When you trust the team at LawtonCates, you can rest assured that we will fight tirelessly for you. We offer complimentary consultations to all new and prospective clients by phone, via video conferencing, or in person at either of our office locations. Contact us today to speak with one of our award-winning Wisconsin attorneys about your legal matter.
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About LawtonCates
LawtonCates is a Madison, Wisconsin-based law practice serving clients throughout Wisconsin in a wide range of legal matters. Our primary focus is on personal injury, such as motor vehicle accidents, on-the-job injuries, and wrongful death. We also have robust criminal defense, business litigation, lemon law, and consumer law. Our top-tier, highly qualified lawyers have tried and prevailed in complex cases through state and federal courts, recovering millions of dollars for clients.
Excellence and Integrity
The roots of LawtonCates began in 1958 when John A. Lawton and Richard L. Cates partnered up to form a practice. Lawton was a premier labor lawyer in Wisconsin and is best known for his role in authoring the state’s public employee bargaining laws. Cates developed the firm’s litigation practice and established a national reputation when he served as Special Counsel to the House Judiciary Committee during the Watergate hearings.
The founding partners’ tradition of excellence and integrity continues to this day. Over several decades, LawtonCates lawyers have handled many precedent-setting cases and litigated nearly every conceivable type of dispute in nearly every forum. With such expertise in substantive law, we understand what needs to be done in the courtroom.
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Experienced and Versatile
Unlike other law practices specializing in one particular area of law, LawtonCates is qualified in several areas of legal dispute. Our mission is to be the go-to law firm for all our clients’ legal needs. No matter what you are facing, we can provide insightful guidance and help you work toward a resolution.
Our personal injury practice handles motor vehicle accidents, dog bites, work accidents, medical malpractice, severe and catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death.
We take an aggressive approach when dealing with insurance carriers, who often try to minimize payouts on valid injury claims. As experienced litigators, we prepare your case for trial to show the insurers we are serious about it. Our lawyers know how to back up injury cases with extensive medical documentation and expert opinions in our pursuit of a full and fair settlement.
Our business and general litigation lawyers manage insurance coverage issues, employment disputes, consumer protection and lemon law cases, and complex class-action lawsuits. We also have a criminal law practice to represent people facing DUI, theft, assault, and drug possession, among other charges.
In addition, we work on matters involving mass torts and injuries caused by defective products. LawtonCates is known for trying disputes in state and federal courts as well as in multi-district litigation for these kinds of cases.
Many of our clients are referred to us by other attorneys, as they recognize our skill and versatility in handling litigation. We serve everyday citizens and businesses who choose us as their legal representative. Whether from a plaintiff or defense perspective, we at LawtonCates are dedicated to managing your legal matter in the highest professional, responsible, ethical, and personal manner.
Committed to Wisconsin
Committed to Wisconsin
LawtonCates has two South Central Wisconsin offices, in Jefferson and Madison. We provide personalized attention and dedicated legal service to clients throughout the entire state. Our lawyers serve clients throughout Dane, Jefferson, Rock, Sauk, and Green counties, as well as Milwaukee and the general South Central Wisconsin region.
We at LawtonCates also have a strong commitment to our community. Our firm is an ardent supporter of several wonderful South Central Wisconsin organizations and causes, including the following:
- Porchlight
- The Salvation Army of Dane County
- The Simmy Foundation
- The Rotary Club of Jefferson County
- Do Good Wisconsin
- The Triangle Ministry
Meet Our Team
LawtonCates is known for providing comprehensive representation in a broad range of legal matters. In addition to our firm’s cadre of experienced litigations, our roster includes several up-and-coming lawyers who have already distinguished themselves in their chosen practice areas. Our senior lawyers with well-earned distinctions make a point of mentoring the firm’s newer attorneys in the same tradition that John Lawton and Richard Cates established years before them.
