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Criminal Defense Lawyers in Menasha, WI: 2026 rankings

42 criminal defense lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Highest LFR Score in Menasha: Grieve Law Criminal Defense, LFR Score 71/100; 4.9★ from 93 Google reviews; open 24/7.

  2. 2

    Open 24 hours (per Google): Chadwick J. Kaehne, Attorney, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 42.

  3. 3

    Most-reviewed: J. Kippa Law, LLC, 162 Google reviews at 4.8★, the most of 42 ranked; ranked #3.

Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank

42 Menasha criminal defense lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 7 are open 24/7, 7 open Saturdays and 7 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.4★ across 42 rated law firms.

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Menasha at a glance

Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.

Top 10 criminal defense lawyers in Menasha at a glance
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursNotable for
1Grieve Law Criminal Defense714.9★ (93)Appleton, 5 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Top score
2Chadwick J. Kaehne, Attorney674.5★ (40)Appleton, 5 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)Open 24 hours
3J. Kippa Law, LLC674.8★ (162)Appleton, 5 mi away—Most reviews
4Ceman Law Office, LLC664.9★ (74)Oshkosh, 14 mi away——
5John Miller Carroll Law Office663.6★ (70)Appleton, 4 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
6Nathan J. Dineen Attorney - DUI Attorney645.0★ (9)Appleton, 4 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
7Chadwick J. Kaehne, Attorney633.9★ (7)Neenah, 1 mi awayOpen 24 hrs (Google)—
8Johnson Law Firm S.C.634.4★ (42)Menasha——
9Jeffrey T. Oswald613.9★ (10)Neenah, 2 mi away——
10Ulrich Law Office, LLC614.8★ (42)Oshkosh, 14 mi away——

All 42 criminal defense lawyers in Menasha, in rank order

Ordered by LFR Score, a 0–100 score from nine published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.

Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.

  1. Ranked #1 in Menasha

    Based in Appleton, 5 mi away

    71/100LFR Score

    Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 93 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.9★ from 93 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    5553 W Waterford Ln Ste a, Appleton, WI 54913
  2. Based in Appleton, 5 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 40 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.5★ from 40 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    536 N Richmond St, Appleton, WI 54911
  3. Based in Appleton, 5 mi away

    67/100LFR Score

    Ranked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 162 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.8★ from 162 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8 AM–5 PM · Fri 8 AM–2 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    133 E College Ave, Appleton, WI 54911
  4. Based in Oshkosh, 14 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 74 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.

    • 4.9★ from 74 Google reviews
    Address
    146 Algoma Blvd Ste A, Oshkosh, WI 54901
  5. Based in Appleton, 4 mi away

    66/100LFR Score

    Ranked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.6★ from 70 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 3.6★ from 70 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    226 S State St, Appleton, WI 54911
  6. Based in Neenah, 1 mi away

    63/100LFR Score

    Ranked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.9★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 3.9★ from 7 Google reviews
    • Open 24/7
    Hours
    Open 24 hours, 7 days
    Address
    116 S Commercial St Ste 200, Neenah, WI 54956
  7. Based in Menasha

    63/100LFR Score

    Ranked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 42 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.4★ from 42 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
  8. Based in Neenah, 2 mi away

    61/100LFR Score

    Ranked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.9★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.

    • 3.9★ from 10 Google reviews
    Address
    675 Deerwood Ave, Neenah, WI 54956
  9. Based in Oshkosh, 14 mi away

    61/100LFR Score

    Ranked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 42 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.8★ from 42 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    404 N Main St #801, Oshkosh, WI 54901
  10. Based in Appleton, 5 mi away

    61/100LFR Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 17 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 17 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–4:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    103 E College Ave, Appleton, WI 54911
  11. Based in Appleton, 5 mi away

    60/100LFR Score

    Ranked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.7★ from 60 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 3.7★ from 60 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    614 N Oneida St, Appleton, WI 54911
  12. Based in Appleton, 4 mi away

    60/100LFR Score

    Ranked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 12 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.8★ from 12 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    4321 W College Ave Ste 200, Appleton, WI 54914
  13. Based in Appleton, 4 mi away

    59/100LFR Score

    Ranked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.4★ from 13 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    4321 W College Ave #200, Appleton, WI 54914
  14. Based in Appleton, 4 mi away

    59/100LFR Score

    Ranked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.6★ from 17 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 3.6★ from 17 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1703 S Oneida St Ste C Suite C, Appleton, WI 54915
  15. Based in Green Bay, 29 mi away

    58/100LFR Score

    Ranked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.1★ from 86 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.1★ from 86 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 7 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    221 Packerland Dr, Green Bay, WI 54303
  16. Based in Appleton, 5 mi away

    58/100LFR Score

    Ranked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1775 Margaret St, Appleton, WI 54913
  17. Based in Appleton, 4 mi away

    57/100LFR Score

    Ranked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.4★ from 5 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    4650 W Spencer St Suite 23, Appleton, WI 54914
  18. Based in Appleton, 5 mi away

    55/100LFR Score

    Ranked #23 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.7★ from 85 Google reviews.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.7★ from 85 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1775 Margaret St, Appleton, WI 54913
  19. Based in Fond du Lac, 29 mi away

    55/100LFR Score

    Ranked #25 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.0★ from 26 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Criminal justice attorney”.

    Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.

    • 4.0★ from 26 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8 AM–5 PM · Fri 8 AM–3 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    39 S Main St, Fond du Lac, WI 54935

All 42 criminal defense lawyers

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #42, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile.

criminal defense lawyers in Menasha, ranks 26 to 42
RankBusinessLFR ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26Stillings, Pasquale, and Swardenski, LLC554.6★ (62)1 mi
27Petit & Dommershausen, SC544.0★ (99)In Menasha
28Goldin & Lennon, LLC544.7★ (109)13 mi
29Schenk Law Firm534.1★ (90)28 mi
30Simon Law Firm, S.C.524.8★ (124)27 mi
31Swanson Sweet LLP524.9★ (33)13 mi
32Hammett, Bellin & Oswald, LLC514.6★ (20)4 mi
33Dahl Law | Oshkosh Criminal Defense Attorney515.0★ (10)17 mi
34Gregory Wright Law Offices, S.C.504.8★ (26)17 mi
35Kevin D. Musolf, Attorney493.8★ (10)5 mi
36Thompson, Bissett & Castonia, LLP483.7★ (25)14 mi
37One Law Group, S.C.474.0★ (63)28 mi
38Zacherl, O’Malley, Nino-Gomez & Endejan, S.C.474.2★ (47)30 mi
39Brian Lee Mares473.2★ (14)13 mi
40Lakeside Legal464.1★ (30)29 mi
41Law Office of Attorney George S. Pappas Jr., LLC454.0★ (19)29 mi
42AA Sabel Law Office, S.C.443.6★ (20)29 mi

Also serving Menasha

16 more criminal defense lawyers within 30 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a practice area we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.

Unranked criminal defense lawyers serving Menasha
BusinessGoogle ratingDistance
Attorney Michael Turner5 mi
Attorney Timothy E. Hogan5.0★ (2)5 mi
Casey Hoff Attorney at Law, LLC5 mi
DUFFY LAW OFFICE5.0★ (2)29 mi
Edmund J Jelinski Law Offices4.3★ (9)In Menasha
James P O'Neil Law Office29 mi
Kate T Seifert Law Office3.0★ (16)In Menasha
Mendez Law Firm1.0★ (1)30 mi
MSV Services LLC3.0★ (2)29 mi
O'Rourke Law Office: Michael O'Rourke5.0★ (1)30 mi
Paul E Zilles Law Office3.0★ (2)In Menasha
Pedersen Law Office, LLC5.0★ (47)In Menasha
Rashid David C Law Office Of5.0★ (1)In Menasha
Thomasson PLLCIn Menasha
Wroblewski Law Firm LLC5.0★ (2)In Menasha
Zhang & Eisenheim, Inc.3.0★ (2)In Menasha

How we ranked Menasha criminal defense lawyers

We scored 42 Menasha criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, weighted as shown. A law firm is ranked when its practice area is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.

Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Attorney advertising businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.

Read the full method: formula, sources and exclusions

LFR Score factors and weights
FactorWeightComputed fromIn Menasha data
Reputation25%Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back itMeasured
Bar status10%An active bar or law society record matched to a lawyer at the firm (not measured until a record source is loaded)Not yet collected
Review volume10%Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the listMeasured
Recency10%Share of reviews from the last 12 monthsNot yet collected
Availability5%Weekly office hours, Saturday, Sunday, and phones answered 24/7Measured
Practice focus15%How clearly the firm practises this area (its Google category and name)Measured
Proximity5%An office in the city scores highest, less the farther away it isMeasured
Claimed profile10%The firm has claimed its Law Firms Ranked profile (free and paid earn the same)Measured
Law Firms Ranked reviews10%Verified client reviews collected by Law Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there areMeasured

How to choose a criminal defense lawyer

  1. Check the lawyer’s status and any public discipline in the state bar or law society directory.
  2. Ask how many criminal defense matters the lawyer handles each year, and who at the firm will do the work.
  3. Get the fee arrangement in writing: hourly, flat or contingency, and which costs are charged on top.
  4. Ask how and how often the firm will update you, and how fast it answers calls and emails.
  5. Read recent reviews for how the firm communicated and billed, not only for outcomes.
  6. Ask whether the lawyer regularly appears in the court where your case is filed.
  7. Meet more than one firm; many offer a short first consultation, sometimes free.

