1. Hawks Quindel, S.C.: The Statewide Pick
Hawks Quindel was built to fight for working people, and that's still the core of the job. Its practice covers employment discrimination and FMLA claims, wage and hour violations, employment contracts and noncompetes, labor law, and disability benefits. That range matters. A firing often comes with a benefits fight attached, and one firm can carry both. Intake staff respond within one business day, and lawyers meet clients in person, by phone, or by video. The firm also offers Spanish-language help.
Best for: any worker who wants a large, plaintiff-side team with offices across the state.
Milwaukee: 5150 N Port Washington Rd, Ste 243, Milwaukee, WI 53217 | Phone: (414) 271-8650
Address: 409 E Main St, Madison, WI 53703
Website: https://www.hq-law.com/employment/
2. The Previant Law Firm, S.C.: Over a Century With Labor
Few firms in the country go back this far. Joseph Padway founded the firm in 1912, served as general counsel to the American Federation of Labor, and helped shape Wisconsin labor laws still in use today. The firm now handles employment matters, workers' compensation, and personal injury claims, and it offers free consultations. It carries a Tier 1 regional ranking from Best Law Firms.
Best for: union members and workers whose job loss followed an injury on the clock.
Address: 310 W Wisconsin Ave, Ste 100MW, Milwaukee, WI 53203 | Phone: (414) 271-4500
3. HKM Employment Attorneys LLP: Built Only for Workers
HKM is a national firm with a Milwaukee office, and it takes only the employee's side. The firm reports winning more than $500 million for clients since 2003 and calls itself the largest plaintiff's employment law firm. Its Milwaukee practice covers severance and separation reviews, noncompete agreements, commission disputes, whistleblower claims, overtime, and wrongful termination. The phone line runs 24 hours a day. One thing to know: the Milwaukee office is small, so ask who will handle your file day to day.
Best for: workers holding a severance offer or noncompete who need a fast read before a deadline.
Address: 790 N Milwaukee St, Ste 315, Milwaukee, WI 53202 | Phone: (414) 296-5784 | Website: hkm.com/milwaukee
4. Davey & Goldman Law Firm: Retirement Money Recovered
For more than 40 years, this Madison firm has helped employees take their claims to court, from criminal record discrimination and racial harassment to breached contracts and unpaid benefits. One case shows the depth here. The firm sued the City of Madison and won decades of retirement benefits for union workers who had been labeled independent contractors, with payments going back to the 1980s. Bruce Davey holds an AV Preeminent peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Best for: Dane County workers fighting over pensions, ERISA plans, or misclassification.
Address: 5609 Medical Circle, Ste 101, Madison, WI 53719 | Phone: (608) 490-8149 | Website: daveygoldman.com
5. Bykhovsky Law, LLC: Wage Claims Plus Work Injuries
Attorney Eugene Bykhovsky earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2003 and handles employment law, workers' compensation, and personal injury cases across the state. He has handled wage, overtime, discrimination, and FMLA claims for many years. That mix helps when a worker gets hurt, files for comp, and then sees hours cut or a paycheck come up short. The firm also takes some employer work, so raise any conflict on the first call.
Best for: north shore Milwaukee workers whose pay dispute overlaps with a workers' comp claim.
Website: https://byklaw.com/
6. AxePoint Law: A Younger Milwaukee Boutique
This Milwaukee firm opened in 2016 as OVB Law & Consulting and now operates as AxePoint Law. Founder Emil Ovbiagele handles employment law and civil litigation and also advises closely held businesses. Best Lawyers has recognized him for labor and employment litigation since 2024, and he teaches at Marquette University Law School. The American Bar Association named him one of its Top 40 Young Lawyers in 2022.
Best for: managers, owners, and partners whose job dispute overlaps with a business deal.
Address: 826 N Plankinton Ave, 6th Floor, Milwaukee, WI 53203 | Phone: (414) 585-0588
Before You Call Anyone
Write down dates. Forward texts, emails, pay stubs, and reviews to a personal account, not a work laptop. Don't sign a severance agreement in the meeting where you get it. If you're 40 or older, federal law gives you at least 21 days to review it and 7 days to cancel after you sign. Use that time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wisconsin an at-will employment state?
Yes. An employer can end your job for most reasons or no reason at all. It cannot fire you for a protected trait, for taking protected leave, for reporting illegal conduct, or for filing a complaint.
How long do I have to file a discrimination complaint in Wisconsin?
You have 300 days from the unfair act to file with the Wisconsin Equal Rights Division or the EEOC. Miss that window and you can lose the claim for good.
How do Wisconsin employment lawyers charge?
Most take discrimination and wage cases on contingency, which means they get paid a share of what they recover. Contract and severance reviews are usually billed hourly or at a flat rate. Ask about fees before the first meeting.
Which firm is best for an employment case in Wisconsin?
Hawks Quindel is the top all-around choice for its more than 65 years on the worker side and its offices across the state. For narrow needs, Previant fits union members, HKM fits severance and noncompete reviews, and Davey & Goldman fits retirement benefit disputes.
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