i · how it works

a direct line.
no script, no runaround.

01

you call or text the number, free of charge. a real attorney (not a call center, not an intake bot) quickly connects with you.

you reach out.

02

we listen. what happened, what you're worried about, what's urgent, what's not. questions get real answers.

we actually listen.

03

by the end of the call, you'll have a clear picture of your situation, an honest assessment of your options, and a defined next step. that may be a formal engagement with the firm, a referral to a trusted attorney in another practice area, or practical guidance you can act on yourself.

you leave with a plan.

ii · who handles your case

a licensed attorney.
not an intake line.

principal attorney

Kevin Finkelstein

Finkelstein Criminal Defense PLLC

when you contact talk to counsel, you're not routed to a screener who'll decide whether you're worth a lawyer's time.

a licensed New York attorney handles your call.

Training
BigLaw-trained attorney with experience at three major international law firms, where the standards for case preparation, client service, and courtroom practice are set by institutions that represent Fortune 500 companies.
Education
J.D. from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, one of the top law schools in the country, with a focus on constitutional law and criminal procedure.
Practice
Veteran-owned, independent New York law practice. Admitted to the Bar of the State of New York. Focused on criminal defense in Westchester County and the surrounding region.
Recognition
2025 recipient of the Empire State Counsel Justice For All Award from the New York State Bar Association, in recognition of pro bono service and commitment to access to justice.

iii · what a plan looks like

what you get
on your first call.

01 · Situation analysis

A careful look at
what you're facing.

A licensed attorney listens to the facts, asks the right questions, identifies the type of legal matter, and explains the process ahead in plain English. You leave the call understanding what's happening and why it matters.

02 · Honest assessment

What your options
actually are.

Straightforward guidance on the realistic paths forward: the strengths and weaknesses of your position, the risks, the likely timeline, and the decisions you'll need to make. No overpromising, no fear tactics.

03 · The right fit

Representation,
or a trusted referral.

If your matter fits the firm's practice, you'll hear a clear scope of work and a fee structure, disclosed in writing before any engagement. If it doesn't, you'll be connected with an attorney the firm actually knows and trusts, in the appropriate practice area and jurisdiction.

04 · A clear next step

Exactly what
to do next.

Every call ends with a defined next step: what to do today, this week, or before your court date. Whether you retain the firm or not, you hang up knowing exactly what's expected of you and how to move forward.

The Scope

the initial call is
always free.

There is no charge to call Talk to Counsel, no time limit on the conversation, and no obligation to retain the firm. Fees are only discussed if the firm agrees to take on a specific matter, and any fee arrangement is disclosed in writing and signed by both the client and the firm before representation begins. Fees vary by the nature, complexity, and anticipated scope of the matter, and every engagement is governed by the New York Rules of Professional Conduct.

iv · confidentiality

what you
tell us stays with us.

Everything you share on your initial call is treated as confidential under the New York Rules of Professional Conduct. The firm takes confidentiality seriously, and consultations with prospective clients are protected even where no formal representation is ultimately undertaken.

A few practical notes, for your own protection: please avoid transmitting highly sensitive or privileged information through this website, by unsecured email, or in an initial text message. The firm will also conduct a conflict check before any attorney-client relationship is formed. A formal relationship with Finkelstein Criminal Defense PLLC begins only when a written engagement agreement is signed by both the client and the firm.

v · when to call