Halpin feels at home jawing in the courtroom

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With a Chicago policeman for a father, John Halpin never imagined he would grow up to be an attorney.

“Honestly, I didn’t have the best view of attorneys and even when I was in college and started thinking about law school, I was looking at it from the federal enforcement side of things,” he said. “But then I got in there and discovered so much about the profession. I just dived in and embraced the advocacy side of litigation and enjoying helping other people.”

That’s something he continues to do today at Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. in Milwaukee, where he works on the business and commercial litigation team.

“I really like thinking on my feet and being able to persuade the judge and jury that my viewpoint of the situation is better,” said Halpin, who won his first jury trial just two years after graduating from Marquette University Law School. “Litigation is very exciting even though you don’t get in the courtroom very often. There’s a lot of strategy and thinking involved and that’s what I enjoy.”

When he gets in the courtroom, Halpin said he’s learned that little things mean a lot. After his second year of law school, he was working for the summer for the Cook County (Ill.) State Attorney’s Office as a 7-11 clerk, a law student who has permission to practice under the guidance of another attorney.

“The weekend before my first hearing I broke my jaw in a softball tournament and had my jaw wired shut,” Halpin recalled. “Both the judge and the other attorney came up to me afterwards and asked why I was so angry — they could see how my teeth were all clenched. I had to explain to them what happened and that I wasn’t really angry. That experience showed me that the way you carry yourself and your appearance can say just as much as the words you use.”

In addition to his business litigation cases — which run the gamut — Halpin also handles some pro bono work, including serving as the attorney in a hearing for a prisoner who didn’t think he received appropriate medical care.

“I handled the evidence hearing for him and was able to move his case forward. That case really hit home with me, how great a legal system we have in this country and that everyone – even someone in prison – can have their day in court,” he said. “Doing those kinds of things makes me glad I went down this path.”

Wisconsin Law Journal: What was your least-favorite class in law school?
John Halpin: Contracts. It’s one of the main reasons I chose trial work over transactional work. But it does prove helpful in commercial litigation.

WLJ: What career would you have chosen if you hadn’t become an attorney?
Halpin: Probably federal law enforcement. I like that the facts of every case are unique and you have to figure out how to use them to outmaneuver your opponent and build the best case possible. Strategically, it’s not that much different than what I do now.

WLJ: What was the last book that you read?
Halpin: ‘Wheels on the Bus’ (with my 2 year-old daughter). We read it several times a day.

WLJ: Who is someone you admire?
Halpin: My dad worked 31 years as a Chicago policeman, most of them on the midnight shift. I couldn’t have done it, and I’m thankful everyday that he did. Although we chose different paths in the law, I hope that one day I can look back on my career with as much satisfaction as he does.

WLJ: If you could choose a super power, what would you pick?
Halpin: Personally, I would like the ability to teleport anywhere in the world instantly. Professionally, it would be extremely helpful to be able to read the minds of the judge and jury.

WLJ: What was your favorite toy as a child?
Halpin: I spent a lot of time hanging out in the five-story treehouse I built with my best friend. Turns out that negotiating with my parents every time we wanted to add another floor was my first experience with construction disputes.

WLJ: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you pick?
Halpin: I wish my hair was still as red as it was when I was a kid. Everyone told me it was lucky, and when you’re defending a trucking accident or product liability case with catastrophic injuries, sometimes you need a little luck.

WLJ: Where is your favorite place to vacation?
Halpin: I love to go visit my sister, who works as a prosecutor in Ireland. Her experience in criminal court is so much different than mine — and not just because I don’t have to wear a white wig every time I appear.

WLJ: What’s your favorite sport to play and/or watch?
Halpin: To play – soccer; to watch – baseball.