Atty. Craig S. Powell

Atty. Craig S. Powell

Craig S. Powell has spent his career fighting to uphold the rights of the accused.

Milwaukee Milwaukee 21 yrs experience 21 year
Call (414) 930-1475 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Craig S. Powell at a glance

Craig S. Powell is a Partner based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, practicing at Hart Powell, S.C.. They have 21+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2005. Their practice focuses on criminal defense and appellate. Admitted to practice in Wisconsin (2005), U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin (2005), and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin (2005). Educated at University of Wisconsin, Madison (J.D., 2005) and University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire (B.A. Journalism, 1998). Recognitions include BV Distinguished. Active member of State Bar of Wisconsin. Serands clients in Milwaukee, WI and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Craig S. Powell has spent his career fighting to uphold the rights of the accused
  • Craig S. Powell joined the firm, then known as Kohler & Hart, SC, as an Associate in 2005 following his graduation from the University of Wisconsin Law School
  • He has been a partner at the firm since 2011
  • Craig’s practice is primarily devoted to criminal trial and appellate work in state and federal courts
  • Craig is a skilled trial litigator, and has used his legal research, writing, and courtroom skills to win not guilty verdicts and pre-trial dismissals in a wide variety of cases, including prosecutions for homicide, sexual assault, drugs and OWI
  • In addition, Craig has secured countless beneficial results for clients through favorable pre-trial diversions, plea bargains and contested sentencing hearings
  • Craig also leads the firm’s appellate and postconviction practice and has argued frequently before the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals
  • Craig’s first appellate victory came in a case he began handling as a law student in which he successfully argued to the Court of Appeals that his client’s conviction should be reversed because the client’s confession had not been sufficiently corroborated
  • Craig has continued to obtain substantial victories for his appellate clients at Kohler & Hart, SC, winning new trials for defendants sentenced to decades in prison after convictions for sexual assault of a child and first degree reckless injury
  • reversals of felony OWI and drug convictions
  • substantial sentence modifications
  • and the preservation of a defendant’s right to access a witness’s privileged records in order to present a defense
  • In addition to his criminal law practice, Craig assists in the firm’s civil litigation and personal injury practice
  • Craig earned his J.D. in 2005 from the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he developed his litigation skills through clinical work with the Defender Project, the Criminal Appeals Project, and the Consumer Law Litigation Clinic at the Frank J. Remington Center
  • In recognition of his devotion to his clinical clients, Craig was awarded the Bruce Beilfuss Memorial Scholarship
  • Prior to law school, Craig received his B.A in Journalism and English at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire in 1998
  • Craig is an active member of the criminal defense bar
  • He has been on the faculty of the Annual Conference on Recent Developments in Criminal Law, sponsored by Marquette Law School and the Milwaukee Bar Association, and has spoken to aspiring trial lawyers at Marquette University Law School
  • Craig is a member of the Milwaukee Bar Association, Wisconsin Bar Association, the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • He is licensed to practice law in Wisconsin’s State and Federal courts, the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court
  • Craig has been recognized in Law & Politics Magazine and Milwaukee Magazine as a “Rising Star” in the field of criminal defense for 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015
  • was named to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers list by the National Trial Lawyers for 2014 and 2015
  • and has been rated a 10.0 “Superb” by AVVO

Practice Areas Explained

Craig S. Powell's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Craig S. Powell handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Criminal Defense

A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

Craig S. Powell is one of 214,270 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Wisconsin →

Appellate Practice

Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.

Craig S. Powell is one of 86,319 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate attorneys in Wisconsin →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Wisconsin

Practicing law in Wisconsin. Legal matters in Wisconsin are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Milwaukee are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Wisconsin state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Wisconsin brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Wisconsin courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Wisconsin attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Milwaukee or all attorneys in Wisconsin.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Craig S. Powell

Where is Craig S. Powell's law office located?
Craig S. Powell's law practice is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The firm is Hart Powell, S.C.. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Craig S. Powell handle?
Craig S. Powell focuses on criminal defense, appellate. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Wisconsin.
How long has Craig S. Powell practiced law?
Craig S. Powell has 21+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 2005.
Where did Craig S. Powell go to law school?
Craig S. Powell earned their education at (J.D., 2005); (B.A. Journalism, 1998).
How can I contact Craig S. Powell for a consultation?
You can contact Craig S. Powell directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Craig S. Powell received?
Craig S. Powell's notable recognition includes: BV Distinguished.

Education

J.D.
University of Wisconsin, Madison
- 2005
B.A. Journalism
University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire
- 1998

Awards

BV Distinguished

Bar Admissions

Wisconsin
Admitted: 2005
U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
Admitted: 2005
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
Admitted: 2005

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