Top 10 DUI & Criminal Defense Lawyers in Madison, WI
If you have been arrested or charged in Madison — whether it is a first OWI or a serious felony — here are the criminal defense firms that show up again and again across peer rankings and courtroom results.
Updated January 31, 202611 min readEditorially independent
An arrest or a criminal charge in Madison is frightening, and the system does not wait for you to catch your breath. In Wisconsin, an OWI, a drug charge, or a felony can carry jail, a permanent record, lost licenses, and consequences for your job and your family. What you do in the first days matters.
A good criminal defense lawyer does several things at once: protects your rights during questioning, scrutinizes whether the stop and the evidence were lawful, negotiates with the prosecutor, and is ready to try the case if that is your best path. In Dane County, where cases run through the circuit court, local experience with the judges and the District Attorney's office is a real advantage.
We looked at the defense firms serving Madison, cross-checked them against Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Avvo, Justia and Expertise.com plus each firm's own trial record, and pulled together the ones that consistently come up. Here is who made the list, what they focus on, and what defense help tends to cost here.
How we picked these 8: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Madison-area dui / criminal defense practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Hurley Burish, S.C.
33 E. Main St., MadisonFounded 1984White-collar & defense
Practice focus: Criminal defense and white-collar matters, plus civil litigation, from a long-established Madison firm.
Hurley Burish, founded in 1984 and based at 33 East Main Street near the Capitol, has grown to roughly fourteen attorneys, several recognized by Super Lawyers. Founding attorney Stephen P. Hurley is one of the best-known criminal defense lawyers in Wisconsin, with a long record in serious felony and white-collar cases.
Why they made the list: A Madison institution for high-stakes felony and white-collar defense.
Fee structure
Hourly or flat fee by case; ask for a written quote
Practice focus: Criminal defense across OWI, drug, domestic-violence, fraud, assault and homicide cases.
Rick Coad was selected to Best Lawyers in America in 2026 and to Super Lawyers from 2018 through 2025. His Madison practice spans domestic violence, OWI, battery, drug charges, fraud, sexual assault and homicide, with results across a wide range of charges.
Why they made the list: Recent Best Lawyers recognition and a broad felony and OWI defense record.
110 E. Main St., MadisonEx-prosecutor100+ jury trials
Practice focus: Serious state and federal criminal defense, drawing on prior prosecutorial experience.
Christopher T. Van Wagner served as a felony prosecutor in New Jersey and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Wisconsin before opening his private practice in 1994. He has tried more than 100 felony jury trials to verdict and won acquittals in several high-profile cases, working from his office at 110 East Main Street.
Why they made the list: A former federal prosecutor with a heavy felony jury-trial record on the defense side.
Practice focus: OWI and drunk-driving defense and related criminal matters across Wisconsin.
Tracey A. Wood, a published author on OWI defense with a downtown Madison office at 345 West Washington Avenue, has more than 25 years of experience and a decade-plus run on the Super Lawyers list. The firm concentrates on drunk-driving defense, where the science and the procedure are everything.
Why they made the list: A go-to OWI specialist with deep familiarity with breath- and blood-test challenges.
Practice focus: Full-service criminal defense and appeals for clients across Wisconsin.
Patrick J. Stangl has practiced criminal defense since 1991 and runs a full-service defense firm with offices in Madison and Hayward. He is nationally recognized for criminal defense work and handles trial-level cases and appeals.
Why they made the list: Three decades of defense and appellate experience under one roof.
Practice focus: Criminal defense with an emphasis on strategic, aggressive representation.
David K. Anderson founded DK Anderson, S.C. and has practiced criminal defense since 2015, with Super Lawyers recognition since 2018. The firm is known for a strategic, aggressive approach focused on protecting clients' rights.
Why they made the list: A focused defense practice with steady peer recognition since its early years.
Practice focus: Criminal defense and trial work for clients in the Madison area.
Nicholson Goetz & Otis provides experienced criminal defense representation across the Madison area, with a trial-focused practice. The firm appears in directory listings for serious defense work in Dane County.
Why they made the list: A trial-oriented defense team handling felony and OWI matters locally.
Practice focus: Criminal defense and OWI alongside a personal-injury practice in Madison.
