Joseph A. Bugni

Joseph A. Bugni

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 19 years

Federal crime Lawyer at Madison, WI
Practice Areas: Federal Crime, Criminal Defense, Appeals

33 East Main, Suite 400, Madison, WI

About Joseph

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Wisconsin for 19 years

State: Wisconsin

Acquired: 2006

Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Hurley Burish, S.C.

33 East Main, Suite 400, Madison, WI, 53703

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Joseph A. Bugni's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

124 Client Reviews

Showing 16 - 20 of 50 reviews | Recommendation

Posted by Chet | December 18, 2023 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Great lawyer

I have had many lawyers over my lifetime and without question Joe is the best I’ve ever had. It’s not even a close call. What has set him apart from other attorneys and makes him special is his compassion, his honesty, and his ability. He doesn’t pull punches in the courtroom, like a bulldog he’s fig...hts for you with everything he has and he keeps fighting never giving up. He isn’t just a beast in the courtroom, he also is helpful in a time of need and has great compassion for his clients. He’s never judgmental and truly cares. I have come to him time and again with problems and he always finds a way to help. I don’t count him as just my lawyer, I see him as trusting and loyal friend who always has my back. I recommend him wholeheartedly to anyone who ever needs a lawyer.

Posted by Pauline | November 15, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

"We'll be with you every step of the way"

I’m the wife of the defendant (Jim) that Joe and his team represented. The first time I met Joe I thought we were going to talk about the case. But instead Joe asked me “What questions do you have for me and the team?” For the next few hours Joe answered all of my and Jim's questions, simple or c...omplicated. He made me feel completely comfortable talking with him. At one point Joe said "Behind you is Jim’s case." I turned around and there was a whiteboard covering the entire wall! It was amazing. When we left the office that day Joe and his team told us “We’ll be with you every step of the way! We are defending an innocent man.” And true to their word ALL of them were there for both of us. In the months and weeks leading up to the trial Joe and his team put in countless hours, including contacting Jim to review documents to better their understanding of the case. Joe’s opening statement was confident and informative. During the trial, the team was working together every break and lunch, and back at the office every night (late at night) reviewing the day, going over their plan, and planning how they would cross-examine upcoming witnesses. They always included us. Joe's closing was powerful and to the point, and the jury was hanging on every word. This was a life-changing experience for me and Jim, and we were so very lucky to have this Federal Defender’s law office defend us. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all!

Posted by Jorge | October 31, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

The Best

I'm very blessed to have Joe as my lawyer. He fought like a warrior to get bond for me when it had been denied in the past. He got me bond in two days. I felt very comfortable with the way he worked my case. I was expecting a three year sentence, but he got me out with just one year of probation. ...He got my case finished in about six months--very fast! It was a blessing to have him as a lawyer. He's one of a kind. He cares about people, explaining all the issues and giving the best advice. What's more, he communicated with my family. He kept them in the loop the whole time and treated them with dignity and respect. I would recommend him to anyone 110%. It's hard to find a lawyer that cares so much about their clients. I don't feel like I had a lawyer; I felt like I had family representing me. He has the heart of a servant. He shows leadership and partnership with the people he serves. Everything happens for a reason, so maybe my troubles happened to bring me to Joe. I've gained a good friend. I just don't have the words to explain how valuable he is to me. Even now he's helping us find a lawyer for a different issues we've had come up. Amen

Posted by Darrell | October 12, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

An exceptionally great and caring lawyer

With a lawyer like Attorney Bugni on your side you can't lose, he was a bright light in a dark tunnel. He made sure that I knew step by step what needed to be done, how it needed to be done, what he had to do and what I needed to do as far as showing the courts that my intentions were pure and just.... He went above and beyond, he would visit me in jail after office hours, it did not matter to him what time it was. When ever I or my family called upon him, he would talk to us and if need be return our phone calls no matter the time. I would say it was like divine intervention, that God and the angels knew that I was losing all hope of ever getting out of jail, and then God sent me Attorney Bugni and it was like a second hail mary. I would again thank him for getting me out of jail, and letting the courts see that your faith and trust in me was well deserved. I wouldn't hesitate to say everyone needs a lawyer like him, a lawyer that is willing to fight for your freedom.

Posted by Sofia Rivera-flores | August 16, 2022 | Criminal Defense

Without words to say thankyou

His Excellency Joseph Burning. It has been a miracle in our life, my fiancé went to state jail, but AT the same time he was already on probation for a federal case, we sought help by all possible means this turned into an endless nightmare, the saddest part was When my fiancé's father entered the ho...spital in hospice, it was all pain and frustration. there was no one to help us. His wish was to at least see his father on his deathbed. It was extremely sad and we had deep suffering, and it was there where Mr. Bugni was Like an angel of the almighty Lord, his efficiency, experience, professionalism, his great love for others, working without caring about anything and having human sympathy with those who suffer in the jail and More with a pain of the loss of a relative. It is speechless, not only that after almost 10 months of unfair confinement, that nobody knew anything and could not help us Mr. Bugni, he was efficient, he never wasted time and even answered the phone outside office hours, thank God and Due to his hard work, we managed to get my fiancé to resolve all the issues, and it did not take more than weeks to give only positive and optimistic answers when absolutely no one found a way to set him free. he he he did it Like a divine miracle, I thank him and God. Speechless. He gave us back the happiness of freedom and being able to say goodbye to a loved one such as his father, when other lawyers would never have achieved it. first of all, Thanks. I think his potential is extremely great and he should be promoted. He if he works with faith in God and the law forward.

