Hal R. Arenstein

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. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Hal R. Arenstein included in a Super Lawyers® list Honors Outstanding Service Award, United States Dist. Court So. D. of Ohio The Jim Looker Award, The Greater Cincinnati Criminal Defense League, 2000 Other Sources of Feedback About Hal R. Arenstein Included on the 2026Ohio Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2025 Ohio Super Lawyers list 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

• Attorney

• Gaines & Gaines, Associate, 1979 - 1981

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

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

• 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)
• Fraternities and Sororities
• Omega Delta Kappa