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Theodore J. Harvatin

- Current or Former Co-Worker/Colleague
Ted and I practice in the same field, in different geographic locations.
- Different Client, Same Side of Case
Ted and I have had shared clients or shared legal issues many times over the years.
Ted and I often work together on legal issues concerning traffic law, particularly drivers license reinstatement. We bounce issues off of each other when there is a legal question and I feel comfortable referring client matters to Ted when the client is closer to his office. I have worked with Ted since 2002.
Yes
Ted has exceptional legal knowledge of the Secretary of State Administrative Code, as well as the Illinois Vehicle Code. He can recite it from memory. He has a good relationship with clients and he is very personable.
Q. Please rate this lawyer on the following:
Ted knows the Illinois Vehicle Code and the Illinois Administrative Code for Secretary of State hearings by heart. He could recite it chapter and verse.
Ted is excellent at finding creative solutions to legal issues and works at creating new policy when a legal issue is vague.
Ted is very intelligent, communicative and funny. He is extremely likeable and knowledgeable in the field of drivers license reinstatement.
Ted has high ethical standards. I have never seen him act in anything but a professional manner.
Drivers License Reinstatement Hearings with the Secretary of State, DUI Law
- Client Relations
- Collaboration
- Document Review
- Drafting
- Emotional Intelligence
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Litigation
- Oral Argument
- Problem Solving
- Pro Bono and Community Services
- Project Management
- Trials
- Use of Technology
Ted is an exceptional attorney. He is extremely knowledgeable on the law relating to DUI and drivers license reinstatement in Illinois. He is also very kind and personable. He is definitely someone you would want in your corner if you are in need of drivers license reinstatement in Illinois. I trust him fully with my referrals.
Yes

- Other
Case referrals and professional correspondence
- Same Client
I referred clients to Ted for driver's license issues
Over the past 5+ years
Yes
Always stayed in communication with me and all referred clients gave very positive feedback
Q. Please rate this lawyer on the following:
Knows driver's license issues and reinstatement procedures inside and out
Always able to cite to the statute or regulation that applies
Clearly explains all applicable laws and the necessary procedures
Completely professional in handling all matters referred to him
DUI Driver's License Reinstatement
- Client Relations
- Problem Solving
- Trials
Yes

- Current or Former Co-Worker/Colleague
We are colleagues.
- Same Client
We often seek advice from one another.
Since I became licensed to practice law.
Yes
Mr. Harvatin is a very experienced and dedicated advocate for his clients.
Q. Please rate this lawyer on the following:
Mr. Harvatin has in-depth knowledge on numerous areas of laws.
Mr. Harvatin has excellent legal analysis abilities and is committed to providing high-quality legal services to his clients.
Mr. Harvatin makes communication with his clients a top priority.
Mr. Harvatin is extremely ethical and professional in his practice.
Traffic law, DUI law, Criminal law, and Secretary of State matters
- Client Relations
- Collaboration
- Emotional Intelligence
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Litigation
- Mediation
- Negotiation
- Oral Argument
- Problem Solving
- Trials
Yes

- Other
I have referred multiple cases to Mr. Harvatin and he has consulted on some cases that I handled.
- Same Client
Mr. Harvatin has consulted on some cases that I handled.
Multiple times throughout the year.
Yes
Very knowledgeable regarding traffic, DUI, and general licensing matters.
Q. Please rate this lawyer on the following:
Vast. He has taught seminars I have attended. Mr. Harvatin often assists me with figuring out complex license matters for my clients.
Mr. Harvatin is able to immediately find the issue and often has an answer without much analysis.
Mr. Harvatin always responds to my calls and emails quickly.
Mr. Harvatin is always very ethical and professional in court and non-court matters.
Traffic, DUI, criminal defense and driver's license matters
- Client Relations
- Legal Research
- Litigation
- Negotiation
- Problem Solving
- Trials
Yes

- Other
I have been a lawyer for more than 25 years and have worked with and consulted with Ted regularly during that time.
- Same Client
I have consulted with Ted and relied on his expertise on matters before the Secretary of State.
I have worked with Ted on numerous cases and consulted him on numerous issues over the last 25 years.
Yes
Ted is one of the most knowledgeable members of the Illinois bar when it comes to drivers license reinstatement issues.
Q. Please rate this lawyer on the following:
Ted knows his stuff. As a DUI defense attorneys, knowledge of the drivers license consequences of various alternative dispositions is sometimes the most important aspect of the representation.
Ted keeps up to date on the changing administrative rules of the Secretary of State and the ever changing DUI laws.
Ted is responsive and thorough in answering questions and providing assistance even to competitors.
Ted is held in high regard when dealing with prosecutors and is able to zealously represent his clients because of that.
Secretary of State hearings and DUI defense.
- Client Relations
- Document Review
- Negotiation
- Problem Solving
Yes

- Other
Mr. Harvatin and I have been/are members of the Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Laws and Courts Section Council. We have served as presenters at Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars. I have consulted him regarding cases I have handled.
- Same Client
I have consulted with Mr. Harvatin on many legal issues regarding Clients I have represented.
For approximately the past ten years.
Yes
Mr. Harvatin is highly skilled and very knowledgeable. Encyclopedia-like recall and knowledge of case law and statutes. Highly respected by his peers. The "go to" person to discuss complex legal issues.
Q. Please rate this lawyer on the following:
Exceptional knowledge/recall of case law and statutes. Quickly analyzes legal issues.
Exceptional knowledge of case law and statutes. Quickly grasps and analyzes legal issues.
Excellent speaker, communicator and CLE presenter. Presents fact patterns and legal issues and developments in a clear manner.
Honorable, straightforward, down-to-earth, straight shooter.
Driver's License reinstatement and DUI.
- Emotional Intelligence
- Legal Research
- Litigation
- Problem Solving
Yes

- Current or Former Co-Worker/Colleague
A fellow lawyer in the community.
- Same Client
We have sought advice from one another on a variety of cases.
Since the beginning of my career.
Yes
Mr. Harvatin has in-depth knowledge of his areas of practice.
Q. Please rate this lawyer on the following:
Mr. Harvatin has years of experience representing client charged with DUI and helping those obtain driving relief through the Secretary of State.
A wide set of skills including legal analysis in his fields of practice.
He is able provide counsel to his clients in a straightforward and thoughtful manner.
He is an upstanding member of our legal community and he is willing to help other attorneys by providing frequent advice.
DUI Defense and Secretary of State reinstatement.
- Business Advising
- Client Relations
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Litigation
- Negotiation
- Oral Argument
- Problem Solving
- Trials
Yes

- Current or Former Co-Worker/Colleague
- Other
Ted's office is down the street from mine. We handle many of the same types of cases.
- Same Client
We consult on cases together.
I work with him all the time.
Yes
Ted knows the law and cares about his clients. He stays on top of changes in the law. His analysis is top-notch.
Q. Please rate this lawyer on the following:
Ted knows the law and cares about his clients. He stays on top of changes in the law. His analysis is top-notch.
Ted knows the law and cares about his clients. He stays on top of changes in the law. His analysis is top-notch.
He explains complicated concepts in a simple and clear fashion.
His ethics have never been questioned. He does not take his responsibilities lightly.
DUI, traffic and Secretary of State
- Client Relations
- Document Review
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Litigation
- Problem Solving
Yes

- Current or Former Co-Worker/Colleague
I have known Mr. Harvatin through our membership in the Illinois Bar Association and the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Illinois Lawyer & Substance Abuse Counselor Association. I often seek Mr. Harvatin's advice and consultation on legal matters. Because we are in different parts of the State, we have often referred clients to one another.
- Same Client
We have often represented the same client in different matters, for example, a client who has pending cases in both Chicago and Springfield.
Many times over the past 10 or more years.
Yes
Absolutely. Mr. Harvatin is extremely knowledgeable about the law, especially in regards to DUI and Secretary of State license reinstatement issues. He is also a very strong advocate on behalf of his clients.
Q. Please rate this lawyer on the following:
Mr. Harvatin is the most knowledgeable Secretary of State attorney in Illinois.
Mr. Harvatin is always on top of the latest changes in the law and always provides top-notch legal analysis.
Mr. Harvatin has excellent verbal and written skills. He has written numerous articles for bar association journals and lectured at continuing legal education seminars.
Mr. Harvatin always responds to my questions quickly and in a detailed manner. None of the clients that I have referred to him have ever said a bad word about him. He is beyond reproach.
Criminal, DUI and traffic defense and Secretary of State license reinstatement.
- Client Relations
- Document Review
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Litigation
- Negotiation
- Oral Argument
- Problem Solving
- Trials
- Use of Technology
Yes

- Current or Former Co-Worker/Colleague
Ted is a colleague. I have worked with him in his office space for many years.
- Same Client
The responsive options are too limited for this question. Ted and I have have not shared any clients that I remember, however, I have discussed many cases with Ted over the years.
Ted and I have had office space in the same building since 2012.
Yes
I have always known Ted to work and fight hard for his clients.
Q. Please rate this lawyer on the following:
Ted knows traffic law as well as, if not better than, any lawyer in the state.
Ted has been practicing for many years and knows how a case is likely to play out and what should be done to help the client achieve his/her goals.
I have always found Ted easy to talk to and easily understood.
Ted has always been professional and courteous in our dealings.
Traffic
- Legal Research
- Litigation
- Problem Solving
Yes

- Other
I know Ted through his presentations at continuing legal education programs and his work with bar associations.
- I Represented Them
Ted is a resource for other attorneys practicing in his areas.
I have not personally worked with Ted but he has been a resource for me.
Yes
He is extremely knowledgeable in Illinois traffic law. He is one of the traffic law "gurus" in the State of Illinois.
Q. Please rate this lawyer on the following:
Ted is an expert attorney in the areas of traffic law and Secretary of State driver's license issues.
Ted knows the legal and procedural issues pertaining to traffic and driver's licenses law. He shares his knowledge in a logical and thorough manner with other attorneys by speaking at continuing legal education programs, participating in online discussions and speaking individually with other attorneys. His answers are clear, logical and forceful.
Ted clearly communicates orally and in writing. He thoroughly explains intricate legal issues in an intelligible and forceful manner.
Ted teaches other lawyers not only the legal issues in his area of law but also the ethical requirements.
Traffic law and Secretary of State driver's license issues.
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Litigation
- Trials
Yes

- Current or Former Co-Worker/Colleague
Ted and I are both appointed to the ISBA Traffic Laws and Courts committee.
- Different Client, Same Side of Case
We often represent different clients in similar matters
For the past 10 years
Yes
He is incredibly knowledgeable in the area of Secretary of State hearings
Q. Please rate this lawyer on the following:
Ted is one of the most knowledgable people in the state in the area of Secretary of State hearings
He is wonderful at applying the law to the facts and knows the case law in the area of Secretary of State hearings
He has the ability to explain things incredibly succinctly and in a way people who don't know his area of law can understand
Ted is is ethical, honest, well prepared and always willing to help other attorneys
Secretary of State hearings, DUI, Traffic Tickets
- Client Relations
- Document Review
- Emotional Intelligence
- Legal Research
- Litigation
- Trials
Yes

- Other
Ted and I have worked on legislation together, lectured together as well as consulted on cases with each other.
- Same Client
Ted and I have consulted with one another on the same client.
I have ‘worked’ with Ted for at least 15-20 years and continue to do so as of this date.
Yes
Ted is an aggressive advocate on behalf of all of his clients.
Q. Please rate this lawyer on the following:
Ted is an expert in the area of criminal, administrative and DUI laws proceedings before the Sec of State.
As I stated Ted is an expert in the areas I described. He is called upon for assistance by lawyers across the State.
Ted is able to clearly explain his analysis of issues that he is asked to review.
Ted has an impeccable reputation in the legal community. There has never been any question of his ethics and professionalism.
Criminal Law, DUI and Administrative proceedings before the Secretary of State.
- Client Relations
- Collaboration
- Document Review
- Drafting
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Litigation
- Negotiation
- Problem Solving
- Trials
- Use of Technology
Yes

