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Scott Hassett
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Professional experience
Hassett has served as a trial attorney, handling both civil and criminal litigation, for the past twenty-two years. He is a partner and shareholder for Lawton & Cates, S.C., a Madison-based private practice law firm.
Political career
In 2003, Hassett was appointed by then-newly elected Governor Jim Doyle as head of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He remained in the position until he resigned July 2007 in order to "write, travel and consult on environmental and regulatory issues." [2]
Controversies
Active status
With roughly six weeks left before the general election, the Wisconsin State Board of Bar Examiners, the state agency that evaluates attorneys, has told Hassett, the Democratic nominee for State Attorney General, that he lacks the necessary credits to practice law within the state. For five years starting in 2004, Hassett's law license was placed on inactive status as he focused his attention on his duties as Secretary of the State Department of Natural Resources. He had "sent the board a letter saying he had completed the 30 credit hours of continuing legal education he thought he needed to regain active status" in July 2009. [3] Two months earlier, however, an amendment was passed that required "anyone who was inactive for two or more years to obtain 60 credits, not 30, to regain active status." [3] In spite of this, the board cleared Hassett to reinstate his active status as a lawyer within the state. While state law does argue that the state attorney general must hold a law license, it does reflect badly in the eyes of voters.
Ultimately, the State Board decided "to allow attorney general candidate Scott Hassett and several other attorneys to continue to actively practice law, even though they lack the required number of continuing legal education hours." [4]
Other roles
- Former managing editor, Jefferson Banner
- Member, Ducks Unlimited
- Member, Oak Ridge Rifle Club
- Member, Gathering Waters Conservancy
- Member, River Alliance of Wisconsin
- Member, Muskies, Inc. International
- Member, Wisconsin Bowhunters
Campaign contributions
2010
According to Follow the Money, Hassett has raised $212,125 in 2010 for his state attorney general campaign as of September 27, 2010. [5]
Listed below are the top five contributors:
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Education Association Council | $21,564 |
| Madison Teachers | $20,000 |
| United Transportation Union | $6,000 |
| Wisconsin State AFL-CIO | $5,000 |
| Electrical Workers | $5,000 |
Elections
2010
- 2010 Race for Attorney General - Democratic Primary
- Scott Hassett ran unopposed in this contest
| 2010 Race for Attorney General - General Election [6] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Republican Party |  J.B. Van Hollen
|
57.8% | |
| Democratic Party | Scott Hassett | 42.2% | |
| Total Votes | 2,112,390 | ||
Personal
Hassett currently resides in Lake Mills, Wisconsin with his wife, Chris. The couple has had two children together - Tyler and Whitney.
Contact information
Campaign Address:
Scott Hassett for AG
P.O. Box 1937
Madison, WI 53701-1937
Phone: (608) 577-8359
E-mail: justin@hassettforag.com
External links
- Scott Hassett for Attorney General Campaign website
- Scott Hassett's Facebook profile
- Project Vote Smart - Scott Hassett biography
References
- ↑ Blogging Blue "Van Hollen gets a challenger" 30 July, 2009
- ↑ The Rhinelander Daily News "DNR secretary Scott Hassett resigns his post" 21 July, 2007
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Green Bay Press Gazette "Wisconsin Democratic attorney general candidate Scott Hassett faced law license review" 19 Sept. 2010
- ↑ WXOW News 19 "Board allows Hassett to practice law, without required education" 25 Sept. 2010
- ↑ Follow the Money - Campaign Contributions for Scott Hassett, 2010
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board - 2010 General Election Results
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