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Craig Mastantuono is a partner at Mastantuono Coffee & Thomas SC, a Wisconsin criminal defense full-service law firm. He uses a strategic and imaginative approach to defending people and achieving positive outcomes for his clients, and is well recognized and respected in Wisconsin as an aggressive trial lawyer and effective negotiator. He practices law statewide, representing people accused of crime in criminal cases and investigations, in addition to crisis management and white-collar compliance. He has been included in the criminal defense attorney category in the Wisconsin Super Lawyers Publication every year from 2005 through 2024, including the Top 50 in Wisconsin and Top 25 in Milwaukee lists several of those years, and was previously named in Milwaukee Magazine’s Top Lawyers cover story in 2003. Before entering private practice, he specialized in defending drug prosecutions for the Waukesha County Trial Division of the State Public Defender. In addition to his extensive trial work in State and Federal Courts, Attorney Mastantuono has argued before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Outside the courtroom, Attorney Mastantuono has received recognition from the Milwaukee Business Journal, which profiled him as a dynamic young business leader in its 2005 40 Under Forty edition. He is a frequent expert legal commentator for TV Ch. 12 WISN/ABC News Milwaukee, and an often-quoted source and contributor to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Wisconsin Law Journal and other publications. He is a past President of the Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association, a Mayoral appointee to the Milwaukee Harbor Commission and a member of WI Governor Tony Evers' Judicial Selection Advisory Committee. Attorney Mastantuono received his law degree from DePaul University of Chicago, and his undergraduate degree in business administration cum laude from Loyola University of Chicago.
Every day, Mastantuono Coffee & Thomas law firm takes inquires from people who never thought that they would have to consult with a criminal justice attorney. But who among us doesn’t know someone who’s been in trouble, made a mistake, or needed help? Parents, siblings, employers, and friends call Mastantuono & Coffee to help someone they know through a crisis situation. During those difficult and unsteady moments, clients and their families rely upon our experience and expertise at dealing with this unfamiliar and frightening situation. Call us and connect personally with our legal assistants for a comprehensive intake review and staffing with one of our lawyers. We’ll be there when you – or someone you know – needs help.
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Chat withState: Wisconsin
Acquired: 1992
No misconduct found
219 N. Milwaukee St., Suite 520, Milwaukee, WI, 53202
741 North Grand Ave., Suite. 209, Waukesha, WI, 53186
48 Client Reviews
Showing 6 - 10 of 10 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by anonymous | February 07, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Gun Law
Straight Forward No Nonsense
Craig was hired to defend my loved one in an extremely unfortunate gun case. It was like we were his only concern when he was retained he made sure that we understood what was going on and what our options were. He went above and beyond to complete the case and even after has helped to fix issues tha...
Posted by Albert | June 15, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Outstanding and honest attorney
I reached out to Craig with help resolving two complicated criminal cases from 10 years ago while living in another state. I spoke with several attorneys in the Milwaukee area and Craig was the ONLY one who spoke honestly to me about what was possible and how we could resolve these with the least amo...
Posted by Steve | April 06, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
When things go really wrong, this is your guy
Craig step right up to the plate when I was wrongly charged in critical accident. Early on he told me to leave the court issues to him and focus on my healing. The charges where heavy on my mind as I was innocent, Craig true to his word did an outstanding job resulting in charges being dropped witH...
Posted by Mike | August 18, 2014 | Criminal Defense
4th DUI/OWI Best Lawyer Ever.....
Craig Mastantuono did an outstanding job with my case, he had fought for me up until the last minute of my hearing and got me a below state minimum sentence. I would refer Mr. Mastantuono and his associates to anyone looking for a great criminal lawyer. His firm was very informative and easy to get i...
Posted by Jason | November 01, 2012 | Criminal Defense
Personal quotes based on former client Jason Fernandes
Attorney Craig Mastantuono is an Excellent Attorney (5 STAR) in my books. He fought for me and won my case over within apx. 1month with greater expectations than i actually asked for and imagined. Quite frankly he is the best attorney i've ever had in the state of wisconsin regarding criminal defense...
"Craig is an outstanding attorney who fights to overcome all obstacles in his representation of clients. I have referred clients and others to him in cases and I strongly endorse this lawyer."
"As an immigration lawyer I have had the pleasure of working on several cases with Craig for our mutual clients. Craig is a brilliant and dedicated lawyer. Through his hard work and creative plea proposals he has helped immigrant clients avoid deportation and remain here with their U.S. citizen spouses and children. If you are an immigrant charged with a deportable offense I highly recommend Craig as criminal defense counsel."
"Craig is a very intelligent, tenacious and passionate lawyer. I would not hesitate to recommend him."
"Craig is a superb attorney who is always a tireless advocate for every single one of his clients. He has a tremendous amount of experience in both federal and state courts and I would never hesitate to send any client in Craig's direction. I would know that he or she would be in excellent hands."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Craig on several cases as well as sent many of my clients his way. All of my clients have been thrilled with his work ethic and compassion. I highly recommend that if you or a loved one needs help in a serious criminal case that you call Craig. I am a criminal defense lawyer in Chicago and feel very lucky to have a lawyer like Craig to send clients to if they have a problem in Wisconsin."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Mastantuono is and exceptional and well respected attorney who consistently achieves exceptional results."
"I endorse this lawyer whom I have known for over 20 years. Craig is a diehard criminal attorney who is very experienced on both the state and federal levels."
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2015
Top 50 Attorneys in Wisconsin - all practice areas, Wisconsin Super Lawyers
2015
Top 25 Attornies in Milwaukee - all practice areas, Wisconsin Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer Criminal Defense, Wisconsin Super Lawyers
2014
Top 50 Attorneys in Wisconsin - all practice areas, Wisconsin Super Lawyers
2014
Top 25 Attorneys in Milwaukee - all practice areas, Wisconsin Super Lawyers
2014
Super Lawyer Criminal Defense, Wisconsin Super Lawyers
2013
Milwaukee Top 25 Attorneys - all practice areas, Wisconsin Super Lawyers
2013
Wisconsin Top 50 Attorneys - all practice areas, Wisconsin Super Lawyers
2013
Super Lawyer, Wisconsin Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Wisconsin Super Lawyers
2012
Best of Readers Poll - criminal lawyer, Milwaukee Shepard Express
2011
Super Lawyer, Wisconsin Super Lawyers
2010
Super Lawyer, Wisconsin Super Lawyers
2009
Super Lawyer, Wisconsin Super Lawyers
2008
Leader in the Law, Wisconsin Law Journal
2008
Super Lawyer, Wisconsin Super Lawyers
2007
Super Lawyer, Wisconsin Super Lawyers
2006
Super Lawyer, Wisconsin Super Lawyers
2005
Forty Under 40, Milwaukee Business Journal
2005
Super Lawyer, Wisconsin Super Lawyers
2014 - Present
Adjunct Professor of Law, Marquette Law School
1999 - Present
Managing Partner, Mastantuono & Coffee S.C.
1992 - 1999
Assistant State Public Defender, Wisconsin State Public Defender's Office
2014 - Present
Waukesha County Bar AssociationMember
1999 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
1999 - Present
State Bar of Wisconsin, Criminal Law SectionMember
1992 - Present
Justinian Lawyers/National Italian-American Bar AssociationMember
1992 - Present
Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers AssociationPresident
2008 - 2009
State Bar of Wisconsin, Bench and Bar CommitteeChairperson
Not Guilty Jury Verdict
Dismissal
NGI - Not Guilty
Dismissal/amendment to citation
Not Guilty Jury Verdict
1992
JD - Juris Doctor
1989
BBA
2013
Motion Practice: Pitching Your Case From Start to Finish
2013
Alternative Dispute Resolution in Criminal Cases
2013
Gun Law & The Second Amendment: A View from the Street
2013
My Case Stinks, Or Does It? Other Act Evidence in Sexual Assualt Trials
2012
Castle Doctrine & Self-Defense
2012
English
Spanish