More About Hal Harlowe's Experience

When Hal Harlowe first ran for District Attorney, Isthmus described him as "an uncommonly good man with good ideas." When he retired after three terms as District Attorney, Hal received editorial praise for his combination of "hard-nosed experience and idealism." Hal's strength, integrity and commitment to fairness is reflected throughout his career.

* Before graduating from the University of Wisconsin Law School, Hal served as a VISTA legal intern representing Lakota Sioux in employment discrimination cases brought against the Public Health Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He also conducted a study of the Lakota Sioux criminal justice system commissioned by the South Dakota Criminal Justice Office.

* Following graduation from Law School, Hal was an Assistant District Attorney in Beloit, a branch of the Rock County District Attorney's Office. His cases included one of the few successful prosecutions in modern Wisconsin history of a public official for bribery, and the prosecution of the attempted murder of a police officer.

* Hal was an Assistant Attorney General in the State Department of Justice's Criminal Trials Unit where he supervised investigations, conducted grand juries and John Does, and prosecuted criminal matters of state-wide importance including organized crime activities, homicide, tax evasion and white collar crime.

* As a young prosecutor, Hal’s natural skill in court was recognized by opposing counsel, and he was recruited to work as a defense lawyer at Shellow & Shellow, a prestigious Milwaukee based law firm.

* Harlowe returned to Madison and was recruited to serve as the Director of the Legal Services Unit of the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing. As the first attorney to serve in this capacity, Hal established the system and procedures for investigating and prosecuting licensed professionals. Hal’s work formed the basis for the practices now employed by the agency’s Division of Enforcement. Years later, as the Chairperson of the Governor's Task Force on the Discipline of licensed Professionals, Hal co-authored the report that guided the reorganization of procedures for handling complaints against physicians and other professionals in Wisconsin. He led the effort for increasing the fairness and effectiveness of the investigative system, and for providing due process to licensed professionals facing complaints. A significant portion of Hal's current practice involves representing licensed professionals. Hal's history with and knowledge of the system has contributed to his success in this area of practice.

* While a trial lawyer at the Youth Policy and Law Center, Hal represented children with disabilities in advancing their right to education and litigated other juvenile justice issues. He currently represents children and families whose needs have not been met by public
and private school systems.

* As the elected Dane County District Attorney for three terms, Hal earned a reputation for being an effective and fair prosecutor with a willingness to take on tough cases. He brought necessary reorganization to the office and the court system. He instituted a nationally recognized program for addressing the problems of domestic violence against women and children. Hal showed a continuing commitment to justice and an intolerance of prejudice and bigotry, and successfully prosecuted one of the nation's most notorious serial-racist killers. Harlowe’s experience as District Attorney gives him an invaluable advantage in defending clients in his current practice because he is so familiar with the complex operations of the legal system. Having lead hundreds of investigations himself, he has an intimate understanding of how investigations are conducted and how to defend against them.

Hal knows how prosecutors think, and what information needs to be provided to them to obtain a favorable outcome in a case. He and how “the system” makes decisions, and he uses this familiarity effectively in representing adults and juveniles accused of wrongdoing.

* As a defense attorney, Hal has represented hundreds of clients: adults facing criminal charges and misdemeanors, licensed professionals, juveniles, corporations, and small businesses. He has handled civil and criminal cases in state and federal courts ranging from basic matters to extremely complex litigation. Hal has also represented community leaders and celebrities in "high profile" cases where confidentiality and sophistication in dealing with the press is key to a successful outcome.

* Hal's achievements have been recognized by the National Women's Political Caucus of Wisconsin, the American Indian Peace and Justice League, the National Association of Counties, and the National Police Foundation. He has lectured in ethics related to police
work, and taught trial advocacy as a clinical professor at the University of Wisconsin Law
School. He has served as a special prosecutor and investigated complaints against sitting judges for the state's Judicial Commission.

* Hal Harlowe’s ability has been recognized by his selection for the

*Best Lawyers of America Consumer Guide

*Leading American Attorney's Guide

*In Madison Magazine's Best Lawyers Survey, he was selected by his peers as one of Madison's finest lawyers in both criminal defense and juvenile law.

*The firm is AV Rated (Marindale Hubbel) and accepts referrals from both in and out of state attorneys in the areas of criminal defense, state and federal contractor debarment matters and regulatory defense of licensed professionals.

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