Christopher T. Van Wagner is a top-rated criminal defense attorney in Wisconsin with over 30 years of legal experience. With regard to sex crimes as well as vehicular homicide cases, Mr. Van Wagner has an impressive record of achieving positive results for his clients. Mr. Van Wagner has devoted the past 20 years of his practice to defending people charged with serious crimes such as sexual assault. Sexual assault cases are particularly difficult, given the nature of these types of crimes and the automatically negative public reaction to them. However, even if it means taking a sexual assault case to a jury trial, Mr. Van Wagner will ensure that justice is served for his clients.
Mr. Van Wagner brings a wealth of life experiences to his criminal law practice. As one of 11 children, Mr. Van Wagner was raised in a middle-class Irish Catholic family in New Jersey. He remains an avid New York Yankees fan. He attended St. Lawrence University where he earned honors in English Literature. Following his graduation from college, Mr. Van Wagner pursued an Ivy League law degree at Cornell Law School, where he was editor of the presigious Cornell Law Review. Following Cornell Law School (1981), Mr. Van Wagner obtained a coveted slot as clerk for a federal trial judge (Hon. Dick Debevoise, in Trenton, NJ). Following this clerkship, Mr. Van Wagner worked as a state prosecutor for the mean streets of Trenton, NJ, then was a Brooks Bros business litigator for the Fortune 500 clients of a world-renowned Chicago firm, Mayer Brown (on LaSalle Street). Chris later served as a federal prosecutor in Madison, Wisconsin.
In 1994, Mr. Van Wagner went into private practice where to this day he focuses on defending people accused of or convicted of serious crimes like sexual assault, vehicular homicide and the like. By demanding that a jury hear the case, Mr. Van Wagner has achieved many dismissals at the courthouse steps for clients in sex cases. He has gotten many “eve of trial” dismissals precisely because he has tried and won many so jury acquittals in his criminal defense career for clients who were falsely and wrongly accused of sex crimes, and other serious offenses. Not only does he command respect from prosecutors, Mr. Van Wagner also holds an “AV” rating with Martindale Hubbell, the highest peer rating available. He has been recognized numerous times as a Super Lawyer, an honor that applies only to the top 5% of attorneys in the State of Wisconsin. Additionally, Mr. Van Wagner has been a legal analyst and commentator on national shows such as Court TV, the Dan Abrams Report on MSNBC, the Today show, Good Morning America, ABC News as well as local shows such as ABC Madison's Channel 27 and Madison Channel 3000.
Practice areas
31 years, 2,000 cases
31 years, 500 cases
31 years, 250 cases
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
WI | Good Standing | 1994 | 05/28/2022 |
IL | Administrative - Not Authorized to Practice | 1989 | 06/13/2022 |
Legal answers | 7 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2016 |
Preeminent 4.5 out of 5.0 Client Rating | Martindale-Hubbell | 2010 |
Madison's Best Criminal Defense Lawyers | Madison Magazine | 2009 |
Wisconsin Best DUI Defense Attorneys | OWI-DUI.com | 2009 |
Wisconsin Super Lawyer | Wisconsin Super Lawyers | 2009 |
Wisconsin Super Lawyers | Super Lawyers | 2008 |
Wisconsin Super Lawyers | Super Lawyers | 2007 |
Madison's Best Criminal Defense Lawyers | Madison Magazine | 2007 |
Madison's Best Criminal Defense Lawyers | Madison Magazine | 2005 |
Madison's Best Criminal Defense Lawyers | Madison Magazine | 2003 |
Madison's Best Criminal Defense Lawyers | Madison Magazine | 2001 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Managing Partner | Van Wagner Law Offices | 2014 - Present |
Shareholder | Van Wagner & Wood, S.C. | 1999 - 2014 |
Sole Practitioner | Van Wagner Law Offices | 1994 - 1999 |
AUSA | U.S. Attorney's Office, Madison WI | 1991 - 1994 |
Associate Attorney | Mayer Brown & Platt | 1987 - 1991 |
Assistant Prosecutor, Felony Crimes | Mercer County (Trenton) NJ Prosecutor's Office | 1983 - 1987 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | 1996 - Present | |
Dane County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association | 1995 - Present | |
Dane County Bar Association | 1995 - Present | |
Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | 1994 - Present |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Cornell Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 1981 |
St. Lawrence University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1978 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
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. |
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October 21, 2021
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March 3, 2020
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April 13, 2016
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May 4, 2010
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Karyn Missimer, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 12, 2011
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 Petersen, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 29, 2008
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 Crawford, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 23, 2016
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 Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 2, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Christopher. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Christian Lassen, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 29, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Highly experienced lawyer.
Tracey Wood, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 3, 2009
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, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 24, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Chris is a creative and brilliant lawyer who is an example for us all.
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