Kenneth V. Hallett, Retired Partner
Associate Development
Kenneth V. Hallett
ken.hallett@quarles.com
Ken Hallett focused his practice on securities law—including offerings, continuing disclosure and compliance, and corporate governance—and on merger and acquisition transactions prior to his retirement in October 2020. Ken represented clients in numerous industries, particularly the manufacturing, technology, and financial services sectors. He was equally experienced managing large public securities offerings as well as counseling mid-market companies and start-ups. Ken also maintained an active practice on the Quarles & Brady Financial Institutions Team, focused on acquisition and expansion transactions for banking industry clients.
With over 40 years in practice, Ken brought the experience, skills, and tools needed to be a go-to lawyer for clients navigating business law, securities, and M&A opportunities and challenges. Ken was collaborative and highly dedicated to top-level client service. He learned a client's business top to bottom, zeroing in on what's important for each client and in each specific transaction. Ultimately, Ken used his experience and talents to get the job done in a manner that consistently exceeds expectations.
Ken continues to serve as an informal mentor to younger Quarles & Brady attorneys.
Ken's representative matters included:
Served as trusted counsel for over three decades for a major technology manufacturer, helping guide it from $100 million to $2.5 billion in annual sales. This included taking the company public and guiding it through several securities offerings, shelf registrations, and acquisitions.
Assisted a financial institution in transitioning from a mutually-held bank to a shareholder-owned institution. This included a simultaneous stock conversion and the acquisition of a public company (a national first), plus numerous regulatory applications.
Assisted our global manufacturing client in its initial public offering of shares. The client was owned by a larger private equity firm, and this offering was part of the PE firm's exit plan. Strategies were developed with the client's management team around governance, compensation, structure, and other matters. The offering raised about $500 million for the client and we remain its securities counsel.
Harvard Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1980)
University of Notre Dame (B.A., summa cum laude, 1977)
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1980
U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 1980
Milwaukee Bar Association (Member)
American Bar Association (Member)
State Bar of Wisconsin (Past Chair, Subcommittee on Securities Law Disclosure, Committee on Securities Business Law Section)
Champions for Learning of Collier County (Mentor/Volunteer)
Notre Dame School of Milwaukee (Volunteer/Mentor)
Marquette Law School Volunteer Legal Clinic (2008–present: Pro bono attorney and advisor)
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School (Mentor/Coach, Volunteer-at-Large)
Boy Scouts of America/Milwaukee County Council (Past Member, Advisory Council)
Marquette University Law School (Co-instructor, Securities Law, 1984–1988; periodic lecturer, 1989–1993)
Professional Recognition
Named a 2014 Leader in the Law by the Wisconsin Law Journal
Recognized as Best Lawyers® 2013 "Lawyer of the Year" for Milwaukee Financial Services Regulation Law
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® (1995–present: Financial Services Regulation Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law)
Martindale-Hubbell AV® Peer Review Rated