Richard L. Bolton

Richard L. Bolton is a Wisconsin litigation lawyer at Boardman & Clark LLP, with more than 20 years of experience representing businesses, nonprofit organizations, employers, and individuals in complex disputes. He focuses on commercial litigation involving business torts, unfair competition, intellectual property law conflicts, restrictive covenants, dealership terminations, and contract matters. He also handles employment and civil rights litigation and brings extensive knowledge of federal court practice and procedure to demanding trial and appellate matters.

Richard earned his J.D. with honors from the University of Wisconsin Law School and his B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. His education strengthened his research, writing, and analytical abilities and prepared him to address disputes involving complicated legal standards, constitutional questions, business relationships, and detailed factual records.

Richard has represented employers in noncompetition disputes and wage matters, businesses in trademark and unfair competition cases, and nonprofit organizations in First Amendment matters. He approaches commercial litigation with attention to both legal risk and the financial effect that prolonged disputes can have on an organization. He encourages dispute prevention and may pursue negotiation, mediation, or other alternative resolution methods when those options can provide an efficient and practical result.

Richard is admitted to practice in Wisconsin state courts, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, numerous other federal district courts, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Seventh and Ninth Circuits, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He belongs to the American Bar Association, State Bar of Wisconsin, Federal Circuit Bar Association, Western District of Wisconsin Bar Association, Dane County Bar Association, and U.S. Supreme Court Bar Association.

Richard L. Bolton has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for First Amendment Law since 2010 and Appellate Practice since 2011. He has also written for the firm’s employment law newsletter and serves on the board of Madison School Forest–Environmental Education. He combines courtroom experience, appellate knowledge, careful case management, and practical judgment when helping clients prevent, manage, and resolve high-stakes disputes.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Boardman & Clark LLP
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, United States Supreme Court Bar Association
• Member, Federal Circuit Bar Association
• Member, State Bar of Wisconsin
• Member, Western District of Wisconsin Bar Association
• Member, Dane County Bar Association

Licensed State

• Wisconsin

Education

• University of Wisconsin Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Wisconsin – Madison
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)