Michael P. Hanle
Attorney Profile
Top Rated Criminal Defense Attorney in Birmingham, AL
- Free Consultation
A partner at Jaffe, Hanle, Whisonant & Knight, P.C., Michael P. Hanle dedicates his practice entirely to criminal defense, focusing particularly on litigation. Mr. Hanle represents clients throughout the Birmingham, Alabama, metropolitan area who have been accused of criminal offenses. He handles a variety of cases ranging from drug offenses to white collar crimes and practices in both federal and state courts.
Mr. Hanle began his career by attending Louisiana State University, where he earned an undergraduate degree with honors in business. He then went on to attend the Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and was awarded his Juris Doctor with honors in 1991. In the same year, Mr. Hanle became admitted to practice in Louisiana. In 1995, he was admitted to practice in Alabama.
Mr. Hanle is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Courts of the Northern, Southern and Middle Districts of Alabama as well as before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. In order to forge professional relationships and better his practice, Mr. Hanle holds membership in organizations such as the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the Greater Birmingham Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and has served as President of both organizations. He gives back to his community by performing pro bono work on behalf of Project Homeless Connect, Homeless Court and the Birmingham Bar Association's Volunteer Lawyer Program.
Highly regarded by his fellow professionals, Mr. Hanle has earned a number of accolades throughout his career. He was first selected as a Super Lawyer in 2011 and has continued to achieve that recognition through 2021. From 2014 to 2017, he earned the President's Award from the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He has also received numerous Merit Award from ACDLA as a result of exceptional representation in the courtroom. Mr. Hanle received the Beddow Award from the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association in June 2021, a Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in the field of Criminal Defense. Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Hanle has defended the unpopular and difficult case, sought to change the direction of criminal justice through his efforts as Chair of the ACDLA Legislative Committee, and in his volunteer service to those in the underprivileged and homeless community through pro bono representation. In addition, Mr. Hanle has received a 10.0 "Superb" peer-review rating through Avvo.
- 50%Criminal Defense
- 40%Criminal Defense: White Collar
- 10%Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, False Accusations, Felony, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Probation, Sex Offenses, Tax Evasion, Theft, Traffic Violations, Criminal Domestic Violence, White Collar Crime, Criminal Law - Federal, DUI/DWI
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2011 - 2021
Additional Sources of Information About Michael P. Hanle
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About Michael P. Hanle
First Admitted: 1991, Louisiana
Professional Webpage: http://www.rjaffelaw.com/attorneys/michael-patrick-hanle/
Scholarly Lectures/Writings
- Case Law Update, ACDLA
- Alabama Sentencing Standards, ACDLA
Bar/Professional Activity
- Louisiana, 1991
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Alabama, 2009
- Greater Birmingham Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2010 Past President, Member 1998 - Present
- Alabama, 1995
- U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 1998
- Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Vice President, 2015 - 2016 Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, President Elect, 2016-2017 Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, President, 2017-2018 Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Chair, Legislative Committee, 2013-2021
- Alabama State Bar Appointed Counsel and Indigent Representation Committee, 2018
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Alabama, 1996
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Alabama, 2009
- Alabama Pattern Jury Instructions Committee, 2015
Educational Background
- Southern University Law Center, 1991
- Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, B.A., Major: Business, 1986, 1986
Verdicts/Settlements
- On February 23, 2012, Judge Tommy Nailed granted the defense's Motion for Judgment of Acquittal at the conclusion of the State of Alabama's presentation of evidence and testimony. Judge Nail acquitted Gabe Watson on the charge of capital murder finding the State of Alabama failed to present legally sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt Gabe Watson intentionally killed his wife during their honeymoon in Australia. The acquittal came following 9 days of testimony, including a very lengthy Daubert hearing following which Judge Nail prohibited the State from present evidence of "tests" conducted on the dive site in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Gabe Watson was represented at trial by Brett Bloomston, Michael Hanle, and Joe Basgier., 2012
Pro bono/Community Service
- Birmingham Bar Association, Volunteer Lawyer Program, Criminal Defense, 2010 - 2019, 2019
- Project Homeless Connect and Homeless Court, Birmingham, AL, 2010 - 2019
Honors/Awards
- The Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association bestows a Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence for Criminal Defense. This exceptional honor is named for Roderick Beddow and is given to a member who has exhibited a lifetime commitment to the practice of criminal defense. Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Hanle has defended the unpopular and difficult case, sought to change the direction of criminal justice through his efforts as Chair of the ACDLA Legislative Committee, and in his volunteer service to those in the underprivileged and homeless community through pro bono representation. , Roderick Beddow Lifetime Award, Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2021
- Awarded for exceptional service to the general membership of the organization., President's Award, Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2019
- President's Award, Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2011 - 2015
- Merit Award, Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2014 - 2015
- Pro Bono Award, Young Lawyers Section, Louisiana State Bar Association, 1995
Industry Groups
- Criminal Defense Attorney
- J.C. was charged with Attempted Murder and Animal Cruelty. The District Court quickly found in J.C.’s favor and di… https://t.co/t1DEYvyYQB
- Attorneys Richard Jaffe and Michael Whisonant secured an incredible outcome! After a three-day trial, the jury retu… https://t.co/4nf9mxxc0x
- We are proud to announce that Jaffe, Hanle, Whisonant & Knight, P.C. has been nominated for the Best Criminal Defen… https://t.co/f9NWlXmq6O
- Christopher W. Adams, president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), spoke highly of At… https://t.co/7l97hIPomJ
- The firm of Jaffe, Hanle, Whisonant, and Knight, P.C. is proud to announce the addition of Mike Whisonant, Sr. join… https://t.co/rQMQPl3rwP
Last Updated: 5/15/2022