p 608.257.0945
f 608.257.5764
mberghahn@hurleyburish.com
Download vCard
Marcus Berghahn defends individuals and businesses accused of criminal misconduct. His practice encompasses all types of criminal cases at all stages of criminal proceedings—investigation, pre-charging negotiation, practice before a Grand Jury or a John Doe magistrate, motion hearings, jury trial, sentencing—on through to appeal. Because of the depth of his experience, Marcus also counsels witnesses and victims when they are involved in criminal proceedings. Marcus takes pride in helping clients through a very difficult time in their lives and delivers on what he believes are three core client needs: “Helping clients understand exactly what will happen at each stage of their case and what that means for them; having compassion for the stress and anxiety attendant to criminal cases; and listening to a client’s concerns and priorities in order to deliver the best advice possible, leading to the best result possible.”
Marcus lectures regularly on topics of criminal law at continuing legal education seminars. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School where he teaches a seminar on constitutional and criminal law. Marcus is a double Badger, completing both undergraduate and law school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Practice Area
- Criminal Defense in State and Federal courts at both the trial and appellate level
- Motion practice involving stops, searches, admission, identification, confrontation and admissibility of evidence
- Jury trial
- Appeals
- Victim advocacy
- Internal investigations
- University disciplinary proceedings
- Regularly handles cases involving allegations of bribery, fraud, tax offenses, computer crimes, sex crimes, wildlife and hunting violations
- Experience in handling and defending investigations led by FBI, IRS, DEA, SEC, DOC, DOT and state law enforcement agencies
Bar Admissions
Wisconsin
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Education
University of Wisconsin Law School, Madison, Wisconsin, J.D., 1996
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, B.A., 1990
Honors & Awards
- The Best Lawyers In America®, 2016-2022 Criminal Defense: White Collar, Criminal Defense: General Pratice
- Super Lawyer—Super Lawyers and Rising Stars®/Milwaukee Magazine
- Super Lawyer – Top 25 Madison Area 2016, 2017
- Super Lawyer – Criminal Defense 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
- Rising Star—Super Lawyers and Rising Stars®/Milwaukee Magazine
- Dane County Bar Association Pro Bono Superstar Nominee
- AV Rated—Martindale Hubbell®
- 10.0 Superb Avvo™ Rating (Top Attorney Criminal Defense)
- Wisconsin Association of Trial Lawyers’ Nathan Heffernan Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy (Co-recipient)
Professional Associations & Memberships
Member, State Bar of Wisconsin
Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
Member, Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (WACDL)
Member, Dane County Criminal Defense Bar Association
Member, Dane County Bar Association
Member, Western District of Wisconsin Bar Association