- Current or Former Co-Worker/Colleague
Ted and I regularly correspond on a variety of criminal law matters.
- Different Client, Same Side of Case
Ted and I both do driver's license reinstatement hearings. I know him best from the generosity he displayed in walking me through the process approximately 4-5 years ago when I first switched sides and entered private practice.
November 2018 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 x2 Feb 2017 Etc.
Yes
Ted is one of the most experienced and educated attorneys in Illinois regarding driver's license reinstatement matters. He has been ceaseless in assisting me when I have had issues regarding technical matters such as the Illinois Administrative Code.
Q. Please rate this lawyer on the following:
I can think of no greater authority in Illinois regarding driver's license reinstatement matters.
Ted and I have worked together on Driver's License reinstatement matters, class X sentencing matters, search warrant matters, community caretaking exception and expungements, among many other matters. He is one of the few attorneys who consistently relies on statutes and regulations as opposed to vague recollections.
I regularly exchange communication with Ted regarding a variety of criminal law matters. His writing is clear and understandable.
I have never had an issue which would cause me to call Ted's ethics or professionalism into question.
Criminal law, driver's license reinstatement or other administrative hearings.
- Appeals
- Drafting
- Emotional Intelligence
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Litigation
- Problem Solving
- Use of Technology
Yes

- Other
Ted is a fellow colleague who I turn to for guidance in legal matters involving the Sec of State and have also referred clients to.
- Same Client
I have relied on Mr Harvatin for guidance in representing my own clients.
Several times beginning in 2008 to present.
Yes
Mr Harvatin is an experienced and respected attorney. He has guided me and assisted me in representation of clients before the Secretary of State. His years of experience have provided immeasurable assistance with my own clients. He is patient, responsive, knowledgeable and invested in teaching younger lawyers like myself.
Q. Please rate this lawyer on the following:
Mr Harvatin teaches CLE classes focusing on traffic and secretary of state matters and has an impeccable reputation in the legal community.
Mr Harvatin's knowledge of IL traffic laws and more specifically, those pertaining to the Secretary of State bar none surpasses any other attorney I have worked with. He is skilled, patient and respected because of his years of practice.
Mr Harvatin is very responsive and quick to communicate. He does so clearly and concisely and never hesitates to answer any questions I may have.
Mr Harvatin has an impeccable reputation in the legal community. He is highly respected and alway has the best interest of his clients in mind.
Traffic, DUI Secretary of State matters.
- Client Relations
- Dispute Resolution
- Emotional Intelligence
- Litigation
- Oral Argument
- Problem Solving
- Trials
Mr Harvatin has been instrumental in my own practice and has gone above and beyond in guiding, teaching and assisting me in my representation of clients.
Yes

- Current or Former Co-Worker/Colleague
Ted is one of my mentors. He is one of the top attorneys concentrating in driver's license reinstatements. If ever I have a complex legal issue involving the reinstatement process, Ted is my go-to "book of knowledge."
- Same Client
Early in my career, Ted helped me reinstate the driving privileges of a family member. His advice was incredibly important and he suggested a legal strategy that ultimately saved hours of our time in submitting the application for driving relief.
I've worked with Ted for nearly 5-6 years.
Yes
Ted is familiar with Illinois law, has helped draft and pass legislation, and he is a regular speaker for the ISBA, teaching lawyers about traffic & driver's license related legal issues.
Q. Please rate this lawyer on the following:
Ted is known as the "expert" in driver's license reinstatements. If the client lives in an area I can't serve, I refer to Ted as my first "go-to."
Ted has helped draft legislation and he is a strong advocate for Illinois drivers.
If you've heard Ted speak, his unique tone and delivery forces you to commit his words to long-term-memory. Trust me.
He is ethical and professional. He is a top expert in his field. He's helped me as a mentor and I appreciate his time, his quickness in responding to my questions with smart and strategic answers, and he never appears to be "put-out" in helping others.
Driver's License Reinstatements, Traffic & Criminal law related areas.
- Client Relations
- Collaboration
- Dispute Resolution
- Emotional Intelligence
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Litigation
- Mediation
- Negotiation
- Oral Argument
- Problem Solving
- Trials
- Use of Technology
Yes