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Eau Claire (WQOW) - A high-powered attorney is joining the defense team for an Eau Claire doctor accused of sexually assaulting more than a dozen male patients.
Madison lawyer Stephen Hurley has been signed up as co-counsel for Dr. David Van de Loo.
Hurley is said to be one of the top criminal defense lawyers in the state. Among his more well-known clients, Peg Lautenschlager when she was state attorney general.
Hurley also served as legal consultant for the TV show 'The Practice.'
The district attorney's office is also adding extra firepower, an assistant attorney general will help prosecute Van de Loo.
Tuesday in court not guilty pleas were entered for Van de Loo. His other lawyer, Rich White, expects the trial to take more than two weeks. He has also filed a motion to move the trial to another county.
White says an unbiased jury could not be found in Eau Claire County. He says that's in part because of extensive news coverage of the case. He also says it would be difficult to find an impartial jury because nearly every adult resident of the county has either been treated by Van de Loo or at the Mayo Clinic Health System Eau Claire, or works there, or knows someone who has.
Van de Loo returns to court in May for a hearing on the change of venue request.
Another medical malpractice civil lawsuit has just been filed against Van de Loo and Mayo. The suit was filed by a man who says he was assaulted by Van de Loo during office visits over an 11 year period.
