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Benjamin T. Van Severen

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Benjamin T. Van Severen
Benjamin T. Van Severen
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About Benjamin

Benjamin Van Severen is a criminal defense attorney who practices in Milwaukee and throughout the state of Wisconsin.  He has experience handling all types of cases, from misdemeanors and OWI/DUI to serious felonies, including homicide, sexual assault, crimes involving firearms, and drug crimes.  Focusing entirely on criminal defense, Attorney Van Severen has achieved an acquittal rate three times the state average.  

Attorney Van Severen received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University in 2010, with majors in Political Science and Criminology, and a minor in Music. He then received his Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School in 2013.  While at Marquette, Attorney Van Severen amassed over 380 hours of pro bono work with the Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic and the Wisconsin State Public Defender Trial Office in Green Bay.   

Immediately upon his graduation from law school, Attorney Van Severen was hired at a local Milwaukee criminal defense firm.  From his very first day, he displayed a passion for criminal defense inside the courtroom.  His reputation of taking cases to trial has resulted in reduced charges and lower sentences in courts throughout Wisconsin.  

In December 2015, Attorney Van Severen helped form Meyer Van Severen, S.C. From 2015 to 2021, the firm grew from two attorneys to employing five full-time lawyers. In January 2022, Attorney Van Severen oversaw his firm's transition to Van Severen Law Office, S.C.

In order to stay up to date on the constantly evolving legal landscape, Attorney Van Severen belongs to the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Milwaukee Bar Association, the Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, the Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association, and the State Bar of Wisconsin.

Practice areas

  1. Criminal defense: 85%

    9 years, 300 cases

  2. DUI and DWI: 15%

    9 years, 50 cases

Languages spoken

English

Contact

Van Severen Law Office, S.C.

316 N. Milwaukee Street, STE. 200
Milwaukee, WI, 53202

Website
https://milwaukee-criminal-lawyer.com/ 

    Van Severen Law Office, S.C.

    127 E. Main Street, Ste. 203
    Port Washington, WI, 53074

    Van Severen Law Office, S.C.

    414 W. Moreland Blvd.
    Suite 108
    Waukesha, WI, 53188

    Resume

    License
    StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
    WIGood Standing201305/28/2022
    We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
    Avvo Contributions
    Legal answers256
    Legal guides0
    Awards
    Award nameGrantorDate Granted
    Marquis Who's WhoMarquis Who's Who in American Law2021
    Rising StarSuper Lawyers2019
    10 Best for Client SatisfactionAmerican Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys2018
    Rising StarSuper Lawyers2018
    10 Best for Client SatisfactionAmerican Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys2017
    Rising StarSuper Lawyers2017
    Top 40 Lawyers Under 40American Society of Legal Advocates2016
    Rising StarSuper Lawyers2016
    10 Best for Client SatisfactionAmerican Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys2016
    Top 40 under 40National Trial Lawyers Association2015
    Top 40 under 40National Trial Lawyers Association2014
    work experience
    TitleCompany nameDuration
    AttorneyVan Severen Law Office, S.C.2015 - Present
    AttorneyBirdsall Law Offices, S.C.2013 - 2015
    Law ClerkBirdsall Law Offices S.C.2012 - 2012
    Legal InternMilwaukee County District Attorney's Office2012 - 2013
    Judicial InternUS District Court - EDWI2011 - 2011
    Legal InternWisconsin State Public Defender2011 - 2011
    associations
    Association namePosition nameDuration
    Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers2013 - Present
    Milwaukee Bar Association2013 - Present
    National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers2013 - Present
    Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association2013 - Present
    publications
    Publication nameTitleDate
    Meyer Van Severen, S.C.Meyer Van Severen Legal Blog2018
    education
    School nameDegreeGraduated
    Marquette University Law SchoolJD - Juris Doctor2013
    Marquette UniversityBA - Bachelor of Arts2010
    speaking engagements
    Conference nameTitleDate
    Interview with Fox-6 MilwaukeeBomb Scare Defense2016
    legal cases
    Case nameOutcome
    NOT GUILTY on 2-Count Domestic CaseNot Guilty
    Resisting ArrestCase Dismissed
    7 Count Jury TrialNot Guilty on ALL counts
    Uttering a Forgery18 months probation with no jail.
    Revocation of Extended SupervisionExtended Supervision not revoked
    See all Legal Cases

    Reviews

    5.0 stars5.0 (15)
    5 Star
    		100%
    4 Star
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    3 Star
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    1 Star
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    Review Benjamin T. Van Severen

    Highly attorney recommend Ben Van Severen

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    One of Milwaukee’s Finest Lawyers

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Ben is a great attorney

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Highly Recommend

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Highly recommend

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    Less
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    EXCELLENT ATTORNEY

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Great legal counsel

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

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    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    10 - Gold Stars!!

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    Less
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Excellent representation

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    Less
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Thank you Ben!!!

    5.0 stars

    Posted by

    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney
    See all reviews

    Attorney endorsements

    (10)
    Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer
    Lawyer Conner Helvig

    Conner Helvig, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 8, 2021
    Relationship: Co-worker

    I endorse Ben without hesitation. Ben is an experienced and intelligent criminal defense attorney who is well respected by his peers.

    Lawyer Derek Jacques

    Derek Jacques, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jan 11, 2019
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Mr. Van Severen is an excellent advocate for his clients. I would not hesitate to recommend him to a client in need. He is also an asset to the Avvo Community, providing invaluable resources to those seeking help

    Lawyer Jeremy J. Guza

    Jeremy Guza, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 22, 2016
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Atty. Van Severen is the perfect mix of knowledge of the law and a personable attitude. He fights for his client's rights diligently while still being approachable. I would recommend anyone in need of any Criminal Defense work to hire Atty. Van Severen to assist with their case.

    Lawyer Justin Singleton

    Justin Singleton, DUI and DWI Attorney on Oct 14, 2016
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Atty. Van Severen knows the ins and outs of Wisconsin OWI and DUI law that get his clients the best results possible. He's a true litigator.

    Lawyer Alexander Dominic Perwich III

    Alexander Perwich, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 3, 2016
    Relationship: Co-worker

    I recommend Attorney Van Severen for any of your criminal defense needs. He's an intelligent and motivated attorney that will put forth his best efforts in any case.

    Lawyer Cole J. White

    Cole White, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 27, 2014
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Ben is a highly skilled and dedicated attorney. He has a genuine passion for his work and commitment to his clients.

    Lawyer Theodore Perlick Molinari

    Theodore Perlick Molinari, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 22, 2014
    Relationship: Co-worker

    Ben is thorough in his preparation and detailed in his examination of the facts. He knows how to use the case law to his advantage.

    No photo

    Nicholas Grode, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 11, 2014
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse Attorney Ben Van Severen. Ben is intelligent, well spoken and knows a great deal about criminal law. I would endorse him to anyone looking for an exceptional criminal defense attorney.

    Lawyer Nathan J. Dineen

    Nathan Dineen, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 27, 2014
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    Attorney Van Severen is an excellent up & coming Wisconsin criminal defense lawyer. He is an aggressive and knowledgeable attorney. I highly recommend him.

    Lawyer Matthew Russell Meyer

    Matthew Meyer, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 26, 2013
    Relationship: Co-worker

    Ben is a bright young attorney who I would recommend for any of your criminal defense needs.

    Show endorsements

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