Nick Raef

Nick Raef

Madison Employment Attorney

“Wherever people ain’t free, wherever men are fightin’ for their rights, that’s where I’m a-gonna be.” – Woody Guthrie

Overview

Attorney Nick Raef is an associate at Hawks Quindel’s Madison office. He represents clients in employment matters, working to ensure that the dignity of his clients is respected. Attorney Raef approaches every client’s case with compassion and tenacity. He understands that those facing employment disputes are often at a life-altering and uncertain crossroads. His commitment is to not only protect his clients’ interests, but also to ensure they feel heard, respected, and empowered through the legal process.

Attorney Raef provides counsel and representation for clients facing a broad range of complex workplace issues, including:

• discrimination based on race, gender, age, national origin, physical and mental ability, religion, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity
• wrongful termination
• retaliation
• hostile work environments
• sexual harassment
• employment-related contracts
• severance agreements

Additionally, he assists individuals facing challenges in finding and maintaining employment by offering support with pardon applications, expungement petitions, and arrest record cleanup. With years of experience in state civil service, Attorney Raef is also equipped to answer questions clients may have regarding Wisconsin Public Records Law.

Attorney Raef takes time to help clients define their goals and become informed on the full array of their options. He helps clients find clarity when the path forward isn’t obvious.

Experience

Before joining Hawks Quindel, Attorney Raef worked primarily in civil service, spending time as a judicial staff attorney at the Dane County Circuit Court, legal counsel at the Wisconsin Department of Administration, and as Governor Evers’ Pardons Counsel. Outside of his work, Attorney Raef volunteers his time on the executive board of his children’s preschool and as an appointed member of Wisconsin’s Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board.

Education

Attorney Raef earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin. During law school, he clerked in Governor Evers’ Office of Legal Counsel, served as a Judicial Intern under Judge William Conley in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, and worked as a legal assistant for law firms in Madison and Chicago. He also served on the executive boards of the Wisconsin Law School’s Moot Court team and the American Constitution Society’s University of Wisconsin Law School Student Chapter. He was awarded the V. Russell Whitesel Prize for Excellence in Government, the Abner Brodie Award for outstanding practical application of law, and the Mathys Memorial Award for Appellate Advocacy.

Attorney Raef received his undergraduate degree at Northwestern University, where he studied International Political Economy and Theatre. He performed in, designed for, and produced theatre in Evanston and Chicago, while also sitting on the executive board of a theatre company that produced theatre for young audiences in the Chicagoland area.

Attorney Nick Raef

nraef@hq-law.com
Office: (608) 257-0040
Direct: (608) 512-1828