Atty. James A. Olson

Atty. James A. Olson

Member, Board of Editors, Wisconsin Law Review, 1964-1966. Lecturer on Environmental Litigation, University of Wisconsin, 1976—.

Madison Madison 60 yrs experience 60 year
Call (608) 504-9960 Book Appointment

Class Actions & More Attorney · Serving Madison, WI · 60+ Years Experience

Profile Summary

About James A. Olson at a Glance

James A. Olson is a Senior Shareholder and Attorney based in Madison, Wisconsin, practicing at Lawton Cates, S.C.. They have 60+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1966. Their practice focuses on car accidents, wrongful death, personal injury, class action, and motorcycle. Admitted to practice in Wisconsin (1966) and U.S. Federal Court (1966). Educated at University of Wisconsin (J.D., 1966) and University of Wisconsin (B.S., 1961). Active member of Dane County Bar Association State Bar of Wisconsin Wisconsin Association of Justice The American Association for Justice. Serves clients in Madison, WI and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated October 2026

About James A. Olson

  • Member, Board of Editors, Wisconsin Law Review, 1964-1966
  • Lecturer on Environmental Litigation, University of Wisconsin, 1976—
  • Member, Wisconsin Citizens Advisory Board to the Public Intervenor, 1976-1982

Practice Areas Explained

James A. Olson's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases James A. Olson handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Madison.

Car Accidents in Madison

Hurt in a car crash? Car accident lawyers fight insurance companies for fair compensation — free consult, no fee unless you win.

James A. Olson is one of 36,434 car accidents attorneys indexed nationally. Browse car accidents attorneys in Wisconsin →

Wrongful Death in Madison

James A. Olson is one of 30,932 wrongful death attorneys indexed nationally. Browse wrongful death attorneys in Wisconsin →

Personal Injury in Madison

Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.

James A. Olson is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Wisconsin →

Class Action in Madison

James A. Olson is one of 26,226 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in Wisconsin →

Motorcycle Accidents in Madison

James A. Olson is one of 11,112 motorcycle attorneys indexed nationally. Browse motorcycle attorneys in Wisconsin →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in Madison

Practicing law in Wisconsin. Legal matters in Wisconsin are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Madison are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Wisconsin state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Wisconsin brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Wisconsin courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Madison Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a Madison-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.

Looking for additional Wisconsin attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Madison or all attorneys in Wisconsin.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About James A. Olson

Where is James A. Olson's law office located?
James A. Olson's law practice is located in Madison, Wisconsin. The firm is Lawton Cates, S.C.. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does James A. Olson handle?
James A. Olson focuses on car accidents, wrongful death, personal injury, class action, motorcycle. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Wisconsin.
How long has James A. Olson practiced law?
James A. Olson has 60+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1966.
Where did James A. Olson go to law school?
James A. Olson earned their education at (J.D., 1966); (B.S., 1961).
How can I contact James A. Olson for a consultation?
You can contact James A. Olson directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.

Professional Profile

Why Clients in Madison Choose James A. Olson

Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish James A. Olson's practice in the field of car accidents, wrongful death, personal injury, class action, and motorcycle.

Decade-Tested Legal Experience

James A. Olson brings 60+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.

Multi-State Bar Admission

Licensed in Wisconsin and U.S. Federal Court, James A. Olson can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering car accidents, wrongful death, and personal injury, James A. Olson can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in Madison

A Madison-based practice means James A. Olson attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.

Case Types

Common Legal Issues James A. Olson Handles in Madison

Below is a representative sample of the types of matters James A. Olson has experience with under Wisconsin law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.

Car accident injury claims
Personal Injury
Slip and fall cases
Personal Injury
Wrongful death suits
Personal Injury
Workers' compensation appeals
Personal Injury

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact James A. Olson directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Search Reference

How People Find James A. Olson Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in Madison commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like James A. Olson.

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If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with James A. Olson directly.

Education & Law School Background

J.D.
University of Wisconsin
- 1966
B.S.
University of Wisconsin
- 1961

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

Wisconsin
Admitted: 1966
U.S. Federal Court
Admitted: 1966

Client Reviews & Ratings — James A. Olson

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