Atty. Hal Harlowe
As a former three-term District Attorney in Dane County, Hal Harlowe’s familiarity with the complex operations of our legal system gives him an invaluable advantage in defending clients. His trial experience includes representing defendants in juvenile and criminal defense cases, defending licensed professionals in disciplinary matters, and litigating civil matters such as personal injury, contract disputes, real estate and guardianship cases.
Profile Summary
About Hal Harlowe at a glance
Hal Harlowe is a criminal defense and white collar attorney based in Madison, Wisconsin, practicing at Hurley Burish SC. Educated at University of Wisconsin–Madison (J.D., 1970). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026), and Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Madison) (2024). Serands clients in Madison, WI and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- As a former three-term District Attorney in Dane County, Hal Harlowe’s familiarity with the complex operations of our legal system gives him an invaluable advantage in defending clients
- His trial experience includes representing defendants in juvenile and criminal defense cases, defending licensed professionals in disciplinary matters, and litigating civil matters such as personal injury, contract disputes, real estate and guardianship cases
- Having led countless investigations himself, Mr. Harlowe has a first-hand understanding of how investigations are conducted and how to defend against them
- He has handled civil and criminal cases in state and federal courts ranging from basic matters to extremely complex litigation, as well as high profile cases where confidentiality is vital
- A significant part of Mr. Harlowe’s practice is in representing licensed professionals in all facets of their practice including negotiating employment contracts, responding to state and federal regulatory inquiries, and defending against ethics allegations and criminal prosecutions in both state and federal court
- He has represented physicians, nurses, pharmacists, chiropractors, lawyers, psychologists, appraisers, real estate brokers and other licensed professionals
- Early in his career, Mr. Harlowe was recruited by the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing (now the Department of Safety and Professional Services) to establish and direct the division that investigates and prosecutes licensed professionals
- He was later appointed the Chairperson of the Governor's Task Force on the Discipline of Licensed Professionals
- Mr. Harlowe 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
- Mr. Harlowe’s history with the system has contributed to his success in this area
- Mr. Harlowe was elected Dane County District Attorney in 1983 and served three terms
- As D.A., he earned a reputation for being an effective and fair prosecutor, who was willing to take on tough cases
- He brought needed reorganization to the office and the court system, and instituted a nationally recognized program for addressing the problems of domestic violence against women and children
- Mr. Harlowe 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
- Prior to his term as D.A., Mr. Harlowe served as Assistant Attorney General in the State Department of Justice's Criminal Trials Unit
- There he supervised investigations, conducted grand juries and John Does, and prosecuted criminal matters of statewide importance including organized crime activities, homicide, tax evasion and white collar crime
- Mr. Harlowe went into private practice in 1989 and established the boutique firm of Hal Harlowe & Associates in Madison, focusing on defense of licensed professionals and criminal defense
- He joined Murphy Desmond in 2012 to be able to focus solely on his practice and to utilize the resources and diverse talents in a mid-size firm setting
- Mr. Harlowe’s in-depth experience in the judicial and administrative system has been recognized by his inclusion on lists such as Best Lawyers in America®, Wisconsin Super Lawyers®, and “Top Lawyers” (in Madison Magazine)
- Mr. Harlowe has also received the highest rating, AV, by Martindale Hubbell®
Practice Areas Explained
Hal Harlowe's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Hal Harlowe handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
Hal Harlowe is one of 214,271 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Wisconsin →
Hal Harlowe is one of 20,025 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar 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 Madison 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 Madison or all attorneys in Wisconsin.
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