John Cates Law Firm

About John Cates

I have spent almost 40 years representing individual people who have been injured or wronged by others. My practice has focused on car and motorcycle accidents, people injured on properties, people injured by products, people cheated by insurance companies, and on people Who have been affected by nursing home neglect or medical malpractice. I have represented hundreds of people against insurance companies and corporations.

My practice focuses on personal injury, medical malpractice, bad faith insurance claims, and class action matters. I have extensive litigation experience in personal injury, product liability, medical and legal malpractice, business torts, civil rights, and nursing home abuse and neglect.

I am a past member of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Association for Justice and served two terms on the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Wisconsin. I also enjoy volunteering at Mock Trials at local high schools.

I'm married to my wife, Meg, and we have five children. We are all active in outdoor sports and over the years have spent a lot of time competing in downhill ski and water ski competitions, as well as competing in local triathlons. When my kids were younger I coached Little League and was actively involved in the USSA ski racing organization.

Education & Accomplishments

​Education
J.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, with honors, 1980
B.A., University of Rochester, 1976
Bar AdmissionWisconsin, 2001
Wisconsin, 1980
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin

Professional Associations & Memberships
Dane County Bar Association
American Bar Association
State Bar of Wisconsin
- Board of Governors, 2003 - 2007
Wisconsin Association for Justice
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
James E. Doyle American Inn of Court

​Honors and Awards
Wisconsin Super Lawyer, 2005 - present
Association of Trial Lawyers of American Top 100 Lawyers – 2008, 2007
Madison Magazine Top Lawyers in Madison, 2000 - 2015
Best Lawyers in America since 2009
- Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
- Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Best Lawyers in Wisconsin, 2015
Named Nations Top 1% by National Association of Distinguished Counsel

More About John Cates

​Motto
Every day is a potential day of glory.

Why Did You Become a Lawyer?
I truly wanted to fight for the under dog and I thought that I could help people achieve justice.

If You Were Not a Lawyer, What Would You Be?
I would have loved to play for the Brewers, but they never drafted me. So now that I am old, if I was not a lawyer I would like to guide raft trips in Montana.

When You're not working...
I love being with my family, my wife, children, and grandchildren. I have a place in Puerto Rico and love spending time there. I also have plans to begin visiting the national parks around the country so that I can experience what our country has to offer. Finally I have taken up Pickleball and I love it.