Finkelstein, 67, was elected Broward Public Defender in 2004, already having made a name for himself as a television personality offering legal commentary on the OJ Simpson case, the Elian Gonzalez controversy and the Bush v. Gore election fiasco. He was and remains “Help Me Howard,” the WSVN-Ch. 7 analyst who calmly explains the law to South Florida residents who find themselves in curious situations and want advice or assistance.