Manitowoc Law Firm

Manitowoc County has a character shaped by Lake Michigan, a strong manufacturing tradition, and generations of families who have put down roots along the lakeshore. West & Dunn opened its Monitowoc Office in 2018 when attorneys Shana Dunn and Travis West set out to build a different kind of Wisconsin law firm.

A firm where client service is personal rather than transactional, where veterans receive the dedicated advocacy they have earned, and where legal strategies are crafted to fit real-world circumstances rather than forced into a template. That philosophy drives our work for every individual, business, and municipality we represent in Manitowoc.

Criminal Defense in Manitowoc County

The consequences of a criminal conviction in Manitowoc County extend well beyond fines and potential incarceration. For many residents, a guilty verdict threatens the manufacturing jobs and CDL licenses that form the backbone of their livelihood. Our criminal defense practice is grounded in meticulous preparation. We obtain and review every piece of discovery, assess the credibility of the state’s witnesses, and file motions to suppress evidence that was gathered in violation of your constitutional rights. We represent clients charged with offenses ranging from drug crimes and theft to violent felonies, and we bring the same level of intensity regardless of where the case falls on that spectrum.

OWI Defense Along the Lakeshore

A traffic stop on Maritime Drive or Interstate 43 can escalate quickly into an OWI charge with lasting ramifications. Wisconsin’s OWI penalties stiffen with each subsequent offense, and even a first arrest triggers an administrative license suspension that takes effect before your case ever reaches a courtroom. Our defense work begins with the probable cause analysis and extends through every element of the chemical testing process. We review instrument maintenance logs, operator certifications, and testing protocols, because a result that looks damning on paper may rest on a foundation of procedural errors. For commercial drivers who stand to lose their CDL, the urgency is even greater, and we tailor our strategy to address both the criminal case and the collateral occupational consequences.

Advising Manitowoc Businesses

From the manufacturers that have defined this community for over a century to the newer service-based companies emerging along the lakeshore, Manitowoc businesses face legal questions that touch on contracts, employment, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, and governance.

We provide counsel that is practical and forward-looking, while helping you structure deals, manage risk, resolve disputes with vendors or partners, and position your company for growth without unnecessary legal exposure.

Veterans Disability Advocacy in Manitowoc

Manitowoc County’s connection to military service runs deep, and the veterans who live here should not have to fight their own government to access the benefits they were promised. Our veterans disability attorneys take on cases at every stage, from preparing initial applications with the supporting medical and service documentation that the VA requires, to challenging unfavorable decisions through the appeals process.

We have a particular focus on claims that involve conditions the VA frequently undervalues, including chronic pain, mental health disorders, and disabilities resulting from environmental or chemical exposure during service. When the VA’s decision does not reflect the reality of a veteran’s condition, we build the case to overturn it.

Taking Cases to the Next Level Through Appeals

Trial outcomes sometimes hinge on judicial errors that a reviewing court can correct. Our appellate attorneys identify those errors and translate them into persuasive written briefs. Success on appeal requires mastery of the record and the ability to frame legal arguments in a way that compels a higher court to act, and our team brings that expertise to every case we take up.

Protecting What Manitowoc Families Have Built

An estate plan does more than distribute property. It names the people who will make decisions for you if you cannot make them yourself, provides for minor children, and can shield the assets you have accumulated from unnecessary taxation and probate costs. We work with Manitowoc families to assemble the right combination of trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives based on their specific asset profile and family structure, and we make the process clear and approachable rather than intimidating.

Supporting Local Government Operations

Manitowoc County’s municipalities face a steady stream of legal questions, from zoning and land-use decisions to public contract review, open-meetings compliance, and ordinance drafting. Our municipal attorneys bring practical experience to these issues, helping local officials make decisions that hold up under scrutiny and serve their constituents well.

Resolving Civil Disputes

Business disagreements, breach of contract claims, property boundary issues, and debt collection matters all fall within our civil litigation practice. We assess each dispute on its merits, advise you candidly about the strengths and risks of your position, and pursue the resolution method that best serves your interests and your timeline.

Manitowoc Personal Injury Claims

Industrial workplaces, rural highways, and Lake Michigan recreational activities all contribute to the types of injuries Manitowoc residents sustain. When negligence is the cause, the injured party should not bear the financial weight alone. We pursue compensation in cases involving car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and truck accidents, building each claim on detailed medical evidence and a clear calculation of both current and future losses. Insurance carriers regularly attempt to minimize payouts by disputing the severity of injuries or arguing that pre-existing conditions are to blame. We counter those tactics with documentation, expert testimony, and a demonstrated willingness to proceed to trial if the offer on the table is inadequate.

Reach West & Dunn in Manitowoc

Legal questions rarely get simpler with time. Call 608-490-9449 to speak with an attorney who can evaluate your situation and outline the options available to you.