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Dennis Michael Melowski
also known as Dennis M. Melowski
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About Dennis
Biography
When not practicing law, Dennis enjoys spending time with his wife Maggie and their two children, Molly and Luke. An accomplished endurance athlete, Dennis is a four-time USA Triathlon All-American and a six-time qualifier for the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, with a personal best time of 9:46:57.
Voted by his peers as Wisconsin's top DUI defense lawyer every year since 2005.
Voted by his peers as Wisconsin's top DUI lawyer every year since 2005. Practice in ALL counties.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
DUI and DWI
100%
33 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2024 2023 2021
...
+
11
Licenses
Licensed in Wisconsin for 32 years
State: Wisconsin
Acquired: 1993
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Dennis online.
Dennis Michael Melowski's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
143 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (143)
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Case Results (133)
Advocacy (97)
Recommendation (74)
Practice Area Knowledge (56)
Professionalism (50)
General Knowledge (35)
Communication Style (33)
Responsiveness (31)
Character & Conduct (28)
Cost of Services (25)
Trustworthiness (16)
Staff & Support (11)
Compassion (9)
Punctuality (2)
Free Consultations (1)
Showing 56 - 56 of 56 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Steve W. | November 21, 2024 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Highly over priced for outcome of case
From out of state and charged in Wisconsin with my first ever DUI along with some other driving infractions. Paid over $10,000 upfront for Dennis Melowski himself to represent me because of his self claimed reputation as the "Best Wisconsin DUI attorney". Dennis fought my case for over 2 years with ...
Dennis Melowski
Replied last November 23, 2024My response to this review will give you a small taste of how I might handle a police officer who testifies against you in your case but fails to mention some very key facts. This person is right that I fought his case for more than two years, raising every possible legal challenge he had through aggressive pretrial litigation. Notably, what this person fails to mention, is that just DAYS prior to his scheduled jury trial, I was alerted to a significant circumstance which severely limited our viable options in proceeding, especially on such short notice. Despite that, I was still able to negotiate a resolution that avoided many of the mandatory penalties associated with one of his charges, and additionally, to get several other charges dismissed. It was without question the best that could be accomplished for this person given the situation he was in. You might fairly wonder what the “significant circumstance” was that I learned shortly before trial? Unfortunately, because of attorney-client privilege, I cannot disclose that information, which this person probably knows. Perhaps if he gives me permission to disclose it, you can judge for yourself if I am overstating its significance. In the meantime, I would encourage you to read the 130+ 5-star reviews written by former clients that will give you a more complete and accurate depiction of what you can expect with my representation, including the review immediately preceding this one in which my client describes the not guilty verdict I obtained for her in an OWI-5th case earlier this year, in one of the most difficult counties in Wisconsin. As for the head-scratching allegation that my reputation for being the best DUI attorney in Wisconsin is “self claimed,” please consult the year-end edition of Milwaukee Magazine (out any day now) in which the top lawyers in Wisconsin in their respective fields are named. Then consult their archives and keep looking back year by year all the way to 2005, the very first year they started doing that. I am one of only a handful of attorneys in the entire state, in any field, to be named to this list every single year since its inception.
Dennis Michael Melowski's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Dennis gets results where other lawyers can't. He understands the nuances of OWI law better than most. His command of a courtroom is unmatched and his pretrial negotiations are incredibly successful. He is a highly effective advocate."
"Smart, learned, respected; a great advocate."
"I endorse this lawyer. No one matches Dennis Melowski's command of a courtroom. Peerless."
"I endorse this lawyer. Dennis is the best Dui trial attorney that I know."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is one of those the rest of us seek to emulate. We learn from him."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is an incredibly talented trial lawyer, perhaps the best I have ever seen."
"Attorney Melowski is an intelligent, professional attorney willing to go the extra distance for his clients. He is aggressive and dedicated. Even though he is a competitor of mine, I fully endorse him."
