Practice areas: DUI-DWI; view more
Licensed in Illinois since: 1981
Education: University of Illinois College of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2006, 2021 - 2026 Call today:
217-689-4440
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Free Consultation Harvatin Law Offices, PC
1100 South 5th StreetSpringfield, IL 62703 Visit website
Theodore J. Harvatin, the owner of the firm Harvatin Law Offices P.C. in Springfield, Illinois, has been in the field of law for over four decades. The types of cases he takes on include DUI, DWI or drunk driving; driver’s license hearings; and Illinois traffic law matters.
Mr. Harvatin has received a perfect score of 10.0 out of 10.0 on Avvo for his impeccable legal services and sound and knowledgeable counsel. He has also gotten a lot of positive feedback from his pleased clients. At every turn of their case, he relentlessly defends the rights of his clients.
Graduating cum laude, Mr. Harvatin received his bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. He decided to pursue his legal studies and attended the University of Illinois College of Law, earning his Juris Doctor in 1981. He is admitted to practice law in Illinois and before the U.S. District Court for the District of Illinois.
While in law school, Mr. Harvatin was selected to become a member of the Mensa International Society. He currently serves on many prominent legal associations, including the Illinois State Bar Association, the Sangamon County Bar Association, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and The National College for DUI Defense.
Mr. Harvatin is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association’s DUI and Traffic Law Council and a co-chair of the Legislative Subcommittee. He is a graduate of the National College for DUI Defense’s Summer Session held at Harvard Law School. He is frequently called to speak in seminars and continuing legal education platforms about DUI and drunk driving and the law.
A strong proponent of giving back to society, Mr. Harvatin had served as a Big Brother at the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Sangamon County, and he continues to serve as a sponsor. He has contributed to articles about DUI and court supervision in traffic cases that have been published by the Illinois Bar Journal.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense: DUI/DWIFocus areas
DUI/DWI
- 100% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
First Admitted: 1981, Illinois
Professional Webpage: https://www.harvatinlaw.com/theodore-j-harvatin.html
Bar / Professional Activity
- Illinois, 1981
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
- National College for DUI Defense, Graduate of NCDD Summer Session at Harvard Law School, July 2013
- National College for DUI Defense, Member, 2012-present
- Illinois State Bar Association DUI and Traffic Law Council, Co-chair of Legislative Subcommittee: 2013-present
- Illinois State Bar Association DUI and Traffic Law Council, Chair: 2022-2023
- Illinois State Bar Association DUI and Traffic Law Council, Vice Chair/Acting Chair: 2021-2022
- Illinois State Bar Association DUI and Traffic Law Council, Secretary: 2020-2021
- Illinois State Bar Association DUI and Traffic Law Council, Member, 2006 - present
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Sangamon County Bar Association, Member Since: 1981
- U.S. Federal Court, 1983
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Davis v. Industrial Comm'n (Charles J. Gramlich), 261 Ill. App. 3d 849; 634 N.E.2d 1117 (4th Dist. Industrial Commission Div. 1994)
- Wild. v. White (Illinois Secretary of State) 2006 Unpublished Opinion
- Webb. v. White (Illinois Secretary of State), 364 Ill.App.3d 650; 850 N.E.2d 233; 302 Ill. Dec. 796 (4th Dist. 2006)
- Clark v. Jesse White (Illinois Secretary of State), 343 Ill. App. 3d 689; 798 N.E.2d 412; 278 Ill. Dec. 310 (4th Dist. 2003)
- City of Springfield v. Indus. Comm'n. (Glenn Wessel), 328 Ill. App. 3d 448; 766 N.E.2d 261 (4th Dist. Industrial Commission Div. 2002)
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- “Strategies in Handling DWI and DUI Cases: Driver’s License Hearings with the Illinois Secretary of State”. Lorman Educational Services. June 22, 2006. Springfield, Illinois
- Speaker and Moderator: "DUI & Traffic Law Seminar", Experience track: Explanation of new rules governing hearings before the Illinois Secretary of State for driving relief following revocations and suspensions. Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Law and Courts Section Council. April 8, 2022.
- Speaker: "DUI & Traffic Law Seminar". Discussion of proposed rules governing hearings before the Illinois Secretary of State for driving relief following revocations and suspensions. Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Law and Courts Section Council. April 14, 2021.