See All Client Reviews

Joseph A. Bugni's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Joseph
Amanda Adrian headshot
Amanda Adrian

Federal crime lawyer | Sep 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Joshua D. Uller headshot
Joshua Uller

Criminal defense lawyer | May 16

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have known Joe for many years now. And having watched him from the sidelines, worked on cases together, and worked in the same office as him, I am in a position to comment on his abilities. He is really a spectacular lawyer who cares about his clients and their families. He takes the time to get to know them and works tirelessly to advance their interests, which he does incredibly well. He is a great trial lawyer and excels in his written advocacy. It's an honor to be a colleague of his."

Matthew Doyle Rauh headshot
Matthew Rauh

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"If you're searching for a dedicated, passionate, highly intelligent and adept attorney for your federal defense, look no further than Joe Bugni. Joe has an innate ability to see and help others see the goodness and humanity in everyone around him, and he works tirelessly on behalf of all his clients to pursue the best possible outcome. An attorney who cares about your short term, long term, physical, emotional and spiritual well being, you will be hard pressed to find a better advocate or friend."

Anderson Mowry Gansner headshot
Anderson Gansner

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 15

Relationship: Co-worker

"Joe is personable, diligent, and thoughtful. Having spent his entire career in the federal system, Joe's knowledge of both federal criminal law and the federal criminal justice system is tremendous. The level of care and thought he puts into any piece of writing is inspiring, and the results speak for themselves. He gets great results."

Marcus Jens Berghahn headshot
Marcus Berghahn

Criminal defense lawyer | May 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"If you're in trouble and the government is your adversary, you need Joe. He brings honesty, skill and passion to your defense. Joe is talented; his legal writing is superb. He is well-regarded and committed to his clients."

Matthew S. Pinix headshot
Matthew Pinix

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"When I think about the type of lawyer that I would want to hire if I was in trouble, I think of Atty. Bugni. He is smart, thorough, creative, concerned, and respected by lawyers and judges alike. He's the perfect person to have at your side if you're walking into a courtroom to fight for your rights. I highly recommend Atty. Bugni."

Amelia L. Bizzaro headshot
Amelia Bizzaro

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 11

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Joe is a wonderful lawyer. He not only has an encyclopedic knowledge of the law, but a great deal of compassion for people who are going through a terrible time in their life. He is thorough, dogged, and tireless. If there is a problem with the government's case, Joe will find it and use it to his client's greatest advantage, whether it's litigation or resolution. Joe's clients are lucky to have him; they couldn't be in better hands."

Nathan Otis headshot
Nathan Otis

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Joe is a brilliant and creative legal mind. He fearlessly takes on the most difficult cases, and aggressively advocates for his clients even against the toughest of odds. He has a mixture of legal knowledge and good judgment that few lawyers possess, and his clients are better off for it."

Christopher D. Donovan headshot
Christopher Donovan

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Joe is a formidable criminal defense lawyer that masters the law and facts of each case he handles. From winning suppression motions to appeals, he represents his clients at the highest levels in federal courts throughout Wisconsin. He is personally invested in each client who he represents and cares about the outcome of each case. Having earned broad experience in many areas of law by clerking for two federal judges, he chose to dedicate himself to representing those accused of crime. No lawyer will work harder or smarter on a case, and Federal Defender Services of Wisconsin and its clients are lucky to have him."

Joel Mogren headshot
Joel Mogren

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Keen intellect, sound judgment, and real passion make Joe Bugni the best young lawyer that money can't buy. If Joe were paid what he is worth, almost nobody could afford to hire him. I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Andrea Nicole Winder headshot
Andrea Winder

Criminal defense lawyer

Nathan Otis headshot
Nathan Otis

Criminal defense lawyer

Kevin Martin Smith headshot
Kevin Smith

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2022

Best Brief, Wisconsin State Bar

2018

Leaders in the Law, Wisconsin Law Journal

2018

Best Brief, Wisconsin State Bar

2016

Best Brief, State Bar of Wisconsin

Work Experience

2024 - Present

Attorney, Hurley Burish, SC

2011 - 2024

Assistant Federal Defender, Federal Defender Services Of Wisconsin

2009 - 2011

Law Clerk, Seventh Circuit Court Of Appeals

2006 - 2009

Law Clerk, United States Federal Court for the Southern District of Florida

Associations

2014 - Present

United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin

Member

2011 - Present

Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association

2011 - Present

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

Member

2011 - Present

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

Member

2011 - 2015

Seventh Circuit Bar Association

Sample of Legal Cases

United States v. Leo, 792 F.3d 742

reversed

Pidgeon v. Smith, 785 F.3d 1165

grant of habeas corpus affirmed

United States v. Moore, 983 F. Supp.2d 1030

evidence suppressed

United States v. Delgado, 701 F.3d 1161

reversed

United States v. Rahman, 805 F3d 822 (7th Cir. 2015)

reversed, evidence ordered suppressed

Jensen v. Clements, 800 F.3d 892 (7th Cir. 2015)

habeas grant affirmed

United States v. Vivas-Ceja, 808 F.3d 719 (7th Cir. 2015)

United States v. Ferguson, 831 F.3d 850 (7th Cir. 2016)

reversal of 50 year sentence

See More Legal Cases

Education

2006

Ave Maria School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

2000

Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2015

Marquette Appellate Writing Symposium

Narrative Brief Writing

2014

Marquette Law School Appellate Practice Section

Persuasive Brief Writing

Publications

2023

Florida Defender (FACDL) A Legacy that Endures

2022

The Champion magazine A Legacy of Uncompromising Excellence: A Tribute to Jim Shellow

2022

The Champion magazine The Best Thing Since the Exlusionary Rule: For the Defense

2022

95 Wis. Law 38-46 Jim Shellow and the Importance of Mentorship

2019

THE ATTORNEY’S GUIDE TO THE SEVENTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS Direct Criminal Appeals in the Seventh Circuit

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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