Born in Denver, Colorado, Hauk received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Regis College, later renamed Regis University, in 1935, a Bachelor of Laws from Columbus School of Law at Catholic University of America in 1938, and a Doctor of Juridical Science from Yale Law School in 1942.
He was a special assistant to the United States Attorney General's Office for the Antitrust Division from 1939 to 1941.
He was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of California from 1941 to 1942.
[2] On June 13, 1966, Hauk was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of California vacated by Judge William Matthew Byrne Sr. Hauk was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 29, 1966, and received his commission the same day.
Hauk served as Chief Judge from 1980 to 1982 and assumed senior status on September 29, 1982.