Criminal defense lawyer Michael Patrick Hanle is a Partner in the Alabama criminal defense law firm of Jaffe, Hanle, Whisonant & Knight, P.C. Over the course of his 30+ year legal career, he has focuses his practice exclusively on criminal defense; including the defense of white-collar crimes, drug crimes, violent crimes, sex crimes, and both federal and state computer crimes. Mr. Hanle has tried numerous cases in both federal and state courts including four (4) capital murder cases in the past 3 years. Michael Hanle has obtained not guilty verdicts in both State and Federal Courts. He was recently successful in obtaining a not guilty verdict for a client charged with murder in Morgan County. He is a skilled litigator and educated counselor, offering comprehensive legal help to the arrested and accused in Alabama.
Michael Hanle believes in proactive representation of his client and relies heavily on pre-trial motions practice. Each year since 2011, Mr. Hanle has been recognized as a Super Lawyer in the field of criminal defense. Similarly, each year since 2010, Best Lawyers in America has recognized him as being among the best criminal defense attorneys in Alabama and the Southeastern United States.
Prior to joining JHWK, Mr. Hanle ran a very successful solo practice from 1996 – 2015, representing individuals charged in federal, state, and local courts throughout Alabama. His solo practice was limited to criminal defense and he focused his practice on drug defense, white-collar criminal defense, and federal criminal defense.
Mr. Hanle began his career as a solo practitioner in Baton Rouge, Louisiana before moving to Birmingham, Alabama.
Classes & Seminars
- Case Law Update, ACDLA
- Alabama Sentencing Standards, ACDLA
- Stand Your Ground, Alabama State Bar, Annual Meeting and Summer Seminar 2017, 2018
- Voir Dire In Capital Cases, Huntsville Bar Association 2023
- Rethinking the Colorado Method, Voir Dire in Felony Cases, ACDLA Summer Seminar 2024
Pro Bono Activities
- State of Alabama v. Fredrick Woods, Death Penalty Rule 32 Proceedings, Serves as Local Counsel with Venable, LLP, Washington, DC, 2002- Present
- Project Homeless Connect and Homeless Court, Birmingham, AL, 2010 – 2017
- Louisiana State Bar, Inaugural Recipient of the Young Lawyers Section, Pro Bono Award 1995