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Neil Patrick Hallinan

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Avvo Rating8.8
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About Neil

NEIL HALLINAN, a third-generation trial attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area, is the founder and lead attorney at the Hallinan Law Firm, with offices in San Francisco and Oakland. Prior to founding the firm, Mr. Hallinan spent a decade as a public defender, most notably in Oakland, CA where he secured complete victories on a range of cases from murder and 3-strikes prosecutions to low level misdemeanors, including hundreds of DUI cases, more than fifteen of which he tried to verdict.

In his career, Mr. Hallinan has tried more than forty-five trials to verdict and conducted the defense in hundreds of preliminary hearings, in several different counties in Northern California. Since the establishment of the Hallinan Law Firm, Mr. Hallinan has taken on cases in San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, Solano, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz Counties, and has represented witnesses in federal and state court prosecutions.

Practice areas

White collar crimeDomestic violenceDUI and DWICriminal defense
  1. Criminal defense: 70%

    14 years

  2. DUI and DWI: 10%

  3. Domestic violence: 10%

  4. White collar crime: 10%

Languages spoken

English

Contact

Law Chambers Building
address map

The Hallinan Law Firm

Law Chambers Building
345 Franklin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102

The Hallinan Law Firm

1432 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way
Oakland, CA, 94612

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
CAActive200710/28/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers14
Legal guides0
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Attorney at LawThe Hallinan Law Firm2018 - Present
Attorney at LawThe Alameda County Public Defender's Office2011 - 2018
Trial AttorneyThe Sacramento County Public Defender’s Office2008 - 2011
Attorney at LawLaw Office of Neil Hallinan2007 - 2008
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Criminal Trial Lawyers Association of Northern CaliforniaMember2011 - Present
California Attorneys for Criminal JusticeBoard Member2013 - 2014
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Golden Gate University, School of LawJD - Juris Doctor2006
University of OregonBA - Bachelor of Arts2000
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Presentation Criminal Protection OrdersCriminal Protective Orders2014
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
People v. Cori W., San Francisco 17013584Assault Discharged at Preliminary Hearing; Vandalism Charge Dismissed at Trial.
People v. Lamonte E., San Mateo NM440326A and Alameda 19-CR-003113Both Cases Dismissed
People v. Jose H., San Mateo 18-NF-013356BPotential Life Sentence Avoided with a Misdemeanor Plea with no Jail Time
People v. Jesse D., San Francisco 1800414919-Year Sentence Avoided at Trial with Misdemeanor Plea, Release From Custody
People v. Terry G., Alameda 618595Murder Charge Discharged, Client Freed.
People v. Hugh A., Alameda, 178135Hung Jury, Mistrial Declared, Case later Dismissed
People v. David M., Alameda 178135Acquitted of All Charges, Client Freed

Reviews

(8)
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Review Neil Hallinan

Money well Spent

Posted by

I was charged for unlawful possession of a firearm in San Francisco Ca. Mr. Hallinan was always willing to take my case to trial if that would have gotten us a better result, but he new it would likely result in a conviction. So Mr. Hallinan spent a lot of time with me, listening to me about probation conditions that I did not like. Mr. Hallinan masterfully negotiated a deal that avoided every condition I wanted to avoid. But most amazing of all, somehow Mr. Hallinan negotiated to have two pistols returned to me, that the police had confiscated. Mr. Hallinan was patient, thorough, strategic, respectful, and that is why I recommend him to anybody needing an attorney. MONEY WELL SPENT.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

The best representation anyone could ask for

Posted by

I was arrested during a work run based on false accusations from a man who had some road rage against me. I decided to hire Neil Hallinan to represent me. When he took control of my case, I never had to go to court, he hired an investigator to interview all of the witnesses, and he got the case dismissed after only two court dates. He also managed to get the police to return all of my property they had confiscated. He was thorough, kept me up to speed as the case developed, and he was aggressive: he prepared my case from the outset as though he was preparing to win at trial, and that probably caught the DA off guard. I would highly recommend the Hallinan Law Firm to anybody seeking a criminal defense attorney.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Amazing Service