Eisenberg Law Offices is a long-running Madison firm whose criminal defense attorneys handle a range of charges, from OWI and drug offenses to other criminal matters. The firm pairs defense work with personal-injury representation.
Why they made the list: An established general-practice firm with a steady criminal defense and OWI caseload.
A criminal charge moves fast, and early decisions shape everything that follows. Tell us what you are facing and we will connect you with a Madison defense firm that handles your type of case.
How to choose between them in Madison
Match the lawyer to the charge. A first-offense OWI and a felony fraud indictment are different worlds. Ask each firm how many cases like yours — your exact charge — it handled in the last year, and how they ended.
Ask about trials, not just pleas. Most cases resolve in a plea, but a lawyer who can credibly try the case negotiates from strength. Ask for recent trial experience with charges like yours.
Get the fee structure in writing. Criminal defense is often a flat fee for a defined stage, with trial billed separately. Ask exactly what the quoted fee covers and what triggers additional charges.
Value local court experience. Familiarity with Dane County judges and the District Attorney's office shapes realistic expectations and negotiation. A local defense lawyer knows how cases like yours tend to move.
What dui / criminal defense help typically costs in Madison
Criminal defense is usually billed as a flat fee for a defined stage of the case, sometimes hourly for complex matters. Rough expectations in the Madison area:
First-offense OWI: Often a flat fee in the rough range of $2,500–$5,000, more if it goes to a contested hearing or trial.
Misdemeanor (non-OWI): Commonly $2,000–$5,000 flat, depending on the charge and whether it is resolved or tried.
Felony defense: Frequently $5,000–$25,000+ depending on severity and complexity, often structured in stages with trial billed separately.
Serious or federal felony: Can run well into five or six figures, billed hourly or in large staged fees, given the work involved.
Be cautious of a fee that sounds too good — defense is labor-intensive, and a rock-bottom flat fee can signal a volume practice. Ask what the fee covers and who actually appears in court.
How long it takes
How long a criminal case takes depends on the charge and whether it goes to trial. Rough expectations in Wisconsin:
Initial appearance and bail: Within days of arrest or charging, where conditions of release are set.
Pretrial and motions: For misdemeanors, often a few months; for felonies, motions and negotiations can run many months.
Resolution by plea: Many cases resolve through negotiation over several months rather than at trial.
Trial: A contested felony can take a year or more from charge to verdict, depending on the court's calendar.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a dui / criminal defense lawyer in Madison
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many dui / criminal defense matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Madison consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most dui / criminal defense matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted DUI / Criminal Defense attorney in Madison
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about dui / criminal defense lawyers in Madison
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Madison?
Usually a flat fee for a defined stage — roughly $2,500–$5,000 for a first OWI or many misdemeanors, and $5,000–$25,000 or more for felonies, with trial billed separately. Complex or federal cases cost more.
Do I need a lawyer for a first-offense OWI in Wisconsin?
A first OWI is a serious matter with license and insurance consequences, and the evidence — the stop, the testing — can often be challenged. An OWI-focused lawyer like Tracey Wood is worth the consultation before you decide anything.
What should I do right after an arrest?
Be polite, but do not answer questions or explain yourself without a lawyer. You have the right to remain silent and to counsel. Call a defense lawyer before you give any statement.
Will my case go to trial?
Most criminal cases resolve through negotiation, not trial. But hiring a lawyer who can credibly try the case is often what produces a better plea offer.
Can a charge be reduced or dismissed?
Sometimes — through challenges to the evidence, weaknesses in the State's case, or negotiation. No ethical lawyer can promise a result, but an experienced one can assess your realistic options.
What is the difference between a public defender and a private firm?
Public defenders are skilled but carry heavy caseloads, and you must qualify financially. A private firm gives you more individual attention; the firms here handle cases the public-defender system cannot take or that clients prefer to handle privately.
How does an OWI affect my license?
Wisconsin OWI convictions carry license revocation and other penalties that escalate with prior offenses, and there are separate administrative deadlines to contest a suspension. A lawyer can act on those deadlines quickly.
How quickly should I hire a lawyer?
As soon as possible. Early representation can shape charging decisions, preserve evidence, and protect you during questioning — all of which are hardest to fix after the fact.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
Helpful next steps
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