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Benjamin T Van Severen

Benjamin T Van Severen

Van Severen Law Office, S.C.
  • Criminal Law, DUI & DWI
  • Wisconsin
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Biography

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
Criminal Law
Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
DUI & DWI
Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Wisconsin
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Owner
Van Severen Law Office, S.C.
- Current
Partner
Meyer Van Severen, S.C.
-
Attorney
Birdsall Law Offices
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Law Clerk, Birdsall Law Offices, S.C. (Feb 2012 - Aug 2012)
Education
Marquette University Law School
J.D. | Law
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Marquette University Law School Logo
Marquette University
B.A. | Criminology & Political Science
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Marquette University Logo
Awards
Marquis Who's Who
Marquis Who's Who in American Law
Rising Stars
Super Lawyers
Selected To Rising Stars: 2016 - 2019
10 Best for Client Satisfaction
American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
Selected To Rising Stars: 2016 - 2019
Top 40 Lawyers Under 40
American Society of Legal Advocates
Top 40 under 40
National Trial Lawyers Association
Top 40 under 40 (2014, 2015)
Professional Associations
Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
Member
- Current
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National Association Of Criminal Defense Attorneys
Member
- Current
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Milwaukee Bar Association
Member
- Current
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Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association
Member
- Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Mandatory Minimum Crimes
The legal blog of Meyer Van Severen, S.C.
Speaking Engagements
Bomb Scare Defense, Interview with Fox-6 Milwaukee
Websites & Blogs
Website
Van Severen Law Office, S.C.
Blog
Van Severen Law Office, S.C.
Legal Answers
1 Questions Answered
Q. At 17 I got a class F felony & was charged as an adult in Wisconsin. Now at 32 can I buy a semi automatic pellet rifle?
A: As a felon, you are prohibited from possessing a firearm. "Firearm" means a weapon that acts by force of gunpowder to fire a projectile, regardless of whether it is inoperable due to disassembly. See, State v. Rardon, 185 Wis. 2d 701 (Ct. App. 1994). Therefore, as long as the pellet gun does not act by the force of gunpowder, you should be fine. There may be other statutes that prohibit your possession of a pellet handgun. And the person selling the pellet gun is not required to sell it to you.
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Contact & Map
Van Severen Law Office
316 N. Milwaukee Street
Suite #200
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Telephone: (414) 270-0202
Fax: (414) 255-3017
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours