About Gary Hale
Gary Hale Gerstenfield earned his law degree from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law and later pursued advanced criminal defense training at Harvard Law School in 1997. He pairs formal legal education with ongoing study. That combination shapes how he approaches cases and courtroom work.
He is admitted to practice in Virginia and Maryland and is admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Those admissions allow him to handle matters at both the state and federal levels. He represents individuals facing criminal charges and regularly appears in trials and appeals.
Gerstenfield's professional memberships include the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National College of DUI Defense, and the Maryland Criminal Defense Association. He has remained connected to those organizations throughout his career. The memberships reflect continued engagement with developments in criminal law and DUI practice rather than titles or awards.
Clients encounter a lawyer comfortable in contested settings. He handles a range of criminal matters, including cases that involve impaired driving. He also conducts litigation in state courts and prepares appellate briefs for the Fourth Circuit when cases rise above the trial level. His practice involves courtroom hearings, plea negotiations, and written advocacy on appeal.
Those who work with him describe a steady, methodical approach. He prepares cases for trial and for appeal. That involves investigating facts, reviewing police reports and scientific evidence, and framing legal arguments for judges and juries. Training at Harvard and ongoing participation in national and regional defense organizations inform his tactical choices.
Gerstenfield maintains a private practice under his own name and operates from his office in the region. He balances trial work with appellate filings, handling matters that range from contested DUI charges to other criminal defense assignments. His current practice concentrates on criminal defense and DUI-related cases.
