Hansen’s groundbreaking work helps clients meet their goals

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The details are always different in Timothy Hansen’s cases, but the legal framework remains the same.

“There is always new technology, new businesses, new financing — the work never gets boring,” said Hansen, a commercial litigator and founding partner of Hansen Reynolds Dickinson Crueger in Milwaukee. “You really have to get involved in each industry that you’re working with and become an expert for that case.”

Hansen’s been involved in several high-profile cases, including representing Ryan Braun in a defamation case, securing the largest settlement ever paid by an actuary, and was lead counsel for a Native American tribe and tribal casino in litigation for a more-than $50 million bond transaction.

Beyond that, he handles a variety of cases, including commercial torts, commercial disputes, patent litigation, professional malpractice, trade secrets, products liability and class actions.

“Growing up, I saw lawyers on TV and in movies standing up in court on behalf of their clients and I wanted to do that,” Hansen said. “That was a rather unsophisticated view on it since there is so more they do, but it’s what got me interested and definitely had me interested in litigation.”

When working on a case, Hansen and his clients develop a relationship quickly.

“It’s a foxhole mentality — you are in this together and really immerse yourself in that business,” he said.

Depending on the case, Hansen may work with a client for as little as nine months to more than five years.

“Your clients really trust you so it is all about doing your best for them,” said Hansen, who earned a Wisconsin Law Journal Up and Coming Lawyers award in 2009.

While not as many cases make it to a full trial as they used to, Hansen still finds himself frequently in court for hearings. But when cases go to trial, Hansen said, “There are still interesting and dramatic moments in court and it is definitely the part of my job I enjoy the most.”

Wisconsin Law Journal: What makes your work important to you?
Timothy Hansen: Living up to the trust our clients place in us.

WLJ: Who is your hero in the legal field?
Hansen: Gerry Spence is one that I have.

WLJ: What do you do outside of work to deal with stress from the office?
Hansen: Play guitar and collect wine.

WLJ: What’s one thing many people get wrong about what you do?
Hansen: They underestimate how much non-legal work there is to do.

WLJ: What’s your favorite memory from law school?
Hansen: Every time I met one of the many wonderful people who would become a lifelong friend.

WLJ: Is there a certain case that stands out to you?
Hansen: We took over a case from a pro se litigant who was headed into a jury trial. He had done a remarkable job prosecuting his case, but the prospects of a jury trial overwhelmed him. My partner, Toby Reynolds, and I jumped in on the eve of trial and tried it pro bono. Halfway through the court dismissed the case based on things the poor guy did or didn’t do early on. We were crushed and we felt awful for our client, who by that time had become a friend. A true gentleman, he was gracious and grateful for our service, which only made the loss feel worse. But I was proud of my partner and the firm and the hard work we put in. We treated that case no differently than a trial for GE or Apple — which is no less than our client deserved.