Lawyers in Wisconsin

Finding a lawyer in Wisconsin

Milwaukee and Madison hold most of Wisconsin's larger law firms, but the state's legal work is spread across its county seats, from Green Bay and Appleton in the Fox Valley to Eau Claire, La Crosse and Wausau. The main trial court is the Circuit Court, which sits in every county, and lawyers tend to build their practices around the courthouse closest to home. For most personal matters, that local lawyer is the one you want.

This directory lists Wisconsin law firms by city and by practice area. Pick a city to see who practices near you, or begin with the type of problem you need help with. Every firm's page carries its contact details for a direct call or email.

When you need a lawyer (and when you may not)

Contact a Wisconsin attorney early if you have been arrested or charged, if you were hurt in a crash, at work or on someone else's property, if you are being sued or evicted, or if a divorce involves children, a home or retirement accounts. Immigration matters that touch your status also call for counsel. Wisconsin's deadlines are set by statute and some are short, so waiting can close off options.

You may not need a lawyer for a small money dispute, which the small claims procedure in Circuit Court is designed to handle without attorneys, or for an ordinary traffic ticket or simple form. Many Wisconsin lawyers offer a free or low-cost first meeting, and that conversation is the easiest way to learn whether you can handle the matter yourself.

Common practice areas in Wisconsin

• Car Accident and Personal Injury — collision claims, winter-road crashes, falls and other negligence cases, settled with insurers or filed in Circuit Court.
• Family & Divorce — divorce, legal separation, custody and placement, child support and property division, which in Wisconsin follows community-property principles.
• Criminal Defense — felonies and misdemeanors in Circuit Court, with ordinance violations in municipal courts.
• DUI & DWI — Wisconsin calls it operating while intoxicated (OWI); a charge brings a court case and a license matter with the Department of Transportation.
• Estate Planning & Probate — wills, trusts, marital property agreements and estate administration through the Circuit Court's probate function.
• Real Estate — purchases, sales, farmland and lake-property matters and landlord-tenant disputes.
• Workers' Compensation — on-the-job injury claims through the Worker's Compensation Division of the Department of Workforce Development.
• Employment — discrimination, wrongful termination and wage claims under state and federal law.
• Immigration, Bankruptcy and Social Security Disability — federal matters with their own courts and appeals.
• Business — formation, contracts and disputes.

How to check a lawyer's license in Wisconsin

Every lawyer practicing in Wisconsin must be a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, a mandatory bar operating under the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Bar's online lawyer directory shows whether an attorney is active and in good standing, the year of admission and whether public discipline is on record.

Confirm the status is active, that the name and office match the person you are dealing with, and that any disciplinary history has been explained. Complaints about a lawyer's conduct are handled by the Office of Lawyer Regulation, an agency of the Supreme Court, not by the State Bar itself.

How to choose a law firm

Look for a firm whose everyday work matches your case and your county. A lawyer who is in your Circuit Court every week on family or criminal matters knows the judges and local practice; a firm that mainly does business deals may not. Ask who will actually do the work.

Settle fees at the outset. For injury and workers' compensation claims the usual arrangement is a contingency fee, so nothing is owed unless money is recovered. Divorce, criminal and business matters are more often hourly or flat-fee, frequently with a retainer. Get the fee agreement in writing and ask which expenses are billed separately.

Questions to ask at the first consultation

• When did you last take a case like mine, and how did it resolve?
• Will you personally handle my case, or will an associate or paralegal do most of the work?
• What are my strongest and weakest points as you see them today?
• Can you put the fee arrangement in writing before I decide?
• What should I do, or stop doing, in the next few weeks?
• Will I get copies of what is filed and received?
• Are you an active member of the State Bar of Wisconsin in good standing?

Free and low-cost legal help

Two civil legal aid programs cover Wisconsin for residents with limited income: Legal Action of Wisconsin in the southern and central counties and Wisconsin Judicare in the north, both handling housing, family, benefits and consumer matters. The State Bar of Wisconsin runs a lawyer referral and information service that arranges a reduced-fee first consultation. Law schools in Madison and Milwaukee operate clinics where supervised students represent clients. Anyone charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer is entitled to representation through the State Public Defender.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed Wisconsin attorney about your situation.