Stafford Rosenbaum LLP
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP is a 140+ year-old Wisconsin-based full-service law firm headquartered in Madison with a Milwaukee office, serving as general counsel for more than 100 Wisconsin governmental entities and advising businesses, nonprofits, and individuals across 20 practice areas.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1885
- HeadquartersMadison, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Stafford Rosenbaum LLP does
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP is a Wisconsin-based full-service law firm organized as a Limited Liability Partnership, headquartered in Madison with a second office in Milwaukee. Founded in the late 19th century (firmographic source indicates 1879; the firm's own history page indicates 1885; both are consistent with its self-described 140+ year heritage), it is one of the state's oldest continuous law practices. The firm operates across 20 distinct practice areas — including appellate, antitrust, bankruptcy, business, construction, election and political, employment and labor, environment and land use, family, government, insurance, IP/entertainment/technology, litigation, public utility and energy, real estate, and trusts and estates — providing counsel, transactional, and litigation services to Wisconsin businesses, governments, nonprofits, and individuals, with select national engagements.
The firm's revenue model is the standard professional services billable-hours construct, supplemented by alternative fee arrangements (fixed fees, contingency, retainers) where appropriate. Services are delivered directly through attorneys at the two Wisconsin offices, with no reseller or intermediary channel. The firm is a member of ALFA International, a global legal network of independent law firms, which provides multi-jurisdictional reach. Marketing and business development rely on thought leadership (legal updates blog, publications), conference speaking and sponsorships (League of Wisconsin Municipalities, State Bar of Wisconsin, ACC-WI, UW-Madison Election Matters), and community involvement (bar leadership, nonprofit boards), operating a sales-led motion built on reputation, relationships, and referrals rather than paid acquisition.
The firm occupies a distinctive position as general counsel or special counsel for more than 100 Wisconsin local governmental entities — cities, villages, towns, counties, and municipal utilities — advising in public utility, government administration, employment, labor, and environmental law. In 2025, the firm merged with Palmersheim Dettmann, S.C., expanding its attorney roster. The firm maintains no external institutional ownership and operates as a partner-owned LLP.
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Stafford Rosenbaum LLP
- Legal name
- Stafford Rosenbaum LLP
- Website
- https://staffordlaw.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1885
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Stafford Rosenbaum LLP is a 140+ year-old Wisconsin-based full-service law firm headquartered in Madison with a Milwaukee office, serving as general counsel for more than 100 Wisconsin governmental entities and advising businesses, nonprofits, and individuals across 20 practice areas.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Legal Services
- NAICS
- Offices of Lawyers (54111), Legal Services (5411)
- SIC
- Services-Legal Services (8111)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution (BPAHAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Employment & Labor Law (BPAHAAAD), Family & Private Client (Trusts & Estates) Law (BPAHAAAK)
Keywords
Where Stafford Rosenbaum LLP is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Madison
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Legal Services - Billable Hours: Traditional hourly billing for legal services across all practice areas including litigation, transactions, advisory, and counsel work. Standard law firm revenue model with matter-based engagements.
- Legal Services - Alternative Fee Arrangements: May include fixed fees, contingency arrangements, and retainer structures depending on practice area and client needs.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP is a full-service Wisconsin law firm providing legal counsel across 20 practice areas including business law, litigation, government and municipal law, environmental law, employment and labor law, family law, real estate, trusts and estates, bankruptcy, and appellate practice. The firm serves as general counsel for more than 100 Wisconsin local governmental entities and represents businesses, nonprofits, and individuals through its Madison and Milwaukee offices.
Product overview
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP is a full-service Wisconsin law firm offering legal services through 20 distinct practice area modules. The firm provides comprehensive legal counsel to businesses, governments, nonprofits, and individuals across Wisconsin and nationally through its Madison and Milwaukee offices. Key service offerings include business law, litigation, government and municipal law, environmental law, employment and labor law, family law, real estate law, trusts and estates, bankruptcy, and appellate practice. The firm has a 140+ year history and serves as general counsel for more than 100 Wisconsin local governmental entities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Antitrust and Trade Regulation
- Appellate Law
- Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights
- Business Law
- Construction Law
- Dealership, Distribution and Franchise Law
- Election and Political Law
- Employment and Labor Law
- Environment and Land Use Law
- Family Law
- Foundations and Nonprofits
- Government Law
- Government Relations
- Insurance Law
- Intellectual Property, Entertainment, & Technology Law
- Litigation
- Public Utility and Energy Law
- Real Estate Law
- Trusts and Estates
Quantifiable outcome
- Ranked in 27 practice areas in 2026 Best Law Firms
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Stafford Rosenbaum LLP
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ALFA InternationalcoreGlobal legal network providing Stafford Rosenbaum with access to independent law firms throughout the United States and internationally, enabling the firm to serve clients with multi-jurisdictional legal needs. ALFA International is a global network of independent law firms.
