What is it that you are looking for in a lawyer? Good Communication? Good Judgment? Professional People Skills? Analytical and Research Skills? Perseverance? Creativity? Look no further!! Chris Van Wagner demonstrates all of these!!

I had an unfortunate event occur on a Monday night, I called Mr. Van Wagner's office Tuesday and heard back from his office within hours and by Wednesday I was talking directly to him. He spent time getting to know me and my case. Asking very direct questions to get direct answers to guide him with what would be the best thing to do in my specific case. He is very intelligent and knowledgeable about Dane County and what the laws, policies, and procedures are. He could tell me what the next steps would be before anyone else and predict likely outcomes. He was very honest and straightforward about all the possible outcomes not just "what I wanted to hear".

He has a very laid back and humorous personality that kept me laughing, smiling, and calm in what felt like to me a very stressful situation. He encouraged me to stay positive in one of the most stressful times in my life.

Chris Van Wagner is very timely and got back to me even before he said he would!

Long story short, he gave me the best possible outcome for my situation and I could not be more grateful for all of his time, advice, and hard work--it did not go unnoticed!!

Thank you!

Great person and lawyer! Chris is a really kind person who cares deeply to help his clients in a superb manner and at a great price. Not only does he care, but he clearly has the experience/knowledge to make a difference - he really knows what he's doing! Chris told me the options as to how we could handle the case, who he would contact, etc. He went above and beyond to make sure I was happy with the outcome and the case was dropped. Also, Chris was always very quick to respond and made me feel like a high priority. I would highly recommend Chris!

When our son needed representation, the search began. I called 4 well known attorneys in Madison. I left a message for Christopher Van Wagner to call me back so we could discuss the situation. After speaking to two of the other attorney’s and the office manager of the third (I wasn’t even allowed to speak with the attorney directly at that firm!), Attorney Van Wagner returned my call. He called me back at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon by the way. After 45 minutes on the phone with him, I knew he was the one. I told him I would come to his office Monday morning to retain him but he said he was going to a conference on Sexual Assault. He said even after all the years he has been in practice, there is always something new to learn. I was very impressed.

If you’re looking for someone to hold your hand and tell you everything is going to be alright, keep looking. But if you’re looking for a man who will go above and beyond to represent you or a loved one, take my word for it, Christopher Van Wagner is the attorney for you. He burned the midnight oil many a night for our son. In the end, he was able to get the best possible outcome for him. For that, we are all so very grateful. Attorney Van Wagner doesn’t judge his clients, he represents them!

While showing very real compassion in defending our son, Chris was able to look at our son's situation without the strong bias of a parent trying to keep their kid out of trouble/jail/prison. Of all the possible horrible scenarios for the future, Chris was able to find the one that would provide our son with the best possible outcome. His extensive knowledge about the law, his personal acquaintance with the people in law enforcement, and his experience with life have been invaluable to us.

Christopher T. Van Wagner was one of the most honest professional individuals I've ever felt with on a professional level.
Bottom line a man of his word

Chris was referred to me by a friend of my family and I am so thankful for their recommendation. He is knowledgeable, experienced, honest, funny and helped make a difficult situation easier. Just when you don’t think you will get through what you are going through, Chris will never judge you for your situation, listens to every thing you have to say and let you know that you can and will move past your situation! No matter the time of day, Chris was always answering my questions and helping me walk through the entire process. I highly recommend Chris to anyone who needs a good attorney to get you through any situation you may be in. Chris and his assistant are truly a one of a kind team!

I’ve known Chris Van Wagner both personally and professionally for over 20 years. He is a tireless, hard working, smart and well respected attorney who fights for his clients. And the results he receives in court reflect this. If I needed to hire an attorney, I can think of 2 firms in Madison I would consider. The Chris Van Wagner law firm is one of them. You will not be disappointed if you choose Chris to represent you.

