Christopher Van Wagner

PRO

Christopher Van Wagner

4.5
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 37 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Madison, WI
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Sex Crime

110 East Main Street, Suite 705, Madison, WI

Free Consultation

About Christopher

Biography

Real Trial Lawyer: Wins. Gets Dismissals. Lawyer's Lawyer. Irish City Kid With An Ivy League brain.

Real Trial Lawyer: Wins. Gets dismissals. Lawyer's Lawyer. Irish city kid with an Ivy League brain.

If you need to drive to live, call Chris the day you get arrested for OWI. He jumps in fast.

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 50%

35 years | 2,000 cases

50%
DUI and DWI 25%

35 years | 500 cases

25%
Sex Crime 25%

35 years | 250 cases

25%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Wisconsin for 31 years

State: Wisconsin

Acquired: 1994

Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Illinois for 37 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 1989

Administrative - Not Authorized to Practice

No misconduct found

Location

Christopher T. Van Wagner

110 East Main Street, Suite 705, Madison, WI, 53703

vanwagnerlaw.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Christopher online.

Christopher Van Wagner's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.5 /5.0

8 Client Reviews

5 star (7)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by anonymous | December 15, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Wisconsin's Best Criminal Defense Lawyer

Christopher Van Wagner is a brilliant lawyer, a former Federal Prosecutor, and a former State Prosecutor, who has served his clients with diligence and devotion as a highly successful criminal defense attorney for over 40 years. I've known Chris for more than 20 years. He is and always will be my 'go...-to' lawyer for all things criminal. Where some attorneys may miss a beat that ultimately impacts your future negatively, CVW does not. He has honed his courtroom decorum to perfection, knowing what to say, when to say it, and how to bring home victory in cases ranging from low-level misdemeanors to life-dooming high-level felonies, including Intentional Homicide and some of the trickiest cases involving false accusations over domestic violence, sexual assault, and related charges that most lawyers would lose. If you want and need the best, hire Attorney Van Wagner. You will not be sorry.

Posted by anonymous | July 3, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

A great attorney

I absolutely recommend Christopher Van Wagner. He really came through for my son during an extremely hard time. My son was facing serious felony charges for inappropriate conversations over social media with an 17 year old. We finished court today with a disorderly conduct.no probation.and a small fi...ne. I’m so happy we had Chris on our side. I feel he went above and beyond for my son like he would have his own .He is super smart and had the best intentions for a positive outcome. I would highly recommend!!! Thanking God today!

Posted by Nicolas | October 21, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Not Guilty Second Degree Sexual Assault Trial

CVW is the guy you need to hire if you’re in legal trouble. CVW will give you the best defense counsel possible. CVW helped me prove my innocence in trial for a terrifying situation that could have ruined my life. When you hire anyone for anything you want the person with the most experience and disc...ipline. Thank you for saving my livelihood CVW!

Posted by Nancy | March 3, 2020 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Van Wagner law office review

Chris took the time to speak with us, after calling many others that would not give us the time of day. We needed guidance on a letter that needed to be submitted within 10 days. Not only did he help us with the letter, but pointed us in the right direction for the next steps as well. Refreshing to s...ee in todays society. Thank you Chris! We will definitely be recommending him to others.

Posted by Tou | April 27, 2016 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Saved my possible future career as a Pharmacist

Just got off the phone with Chris. I had a battery citation and Chris gave me free useful and honest advice because hiring a lawyer would have been more expensive then paying for the citation. He told me his price but gave me life changing advice on what I should do and what to expect and how my de...cisions now will affect my chances of becoming a pharmacist. After the phone call, I called the prosecutor and made a deal over the phone to amend my battery to a disorderly conduct if I complete one year hold open and provide proof of completing a alcohol assessment class. Moving forward, if I know anyone in trouble with DUI, sexual assault, or any case needing a attorney, I would recommend Chris.

See All Client Reviews

Christopher Van Wagner's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Christopher
Karyn T. Missimer headshot
Karyn Missimer

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Chris is the lawyer's lawyer. His ability to frame the issues so judges and juries understand his client's position is unparalelled. Chris is the very definition of a zealous advocate. I would not hesitate to recommend Chris to a friend or family member in need."

Scott Kenneth Petersen headshot
Scott Petersen

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 29

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I was a municipal prosecutor and worked on many cases with Chris. He is an experienced and knowledgable attorney who works hard on behalf of his clients. Later, I referred a very difficult and complicated case to him and he achieved an excellent result. I recommend his services whole-heartedly."

Forrest John Crawford headshot
Forrest Crawford

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Chris offered me some good advice about getting started as a new attorney. He is experienced in criminal law and very passionate about ethical representation and thorough preparation. "The will to win is worthless if you do not have the will to prepare.""

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Christopher. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Highly experienced lawyer."

Tracey Ann Wood headshot
Tracey Wood

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 03

Relationship: Co-worker

"Chris is known as one of Wisconsin's top trial attorneys. I consider myself lucky to have worked with him for the past eight years. If I were ever charged with a criminal defense, I'd call him first."

Theodore Perlick Molinari headshot
Theodore Perlick Molinari

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Chris is a creative and brilliant lawyer who is an example for us all."

View All Endorsements

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

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

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2015

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2014

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2010

Preeminent 4.5 out of 5.0 Client Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2009

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2009

Madison's Best Criminal Defense Lawyers, Madison Magazine

2009

Wisconsin Super Lawyer, Wisconsin Super Lawyers

2009

Wisconsin Best DUI Defense Attorneys, OWI-DUI.com

2008

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2008

Wisconsin Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers

2007

Madison's Best Criminal Defense Lawyers, Madison Magazine

2007

Wisconsin Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers

2006

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2005

Madison's Best Criminal Defense Lawyers, Madison Magazine

2003

Madison's Best Criminal Defense Lawyers, Madison Magazine

2001

Madison's Best Criminal Defense Lawyers, Madison Magazine

Work Experience

2014 - Present

Managing Partner, Van Wagner Law Offices

1999 - 2014

Shareholder, Van Wagner & Wood, S.C.

1994 - 1999

Sole Practitioner, Van Wagner Law Offices

1991 - 1994

AUSA, U.S. Attorney's Office, Madison WI

1987 - 1991

Associate Attorney, Mayer Brown & Platt

1983 - 1987

Assistant Prosecutor, Felony Crimes, Mercer County (Trenton) NJ Prosecutor's Office

Associations

1996 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

1995 - Present

Dane County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

1995 - Present

Dane County Bar Association

1994 - Present

Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Sample of Legal Cases

State of Wisconsin vs. Sexual Assault Defendant

Not guilty on all counts.

State of Wisconsin vs. Sexual Assault Defendant

Not guilty on all counts.

State of Wisconsin vs. Innocent Young Man

Not guilty on all counts.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1981

Cornell Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1978

St. Lawrence University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution