Harlan D. Mitchell | Athens Criminal Defense Lawyer

Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire

Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
I recently was able to get a felony case dismissed because my investigation into the state's timeline did not match the facts or whereabouts of the defendant.

How did you build a successful practice?
I work extremely hard and phone calls are returned within 24 hours. This is different from most attorneys.

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
I believe local knowledge is very important to your case, knowing your judges and the other lawyers can help you resolve a case favorably.

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
I believe the extra schooling I attend each year to remain to updated on the new changes in the law separates me from other attorneys. I attend far more than the minimum required each year.

What are your other interests in addition to law?
I enjoy playing bluegrass music with friends and family.

Are you involved in your community?
I am a member of the Board of Directors for the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate.

Harlan is a native of Limestone County where he attended Athens Elementary School. Later, his family moved to Ardmore where he attended and graduated from Ardmore High School. Harlan worked at the Athens Police Department as both a patrol officer and a K-9 officer for approximately twelve years before deciding to attend law school.

Harlan graduated with a B.S. from Athens State College and received his law degree from Birmingham School of Law. He began his legal career while attending law school with the law firm of Beddow, Erben & Bowen, P.A. in Birmingham and then after passing the bar where he engaged in civil and criminal litigation and appeals, real estate transactions, and domestic relations practice. While at the firm Harlan participated in the representation of several high profile white collar trials in Federal Court, and many high profile criminal cases in both State and Federal Courts.

From December 1997 until 2010, he was the senior partner of Mitchell & Graham, P.C., where he engaged in civil and criminal litigation, appeals, real estate transactions and litigation. Since 2010, Harlan has been in solo practice as Harlan D. Mitchell, Legal Services L.L.C, with an emphasis in criminal defense and family law.

Harlan is a member of the Limestone County Bar Association, the Alabama State Bar, American Bar Association, Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, National Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and past member of Birmingham Bar Association, the Talladega Bar Association, Tort and Insurance Practice Section, Probate and Property Section, the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

Harlan was a member of the Greater Birmingham Criminal Defense Legislative Committee reviewing every newly proposed criminal law submitted for passage in Montgomery.

• Limestone County Bar Association
  Alabama State Bar
  American Bar Association
  Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  Birmingham Bar Association
  Talladega Bar Association
  Association of Trial Lawyers of America

• Harlan D. Mitchell, Legal Services L.L.C.