- Speaker: "DUI Defense: A Litigator's Seminar". Panel discussion on Secretary of State issues regarding RDP, MDDP, BAIID, and other license reinstatement issues. Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Law and Courts Section Council. October 2, 2020.
- Speaker: "DUI and Traffic Law Update". Topics: MDDP, RDP, and CDL issues. Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Law and Courts Section Council, April 12, 2019, Naperville, Illinois.
- Speaker: "DUI and Traffic Law Update". Topics: CDL issues, including "masking"; Court Supervision Updates. Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Law and Courts Section Council, April 13, 2018, Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
- Speaker: "DUI and Traffic Law Update". Topics: Updates to legislation and administrative rules governing Illinois Secretary of State Driver's License Hearings. Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Law and Courts Section Council, October 6, 2017. East Peoria, Illinois. Additional topic: Suspensions for traffic law violations, supervision, CDL and GDL issue.
- Speaker: "DUI and Traffic Law Update". Topics: Updates to legislation and administrative rules governing Illinois Secretary of State Driver's License Hearings. Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Law and Courts Section Council, April 7, 2017. Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
- Speaker: "DUI & Traffic Issues for the Defense". Topic: Updates to legislation and administrative rules governing Illinois Secretary of State Driver's License Hearings. Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, September 15, 2016. Naperville, Illinois.
- Speaker: "DUI and Traffic Law Update". Topics: Updates to legislation and administrative rules governing Illinois Secretary of State Driver's License Hearings. Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Law and Courts Section Council, April 8, 2016. Bloomington, Illinois.
- Speaker: "DUI and Traffic Law Update". Topics: Illinois Secretary of State Driver's License Hearings; Court Supervision Updates; CDL and GDL Issues. Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Law and Courts Section Council, March 13, 2015.
- Speaker: "DUI and Traffic Law Update". Topics: Illinois Secretary of State Driver's License Hearings; Court Supervision Updates; CDL and GDL Issues; Discovery, Videotapes and Kladis. Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Law and Courts Section Council, March 14, 2014
- Speaker: "DUI and Traffic Law Update". Topics: Illinois Secretary of State Driver's License Hearings; Court Supervision Updates; CDL and GDL Issues; Discovery, Videotapes and Kladis. Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Law and Courts Section Council, September 20, 2013
- Moderator/Speaker "DUI: Beyond the Courtroom". Topic: Illinois Secretary of State Rules and Hearings. Illinois Institute for Continuing legal Education, February 22, 2013
- Speaker “Administrative Law in Illinois”. Topic: Illinois Secretary of State Administrative Hearings. Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, October 12, 2012
- Speaker "DUI Defense Strategies". Topic: Illinois Secretary of State Issues. Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, September 14, 2012
- Moderator/Speaker "Traffic Law Update". Illinois State Bar Association, Law Ed Series, March 3, 2007.
- Speaker: “Strategies in Handling DWI and DUI Cases: Driver’s License Hearings with the Illinois Secretary of State”. Lorman Educational Services. June 22, 2006. Springfield, Illinois
- “The Prairie Lawyer” (local public access cable television program). Topic: Driver’s License Hearings with the Illinois Secretary of State.
- Worker’s Compensation and Vocational Rehabilitation. April 16, 2001. Department of Rehabilitation Services Retreat, Shelbyville, Illinois
- Copyright for "Negotiating the Illinois Administrative and Vehicle Codes in connection with Secretary of State Driver's License Hearings"
- “DUI Will Travel: When Drunk Driving Cases Cross State Lines.” Illinois Bar Journal, August 2011, Volume 99, No. 8, pgs. 406-409)
- “Court Supervision in Traffic Cases: New Strategies for Amended Laws”. Illinois Bar Journal, April 2006, Volume 94, No. 4, pgs. 192-93. (Reprinted in Westlaw online and distributed at annual Judge's training course.)
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Ted is an an exceptional attorney. He is an unmatched resource in his area of law and many attorneys rely on him for advice on more complex cases. He is personable and pays attention to every detail of a client's case. I highly recommend him for SuperLawyers.”
“Ted is the DUI guru. I do not think it gets any better than him at traffic and DUI matters.”
Office location for Theodore J. Harvatin
1100 South 5th Street
Springfield, IL 62703
Phone: 217-689-4440
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2006, 2021 - 2026
