Noll
Criminal defense lawyer
Jennifer Wirth
DUI and DWI lawyer
James Grimaldi
DUI and DWI lawyer
David Winer
Criminal defense lawyer
Sara Mayo Vig
Criminal defense lawyer
Steven Dioneda
Personal injury lawyer
Benjamin Lawson
DUI and DWI lawyer
Anthony Cameron
Criminal defense lawyer
James Ackerman
Personal injury lawyer
William Vig
Criminal defense lawyer
Brandon Davis
DUI and DWI lawyer
William Davis
Criminal defense lawyer
Kathryn Holton
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2006
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2005
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
1983
MENSA, MENSA Society
1978
Phi Betta Kappa, Knox College
N/A
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
1900 - Present
Member, Harvatin Law Offices, PC
1981 - 1999
Attorney, Gramlich and Morse
Associations
2012 - Present
National College of DUI DefenseMember
2006 - Present
Illinois State Bar Association, Traffic Law CouncilMember
1986 - Present
Illinois Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
1981 - Present
Sangamon County Bar AssociationMember
2013 - 2014
Illinois State Bar Association, Legislative SubcommitteeCo-chair
Sample of Legal Cases
Webb v. White
Victory for my client, the Plaintiff.
Clark v. White
My client won.
Estate of Goffinet
My client won.
Education
1981
University of Illinois College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1978
Knox College
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2016
DUI and Traffic Law Update
Updates to legislation and administrative rules governing Illinois Secretary of State Driver's License Hearings
2016
DUI and Traffic Issues for the Defense
Updates to legislation and administrative rules governing Illinois Secretary of State Driver's License Hearings.
2015
DUI and Traffic Law Update
Illinois Secretary of State Driver's License Hearings; Court Supervision Updates; CDL and GDL Issues
2014
DUI and Traffic Law Update
Illinois Secretary of State Driver's License Hearings; Court Supervision Updates; CDL and GDL Issues; Discovery, Videotapes and Kladis
2013
DUI: Beyond the Courtroom
Illinois Secretary of State Rules and Hearings
2013
DUI and Traffic Law Update
Illinois Secretary of State Driver's License Hearings; Court Supervision Updates; CDL and GDL Issues; Discovery, Videotapes and Kladis
2012
DUI Defense Strategies
Illinois Secretary of State Issues
2012
Administrative Law in Illinois
Illinois Secretary of State Administrative Hearings
2007
Traffic Law Update
Secretary of State Driver's License Hearings
2006
Lorman Educational Services
Strategies in Handling DWI and DUI Cases: Driver’s License Hearings with the Illinois Secretary of State
Publications
2011
Illinois State Bar Journal
DUI Will Travel: Drunk Driving Across State Lines
2006
Illinois Bar Journal
Court Supervision in Traffic Cases: New Strategies for Amended Laws
2006
Lorman Educational Services
Strategies in Handling DWI and DUI Cases: Driver’s License Hearings with the Illinois Secretary of State
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
Ted earned significant contribution points in 2024.
Legal Answers
Q&A
How can I avoid admitting liability in a civil case if I plead guilty for driving w/o insurance?
08 Apr 2026
Q&A
My license is revolt in Wisconsin, but I live in Illinois. Occupation license to drive in Illinois
06 Apr 2026
Q&A
Can I dash with an RDP? I’m allowed to drive from 10am-noon and 3pm-1am and can drive within 200 mi
31 Mar 2026
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
DUI Treatment Requirements in Illinois
27 Apr 2011
Legal Guide
Legal Ramifications of Driving on a License that was Suspended or Revoked Due to DUI
29 Mar 2011
Legal Guide
YOUR ILLINOIS DRIVER’S LICENSE CAN BE REVOKED WITHOUT A TRIAL
28 Mar 2011