David E. Saperstein

David E. Saperstein is an experienced trial and appellate attorney specializing in criminal and DUI defense, at the respected Madison, Wisconsin law firm Hurley Burish, S.C.  He earned his law degree (J.D.) from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois in 1995. Prior to attending law school, David earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) from The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois (1987). This combination of conservatory theater/performance training and formal legal education make him uniquely well-suited for the courtroom.

Attorney Saperstein is first, and foremost, a trial lawyer. He is in his element, at his best, when he is advocating for his clients in the courtroom.

David inhabits a courtroom, in any number of counties in Wisconsin, on an almost daily basis. Throughout a nearly twenty-year career, he has defended his clients’ interests in countless jury trials and court trials in circuit and municipal courts throughout the state. Although serious felony, misdemeanor, and intoxicated driving cases make up the largest percentage of his work, David also handles quasi-criminal “forfeiture” matters, civil restraining orders, mental commitments and juvenile delinquency proceedings. He also represents clients in criminal appeals.

The courtroom is the stage where the client’s story is told, and David’s background as a Chicago conservatory-trained theater actor gives him a decided advantage in that arena. He understands that meticulous preparation and mastery of the facts and law are essential, but also improvisation, confidence on your feet and an ability to read the room make for a winning performance. His confidence and preparation have resulted in many acquittals, but also in many more dismissals short of trial.

David concentrates his practice defending individuals who have been accused of committing crimes in Wisconsin, and a significant portion includes defending client’s accused of intoxicated driving offenses (DUI/OWI), whether they are charged in municipal or circuit courts. David has received specialized training in intoxicated driving defense, including Mastering Scientific Evidence in DUI Cases, sponsored by the National College for DUI Defense, and graduating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Practitioner’s Course, the same specialized training that a law enforcement officer takes to administer roadside Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.

David earned his law degree (JD) from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago.

David is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, DUI Defense Lawyers Association, National College of DUI Defense, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Dane County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Dane County Bar Association and Iowa County Bar Association.

Attorney Saperstein was admitted to the Wisconsin State Bar in September 2001, and has remained a member in good standing. He represents clients in municipal courts, state trial (circuit) courts and courts of appeals in Wisconsin.

OUR FIRM'S COMMITMENT

You are innocent unless proven guilty. This is the foundational principle of our system of justice -and one that we take very seriously.

Constitutional Rights don’t assert themselves. They don’t protect themselves. Our rights are only as strong and as those who stand up for them. At Hurley Burish, S.C., we don’t shy away from the fight. We are energized by the battle, by the confrontation that is often necessary to stand up for our clients, and for their rights.

We have built our reputation on the respect that is given us by judges, prosecutors, law enforcement and other colleagues in the criminal justice apparatus — and we have earned that respect through many years of hard work, discipline, sound judgment, and aggressive defense of our clients’ cases. Most of all, we have built our reputation on our level of service to our clients — our commitment to do our best, every day, to achieve the best outcomes, to minimize the short and long-term negative consequences, and to defend their innocence.

OUR PRACTICE

We have devoted our entire careers to defending people accused of criminal and drunk driving offenses, in municipal, state (circuit court) and federal courts. We represent people charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses, and any level of drunk driving or other related traffic offenses. We also represent clients in restraining order hearings, juvenile delinquency and protective services cases, termination of parental rights trials and expungement proceedings. Our practice includes trial level defense as well as appeals, both state and federal.