Questions to ask a criminal defense lawyer

  • How would you approach a matter like mine, and what are the realistic options?
  • How do you charge, and what will the total likely cost?
  • Who will be my main contact, and how quickly do you reply?
  • What does the flat fee cover, and what costs extra if the case goes to trial?
  • Who will appear with me at each hearing?
  • Is there any conflict of interest that would stop you representing me?

Terms explained

Contingency fee
A fee that is a share of the money recovered, paid only if there is a recovery. Common in injury cases; not allowed for criminal defense or for securing a divorce.
Retainer
Money paid up front and held in a trust account, which the lawyer draws on as fees are earned.
Flat fee
One set price for a defined piece of work, such as a will or an uncontested matter.
Limited-scope representation
Paying a lawyer for part of a matter only, such as reviewing documents or coaching for one hearing (also called unbundled services).
Statute of limitations
The deadline to file a lawsuit or charge. It differs by state or province and by type of claim.
Good standing
A lawyer’s status as active and eligible to practise with a state bar or law society.
Law society
The body that licenses and disciplines lawyers in a Canadian province or territory.
Board certification
Recognition in a field of law by a state program or an organisation accredited for that purpose. Lawyers may only claim it when they hold it, naming the certifying body.
Attorney–client privilege
The rule that keeps confidential communications between a client and lawyer, made for legal advice, out of court.
Conflict check
The search a firm runs before taking a matter to make sure it does not represent someone on the other side.
Pro bono
Legal work done for free, usually for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
Legal aid
Publicly funded legal help for people with low incomes, through legal aid offices, public defenders or provincial legal aid plans.

Criminal defense lawyers in Menasha: frequently asked questions

Which criminal defense lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Menasha?

By LFR Score, the highest-ranked criminal defense lawyer in Menasha, WI is Grieve Law Criminal Defense with an LFR Score of 71/100. It has 4.9★ from 93 Google reviews. It is open 24/7. Chadwick J. Kaehne, Attorney (#2) and J. Kippa Law, LLC (#3) follow. We ranked 42 criminal defense lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many criminal defense lawyers are there in Menasha?

LawFirmsRanked ranks 42 criminal defense lawyers serving Menasha, WI. 2 of them are based in Menasha; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 16 within 30 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Menasha are open 24/7?

7 ranked criminal defense lawyers in Menasha post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Grieve Law Criminal Defense (#1), Chadwick J. Kaehne, Attorney (#2) and John Miller Carroll Law Office (#5). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.

Which criminal defense lawyers in Menasha work on weekends?

7 of 42 ranked criminal defense lawyers post Saturday hours and 7 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Grieve Law Criminal Defense (#1), Chadwick J. Kaehne, Attorney (#2) and John Miller Carroll Law Office (#5). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.

What Google rating do Menasha criminal defense lawyers have?

The median Google rating among 42 rated criminal defense lawyers in Menasha is 4.4★, with a median of 28 reviews. J. Kippa Law, LLC has the most, 162 reviews, and ranks #3. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.

How does LawFirmsRanked rank criminal defense lawyers?

Each criminal defense lawyer gets a 0–100 LFR Score from nine published factors, led by reputation (25%), practice focus (15%), review volume (10%) and recency (10%). A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only law firms with a confirmed practice area and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.

Do criminal defense lawyers outside Menasha count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 30 mi of the Menasha city center, our service radius for criminal defense lawyers. Each listing shows where the law firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the LFR Score, so a nearby law firm gets a small edge.

Can criminal defense lawyers pay to rank higher on LawFirmsRanked?

No. The LFR Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured law firms may appear above the list, labelled Attorney advertising and showing their honest rank.

How do criminal defense lawyers in Menasha, WI charge?

Criminal defense lawyers usually charge a flat fee per stage (for example, through a plea or through trial) or an hourly rate. Contingency fees are not allowed in criminal cases under ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Lawyers using Clio billed an average of $219 an hour in this area (Clio Legal Trends data, October 2026; all areas $362). Ask for the fee arrangement in writing before you agree.

What if I can’t afford a criminal defense lawyer?

If a charge can lead to jail, the court must appoint a lawyer for you if you cannot afford one (Gideon v. Wainwright, 1963; Argersinger v. Hamlin, 1972). Ask about a public defender at your first court appearance. This is general information, not legal advice.

How is this list of criminal defense lawyers in Menasha, WI ranked?

By LFR Score only, from public data on reviews, practice focus, office location and hours. Firms labelled “Attorney advertising” paid for that placement; payment never changes a rank, and a rank is not an endorsement.

Does a lawyer need an office in Menasha?

No, but the lawyer must be licensed in your state (or, for federal matters such as immigration, in some state). A local office makes meetings and court appearances easier, so proximity is one of our factors.

Update log for Menasha

  1. November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 42 criminal defense lawyers serving Menasha.