Patricia Hammel

I've lived and practiced law in Wisconsin for over 40 years, including Madison, Janesville and northern Wisconsin. Since leaving Judicare Legal Aid in August 2024, my main areas of practice are bankruptcy, foreclosure resolution through Chapter 13 and modifications, estate planning and family law.

University of Wisconsin

Juris Doctorate (1980) | Indian Law and Environmental Law; Chair of Madison Chapter National Lawyers' Guild; and Organizer for Women's Rights and Environmental Issues.

University of Wisconsin

Bachelor of Arts (1977) | History Major; Crisis Counselor for Community Center; and Director of Free Ride Service for Women.

Sole proprietor

Law Office of Patricia Hammel

2024 - Current

Resuming private practice in the Northwoods of Wisconsin; Langlade and surrounding counties

Staff Attorney

Judicare Legal Aid

2019 - 2024

Worked in the housing unit doing eviction defense and foreclosure defense, consumer and bankruptcy law. Represented a client in Menominee tribal court regarding a harassment injunction and wrote text for the state Law Help website.

Partner

Herrick & Kasdorf LLP

2006 - 2019

Partner in five person firm located on the Capitol Square in Madison Wisconsin; focusing on bankruptcy, family law and estate planning.

Sole proprietor

Law Office of Patricia Hammel

2002 - 2006

Solo practitioner in downtown Madison Wisconsin. Bankruptcy, family law and estate planning practice; did it all including answering the phone, books, etc. etc.

Pro Bono award

Dane County Bar Association

2016

Received pro bono award for organizing attorneys and legal workers to represent people arrested in the Wisconsin Capitol from 2012-13

Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney of the Month (October)

National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys

2009

Selected as "Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney of the Month" after winning 7th Circuit Court of Appeals case involving university's holding of student transcripts for unpaid tuition discharged in bankruptcy. University was found in contempt and ordered to pay damages and attorneys' fees. Kuehn v. Cardinal Stritch University.

Wisconsin State Bar  # 1019166

Member

1981 - Current

Activities: Member of Bankruptcy Insolvency and Creditors' Rights section, Indian Law and Real Property Probate and Trust sections; Speaker at annual Bankruptcy retreat in Kohler WI 2010 and annual Bankruptcy update in 2011; also presented on bankruptcy and family law issues for Legal Action of Wisconsin

National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys

Member

2008 - 2019

Activities: Attended 2009 NACBA national convention in Chicago IL

National Lawyers Guild

Board member, member

1977 - 2019

Activities: Member NLG Mass Defense Committee; Attended national conventions in Minneapolis, St. Louis, Washington D.C., Santa Fe N.M., San Francisco; worked on summer project in Arcata CA respecting native fishing rights and environmental education

Dane County Foreclosure Prevention Taskforce

Volunteer

2009 - 2012

Activities: Presented workshops on foreclosure prevention and bankruptcy monthly; act as mediator in foreclosure cases; volunteer with Dane Co. foreclosure answer clinic

Eastern District of Wisconsin

Since 2021

Western District of Wisconsin

Since 1981

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Court System

Since 1981

7th Circuit

Since 2008

Menominee Tribal Court

Since 2021

• Free Consultation
  Free consultation in bankruptcy cases; information packets can be mailed.
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Fees and retainers depend on complexity of case, client's income and type of matter.

• Mortgage modifications