How to Find a Lawyer in Wisconsin
By the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Legal Services Team
Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) and Aging Units are a wealth of information; these organizations can assist with most issues related to health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and many other public benefits and housing issues. In some cases, however, issues fall outside the areas in which a Benefit Specialist can assist. If this happens to you, you may be encouraged to seek assistance from an attorney who charges a fee (often called a “private attorney”).
You can always ask friends, family, or co-workers for recommendations for a private attorney, or search online. If you still don’t know where to start, here are a few places to consider:
Lawyer Referral Service (also called LRS) – A legal assistant will help you locate the best source of help, which may mean you need to hire an attorney. If so, the assistant will refer you to an attorney near you who is familiar with your legal situation. Attorneys with LRS agree to charge no more than $20 for the first consultation, up to one half-hour. In some cases, you will resolve your legal issue at the first meeting. If your problem requires work beyond the first half-hour, you will be charged the lawyer’s regular fees.
• Phone: (800) 362-9082 or (608) 257-4666 (in Dane County and outside of Wisconsin).
• Online: LRIS Request
Wisconsin State Bar Modest Means Panel
The Modest Means Program of the State Bar of Wisconsin is designed to assist people whose income is too high to qualify for free legal services, but too low to pay a lawyer's standard rate. The Modest Means Program is run by the LRS (see above). Qualifying for services through the Modest Means Program is based on your income level and area of legal need. To determine if you may qualify for the Modest Means Program, you can fill in and submit a questionnaire available on its website.
• Phone: 1-888-529-7599
Pages/Modest-Means.aspx
Legal Action of Wisconsin – Legal Action serves all counties in Wisconsin since its merger with Judicare, effective January 1, 2026. Offices are located in Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Racine, and Wausau. This organization focuses on housing, employment, debt and taxes, public benefits, family law, and victim support. They also work with specific populations, including veterans, seniors, farmworkers, people who use drugs or are in recovery, students, and those near release or recently released from prison.
• Phone: 855-947-2529
• Online: http://www.legalaction.org/contact-us
Legal Action offers a program that is specific to elder financial and physical abuse. Contact this program if you are a victim of elder abuse, or know someone who is a victim.
• Phone: 855-947-2529.
• Online (email): elderabuse@legalaction.org
Wisconsin State Public Defender Program – This prog
ram is dedicated to providing attorneys for criminal cases. In most cases, applicants must meet financial guidelines in order to qualify for appointment of an attorney. Applicants may apply at the local office that serves the county in which the case will be heard. A staff member will assist the applicant by completing the financial eligibility form. The application process typically takes approximately 15 minutes, although in some cases the applicant may need to provide additional documentation in order to verify information.
You can locate your county’s public defender office here:
• Phone: 608-266-0087
• Online: http://wispd.org/
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) – This national organization focuses on elder law, which means planning for incapacity and long-term care, Medicaid and Medicare coverage (including coverage of nursing home and home care), health and long-term care insurance, and health care decision-making. It also includes drafting of special needs and other trusts, the selection of long-term care providers, home care and nursing home problem solving, retiree health and income benefits, retirement housing, and fiduciary services or representation. If you visit their website, you can click “Find a Lawyer” to locate an elder law attorney in your area. Online only: https://www.naela.org/
If you are unsure whether a Benefit Specialist can assist you or if you need a private attorney, you can always contact your ADRC or Aging Unit. Make sure that if you have a deadline, you reach out for help well before that deadline so you have plenty of time to find assistance.
Comments