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also known as Scott
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I was born in and have remained a lifelong resident of Springfield, Il. I attended Griffin High School and completed my undergraduate Bachelor of Arts Degree at Marquette University. While growing up, I had frequent interaction with local attorneys and judges which played a large role in my decision to pursue a career as an Attorney. As a result, I attended Creighton University and obtained my Juris Doctor Degree in 1989. While in Law School I was a legal clerk/intern at several Law Firms located in Omaha and ultimately acted as a 711 Intern in the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office. Following my graduation from Law School and based upon my internship, I was offered and accepted a position as an Assistant State’s Attorney. During my tenure as an Assistant, I handled and tried many Criminal, traffic and DUI cases and developed the skills necessary to navigate the criminal justice system.
I entered the private practice of law in 1990, and the core of my practice involved civil and criminal litigation. As time passed my practice migrated almost exclusively to Criminal, traffic and DUI Defense. In that time span I have defended a wide range of cases from a simple traffic matter to Capital Murder offenses. My goal and practice is the same no matter what the charge and I understand and appreciate the impact criminal charges have upon the lives and liberties of my clients. I believe my experience, background and proven results have garnered the numerous client reviews and testimonials from happy and grateful clients over my 37 years of practice. I endeavor in each case I handle to listen, communicate and provide the absolute best defense available for those facing charges.
My mission is to provide each and every client with the highest quality representation possible in order to obtain the best results achievable in every case. I am further dedicated to vigorously and aggressively defending every client facing charges and ensure that they are heard.
Education
Bar Associations
Past Positions
Certified Legal Specialties
Classes & Seminars
Published Works
Current Employment Position
Honors
3
Practice Areas
36 years
Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
State: Illinois
Acquired: 1989
No misconduct found
Other places you can find W. online.
190 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 141 reviews | Case Results
Posted by Colton | September 05, 2026 | Hired Attorney
If you find yourself in the middle of a criminal legal matter, hire the Hanken team. They are the BEST around!
Hiring Scott was the best decision I could have made during one of the darkest and most stressful times of my life. Facing a DUI and several other charge is incredibly overwhelming, but the moment I connected with this firm, a massive weight was lifted off my shoulders.What truly sets them apart is t...
Facing a DUI charge alongside multiple additional criminal charges in the Sangamon County court system — during what a client describes as the darkest and most stressful time of their life — demands more than legal competence. It demands a team that listens with genuine empathy, communicates through every complexity, and fights with meticulous dedication to protect a client's future at every stage of the process. W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law brings the prosecutorial insight of a former Sangamon County Assistant State's Attorney and Super Lawyers recognition every year since 2007 to exactly those high-stakes DUI defense and criminal defense matters — combining powerful legal strategy with the kind of human care and team-wide commitment that makes a client feel protected rather than processed. At W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law, defending a client in court and protecting their livelihood, peace of mind, and future are never separate goals — they are the unified mission every case demands and every client deserves.
Posted by Andrew | August 27, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Thanks To A Good Lawer
After talking to 3 other law firms and not being comfortable with any of them I called Mr. Hanken law firm. After talking to his assistant and giving her my information and we scheduled a phone conference call for the next day with Scott. When Scott called the next day and we discussed my case, I kn...
Choosing the right attorney in Springfield, Illinois — after three consultations that failed to inspire confidence — is one of the most consequential decisions a person facing a traffic matter can make, because the difference between a dismissed ticket and a conviction is not guaranteed by any firm unwilling to commit to fighting for the best possible outcome. W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law has earned Super Lawyers recognition every year since 2007 and perennial Best Attorney honors from both the Illinois Times and the State Journal-Register — distinctions that reflect exactly the immediate confidence, honest assessment, and results-driven advocacy that turned a fourth call into a hired attorney and a dismissed ticket. At W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law, every client deserves to know from the very first conversation that their attorney is genuinely committed to achieving the best possible outcome — not hedging on results that experienced preparation and local court knowledge can deliver. That confidence is what W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law brings to every traffic offense and driving privilege matter handled in Springfield, Illinois.
Posted by Mary Kate | August 25, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Very great lawyer!
I had a really great experience with Scott Hanken. He helped me get out of a ticket that I was really worried about, and I am so thankful that I decided to have him represent me. From the beginning, Scott was professional, helpful, and easy to talk to. I was nervous about the situation and did not re...
Walking into the Sangamon County court system nervous, uncertain, and worried about what a traffic ticket could mean for driving privileges, insurance rates, and a clean record is an experience far more consequential than most people anticipate — and having an attorney who explains everything clearly, answers every question, and keeps a client fully informed throughout the process makes all the difference between confusion and confidence. W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law brings the prosecutorial knowledge of a former Sangamon County Assistant State’s Attorney to every traffic offense matter, understanding precisely how tickets are evaluated, contested, and dismissed — and communicating that process to clients in a way that replaces anxiety with clarity at every stage. Recognized perennially as Best Attorney by both the Illinois Times and the State Journal-Register, W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law has built that distinction on exactly the kind of knowledgeable, confident, and genuinely caring representation your review describes. When the ticket is dismissed and a client could not be happier with the outcome, W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law has delivered the standard every client deserves.
Posted by anonymous | July 17, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Incredible outcome
I retained Attorney Scott after being charged with a DUI. During my consultation I knew he had the knowledge and confidence to defend me properly. He was willing to take the case to trial and deliberated with the state on my behalf. I was speechless with my outcome and the speed at which an agreement...
A DUI charge resolved swiftly and favorably in the Sangamon County court system is not a matter of chance — it is the product of trial-ready preparation, prosecutorial experience, and the kind of courtroom confidence that moves cases toward the best possible resolution. W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law brings the perspective of a former Sangamon County Assistant State’s Attorney to every DUI defense matter — an inside understanding of how the state evaluates cases and where agreements can be reached. Super Lawyers has recognized that depth of knowledge and advocacy every year since 2007, and it is exactly what shapes strategy from the first consultation through the final resolution. When a client is speechless at the outcome, that is the standard W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law is built to deliver.
Posted by Frank | October 16, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Happy Speeder
Scott’s an excellent attorney he is on top of all of my speeding issues and he has saved my license more times than I can count! Thanks Scott
Protecting your driving privileges and keeping you on the road is always my top priority when tackling serious traffic violations. Since 1989, I have drawn upon my experience as a former Assistant State’s Attorney to deliver highly effective traffic and criminal defense representation through W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law. Navigating repeat speeding citations and the threat of license suspension within the Sangamon County court system requires decisive, proactive counsel, and I am proud to provide that level of authoritative advocacy right here in Springfield, Illinois. I deeply appreciate your continued reliance on my legal experience to successfully resolve your speeding issues and safeguard your future.
"I endorse this lawyer. He is a very skilled attorney, well versed in the law, and he achieves great results for his clients."
"Scott is an excellent, experienced DUI/DWI attorney and has extensive experience in the criminal law area. I have known Scott for many years and know of his work - he is diligent and conscientious and represents his clients aggressively. He has handled routine matters all the way up to murder trials."
"I have known and worked with Scott since 1988. His knowledge of law and his keen wit have been his trademarks. His dedication to his clients is surpassed by few, if any. I enthusiastically endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. As a previous prosecutor I appreciate a reasonable attorney who can be a strong advocate for his client. Mr. Hanken does not wage unnecessary war when defending a client, but if the circumstances require it he is a formidable adversary. I would not hesitate to refer clients to him for criminal defense, indeed, i have done so."
"I endorse this lawyer. Scott gets great results on DUI cases. He does not overpromise what he can do. I receive a lot of calls from people who want to hire me because they are unhappy with their current lawyer. Not ONCE has the lawyer they are unhappy with been Scott."
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2020
BEST ATTORNEY, State Journal Register Reader's Choice Award
2020
BEST LAW FIRM, Illinois Times Best of Springfield
2020
TOP RATED LAWYER, Avvo
2018
Top 10 Attorney - Criminal Defense, Attorney and Practice Magazine
2018
Distinguished Lawyer, Expert Network
2015
Nation's Top One Percent, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2014
"10 BEST" Attorneys for the State of Illinois Nominee, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
2014
Top 100 Trial Lawyer, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers
2013
Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers - Ilinois, American Society of Legal Advocates
2013
Top 200 DUI Attoneys - Illinois, National Advocacy for DUI Defense
2011
Superlawyer - DUI Law, Super Lawyers
2010
Super Lawyer - DUI, Super Lawyers
2009
Super Lawyer - DUI, Super Lawyers
2008
Super Lawyer - DUI, Super Lawyers
2007
Super Lawyer - DUI, Super Lawyers
2007
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011 - Present
Attorney, W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law
1992 - 2011
Attorney/Partner, Rabin, Myers & Hanken, P.C.
1991 - 1993
Public Defender, Sangamon County Public Defender
1989 - 1991
Assistant State's Attorney, Sangamon County State's Attorneys Office
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
2004 - 2005
Sangamon County Bar AssociationPast President
1993 - 2005
Sangamon County Defense Bar AssociationPresident
1992 - 1993
Sangamon County Bar AssociationDirector
1990 - 1991
Sangamon County Bar AssociationVice President
Natural Life Imprisonment
1989
JD - Juris Doctor
1985
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2009
2008
Aggravated DUI - Recent Developments
English
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
I paid half cash and half of my bond does my lawyer take the bond at the end of the case?
18 Feb 2023
When I look up my cases online it says I have a new charge w a unscheduled court appearance what does that mean?
18 Feb 2023
2021 I let my son use my car he get stop for no driving license they impond the car give him a ticket and later say they found ?
14 Feb 2023
Illinois Retail Theft Charges: Why the $300 Line Matters
30 Jul 2026
Why AI Can’t Replace a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Illinois
27 Jul 2026
Notice, Summons, or Warrant: How Illinois Courts Bring You Back for a Probation Violation
27 Jul 2026