He has pursued cases against law enforcement and jailers that resulted in some of the largest settlements in Wisconsin for violations of individuals’ constitutional rights. A number of those cases have resulted in changes to Wisconsin law mandating transfer of a prisoner’s medications along with the transfer of the prisoner, and legislation requiring an independent law enforcement agency review officer-involved shootings.
Attorney Dunphy represented a young woman who was the victim of a health system failure to diagnose her cervical cancer. The system had contracted its pap smear interpretations to an independent contractor, cytotechnologist. Attorney Dunphy uncovered billings that proved the cytotechnologist was reading more than 4 times the recommended maximum number of smears per year. The case was covered nationally, reported by 20-20, the New York Times and national magazines. Because of Attorney Dunphy’s work, more than 200 women’s pap smears were re-read and misdiagnoses were caught in time.
In 2015 Attorney Dunphy successfully sued a Wisconsin licensed gun dealer for an illegal gun sale that resulted in injuries to two Milwaukee Police Officers. It is the only verdict in the country against a licensed gun dealer for injuries resulting from a straw sale since a federal gun dealer immunity law called the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act became law in 2005. The case was covered nationally by the New York Times, Washington Post, Time Magazine, CNN, MSNBC, FoxNews, ABC, NBC, CBS, and internationally by The Guardian and the BBC World News.
Attorney Dunphy is Past President of the Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers (now the Wisconsin Association for Justice), a statewide organization of plaintiff’s trial attorneys. In 2015 WAJ awarded Attorney Dunphy its President’s Award for outstanding trial work. He is an invited member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, a national organization of plaintiffs’ attorneys, limited to 100 of the best plaintiffs’ attorneys in the United States.
He is also an invited member of the International Society of Barristers and the American Board of Trial Advocates. Martindale Hubbell has certified Attorney Dunphy as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” and the National Board of Trial Advocacy has certified him as a Civil Trial Specialist. Law Dragon named Attorney Dunphy as one of the Top 50 plaintiff trial lawyers and one of the Top 500 attorneys in the United States. He has consistently been named one of the Top 3 Super Lawyers in Wisconsin. Best Lawyers in America named Attorney Dunphy as the Lawyer of the Year, Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation in Milwaukee in 2010 and 2012. In 2009 the Wisconsin Law Journal named Attorney Dunphy one of its “Leaders in the Law” and in 2014 Marquette University Law School named him its Law School Alumnus of the Year.
Patrick Dunphy is a renowned attorney with a track record of success. He has been repeatedly recognized for his legal expertise, including being named as a Wisconsin Super Lawyer each year from 2005 to 2024 and a Top 10 Super Lawyer from 2008 to 2024. In 2024, he achieved further recognition as one of the Top 100 Lawyers.
Recently selected to the 2023 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer’s Lawyer list.
In addition to his legal work, Attorney Dunphy has been active in his community. He served as Board Chair of Marquette University High School and Chairman of its Capital Campaign. He has been involved in fundraising for the Hunger Task Force and is Board Chair of the Guest House, homeless shelter, and clinic.
Client Testimonials
“We just wanted to say “Thanks” for all the times that we have called you and you graciously and promptly returned our calls. We very much appreciate you.” – Mike and Darlene D.
“I want to thank you and your staff for the work you did to settle my claim. It is greatly appreciated.” – Gail B.
“Dear Patrick; Both Laurie and I want to recognize the extra work you employed here to get this settled and, in the end, negotiate an increase in our claim. While this process is no doubt routine for you, it has been a constant reminder to me of how good things can go badly, but finally, with drive and direction, attain resolution. This certainly requires one to be skilled in their “craft,” and you have filled that role in an exceptional manner. Thank you for the resolution achieved.” – Bill & Laura
“Dear Mr. Dunphy, It is with heartfelt appreciation that we send this note to you. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for all you have done for our family. After going through a trauma such as mine, it was a welcome relief to have you in our corner. Your professional and dedicated manner is unsurpassed. Your compassionate heart has been a blessing. Thank you for helping us move past the hurt and for being such a class act.” – Anonymous Client
“Mr. Dunphy, In 2011, my elderly parents were involved in a traffic collision when a person driving another vehicle disregarded a red traffic control signal and T-Boned their car. Thankfully, my parents were not seriously injured but they were pretty banged up and their car was a total loss. My parents retained your firm and Mr. Foeckler was assigned the case. My mother, whose health was poor before the crash, subsequently passed a few years later. The settlement was modest-a few thousand dollars, but the money was awarded after my mother’s death. Mr. Foeckler assisted my father with the probate case and even went as far as to pick my dad up at his home and drive him to court. I know some attorneys offer to come to a client’s home, as advertised on television, and Mr. Foeckler did that as well in the initial phases of my parents’ case, but this act was far above and beyond what I would ever have expected; especially for a tiny settlement. I actually sought the unofficial advice of a very good friend and neighbor of yours, who is very well acquainted with the courts, and he suggested I contact your firm. Come to think of it I believe my friend might have mentioned it to you and Mr. Foeckler contacted me. Anyway, the way Mr. Foeckler treated my father, confirms that your firm, and it’s representatives are genuinely interested in helping people, regardless of the size of the case. Please pass along my gratitude to Mr. Foeckler for the kindness he showed towards my parents. If I ever require the services of an attorney, I will certainly retain your firm.” – Gregg D.
“I do want you to know that it really was a pleasure working with you and I appreciated how you kept me abreast of everything that you were doing in order to finalize the case. Thank you again.” -Esther C.
“Thank you, my interactions with you and Ms. Rossetti were nothing short of phenomenal, always. You were prompt in answering questions, available during off-hours, got me in touch with the right doctors and professionals, and I always felt like you were advocating for the “best deal” for me and my family rather than cutting deals with the insurance company for the easy out. I heard from many people that you were the best at what you do and after my experience with your firm, I have no doubt that what I heard is true. You are worth every penny you earned for us.” – James
“Mr. Dunphy, words cannot express our gratitude for all you have done for Haili!” – Anonymous Client
“I’m writing to let you know how much you have helped me through this process. It’s surely been a sad time for me but the way you helped me get through this made it better. The manner in which you get things done was the best for me. You took the time to explain in detail what was going on and if you could tell by my voice that I wasn’t understanding, you said it again with an example. You also gave me suggestions which I listened to. I know you’d say you’re doing your job, but there are different ways to do that job. You did it in a caring way.” – Kathy S.
“I can’t express enough to you and your family the appreciation for your hard work and sacrifice. As well as your concern, compassion, and professionalism.” – Shawn D.
“Unfortunately, I found myself in a position to need a lawyer due to some very bad drivers, several times. The first was after my husband was nearly killed in a car accident and needed to be air-lifted by Flight for Life. I was a new mom and overwhelmed. Pat Dunphy was my lawyer. He was, supportive, honest, knowledgeable, and a good listener. Every issue that came up during my husband’s very long recovery, he handled with ease. Knowing he was in my corner gave me a sense of relief, calmness, and strength in dealing with my husband’s serious accident. He took so much stress off my shoulders. When my husband and I had to do a deposition, we had absolutely no fears, we knew we were prepared and protected. We both highly recommend his firm, they were a godsend several times for us. I would never go anywhere else!” – Joe and Kathy Serak
“Pat, Thanks for your tenacity and work ethic! You consistently exemplified an understanding of what we deemed important on Rial’s quest for justice. Faith, family, honesty, integrity, and truth. God bless you and yours.” – Anonymous Client
