Bell Moore & Richter

Bell Moore & Richter, S.C. is one of Wisconsin's oldest and most distinguished law firms, with a continuous operating history dating back to 1851, the year Wisconsin achieved statehood. Originally established as Vilas & Remington, the firm has built a legacy of professional excellence and deep community engagement across more than 170 years of prac... tice. The firm's leadership and membership have included multiple Madison mayors, U.S. senators, state legislators, law professors, Wisconsin Supreme Court justices, and a federal judge, reflecting its prominence within Wisconsin's legal and civic landscape. The founding partner established the firm's foundational commitment to community service and professional leadership, serving as Madison's mayor and as a regent of the University of Wisconsin, a tradition of civic involvement that has remained central to the firm's identity. Subsequent generations of firm attorneys have continued this pattern of public service and legal distinction; notably, one early partner served as Madison's mayor, earned recognition throughout the state for expertise in legal procedures, and later served on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, with his name appearing as either counsel or justice in virtually all volumes of the Wisconsin Reports published during his lifetime. In the early decades of its operation, the firm developed specialized practices serving railroads, public utilities, and insurance companies, with particular strength in railroad law, public utility law, and insurance matters. This combination of historical prominence, demonstrated legal expertise across multiple practice areas, deep roots in Wisconsin's business and civic communities, and a sustained commitment to both professional excellence and community leadership has established Bell Moore & Richter as a cornerstone institution within Wisconsin's legal profession.Read More