Scott Salemi, Civil Rights Attorney in Madison, Wisconsin
Over 34 years of legal practice · focused on Civil Rights, Education, and Elder Law · 4.4/5 rating from 2 verified client reviews
AttorneyatMurphy Desmond S.C.
Madison, WI
Practicing civil rights in Madison since 1992.
- 34+
- Years practicing
- 4.4 ★
- 2 client reviews
- 2
- Bar admissions
Are you Scott Salemi?
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Quick answer
Scott Salemi is an attorney based in Madison, WI. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Education, and Elder Law. Scott has over 34 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Murphy Desmond S.C.. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 2 client reviews.
- Based in
- Madison, WI
- Experience
- over 34 years
- Known for
- Civil Rights · Education · Elder Law
- Handles Civil Rights, Education, and Elder Law matters from Madison, WI.
- Over 34 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with BV Distinguished.
About Scott Salemi: Scott Salemi is an attorney based in Madison, WI. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Education, and Elder Law. Scott has over 34 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Murphy Desmond S.C.. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 2 client reviews.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Scott takes on
Scott concentrates on civil rights, education, elder law, insurance, and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case Scott handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Civil Rights
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Education
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Elder Law
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Insurance
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Litigation
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Medical Malpractice
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Personal Injury
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Civil Rights cases in Madison, Wisconsin
Scott takes civil rights matters in Madison, Wisconsin. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Scott agrees to represent you.
Education cases in Madison, Wisconsin
Scott takes education matters in Madison, Wisconsin. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Scott agrees to represent you.
Elder Law cases in Madison, Wisconsin
Scott takes elder law matters in Madison, Wisconsin. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Scott agrees to represent you.
Insurance cases in Madison, Wisconsin
Scott takes insurance matters in Madison, Wisconsin. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Scott agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in Madison, Wisconsin
Scott takes litigation matters in Madison, Wisconsin. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Scott agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Scott Salemi — civil rights lawyer in Madison
Scott Salemi is an attorney based in Madison, WI. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Education, and Elder Law. Scott has over 34 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Murphy Desmond S.C.. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 2 client reviews.
Scott concentrates his practice in the defense of complex civil litigation, with an emphasis on civil rights, medical malpractice, and first-party and third-party property cases.
Scott is an accomplished trial lawyer with nearly fifty jury trials to his credit. He has tried substantial civil cases to verdict throughout Illinois in both state and federal court. Prior to joining Heyl Royster, Scott served as Senior Assistant State’s Attorney in Rockford, Illinois, and later as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General, assigned to a statewide trial assistance division.
Scott has been selected as a Leading Lawyer in Illinois by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company in both Medical Malpractice Defense Law and Personal Injury Defense Law: General in 2014 and 2015.
Public Speaking
•“A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words: The Use of Technology at Trial”
Heyl Royster’s 33rd Annual Claims Handling Seminar 2018
•“Death in a County Jail: An Interactive Discussion of What to Do”
National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) National Conference 2016
•“Claims Handling - What’s on the Horizon”
Land of Lincoln CPCU Society Chapter Workshop 2014
Professional Recognition
•Selected as a Leading Lawyer in Medical Malpractice Defense Law; Personal Injury Defense Law: General. Only five percent of lawyers in the state are named as Leading Lawyers.
Year Joined Firm
2003
News
79 Heyl Royster Attorneys Top Leading Lawyers’ Latest List - 05/31/2018
60 Heyl Royster Attorneys on Leading Lawyers’ Latest List - 06/29/2017
57 Heyl Royster Attorneys Recognized by Leading Lawyers - 04/22/2016
Fifty Firm Attorneys Recognized as Leading Lawyers - 06/27/2014
How Scott handles civil rights matters
Scott concentrates his practice in the defense of complex civil litigation, with an emphasis on civil rights, medical malpractice, and first-party and third-party property cases. Scott is an accomplished trial lawyer with nearly fifty jury trials to his credit. He has tried substantial civil cases to verdict throughout Illinois in both state and federal court. Prior to joining Heyl Royster, Scott…
Who Scott represents
Scott reviews new inquiries case-by-case for civil rights, education, and elder law matters in Madison and the surrounding Wisconsin area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
DePauw University
Bachelor · 1989
Jurisdictions
Scott's state bar admissions
North Carolina Unite
1998 · ACTIVE
Illinois
1992 · ACTIVE
Scott studied at Bachelor in DePauw University.
Law school and academic background
Scott completed Bachelor in DePauw University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Scott runs in Wisconsin is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
Scott has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
BV Distinguished
Legal awards and honors
BV Distinguished.
Affiliations
Scott's professional memberships and bar associations
Professional Associations •Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel •Illinois State Bar Association •Winnebago County Bar Association
membership
Locations
Scott Salemi's office in Madison
Scott's primary office is at 33 East Main Street, Suite 500, Madison, WI, 53703. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of Scott Salemi — 4.4/5 rating from 2 verified client reviews
Every review below is from a verified client of Scott. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing civil rights attorneys in Madison.
4.4
2 client reviews
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Scott Salemi claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Scott Salemi — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new civil rights attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Scott usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Scott charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Scott's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Scott will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a civil rights attorney in Madison, Wisconsin
A short list to run through before you commit: How many civil rights matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Scott
Scott discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in civil rights practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every civil rights matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Scott confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Scott's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many civil rights practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Scott Salemi
How much does it cost to hire Scott for a civil rights case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Scott walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Scott offer a free consultation?
Scott charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Scott's office. Some civil rights attorneys offer free consults — check Scott's current terms during booking.
How long do civil rights cases in Wisconsin typically take?
Simple civil rights matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Scott gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Scott take my case if I'm outside Madison?
Scott is licensed in Wisconsin. Matters governed by Wisconsin law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Scott will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Scott?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Scott will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Scott accepting new civil rights clients right now?
Scott's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Civil Rights attorneys serving Madison, Milwaukee and Waukesha in Wisconsin
Scott handles civil rights matters throughout Wisconsin. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified civil rights attorneys in that community.
More counsel
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