Prusak and Harkins, LLC

Prusak and Harkins, LLC, operating within the "Nearby Lawyers" category in Chicago, IL, is a law firm situated at 910 W Van Buren St Ste 102, Chicago, IL 60607, USA. The firm can be reached at (312) 226-0640 or via mobile at +1 312-226-0640. Co-founded by Shelby Prusak and Tracey L. Harkins, the firm primarily focuses on criminal defense and family defense services, aiming to provide legal representation to individuals facing challenging legal situations.

The firm’s core services center around criminal defense, covering a wide array of charges from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Shelby Prusak, as a founding partner, brings over 30 years of criminal defense experience to the firm. Her background includes serving as an assistant public defender in both Lake County and Cook County, including on the elite Cook County Homicide Task Force, where she defended over 100 murder cases. She has also taught trial advocacy and clinics to third-year law students. Her practice areas in criminal defense include, but are not limited to, narcotics possessions, sales, and delivery, gun case possessions, burglary, forgery, aggravated discharge of a weapon, kidnapping, criminal sexual assault, attempted murder, and murder. The firm aims to rigorously investigate, negotiate, and litigate to secure favorable results for clients, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to upholding their rights.

Tracey L. Harkins, also a founding partner, contributes to the firm's criminal defense capabilities, with a combined experience of over 45 years in criminal defense between the two partners. Her expertise also extends to Family Defense services, assisting individuals involved with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). This area of practice is crucial for families navigating sensitive issues, and Ms. Harkins is noted for her aggressive yet compassionate approach in aiding families in need. She is also the President of the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Second Vice President of the Women's Criminal Defense Bar Association, demonstrating her leadership and influence in the legal community. Both attorneys have served as adjunct faculty at Loyola University Chicago School of Law or DePaul University School of Law, further highlighting their commitment to legal education and expertise.

The environment at Prusak and Harkins, LLC, as described by various clients, presents a mixed picture. Positive reviews often describe a "warm and caring office" with staff and other lawyers who make clients "feel very welcome." Clients who had positive experiences mention attorneys being "very punctual, and always stays on track," and "very reliable and dependable in every aspect." There's feedback indicating that the lawyers are "very straight forward very punctual and head on with everything" and that they "will work with you through it all." Shelby Prusak is described by some as "diligent," "aggressive, outspoken, and Compassionate," and a "rare gem of an attorney" who is "very responsive to calls, texts, messages — and informative every step of the way." Tracy Harkins is also praised for her ability to "understand each clients situation and find the most favorable result" and for being a "genuine advocate who cared deeply about our family and our outcome." These descriptions suggest an environment where, for many clients, the firm is seen as dedicated, professional, and supportive.

However, an objective introduction requires acknowledging all available feedback. A very critical review paints a starkly different picture. This client described the firm as a "worse scamming law firm around" and explicitly accused it of being "racist," advising minorities to "please stay away." The review alleges "horrible communication" and that the firm is "very money hungry," primarily concerned with payment schedules. Specific concerns raised include: a lawyer (presumably Shelby) being "careless and non attentive," offering "bare minimum" options like probation and a non-removable felony instead of supervision and a small fine, and being unwilling to negotiate. The client recounted an incident where a partner allegedly "barged in yelling at me calling me aggressive" for asking questions. Ultimately, the firm "kicked me out the office and removed themselves from my case 8-9 months in," after allegedly doing "nothing but ask for continuances." This client ended up with another firm that successfully reduced charges to a misdemeanor and felt genuinely cared for, leading to an intent to file a complaint with the Bar Association and call for an investigation of Prusak and Harkins, LLC. It should be noted that public records indicate that Raymond L. Prusak, a different individual, was disbarred in Illinois and later reinstated with conditions, including supervision by Shelby Prusak, suggesting a potential past connection to disciplinary actions within the broader Prusak family, though this does not directly pertain to Shelby Prusak herself being disbarred.

Key features of Prusak and Harkins, LLC, as promoted by the firm and reflected in positive testimonials, include their extensive combined experience in criminal defense, their aggressive litigation approach for major crimes (including murder, armed habitual criminal offenses, and criminal sexual assault), and their compassionate representation in family defense matters. The co-founders, Shelby Prusak and Tracy Harkins, are highlighted for their dedication, knowledge, and leadership within various legal associations. The firm explicitly states their commitment to "tirelessly fighting for our clients' rights and ensuring the best possible outcomes, regardless of the circumstances" and upholding "the highest ethical standards and delivering results-driven advocacy." They aim to approach "every client with personalized attention and care."

Promotional information for Prusak and Harkins, LLC emphasizes their expertise in high-stakes criminal defense cases. Their website and online profiles likely feature the extensive experience of Shelby Prusak and Tracy Harkins, highlighting their backgrounds as former public defenders and their successful track records. The firm's commitment to "fighting for you and stand by you with strength and humanity" is a strong promotional message, drawing from positive client experiences. They invite potential clients to reach out to discuss their legal needs, underscoring their readiness to provide dedicated and knowledgeable defense. The phone number (312) 226-0640 is consistently provided as the primary contact for inquiries. While specific details about free consultations or fee structures are not detailed in the provided reviews, it's common for criminal defense firms to offer initial consultations to discuss case specifics.

In summary, Prusak and Harkins, LLC, operating as a "Nearby Lawyer" in Chicago, specializes in criminal defense and family defense. The firm is led by experienced attorneys Shelby Prusak and Tracy Harkins, who bring decades of combined experience and a strong litigation focus to cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies and DCFS matters. Positive client feedback praises their dedication, responsiveness, and compassionate advocacy. However, a significant critical review raises serious concerns about communication, perceived lack of care, and allegations of discriminatory practices and unethical conduct, including issues related to fees and case handling, culminating in a client's intent to file a Bar Association complaint. This indicates a highly varied client experience and underscores the importance of thorough due diligence for prospective clients, particularly in light of such contrasting feedback.