"Dennis is recognized as a top Wisconsin DUI defense attorney in our nationwide community."
"Mr. Melowski's reputation as an excellent attorney is well know, even way out here on the West Coast."
"Simply put, Dennis Melowski is the best drunk driving defense lawyer in the State of Wisconsin. I worked with him for over 10 years and I can honestly say that if someone in my family was charged with OWI, I would want Dennis on the case. He is dedicated, trustworthy and diligent. Dennis has won more jury trials that any lawyer I know in my 15+ years of practice - he even wins on tough facts that other lawyers would shy away from. Unsurpassed in the field of drunk driving defense."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Dennis is highly respected by fellow attorneys as a successful DUI/DWI attorney. If arrested for DUI/DWI, call him first!"
"Even though Dennis Melowski is a competitor of mine, I have the greatest respect for him. Dennis Melowski is an extraordinary lawyer, who has gained a national reputation for excellence. I would not hesitate to entrust a family member or close friend to his care."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Dennis is an outstanding trial Lawyer. He has a knack for winning difficult cases."
"I wholeheartedly endorse Dennis' work in the DUI field. He knows the stuff inside and out."
Elizabeth Majerus
DUI and DWI lawyer
Michael Hayes
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Matthew Murray
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William Clinton
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Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Client Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Leader in Trial Law, Newsweek Magazine
2012
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2012
Wisconsin Super Lawyer (For a Record-Tying 8th Time), Milwaukee Magazine/Law & Politics Magazine
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Top 100 Trial Lawyer, The National Trial Lawyers
2011
Super Lawyer, Law & Politics/Milwaukee Magazine
2011
8 Leaders in Criminal Defense, Newsweek Magazine
2010
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2010
SuperLawyer, Law & Politics/Milwaukee Magazine
2010
Top 100 Trial Lawyer, The National Trial Lawyers
2009
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2009
SuperLawyer, Law & Politics/Milwaukee Magazine
2008
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2008
Best in Business-Milwaukee, Forbes Magazine
2008
Wisconsin Super Lawyer, Law & Politics/Milwaukee Magazine
2007
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2007
Wisconsin Super Lawyer, Law and Politics/Milwaukee Magazine
2007
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA)
2006
Wisconsin Super Lawyer, Law & Politics/Milwaukee Magazine
2006
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2005
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2005
Wisconsin Super Lawyer, Law & Politics/Milwaukee Magazine
Work Experience
1995 - 2009
Attorney, Melowski & Cohen, S.C.
Associations
Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
Drunk Driving Roundtable
Member
American Bar Association
Member
State Bar of Wisconsin
Member
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Wisconsin Legislative Committee
Member
Sample of Legal Cases
State v. Alexander, 214 Wis. 2d 628, 571 N.W. 2d 662 (1997)
State v. Busch, 217 Wis. 2d 429, 576 N.W. 2d 904 (1998)
State v. Kiernan, 227 Wis. 2d 736, 596 N.W. 2d 760 (1999)
Education
1993
Marquette University Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
1990
University of Denver
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1986
University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy
High School Diploma
Speaking Engagements
2009
Annual Drunk Driving Defense Seminar
Drunk Driving Defense
2008
Annual Drunk Driving Defense Seminar
Drunk Driving Defense
2007
Annual Drunk Driving Defense Seminar
Drunk Driving Defense
2007
Annual Drunk Driving Defense Seminar
Drunk Driving Defense
2006
Annual Drunk Driving Defense Seminar
Drunk Driving Defense
2005
National CLE Conference
Drunk Driving Defense
2004
National CLE Conference
Drunk Driving Defense
2003
National CLE Conference
Drunk Driving Defense
2002
National CLE Conference
Drunk Driving Defense
Publications
2013
Inside the Minds (Aspatore Books)
Witness Preparation and Examination for DUI Proceedings
N/A
Wisconsin Traffic Law and Practice Manual
Co-Author of Multiple Chapters
Activity
Legal Guides