Michael John Harrington

Michael John Harrington

3.5
Rating: 9.3

Licensed for 33 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Palm Desert, CA
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Business, Family, Child Custody

77711 Flora Rd, Palm Desert, CA

About Michael

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 35%

35 years | 250 cases

35%
Child Custody 20%

Physical custody Move Aways Parental Alienation

35 years | 315 cases

20%
Family 20%

Divorce guardianship

35 years | 500 cases

20%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 33 years

State: California

Acquired: 1992

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Michael Harrington

77711 Flora Rd, Palm Desert, CA, 92211

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Michael John Harrington's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.5 /5.0

6 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (6) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | General Knowledge

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.

Michael Harrington

Replied last July 07, 2024

Sorry you had a bad experience over the phone . Some cases are very costly and this is out of our control. Sorry you couldn't retain this office.

Posted by Kari | January 08, 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 ra...re among his peers. I recommend Michael John Harrington without hesitation.

See All Client Reviews

Michael John Harrington's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Michael
Justin Lee Gordon headshot
Justin Gordon

Unknown lawyer | Jun 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Judd S Nemiro headshot
Judd Nemiro

Unknown lawyer | Dec 26

Relationship: Other

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

John M O'Brien headshot
John O'Brien

Child custody lawyer | 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 K. Isles headshot
Richard Isles

Family lawyer | 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 J. Molinaro headshot
Paul Molinaro

Family lawyer | Sep 12

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Peter John Marek headshot
Peter Marek

Family lawyer | 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 headshot
Hovanes Margarian

Child custody lawyer | Jul 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Family lawyer | 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 headshot
Robin Mashal

Child custody lawyer | 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 headshot
Gregory Hunt

Family lawyer | Dec 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Christopher Daniel Leroi headshot
Christopher Leroi

Divorce and separation lawyer | 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 headshot
Samuel Encarnacion

Child custody lawyer | Dec 18

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

John Michael Phillips headshot
John Phillips

Unknown lawyer | 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 Leslie Hartley headshot
Carla Hartley

Family lawyer | Aug 31

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Virginia Giselle Alvarez headshot
Virginia Alvarez

Family lawyer | 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 Michelle Arrache headshot
Stephanie Arrache

Family lawyer | 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 W. Mason headshot
Philip Mason

Family lawyer | Aug 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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

Joan M Bundy headshot
Joan Bundy

Family lawyer | 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 C. Greenberg headshot
Michael Greenberg

Unknown lawyer | 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 Marie Jett headshot
Nadine Jett

Family lawyer | 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."

View All Endorsements
Richard K. Isles headshot
Richard Isles

Family lawyer

Rhonda Diane Ellifritz headshot
Rhonda Ellifritz

Family lawyer

Stephanie Michelle Arrache headshot
Stephanie Arrache

Criminal defense lawyer

Brian David Lerner headshot
Brian Lerner

Immigration lawyer

Jeffrey B. Engle headshot
Jeffrey Engle

Child custody lawyer

Nadine Marie Jett headshot
Nadine Jett

Child custody lawyer

Howard M Lewis headshot
Howard Lewis

Divorce and separation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.3 (Superb)

Honors

2016

Top Lawyer, Palm Springs Life Magazine

2015

Top Lawyer, Palm Springs Life Magazine

2013

Top Lawyers, Palm Springs Life Magazine

2013

Certificate of Appreciation, Inland Counties Legal Services

2012

Top Lawyers, Palm SpringsLife Magazine

2011

Top Lawyers, Palm Springs Life Top Lawyers 2011 edition

2006

Certificate of Appreciation, Riverside County Court, Judge Sharon Waters

2004

Certificate of Appreciation (Guardianship Program), Riverside County Courts

1990

Certificate of Appreciation, Neighborhood Legal Services

Work Experience

2014 - 2014

Co Chair (past), National Lawyers Guild

2013 - 2014

Board Member, Riverside County Mental Health Bd

2012 - 2014

Mediator, Riverside Co. Court Mediation Panel

2005 - 2007

Guardianship Assitance Attorney, Public Service Law Corporation

1995 - 1995

Staff Attorney, Lake Tahoe Womens Shelter

1994 - 1995

Alternate Public Defender, County of Alpine

Associations

2017 - Present

Santa Barabra Business College

Board Member

2013 - 2014

Riverside County Mental Health Bd.

Member

2011 - 2014

National Lawyers Guild (Los Angeles chapter)

Legal Observer Program

2007 - 2008

Natl Assoc Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers

Desert Bar Association

Sample of Legal Cases

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

Confidential

Guardianship of _______

Pro Bono protection of parental rights for mental health patient

See More Legal Cases

Education

1991

University of La Verne College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1981

University of California - Santa Barbara

B.A.

N/A

University of Southern California

Speaking Engagements

2015

Coachella Valley Assoc of Govts Human Trafficking

2014

San Francisco Coalition Against Human Trafficking Presenter- Vulnerable Populations

2014

Housing

Landlord -Tenant Law

2013

Indio Teen Center

Human Trafficking

1999

Radio Show Guest

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

Publications

2014

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

1999

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

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
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  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution