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Harrington pays it forward

By: Alison Henderson//February 16, 2017//

Harrington pays it forward

By: Alison Henderson//February 16, 2017//

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Art Harrington - Godfrey & Kahn
Art Harrington –
Godfrey & Kahn

When Art Harrington was growing up in Kenosha, he probably didn’t realize he would one day represent his hometown after one of its last big manufacturers closed its doors.

But as a shareholder attorney who helped lead the Environmental and Energy Strategies Group at Godfrey & Kahn, he did just that. The result was the successful negotiation of a complex agreement for the city.

“That was a very satisfying thing, not only because it was very gratifying to help them navigate all that on the legal side, but because it’s where I’m from,” he said.

Harrington, 66, has been at the firm since 1988. With more than 35 years of experience in environmental law and more than 20 years in energy law, his expertise has been affirmed by the many publications he has helped write and his role as an adjunct professor in energy law at Marquette University. His accomplishments include securing air-pollution protections for the Forest County Potawatomi Community and his successful opposition to the expansion of a municipal solid-waste site in Muskego.

“Art truly defines what it means to be a leader in the law, as evidenced by his passion and dedication to both his flourishing practice and many community organizations to which he so generously gives his time and resources,” said Godfrey & Kahn President and Managing Partner Nic Wahl.

Harrington said he has learned this from his mentors and top officials at the law firm.

“The leaders at the firm promote people to be mentors, give time to answer questions and explain things,” he said. “The people that helped mold me are more givers than takers.”

Harrington has served with several organizations and committees, including the Department of Natural Resources advisory committee, Public Policy Committee for the Wisconsin Energy Research Consortium, Milwaukee Public Library Foundation, Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund and the Public Policy Forum.

“In addition to all Art has contributed to Milwaukee’s Public Library, I have found him to be an outstanding individual …,” said Paula Kiely of the Milwaukee Public Library. “His honesty, integrity, vision, outstanding leadership, passion, drive, good humor and artistic talent make him a true community treasure.”

But in Harrington’s eyes, time given is simply repayment for time received.

“To me … after you’ve been the beneficiary of a mentor, the future is to turn that into a strong commitment to younger people at the firm and in the community,” he said. “I try to make my time available to those people. I don’t know if that qualifies as being a leader, but to me it’s repayment.”

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