Partner – Milwaukee, Chicago & New York
BIOGRAPHY
Emery K. Harlan has more than 25 years’ experience as a trial lawyer representing clients from a broad array of industries in complex civil litigation matters. His practice includes an emphasis on defending companies and governmental entities in high profile, aggravated discrimination matters. Mr. Harlan’s successes include obtaining a complete defense verdict on behalf of a national auto parts retailer in a week long ADA jury trial – the first complete ADA defense verdict obtained against the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission in Wisconsin and affirmed on appeal. He has also represented numerous companies caught in the crosshairs of national civil rights groups and succeeded in achieving behind the scenes “win-win” resolutions.
Mr. Harlan has served as national employment law counsel to numerous companies, including a major airline. He currently serves as the Firm’s relationship partner to a host of major corporations, including one of world’s leading technology companies.
Emery Harlan has counseled a Fortune 500 motorcycle manufacturer in developing supplier and dealer diversity programs that complied with federal laws including Section 1981. He has advised a consultant in preparation of disparity study for a major city seeking to develop a minority business program.
Throughout his career, Mr. Harlan has served as a leader in promoting greater diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. Immediately prior to co-founding MWH Law Group, Mr. Harlan served as Chairman of one of the largest minority-owned law firms in the United States. He also co-founded the premier trade association focused on creating opportunities for women and minority-owned law firms – the National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF). Additionally, since its formation, Mr. Harlan has served as an advisor to the Minority In-House Counsel Association (MIHCA) – an organization focused on developing and promoting minority in-house lawyers.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Blood Center of Wisconsin (Board Member)
- Chicago United Leaders Council
- Governor’s Council on Workforce Investment (2011)
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
- Milwaukee Health Services (Board Member)
- ProHealth Care (Finance and Investment Committee)
- Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts (Board Member)
- Sigma Pi Phi (Boule)
CONTACT
735 N. Water Street, Suite 610, Milwaukee, WI 53202
P: (414) 436-0353 / F: (414) 436-0354
150 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2800, Chicago, IL 60601
P: (312) 734-1457 / F: (414) 436-0354
Connect on LinkedIn
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PRACTICE AREAS
EDUCATION
- University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D.
- Siena Heights College, B.A., Business Administration
JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP
- Law Clerk to Honorable George C. Edwards, Jr. (dec.) U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1989-1990
ADMISSIONS
- Illinois
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) (Board Member, Co-Founder, Past Board Chair)
- Minority In-House Counsel Association (Chairman Emeritus)(Steering Committee Member)
HONORS
- Received the “2018 Lifetime Legal Innovator” by the State Bar of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Lawyer
- Savoy’s 2015 Most Influential Black Lawyers
- “2012 Outstanding Member of the Year” by Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers’
- Received the “2011 Community Service Award” by the Waukesha County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
- AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell and selected as a “2013 Wisconsin Top Rated Lawyer”
- Leader in the Law, Wisconsin Law Journal (2011)
- Wisconsin Super Lawyers® (2006-2008)
- Legal Rebel, diversifying the legal profession, ABA Journal (2009)
LATEST POSTS
- 19 November, 2021
MWH Law Group’s Milwaukee attorneys selected to 2021 Super Lawyers
- 17 February, 2021
Wisconsin Utility Companies Power-Up Their Boards and Workforce
- 01 October, 2020
Diversity & Inclusion Champion: Joel Stern, CEO NAMWOLF
BIOGRAPHY
Emery K. Harlan has more than 25 years’ experience as a trial lawyer representing clients from a broad array of industries in complex civil litigation matters. His practice includes an emphasis on defending companies and governmental entities in high profile, aggravated discrimination matters. Mr. Harlan’s successes include obtaining a complete defense verdict on behalf of a national auto parts retailer in a week long ADA jury trial – the first complete ADA defense verdict obtained against the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission in Wisconsin and affirmed on appeal. He has also represented numerous companies caught in the crosshairs of national civil rights groups and succeeded in achieving behind the scenes “win-win” resolutions.
Mr. Harlan has served as national employment law counsel to numerous companies, including a major airline. He currently serves as the Firm’s relationship partner to a host of major corporations, including one of world’s leading technology companies.
Emery Harlan has counseled a Fortune 500 motorcycle manufacturer in developing supplier and dealer diversity programs that complied with federal laws including Section 1981. He has advised a consultant in preparation of disparity study for a major city seeking to develop a minority business program that complied with Croson decision.
Throughout his career, Mr. Harlan has served as a leader in promoting greater diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. Immediately prior to co-founding MWH Law Group, Mr. Harlan served as Chairman of one of the largest minority-owned law firms in the United States. He also co-founded the premier trade association focused on creating opportunities for women and minority-owned law firms – the National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF). Additionally, since its formation, Mr. Harlan has served as an advisor to the Minority In-House Counsel Association (MIHCA) – an organization focused on developing and promoting minority in-house lawyers.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Blood Center of Wisconsin (Board Member)
- Chicago United Leaders Council
- Governor’s Council on Workforce Investment (2011)
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
- Milwaukee Health Services (Board Member)
- ProHealth Care (Finance and Investment Committee)
- Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts (Board Member)
- Sigma Pi Phi (Boule)
PRACTICE AREAS
EDUCATION
- University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D.
- Siena Heights College, B.A., Business Administration
JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP
- Law Clerk to Honorable George C. Edwards, Jr. (dec.) U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1989-1990
ADMISSIONS
- Illinois
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) (Board Member, Co-Founder, Past Board Chair)
- Minority In-House Counsel Association (Chairman Emeritus)(Steering Committee Member)
HONORS
- Received the “2018 Lifetime Legal Innovator” by the State Bar of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Lawyer
- Savoy’s 2015 Most Influential Black Lawyers
- “2012 Outstanding Member of the Year” by Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers’
- Received the “2011 Community Service Award” by the Waukesha County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
- AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell and selected as a “2013 Wisconsin Top Rated Lawyer”
- Leader in the Law, Wisconsin Law Journal (2011)
- Wisconsin Super Lawyers® (2006-2008)
- Legal Rebel, diversifying the legal profession, ABA Journal (2009)
LATEST POSTS
- 19 November, 2021
MWH Law Group’s Milwaukee attorneys selected to 2021 Super Lawyers
- 17 February, 2021
Wisconsin Utility Companies Power-Up Their Boards and Workforce
- 01 October, 2020
Diversity & Inclusion Champion: Joel Stern, CEO NAMWOLF