Licensed for 30 years

State CA

Acquired 1992

Status
Active No misconduct found

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

Michael John Harrington

Divorce and separation Attorney at Palm Desert, CA

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Best experience I have ever had at a lawyer's office!

I encountered some unfair treatment from my previous landlord. Luckily, I was referred to Harrington Law Center to resolve my issues and exercise my rights as a tenant. I met with Mr. Michael Harrington at his office in Palm Desert and sat down with him to discuss my situation. During our session, I felt his generosity. He showed interest to my case. He carefully listened to my words, and he repeated my information back to clarify what I said. It was comforting to know that my lawyer was trying his best to be on the same page with me. I knew I was in good hands because he cared. His assistant was present in the room to take notes and write down bullet points of my case. Mr. Michael made sure to ask me what my goal was, why I was there, and what kind of help did I need from him. Then, he addressed what rights I have as a tenant in California. He explained my rights to me in simple terms. I was able to follow what he was saying with no confusion. He was happy to answer all my concerns and questions, and he talked to me with a good attitude. I must say that I felt welcomed, and I was extremely satisfied with his advice and service. I would recommend Mr. Michael to anyone in need of a decent lawyer.

I recommend Michael John Harrington without hesitation

About Michael

Learn Michael’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

Divorce and separation

35%

32 years, 250 cases
Business

25%
Child custody

20%

Physical custody Move Aways Parental Alienation

32 years, 315 cases
Family

20%

Divorce guardianship

32 years, 500 cases

An understanding lawyer with compassion. Listens to his clients concerns and develops a plan to best meet them.

Come visit our 1,000 square foot law center and meet our friendly, professional staff.

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Michael Harrington

77711 Flora Rd

Palm Desert, CA, 92211

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Reviews

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3.2 / 5.0

5 customer reviews

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

40%

Posted by Alicia | June 4, 2018

Best experience I have ever had at a lawyer's office!

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Posted by Kari | January 8, 2013

I recommend Michael John Harrington without hesitation

Michael Harrington is a professional who is quite knowledgeable in his field of expertise. As a professional he takes the time to listen and understand the facts of the case. I sincerely appreciated how well he explained the process in layperson's terms and conveyed a level of compassion that is rare among his peers. I recommend Michael John Harrington without hesitation.

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Posted by April | January 13, 2014

Helpful and understanding

We are in a difficult situation because our case is in Riverside county, but neither myself, the children, nor my ex-husband live in Riverside county any more. Mr. Harrington was the only attorney who would take our case, and we couldn't have done it without him. Even though I couldn't be physically present for any of the hearings or mediation, I was involved in everything. He was compassionate of our dilemma, and helped us take care of our custody issues.

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Posted by anonymous | March 21, 2023

Was not clear, not helpful, very insulting

He was insulting and disrespectful during our phone consultation. He said he wanted to talk about money and felt that my questioning his ability to understand my situation meant that I 'couldn't afford his services.' Totally unacceptable. He never even spoke about what he charged so what grounds did he have to make such a flippant statement? I went with another attorney who actually made sense, immediately understood my situation from the types of questions he was asking and the information he was sharing in return, and was extremely helpful. If you're referred to attorneys like Michael Harrington, don't settle and don't accept insulting or gaslighting behavior. Having to seek legal advice puts us in a vulnerable position and people like him try to take advantage of that. Please keep seeking and you'll find someone who is honorable, respectful, and helpful.

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Posted by Dee | October 29, 2016

Would not recommend

After weeks and weeks of no response- I finally got a hold of Mr. Harrington. When I asked for clarification as to where he stood on getting my documents done- he started yelling at me and accused me of "harassing" him like the person I was trying to get him to protect me from! I was pleasant and only asking for clarification to what I thought had been too long of time to get me items done. My first guess that he wasn't professional was when I was at his office for our first meeting and he was very late. He claimed he was running an errand for his wife. That should have been my first clue. Oh yeah, and he changed his office location. Wouldn't you let your clients know that?

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Response from Michael Harrington July 21, 2022

Dee was never a client she was a friend of a pro bono client with a mental illness and I was able to stop client from losing her child to the county adoption system , instead she has supervised visits. What Dee described , never happened. Sadly because of AVVO policies im hesitant to volunteer my time to help the mentally ill anymore. Defamation such as this can destroy a lawyer's practice. Where county attorneys are more shielded from this sort of thing. You are not in our data base as a client. Please come in our office to resolve this. To add, this was a friend of a court appointed client calling and harassing our office. The Judge asked the person to stop it.

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Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 9.5 (Superb)

Work Experience

Co Chair (past)
National Lawyers Guild
2014 - 2014

Board Member
Riverside County Mental Health Bd
2013 - 2014

Mediator
Riverside Co. Court Mediation Panel
2012 - 2014

Guardianship Assitance Attorney
Public Service Law Corporation
2005 - 2007

Staff Attorney
Lake Tahoe Womens Shelter
1995 - 1995

Alternate Public Defender
County of Alpine
1994 - 1995

View all work experience

Education

University of La Verne College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1991

University of California - Santa Barbara
B.A.
1981

University of Southern California
N/A

Legal Cases

------ vs [school bus co. ]
Confidential

Guardianship of _______
Pro Bono protection of parental rights for mental health patient

Associations

Santa Barabra Business College
Board Member
2017 - Present

Riverside County Mental Health Bd.
Member
2013 - 2014

National Lawyers Guild (Los Angeles chapter)
Legal Observer Program
2011 - 2014

Natl Assoc Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers
2007 - 2008

Desert Bar Association
N/A

View all associations

Languages Spoken

English

Honors and Awards

Top Lawyer
Palm Springs Life Magazine
2016

Top Lawyer
Palm Springs Life Magazine
2015

Top Lawyers
Palm Springs Life Magazine
2013

Certificate of Appreciation
Inland Counties Legal Services
2013

Top Lawyers
Palm SpringsLife Magazine
2012

Top Lawyers
Palm Springs Life Top Lawyers 2011 edition
2011

Certificate of Appreciation
Riverside County Court, Judge Sharon Waters
2006

Certificate of Appreciation (Guardianship Program)
Riverside County Courts
2004

Certificate of Appreciation
Neighborhood Legal Services
1990

View all awards

Publications

State Party Platform (D) /proposed Labor Legislation
Human Trafficking
2014

Desert Sun
School Bus Safety ____vs __--(school distrcit, --bus co,)
1999

Speaking Engagements

Coachella Valley Assoc of Govts
Human Trafficking
2015

San Francisco Coalition Against Human Trafficking
Presenter- Vulnerable Populations
2014

Housing
Landlord -Tenant Law
2014

Indio Teen Center
Human Trafficking
2013

Radio Show Guest
School Bus Safety ____vs __--(school distrcit, --bus co,)
1999

View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (25)

Given (7)

Endorse Michael

Justin Gordon

Unknown Attorney | Jun 20
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Judd Nemiro

Unknown Attorney | Dec 26
Relationship: Other

"This lawyer is very professional at all times. I endorse this lawyer.."

John O'Brien

Child custody Attorney | Oct 02
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Richard Isles

Family Attorney | Sep 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Michael is a very competent and ethical attorney. He is a credit to his community."

Paul Molinaro

Family Attorney | Sep 12
Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Peter Marek

Family Attorney | Sep 04
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"With a 22 year career spanning criminal, juvenile and family law Michael is certainly experienced. Experience counts! Reviews, local endorsements and contributions are just part of his legal legacy. If you are in or near Murietta do yourself a favor and schedule a consultation, I would."

Hovanes Margarian

Child custody Attorney | Jul 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael Waddington

Family Attorney | Jun 14
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Michael. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Robin Mashal

Child custody Attorney | Jan 22
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Harrington has made a substantial number of contributions on avvo.com. I have read several of his contributions and have found them to be thoughtful, informative and practical. I endorse this lawyer's work."

Gregory Hunt

Family Attorney | Dec 07
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Christopher Leroi

Divorce and separation Attorney | Aug 29
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Harrington is an exceptional attorney. Although I have been practicing law for 24 years as a judge, magistrate, law professor, prosecutor, and private attorney, I learn from his responses on Avvo every time that he posts. If I needed an attorney, I would hire him. I recommend him with no reservation. It would be the best investment of your life to hire him to represent you."

Samuel Encarnacion

Child custody Attorney | Dec 18
Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

John Phillips

Unknown Attorney | Dec 09
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Attorney Harrington. From his answers and time on Avvo, it is clear he is dedicated to serving those in need and his clients. It's rare that lawyers spend so much valuable time helping the community, for free, and I applaud him for doing it to such a great level. Kudos."

Carla Hartley

Family Attorney | Aug 31
Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Virginia Alvarez

Family Attorney | Aug 28
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Harrington has a firm grasp on the law and would be a stellar advocate for his clients."

Stephanie Arrache

Family Attorney | Aug 27
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Harrington is a great advocate on his clients behalves. He is knowledgeable and professional. I endorse this lawyer."

Philip Mason

Family Attorney | Aug 27
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer - a great Family Law attorney."

Joan Bundy

Family Attorney | Aug 27
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Mr. Harrington. All of the postings I have seen by him on avvo.com are intelligent and compassionate. He knows his stuff, and he actually cares about people and their family law needs. If you have a legal matter in California involving any family issues, please consider contacting Mr. Harrington for sage counsel and advice."

Michael Greenberg

Unknown Attorney | Aug 25
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Harrington is an excellent lawyer and a prollific contributor to the Avvo community. I endorse him without hesitation."

Nadine Jett

Family Attorney | Mar 09
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. This lawyer's ansers are insightful and show great knowledge of the law. This lawyer is an asset to the community."

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Family

Family

Criminal defense

Immigration

Child custody

Child custody

Divorce and separation

Avvo Contributions

2460 Legal Answers 6 Legal Guides

LEGAL GUIDE
Tips to Starting a Companion Animal Trust
09 Apr 2021
LEGAL GUIDE
California Guardianship Basics
09 Apr 2021
LEGAL GUIDE
Family Law for Grandparents: Visitation
02 Mar 2019
Q&A
Can the party that has “exclusive access” to the marital home make all home financial decisions without the other party?
22 Jan 2021
Q&A
Can I ask for a continuous to add a lawyer?
02 Nov 2020
Q&A
Can you file for a divorce of domestic partnership and marriage at the same time in California?
28 Oct 2020

Michael John Harrington

About Michael

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