Christopher T. Van Wagner S.C. - Madison, WI
110 E. Main StreetSuite 705Madison, WI 53703
Madison Criminal Defense Lawyer
Overview
Christopher T. Van Wagner is one of the top all-around criminal defense attorneys in Wisconsin. With 35 years of legal experience, Van Wagner has a reputation as the go-to lawyer when things get rough, and when a real pro is needed for the defense. With more than 20 years defending people on serious charges (ranging from Sexual Assault to Homicide to Drunk Driving to Fraud and Theft, and so on), Christopher T. Van Wagner will do whatever he can to protect his clients.
Mr. Van Wagner...
Christopher T. Van Wagner is one of the top all-around criminal defense attorneys in Wisconsin. With 35 years of legal experience, Van Wagner has a reputation as the go-to lawyer when things get rough, and when a real pro is needed for the defense. With more than 20 years defending people on serious charges (ranging from Sexual Assault to Homicide to Drunk Driving to Fraud and Theft, and so on), Christopher T. Van Wagner will do whatever he can to protect his clients.
Mr. Van Wagner...
Christopher T. Van Wagner is one of the top all-around criminal defense attorneys in Wisconsin. With 35 years of legal experience, Van Wagner has a reputation as the go-to lawyer when things get rough, and when a real pro is needed for the defense. With more than 20 years defending people on serious charges (ranging from Sexual Assault to Homicide to Drunk Driving to Fraud and Theft, and so on), Christopher T. Van Wagner will do whatever he can to protect his clients.
Mr. Van Wagner, who hails from the East Coast, brought his Jersey street smarts along when he married a Wisconsin gal. His strong middle-class Irish Catholic upbringing serves him well in the gritty trenches of criminal defense. After paying his own way through top-notch eastern schools (including St. Lawrence and then an Ivy League education at Cornell Law School), Chris worked in a number of formative slots (federal clerk, private practice, plus stints as both state and federal prosecutor) before carving out his current niche, doing high-level criminal defense. Now, after many jury acquittals in tough, tough cases, Chris is able to gain many dismissals, even at the courthouse steps, when lesser prosecutors buckle in the jury trial stare-down.
Chris loves his solo work, because it allows a personal approach with every client. He disdains high-volume criminal practice; thus, his clients know that when they hire him, they get him – not some baby-faced younger lawyer who needs a map to the courthouse. And, having devoted himself once again to a high-quality, professional and ethical law practice, Chris finds he now gets better results than ever before. Chris will handle your case. Chris listens. Chris responds. Chris wins.
Christopher T. Van Wagner holds an “AV” rating with Martindale Hubbell, the highest peer rating in the business. He earned this from lawyers across the state. He is a “lawyer’s lawyer.” He has been named a Super Lawyer many times, which happens only for the top 5% of lawyers. Van Wagner has served as legal expert on national and local networks, who look to him because of his broad knowledge and vast experience in his field.
Write Your Review
Fields marked with an * are required
Map Location
How do I choose a lawyer?
Consider the following:
- Comfort Level
- - Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? Does the lawyer seem interested in solving your problem?
- Credentials
- - How long has the lawyer been in practice? Has the lawyer worked on other cases similar to yours?
- Cost
- - How are the lawyer's fees structured - hourly or flat fee? Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your case?
- City
- - Is the lawyer's office conveniently located?
Not sure what questions to ask a lawyer?
Here are a few to get you started:
- How long have you been in practice?
- How many cases like mine have you handled?
- How often do you settle cases out of court?
- What are your fees and costs?
- What are the next steps?
Want to check lawyer discipline?
It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can:
- Ensure the attorney is currently licensed to practice in your state
- Gain an understanding of his or her historical disciplinary record, if any.
- Determine the seriousness of complaints/issues which could range from late bar fees to more serious issues requiring disciplinary action.