Received prompt call back from Chris’s office and was immediately given valuable advice. Very glad I retained Chris’s services as he was aggressive in protecting my son against possible negative interactions with the authorities. He took time to explain what would be happening and explained exactly the steps that should be taken and then handled all further contact with the authorities. Because of his intervention no charges ended up being filed. We are extremely grateful for this of course but felt if things had progressed we would have been in good hands. If you find yourself in a position of needing an attorney I recommend someone who will be a pit bull for you and can’t imagine anyone better than Chris.

Good man direct and to the point, excellent knowledge of the laws. Got me out of some very serious felony charges, very grateful to Chris and his staff.

The Best of the Best!

Working with Chris was a great experience. He always took the time to make sure I was fully informed about my case as it progressed. He did a good job of setting realistic expectations, and over delivering. I would highly recommend.

I have found Chris to be a diligent, hard working attorney, who always places his client first. If I would ever need an attorney in Chris's expertise, he would be the first contact.

Dj Sweeney

I had Chris represent me in a federal felony matter. His counsel proved to be life altering. As I faced a multiple year potential sentence I was scared to death. Chris had my back every step of the way. First his knowledge of the law was remarkable. Second his familiarity with the other players , i.e. the prosecutor, the court system, the probation and presentencing offices, were invaluable. His hand holding was appreciated but more importantly when it came time for his "hard" advice, the advice I didn't want to hear, he was brutally honest. That advise turned out to be not only correct but may be the best advise I ever received. I would wholeheartedly recommend Chris to anyone facing criminal charges. My advice to any new client -"tRUST CHRIS AND FOLLOW HIS ADVISE- he absolutely knows what he is doing.

Simply put, Atty Van Wagner is at the top of his game! He came into my family's life at a time when all hope seemed lost. It is hard to be an "accused" and even much harder to be wrongfully accused, especially by someone you loved and trusted. Atty Van Wagner turned around what could easily have been totally ruinous for my family. He understands the law intimately. He fights for you relentlessly. Thank you Atty Van Wagner!

If you have ever been wrongfully accused and you need an attorney who not only knows the law inside out but will defend you zealously, call Atty Van Wagner RIGHT AWAY. He works tirelessly and he does not stop until he achieves the BEST POSSIBLE outcome for you. Bonus point: he has a great sense of humor :) Chris, my family and I are forever indebted to you!
PS. Even if you are "guilty as charged," call Atty Van Wagner too. He will ensure you get a very fair shake, and that the State does not take you to the cleaners. Indefatigable is what Atty Van Wagner is. Two thumbs ... way way up!

I could not speak more highly of Chris Wagner. Chris is a true professional. He is knowledgeable , insightful, experienced, and very helpful. His legal analysis of my case was spot-on. He found solutions and came up with defenses that none of the others I first consulted with had thought of at all. He is passionate about his work, and works tirelessly for his clients. I always felt like I was his only client, from start to finish. He is dedicated, and absolutely committed to his clients and the success of their case. I absolutely recommend that anyone facing any situation always first call Chris before considering anything else. Thank you Chris for all of your hard work, and for getting me the incredible result no one else even though imaginable. I am forever grateful for your work and results!

Chris treated me with respect and kept me informed all the way through my ordeal. He diffused a stressful situation with his knowledgeable counsel. I am so glad a friend referred me to him!!

Chris Van Wagner is uniquely qualified to do an incredibly difficult job. He’s compassionate, hard working and well educated in his field. I have so much respect for the way he treats his clients, the way he understands the law and his complete regard for it. Anyone facing difficult challenges should hire him, he will get the job done.

I have worked with Chris on multiple occasions and would never even think of looking elsewhere if ever needed again! Chris' expertise, knowledge of the legal system, honest advice and ability to negotiate are 2nd to none! Any situation requiring retention of a defense attorney is more than likely scary and overwhelming at least in my situations... however with Chris on my side I always knew he had me protected in every form of the word. I strongly reccommend retaining his services whenever needed. You won't regret it!!

Mr. Van Wagner is a thorough, compassionate and dedicated member of the bar. He gives completely of himself and invests all his skills and energy to the principle that everyone is entitled to a fair trial. He works unhesitatingly and diligently toward that end for each of his clients.

Passionate advocate and well-connected. I got an excellent referral...problem solved.

Chris is so knowledgeable and personal. He worked very hard to help me out. I highly recommend him.

I’m very thankful to have found such a great and caring person to represent me in my case. I was going through a very hard time and instead of just being my lawyer he helped me as a friend and encourage me not to give up, I was going crazy but he helped me fight for my rights. I thank God I chose Chris Van Wagner. You get what you pay for and you were worth every penny. Thanks so much for all your hard work my family and I are so thankful, God bless you!!!

Chris Van Wagner exceeded my expectations in resolving legal issues I needed help with. Very professional, knowledgeable, honest and hard working. I highly recommend.

Chris Van Wagner did a tremendous job getting my friend acquitted. As an attorney myself, I appreciated Chris' impeccable legal mind and professionalism. He is also a very compassionate and kind person: a pleasure.

Chis Van Wagner is an excellent attorney. He is knowledgeable, experienced, highly ethical, hard working, honest and caring. We chose him based on his very high rating, his many 5-star client reviews, and the fact that other people, including other lawyers, told us he is one of the top 3 lawyers in Wisconsin.

Our experience working with Chris was outstanding. Throughout our case we had all our questions answered promptly. Chris helped us through the darkest time of our lives with grace. We really appreciate his hard work, he is an awesome attorney and we were lucky to have him. I highly recommend Chris Van Wagner to anyone who needs a good attorney who will truly listen to you and do what it takes to get the best results possible for your legal situation. Tough lawyer and a good person. We couldn't thank him enough for what he did for us. A million thumbs up!!!

Chris did all he could have and beyond for me. I couldn't have asked for a better representative. After he took care of everything, the courts made a few errors and he took care of them as well. He stood up for me right to the end and knew exactly what to say and when. He also made sure i knew what was going on. Thank you Chris

Seems like a good person. Gave me great advice over the phone for nearly 30 minutes. I was inquiring about an expungement issue and he was very knowledgable in this matter. Although he advised me that a lawyer wasn't needed, I still wanted to hire him!

If you’re looking for a representation in the state of Wisconsin you need to call Chris. Very knowledgeable of the state laws that are useful in all counties. Chris was recommended to me by a lawyer from across the state and I was relieved to have him on my side. He helped me out with two major driving violations with minimal impact & cost, including a dismissal. I’m glad Chris was recommended to me. He gives lawyers a good name. Schedule a free consultation to tap his experience in his practice areas whether civil or criminal.

This guy is awesome. Fast effective and professional. I would highly recommend him to anyone!

Honest, trustworthy and very straight forward. In unvarnished truth he will tell you exactly where you stand and what direction you should go! He has tenacity coupled with a degree of tenderness but never losing site of the end goal, which is to protect, defend and have the best outcome for his client. I have worked with him twice and would choose no other legal representation but Chris! He knew exactly what to do, and outcomes were more than I had expected! Thank you Chris!!

Chris does a stellar job for his clients. I feel if I went with a different lawyer I would have had a much different outcome to my case. When you hire Chris you get Chris as your lawyer not a random person fresh out of law school working for him. I highly recommend him for your best possible outcome.

After some difficulty with my vehicle, Chris was able to help me get out of some speeding tickets twice, which I didn't even think was possible. Because of his help, I've been able to stay in good standing with my insurance company and my premiums have not increased! On top of that, he's just a great guy and I'm happy to know him!

Highly recommend. Great guy, and a great attorney!

My family and I have immense respect and gratitude for Chris Van Wagner. He is a tough attorney, and he treated us with compassion.
When Chris says he will do his best, even in challenging circumstances, he does even more.

Chris is an ELITE defense attorney and hiring him was easily one the best decisions I’ve ever made. I retained Chris during my darkest hour (following the first arrest in my life) after exhaustive research. This included recommendations from several cops and a sergeant who are close friends that work in and around Dane County. Chris’ name kept coming up among the best defense attorneys they knew of and who they would hire. I needed THE BEST and that’s exactly what I received. I was simultaneously going through divorce and child custody proceedings, and a conviction on my criminal charges would’ve had devastating implications for me. I quickly realized I had a lion in my corner representing me! Chris was awesome from the beginning to the end. He is extremely intelligent and talented at his job. His experience and track record is second to none, and I repeatedly saw how respected he was by both his peers and prosecutors alike. Chris treats everyone, from the guards at the court house entrance to the court clerks..they all seemed to know him(!), with respect and is extremely likable and charismatic...attributes that really matter. I was treated with kindness, HONESTY (Chris is a straight shooter and doesn’t sugarcoat things), dignity, and great communication by Chis. My criminal charges were ultimately dismissed and everything was reduced to one simple county ordinance citation at my initial appearance! No trial, no testifying, no criminal record, no additional stress...I was thrilled! Chris knows these prosecutors he’s facing very well, and he reached out to the one we were facing and negotiated my incredible outcome. By the way, I ultimately salvaged my marriage too! I will be eternally grateful to Chris for his tremendous work, how well he treated me and his significant role in saving my marriage and my ability to be an everyday part of my kids’ lives! Hiring Chris was a real blessing, and the best money I’ve ever spent!

Chris is an awesome lawyer. I contacted his office for legal advice and was on the phone with Chris the same day. As soon as we spoke on the phone I knew he was on my side and would fight for me. He is very charismatic and I truly trusted his knowledge and guidance. His experience and professionalism give him great credibility. He really helped me out and I would recommend him to everyone who needs the best lawyer in Wisconsin.

Chris is very intelligent, kind, and resourceful. With only a consultation, he was able to help me figure my entire case out. He went above and beyond to assure I did everything correctly and that I had everything I needed to. I would give 10 stars if I could!

Chris is not only incredibly knowledgeable and professional when it comes to the law - he is also extremely caring and compassionate when it comes to his clients. He consistently makes you feel like his highest priority despite his busy schedule. Working with him made a difficult situation much more tolerable. I was sure that I was in the best hands possible from the moment I made contact with him.
I would highly recommend his expertise!

We were very lucky to get a high recommendation from a family member regarding Chris Van Wagner. Not only did we feel he is an expert with the whole process, he was quick and a great communicator. CVW will always be our attorney and I have already recommended him to people I know.

What a great person very professional and very helpful this man has a 5 ***** rating from me thank you so much

SUPER LAWYER/PHENOMENAL RESULTS
Chris Van Wagner represented me in a case in which I did not know where to begin. He is an exceedingly smart and compassionate attorney who KNOWS HIS STUFF. Attorney Van Wagner ALWAYS found time to respond to my queries promptly and help me navigate what seemed an insurmountable situation. Above all, Chris is a great human being who genuinely cares for his clients AND THEIR FAMILIES. His knowledge of, and passion for, the law coupled with his commitment to his clients is very evident and he works tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome. I was a benefactor of Attorney Van Wagner's expertise and dedication and for that, I am truly grateful.

I really appreciate the level of care and commitment you showed for my family. Your sincere advice, and prompt attention put everyone at ease and made us feel confident. Thank you Chris!

Chris was referred to me by a family member and I couldn't be happier with the result. He took me under his wing and explained each phase of the process, clear cut and to the point. The expertise and knowledge he brings to the table is phenomenal. I truly believed that my future would be affected by the mistake I made. However, because I went to the best of the best, I got just that. Trusted, experienced, and professional are all words that I would use to describe Chris. The time and dedication Chris put into my case showed me that he truly cared for my well being. I would refer him to those in need of a criminal and OWI defense attorney who knows justice and pursues it with excellent due diligence.

Chris was referred to me by a close friend of mine that is also a defense attorney. I couldn't have been more impressed! Not only is he a true professional and a impressive attorney, but the way he cared about my reputation and my family will never be forgotten! Thank you Chris! If you need an attorney... I 100% recommend Chris Van Wagner

I have used CVW on a few different occasions. I have also referred some of my clients to him as well. Chris is knowledgeable, professional, and straight to the point. He cares deeply about his work, but cares about his clients even more. Chris has gone out of his way to make sure things are done correctly. I have had nothing but good experiences with CVW and will continue to refer him to others.