Posted by

I have recommended Neil to two separate people I care about, each of whom was for attempted murder in separate cases.  He was aggressive and really fought for them.  He was very prepared at their preliminary hearings, which really devastated the DA’s case each time.  So any time I know someone who needs a solid criminal defense, I ALWAYS send them to Neil.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Capable, Caring Attorney

Posted by

Neil represented us in our pursuit of a restraining order. He was very crafty, strategic, and thorough in his representation of our case. As the hearing date approached, we were anxious. Neil put aside the necessary time to make sure he and we were well-prepared. In the hearing, he had a firm grasp and command of the evidence and the courtroom during his examinations. Neil is a polished inquisitor with a champion courtroom demeanor. He is well-connected in the legal community and partners well with his resources, such as private investigators and other attorneys. In fact, I recommend Neil to anybody looking for a committed, compassionate, talented lawyer.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Review for Neal Patrick Hallinan

Posted by

I hired Neal to defend me in a case. He was able to get all changes dropped for me. I was also facing a probation violation of which he was able to talk the DA down considerably. Had it not been in Marin County, the probation violation would have been thrown out. Heal is a great lawyer that I would recommend to everyone who needs one.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

If you need a Lawyer, Neil Hallinan is the one you want!

Posted by

Neil Hallinan was the best choice I could've made for my representation. He kept me aware of every possible outcome and advised me to make the right choices which in turn got me the best verdict I could've hoped for. If you need an attorney, I highly recommend Neil Hallinan.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

An Excelent Attorney

Posted by

Mr. Hallinan was a constant professional, he remained in constant communication with me throughout the court process. Mr. Hallinan explained to me the positives and the negatives regarding my case. He exceeded my expectations for the outcome of my case. I viewed my experience regarding his representation as excellent and money well spent.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

client

Posted by

Words will fail me trying to express my appreciation for Neil. He is honest & genuine. He helped me every step of the way & I am extremely grateful. I would highly recommend Neil.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Attorney endorsements

(6)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Alanna Coopersmith, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 29, 2019
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Neil Hallinan will take on the toughest of criminal cases and deliver outstanding results. I consider myself privileged to have worked as co-counsel with him and seen him in action before judges and jurors. Neil is eloquent. He is charming. He has nerves of steel. He will find a way to win if anyone can.

Adam Gasner, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 16, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Neil is an exceptional criminal defense attorney with a track record of winning cases in trial. He is tireless in his defense of people accused or under investigation by law enforcement. I have personally observed his process of working up and investigating criminal cases and can say with certainty that his client's are well represented. I highly recommend Neil to anyone seeking representation in bay area criminal courts.

Hugh Levine, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 6, 2019
Relationship: Friend

I am privileged to have known Neil Hallinan since his boyhood, as well as his grandfather Vincent Hallinan and his father Patrick Hallinan, both of whom stood on the pinnacle of criminal defense in California's state and federal courts. Now as the third generation of stalwart courtroom warriors, Neil Hallinan shares their DNA and their acumen in the field of criminal defense, and he does so in the same building at the same desk where they worked their mastery in this challenging arena. He embodies the same qualities that his grandfather and father deployed so successfully on behalf of their clients: superior intellect, engaging personality, tremendous work ethic, honesty and realism, and a never flagging quest for justice. When a client retains Neil Hallinan he or she will ally not only with a superlative lawyer but also with a lawyer whose roots in criminal justice trace back for over a century.

Kenneth Wine, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 25, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Neil Hallinan is an incredible defense attorney, an expert in trials, and sophisticated in obtaining the best plea deals possible. I often refer him cases, and when I do, I know that the client will be well taken care of. I whole heartedly endorse Neil Hallinan. If you need a defense attorney in a difficult case, look no further.

Harris Taback, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 21, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Neil Hallinan is a highly skilled aggressive criminal defense trial attorney. He is passionate in his obligation to protect his clients.

Russell Goodrow, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 21, 2019
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Neil is a great, local attorney because he cares about his clients as people/humans not as income, he has dozens and dozens of jury trials under his belt = vast experience, and he is passionate about justice. To me it's a no brainer: Neil is one of the best criminal defense lawyers I know and I've been working in criminal defense since 2004.