Justin Padway

Attorney Justin Padway began his career working alongside famed defense attorney Barry Scheck at the New York Innocence Project where he gained expertise in using DNA evidence to secure the release of wrongfully convicted individuals. He was then recruited to work at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, the third ranked law firm in American Lawyer’s 2021 A-List firms, where he handled complex litigation. However, his goal was always to bring his value and skillset back to his home state of Wisconsin.

Attorney Padway quickly established himself as one of Wisconsin’s premier criminal defense attorneys. His work ethic, mindful advocacy, and meticulous approach to cases has resulted in numerous dismissals and acquittals in both misdemeanor and felony cases. Attorney Padway’s practice spans every phase of criminal litigation, from pre-arrest investigations, to motion practices, to trials, and to a robust sentencing discipline. Attorney Padway vigurously defends those who are being prosecuted at all levels of crime, ranging from traditional criminal defense matters to white collar offenses. With his legal expertise, Attorney Padway has been awarded and recognized as a Wisconsin Super Lawyer Rising Star for the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025; a top 40 under 40 Trial Lawyer in the State of Wisconsin; a top 50 Attorney from America’s Top 50 Lawyers; and the AVVO Client Choice Award in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. He has also made regular tv appearances as an expert legal analyst for CBS58 news.

Attoney Padway is also regularly sought out to handle civil matters. He has won numerous large settlements on behalf of his clients including one of Wisconsin’s largest damages awarded against a landlord at 1.35 million dollars. His civil practice extends to select personal injury cases where he has received millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. People throughout the State of Wisconsin continuinally seek Attorney Padway’s representation because of his reputation as a reliable, creative, and sharp advocate that is not afraid to fight for his clients.

While Attorney Padway’s courtroom successes continue to multiply, it is his family first approach that ultimately sets him apart from his contemporaries. Mr. Padway cares about the person as much as the result. He is always available to his clients in matters of the law and life. For Justin, the relationship is far more than attorney-client, it’s a Welcome to the Family approach.

Justin got his start at the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law where he graduated Magna Cum Laude (top 5%) and was an Associate Editor of the Cardozo Law Review.  Aside from the law, Justin is an avid basketball player, a lover of live music, an artist, actor, and family man.  He has lived and traveled all over the world including, but not limited to, Vienna, Austria; New Orleans, Louisiana; New York, New York; Peru; Guatemala; Hungary; Western Australia; Turkey; Romania; and more.  He has also served as a community organizer and received the Mayors Letter of Commendation for his services and contributions to the city of Covington, Louisiana.