- Elections Research CenterminorAcademic organization at University of Wisconsin-Madison hosting the Election Matters 2026 seminar series. Stafford Rosenbaum sponsors the entire seminar series, bringing together diverse experts to tackle evolving election-related issues.
- State Democracy Research Initiative (SDRI)minorAcademic initiative at University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School co-hosting the Election Matters 2026 seminar series with the Elections Research Center. Stafford Rosenbaum sponsors the entire seminar series.
- Association of Corporate Counsel - Wisconsin (ACC-WI)minorProfessional organization for in-house counsel. Stafford Rosenbaum is a proud sponsor of ACC-WI and presents at their Annual Chapter Conference and Meeting.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. Wisconsin-based full-service law firm of comparable size headquartered in Milwaukee, with a similarly broad practice mix spanning business, litigation, government, environmental, and real estate matters — directly comparable on geographic footprint, practice breadth, and target client base.
- Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. Long-standing Wisconsin full-service firm with offices in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and Appleton. Like Stafford Rosenbaum, it serves business, government, and individual clients across the state with overlapping practice areas including municipal law, litigation, and corporate work.
- Quarles & Brady LLP: Major Wisconsin-headquartered full-service law firm with offices in Milwaukee, Madison, and other U.S. markets. Overlapping practice areas include litigation, business law, government, real estate, and trusts/estates, serving similar business and government clients across Wisconsin.
- Michael Best & Friedrich LLP: Wisconsin-founded full-service firm with significant government, environmental, and corporate practices. Direct overlap with Stafford Rosenbaum in municipal law, environmental law, and litigation, serving Wisconsin-based business and public-sector clients.
- von Briesen & Roper, S.C. Wisconsin-based full-service firm with offices in Milwaukee and Madison. Overlapping practice areas include business law, litigation, real estate, trusts and estates, and government-related services, making it a close regional peer in headcount and capability.
- Davis|Kuelthau, s.c. Wisconsin-based law firm with offices in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay, offering business, litigation, employment, and government-related legal services comparable to Stafford Rosenbaum's full-service regional profile.
- Boardman & Clark LLP: Madison-based full-service firm with strong government, municipal, and business law practices. Closely comparable to Stafford Rosenbaum on geographic concentration in south-central Wisconsin and on the mix of public-sector and business clients.
Broad incumbents
- Foley & Lardner LLP: Large national firm with deep Wisconsin roots (Milwaukee and Madison offices). Offers broader geographic reach and resources while overlapping in business, government, real estate, and litigation practices; functions as a larger-scale incumbent peer.
- Husch Blackwell LLP: National firm formed in part from Wisconsin's Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek. Has offices in Madison and Milwaukee with overlapping business, government, real estate, and litigation practices, serving similar Wisconsin clients at a larger scale.
Regional players
- Eimer Stahl LLP: Chicago-based litigation and regulatory firm with strong appellate and environmental capabilities. Comparable in appellate, environmental, and complex litigation practice strength, particularly relevant to Stafford Rosenbaum's appellate and environmental work, though based in Illinois.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP social profiles
Digital presenceStafford Rosenbaum LLP financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Stafford Rosenbaum LLP
What does Stafford Rosenbaum LLP do?
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP is a full-service Wisconsin law firm providing legal counsel across 20 practice areas including business law, litigation, government and municipal law, environmental law, employment and labor law, family law, real estate, trusts and estates, bankruptcy, and appellate practice. The firm serves as general counsel for more than 100 Wisconsin local governmental entities and represents businesses, nonprofits, and individuals through its Madison and Milwaukee offices.
Is Stafford Rosenbaum LLP a public or private company?
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Stafford Rosenbaum LLP founded?
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP was founded in 1885. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Stafford Rosenbaum LLP based?
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP is headquartered in Madison, United States, in the North America region.
How does Stafford Rosenbaum LLP make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Legal Services - Billable Hours are the primary driver. The others are legal Services - Alternative Fee Arrangements.
Who are Stafford Rosenbaum LLP's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., Quarles & Brady LLP, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, von Briesen & Roper, S.C., Davis|Kuelthau, s.c. and Boardman & Clark LLP. Broad incumbents are Foley & Lardner LLP and Husch Blackwell LLP. Eimer Stahl LLP is listed as a regional player.
Does Stafford Rosenbaum LLP have an API?
No public API is recorded for Stafford Rosenbaum LLP.
What industry is Stafford Rosenbaum LLP in?
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP's product category is Legal Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAAAB, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, with a secondary code of BPAHAAAD, Employment & Labor Law. Its NAICS code is 54111 and its SIC code is 8111.