Bill Hale was born in Washington, DC, and grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. He studied political science at Duke University, graduating in 1974, and law at University of Maryland Law School, graduating in 1977. Bill served as Assistant State's Attorney for Prince George’s County, Maryland from 1978 until 1983, when he left to enter into private practice. Although he's done many types of legal work over the years, most of his practice involves defending alleged criminals, which, because of his love of trials (particularly jury trials), he enjoys the most.
Bill met his wife Cindi while at Duke and they married in 1976. Cindi worked as a file clerk on Capitol Hill, working her way up to become Administrative Assistant to Massachusetts Congressmen Nick Mavroules. She left the Hill to work at the University of Maryland, where she is now Assistant to the Provost. Bill and Cindi have three children, who are themselves active in politics and business.