Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Enter legal issue and location

Hal R. Arenstein - Cincinnati, OH

114 E. 8th St. Cincinnati, OH 45202

Updated: 12/07/2017

Cincinnati Criminal Defense Lawyer

Overview

Hal Arenstein is a 1979 graduate of Case Western Reserve University College of Law. His 35 years of practice has been confined to criminal defense in both State and Federal Courts. He recently was qualified as an expert in the Federal Sentencing Guidelines in the Federal District Court in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Mr. Arenstein has testified for the defense in a federal criminal case as a witness on the Sentencing Guidelines and the substantial benefit the cooperating co-defendant received in exchange for testifying on behalf of the government. He is a past president of the Greater Cincinnati Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and was recently elected to a second term on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Criminal Defense lawyers. He formerly served as Co-Chair of the NACDL Membership Committee and through his efforts, membership for NACDL has exceeded 10,000 members. Mr. Arenstein is now Co-Chair of the Legislative Committee.

Mr. Arenstein is a frequent lecturer on various areas of trial practice. His presentations include "Defending Individuals Charged wit Sexually Abusing Children," "Discovery Issues in Complex Criminal Litigation," "Miranda and The Pre-Trial Statement," "Preparing for the Snitch," "Post Traumatic Stress Disorders and The Battered Spouse," "Evidentiary Issues in Drug Prosecutions," "New Developments in the Federal Sentencing Guidelines," and "Preparing to Cross Examine on Forensic Issues Pertaining to the Crime Scene."

Mr. Arenstein has defended citizens accused of crimes in Illinois, Missouri, West Virginia, Georgia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky and Alabama.

Recently, Mr. Arenstein traveled to Cuba as a member of an NACDL sponsored delegation which studied their criminal justice system meeting with professors, legislators, criminal defense counsel and prosecutors.

About Hal R. Arenstein

Current Employment Position(s)

  • Attorney

Practice Areas

  • Criminal Defense

Representative Clients

  • Professional NFL and NBA Athletes
  • Planned Parenthood of Southern Ohio

Qualifications

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio, 1979
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 1979
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1987
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1992

Other Affiliations

  • Greater Cincinnati Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (Past President )
  • National Association of Criminal Defense lawyers (Board of Directors)
  • National Association of Criminal Defense lawyers (NACDL) (Co-Chair, Membership Committee)
  • National Association of Criminal Defense lawyers (NACDL) (Co-Chair, Legislative Committee)

Classes and Seminars

  • Defending Individuals Charged wit Sexually Abusing Children
  • Discovery Issues in Complex Criminal Litigation
  • Miranda and The Pre-Trial Statement
  • Preparing for the Snitch
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorders and The Battered Spouse
  • Evidentiary Issues in Drug Prosecutions
  • New Developments in the Federal Sentencing Guidelines
  • Preparing to Cross Examine on Forensic Issues Pertaining to the Crime Scene
  • Criminal Trial Practice, Univ. of Cinti Law School, 2006
  • Forensic, Univ. of Cinti Law School, 2003 - 2006

Past Positions

  • Gaines & Gaines, Associate, 1979 - 1981

Education

  • Case Western Reserve University Law School, Cleveland, Ohio, 1979
    J.D.
  • Denison University, Granville, Ohio
    B.A.
    Honors: With Honors
    Major: History
    Major: Political Science

Fraternities and Sororities

  • Omega Delta Kappa

Fees

Accepts Credit Cards

Articles

Published Works

  • Crime Scene Investigation, National Institute of Justice, January, 2000
  • A Guide for Law Enforcement, Writing panel member

Office Information

Address

114 E. 8th St. Cincinnati, OH 45202

Fax

  • 513-651-5688

Achievements

Other Sources of Feedback About Hal R. Arenstein

Included on the 2025 Ohio Super Lawyers list


Past Lists

  • 2024 Ohio Super Lawyers list
  • 2023 Ohio Super Lawyers list
  • 2022 Ohio Super Lawyers list
  • 2021 Ohio Super Lawyers list
  • 2020 Ohio Super Lawyers list
  • 2019 Ohio Super Lawyers list
  • 2018 Ohio Super Lawyers list
  • 2017 Ohio Super Lawyers list
  • 2016 Ohio Super Lawyers list
  • 2015 Ohio Super Lawyers list
  • 2014 Ohio Super Lawyers list
  • 2013 Ohio Super Lawyers list
  • 2012 Ohio Super Lawyers list

View the profile for Hal R. Arenstein on Super Lawyers

Honors

  • Outstanding Service Award, United States Dist. Court So. D. of Ohio
  • The Jim Looker Award, The Greater Cincinnati Criminal Defense League, 2000

When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.

Write Your Review

Fields marked with an * are required

1. Rating

Overall rating

How would you rate your overall experience with this lawyer?

Use the up and down arrows to increase or decrease the rating

Please Rate
Optional ratings
Value
Please Rate
Quality Of Service
Please Rate
Professional Competence
Please Rate

2. Review

Please share your opinion of working with this attorney. Do not reveal personal information or details about your case. All submitted reviews are shared with the attorney prior to publishing.

Your feedback must be at least 50 characters.Your review must be at least 50 characters
I would recommend this attorney to friends and family:

3. Verification

Keep my name anonymous from public view:
Customer Type
Please choose one

Unable to send request

By submitting this form you agree to receive email communications from FindLaw related to the management of your review.

Privacy Statement Contact Lawyer FAQ
By Anonymous on Sep. 10, 2022

1.0 out of 5 stars

Took 5000 dollars from my spouse and I because my spouse wouldn't take a plea deal he had already agree to without our informing us wouldn't answer question. I asked should I hire a new attorney he said yes I am done. That was the best thing he could have done my new lawyer is outstanding I wont expose him until right before trial I HAL I am taking the bar and coming for your spot.

Value

Quality Of Service

Professional Competence

By Anonymous on Apr. 14, 2020

1.0 out of 5 stars

Overrated and overpriced also makes deals with the prosecutor without telling his client he?s an old school crook

Value

Quality Of Service

Professional Competence

Map Location

Google Map

How do I choose a lawyer?

Consider the following:

Comfort Level
- Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? Does the lawyer seem interested in solving your problem?

Credentials
- How long has the lawyer been in practice? Has the lawyer worked on other cases similar to yours?

Cost
- How are the lawyer's fees structured - hourly or flat fee? Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your case?

City
- Is the lawyer's office conveniently located?

Not sure what questions to ask a lawyer?

Here are a few to get you started:

  • How long have you been in practice?
  • How many cases like mine have you handled?
  • How often do you settle cases out of court?
  • What are your fees and costs?
  • What are the next steps?

Want to check lawyer discipline?

It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can:

  • Ensure the attorney is currently licensed to practice in your state
  • Gain an understanding of his or her historical disciplinary record, if any.
  • Determine the seriousness of complaints/issues which could range from late bar fees to more serious issues requiring disciplinary action.

Find a Lawyer

More Options