Harrington finds his niche in environmental law

Listen to this article

Attorney Art Harrington never took an environmental law course during his time at the University of Wisconsin Law School.

But he gravitated toward the practice early in his career, after a seemingly tedious assignment researching permits for a client that challenged the Clean Water Act.

In the late 1970s, environmental law was still a novelty practice, but Harrington, 61, said he took to the area like a fish to water.

He joined the Milwaukee office of Godfrey & Kahn SC in 1988 and developed the Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin the same year.

As chair of the firm’s Environmental and Energy Law Practice Group, Harrington represents clients in business, municipal, land trust, tribal and state agency matters.

He successfully represented the Forest County Potawatomi tribe in opposition of a proposed underground zinc and copper mine in Crandon, a victory Harrington said he counts among the most satisfying of his career.

Harrington reflected on his career in this week’s Asked & Answered.

Wisconsin Law Journal: If you could develop one CLE course for credit, what would it be about?
Art Harrington: Developing connections that serve your practice and the community

WLJ: What was your least favorite course in law school and why?
Harrington: Tax Law. It was so complex that I had difficulty seeing the forest through the trees.

WLJ: What do you consider your biggest achievement to date and why?
Harrington: Mentoring younger lawyers. I was a beneficiary of this mentoring from attorney Irvin B. Charne during my first 12 years of legal practice at his firm. He took the time to explain legal strategy and the thought process that results in great legal results for clients. Making the time commitment entailed in mentoring young lawyers is more important now than ever given the changing economic model for the legal practice and the challenges for new lawyers in the market place.

WLJ: What is the one luxury item you cannot live without?
Harrington: Acrylic and water color paints. I took an acrylic painting course with my daughter, which we both had never done, and it initiated a real passion for me. We are both taking a watercolors course now.

WLJ: What is one thing attorneys should know that they won’t learn in law school?
Harrington: The need for legal research and development. Do not concentrate exclusively on the past, common law and statutes; but look to the horizon. Looking forward and anticipating the needs of clients and the profession is the best way to prepare yourself to expand your practice and enhance your reputation.

WLJ: What is the first concert you went to?
Harrington: Genesis at Camp Randall with my son. I think in about 1984 or 1985.

WLJ: If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be and why?
Harrington: My daughter or my son. They are two of the best people I know with interesting jobs and good friends. My daughter is a teacher at St. Joan Antida High School and my son is a claims adjuster with West Bend Mutual Insurance Co.

WLJ: What is your motto?
Harrington: Live every day as if your parents were watching you.

WLJ: What is your favorite movie about lawyers or the law and why?
Harrington: ‘Michael Clayton.’ It was a very realistic portrayal of the pressures in the modern law firm environment with a compelling theme. To wit: an ethical decision is not easy but it is always the right thing to do.

WLJ: If you hadn’t become a lawyer, what career would you have chosen?
Harrington: A librarian. You never hear anything bad about members of that profession.