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About Michael
Biography
Michael B. Greenstein is not presently licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania. If you need legal advice or experienced representation for your family law matter, contact Attorney Tara L. Hutchinson at.
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Pennsylvania for 34 years
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 1991
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2018
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Michael Bruce Greenstein's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
25 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | 1 star
Posted by anonymous | July 05, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
This lawyer is suspended !!
He is not a lawyer anymore and was a dirtbag when he was! Also he posts fake review! He represented a friend of mine and told her that he went to court when he did not. He also said that hearings occurred when they did not. As a result my friend lost her kids for months all because she listened...
Posted by anonymous | January 23, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Domestic Violence
Poor Representation
I hired this firm to represent me in a PFA case. Upon initially contacting the firm I was impressed with there quick response and willingness to answer my questions. I had a 2 hour consult with the Sr. Attorney at the firm the day after contacting them. The consult went ok but I did feel like very li...
Michael Greenstein
Replied last January 23, 2016Neither I, nor anyone at my firm, ever has nor ever will appear in court unprepared. Client service and client satisfaction are always priorities, and because results are beyond any lawyer's control, we also prioritize being a "reality check" on our own clients to ensure that we are working in partnership rather than at cross-purposes. No one likes to be told that he or she is contributing to a difficult situation, of course, and legal advice is always harder to follow than it is to give, but the bitter truth is that no lawyer can help you in any lasting way if you don't follow that advice. The most dangerous thing you can ever bring into a courtroom is the sure and certain knowledge that you are utterly right, that your ex is utterly wrong, and that anyone who cannot see that essential truth must either be stupid, blind or corrupt. Judges will always see your situation differently than you do; and the judge's perspective and priorities must also become your own if you want any hope of success in a courtroom. This is why I always call things for clients as I see them, without a sugar-coating, because I believe that clients should hear hard truths from me across a desk or over the telephone before they have to hear them from judges across a courtroom. Any lawyer of long experience can tell you that some clients don't respond well to that. Some clients will argue with their lawyers when encouraged to abandon a black-and-white perspective that no judge will buy into, and then -- when the judge doesn't buy into it, after all! -- choose to blame the lawyer they didn't want to listen to in the first place. It's not a perfect world of course, but I suppose that's just as well given that a perfect world probably doesn't need lawyers. The commenter's description of events during the brief period when she was a client of my firm is highly inaccurate, but I nevertheless hope that she ultimately finds the kind of satisfaction she seeks.
Posted by Ayal | July 17, 2013 | Divorce & Separation
I am not recommending this lawyer
I hired Michael greenstein to represent me in my divorce. I was very disappointed from his performance because he didn't informed me about the upcoming hearing that was scheduled in just a few weeks. Since I felt unprepared for this hearing I called him and emailed him numerous times but he didn't r...
Michael Greenstein
Replied last May 20, 2013I am sorry that Ayal is unsatisfied, but I believe that I gave him -- and would have continued to give him -- good service. Instead of becoming entangled in particulars or personality conflict issues, I offer some advice to people who are considering working with me, or with any lawyer: 1. If you are engaging in litigation, avoid basing your approach to either your opposing party or your own lawyer upon anger. It can be difficult and counter-intuitive to forebear from doing so, but doing otherwise seldom leads to productive decisions, positive outcomes or effective use of a lawyer's billable hours. 2. I believe in mutual respect and working partnerships with clients, and I conduct myself accordingly. My clients who succeed best from my efforts tend to subscribe to the same principle. From a practical standpoint, it is never a good idea to create an adversarial relationship with your own attorney, especially on the eve of trial. 3. Recognize that your lawyer is probably assisting multiple clients, and that prioritizing/reprioritizing a caseload on an ongoing basis is part of the nature of any law practice. Put simply: emergencies always occur, and never on a schedule. That said, also recognize that your lawyer keeps a calendar, and understands what has to happen (and when) to ensure that he is fully prepared and ready to proceed at your trial. I am sorry that Ayal chose to end his lawyer/client relationship with me in the manner that he did, and I wish him success in his efforts moving forward as he either seeks alternate counsel, or handles his own case.
Michael Bruce Greenstein's Lawyer Endorsements
"I wholeheartedy endorse Michael Greenstein, Esq. as a child custody attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. Michael has a huge breadth of knowledge in the area of family law and his clients are the beneficiaries of such knowledge. He is a dedicated lawyer and advocate for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Michael is an outstanding lawyer. He shows great concern for his clients and fights hard for the best result for them. He has a lot of experience and knowledge in the areas of divorce, custody, support and property settlement. I highly recommend him."
"Michael Greenstein will not rest until his client is completely satisfied. He truly cares about his clients and is very sensitive to their needs. Michael takes the time to listen to his client, and then utilizes his exceptional intellect and legal knowledge to craft a winning argument. I highly respect Michael Greenstein and endorse his ability to effectively represent his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Michael is an excellent family law attorney in all areas."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Greenstein has wide breadth of legal acumen, as evinced by his comprehensive responses on Avvo. He has the knowledge and dedication to be an effective advocate for his clients."
"I have known Michael for more than ten years, both as opposing counsel and as a fellow attorney practicing in the area of family law. I have always found Michael to be honest, sincere and responsive in his handling of cases, as well as more generally in the legal community."
"Mike strikes the perfect balance of zealously advocating for his clients while still being a true gentleman and exercising professional courtesy at all times. He makes it possible to creatively and amicably resolve cases in ways that truly benefits the clients, and not just the attorneys involved. For that reason, he is respected by the Court and his colleagues, and I look forward to having many more cases with him!"
"I have known Michael for going on eight years now, having had several cases against him, and having seen him in action in other cases as well. He is an ethical, smart, excellent advocate for his clients. He is straightforward, and you can trust his word."
"When I opposed this lawyer, I found him to be extremely tenacious and a zealous advocate for his client."
"Michael has a wealth of knowledge in the area of family law--there is no issue that he doesn't know how to address! He is also a wonderful mentor to newer attorneys and sets a great example for colleagues."
"Attorney Greenstein is one of the most well respected members of the legal community. His knowledge, experience and trustworthiness set him apart from other lawyers. I highly recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Greenstein is an outstanding attorney with an exceptional reputation. He is a strong and zealous advocate for his client and a credit to the legal profession, I highly endorse him."
"Michael Greenstein showed me something a few months ago that every lawyer and every divorce and family law client needs to know about. Back in April I found myself having to be in 2 places at once. As a result, I needed someone to cover me for one complex family law matter while I took care of the other equically complicated personal injury matter. I asked Attorney Greenstein to cover me on the family law situation, and I can't stop talking about the results! Michael Greenstein took on the complicated family law project on short notice, and quickly went to work. He broke the project down into managable parts and poceeded to do an excellent job. Most importantIy, because of Michael, I could take care of the other legal matter with peace of mind and laser focus - which , in turn, helped me and my client in that case. I would not hesitate to refer divorce and family law matters to Michael Grteenstein in the future, and in fact, I do!"
Scott Pavelle
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Aimee Burton
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Jana Palko
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Chris Eyster
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Jeffrey Pollock
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Steven Tabano
Divorce and separation lawyer
Tara Hutchinson
Family lawyer
Timothy Gricks
Divorce and separation lawyer
Marc Daffner
Criminal defense lawyer
G. Kelley
Personal injury lawyer
Bethany L. Notaro
Family lawyer
Max Feldman
Family lawyer
Avram Rosen
Family lawyer
Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2018.
Suspension issued in PA, 2018
updated on 11/06/2020Suspended means an attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.
Honors
2016
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
2009 - 2010
Associate, Notaro & Associates
2003 - 2009
Partner, Voelker, Gricks & Greenstein
1998 - 2002
Owner, Law Office of Michael B. Greenstein
1995 - 1998
Partner, Slivinska & Greenstein
1992 - 1995
Owner, Law Office of Michael B. Greenstein
Associations
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Member
Allegheny County Bar Association
Member
2014 - 2017
Pittsburgh Savoyards, Inc.President
Sample of Legal Cases
Valerie H. Miller v. William R. Miller et al.
Favorable
Education
1991
University of Pittsburgh School of Law
Juris Doctor
1988
Brandeis University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2011
Continuing Legal Education session for legal professionals
Better Than King Solomon's Solution? PA's New Custody Law
Publications
2015
Attorney's website
Testifying as a witness in family court: everything you need to know
2014
Attorney's website
What are retainers, and why do lawyers charge them?
2013
Attorney's website
Do I need a prenuptial agreement in Pennsylvania?
2013
Attorney's website
Fighting for justice in divorce court
2013
Attorney's website
How can we afford to separate?
2011
Attorney's website
How long will my divorce take, if my spouse won't agree
2011
Attorney's website
How long will my divorce take, if we both want it?
2011
Attorney's website
I got served with divorce or custody papers in PA. What do I do?
2010
Attorney's web site
What should I expect from my family law and divorce attorney?
2010
Attorney's web site
Surviving your separation
2010
Attorney's web site
Dealing with Separation
2010
Attorney's web site
Paying support: a survival guide
2010
Attorney's web site
Divorce: some questions and answers
2010
Attorney's web site
Common law marriage
2010
Attorney's web site
Child custody
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
How long in Allegheny County does it take for a final decree to be mailed after Praecipe to Transmit Record has been filed?
08 Nov 2016
Q&A
Filed a PFA on behalf of my minor children. Do they need to be present at the final PFA hearing?
27 Sep 2016
Q&A
If I don't want to show up for a pfa hearing against me can I go to jail
26 Sep 2016