Richard A. Madsen, Jr., (Rick) founded Madsen Law Firm in 1996 after initiating his legal career in the Contra Costa County County District Attorney's Office. A native San Franciscan, 5th generation Californian, and a member of the Society of California Pioneers, Mr. Madsen hails from a notable line of judges, attorneys, and state legislators (one of whom sponsored the enabling legislation for the establishment of the University of California, Davis).
Mr. Madsen's interest and affinity for the law started in high school where he served as an intern with the American Civil Liberties Union in San Francisco, and thereafter, while an undergraduate at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, he worked as a law clerk for the Public Defender of San Luis Obispo County. As a law student at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Mr. Madsen's skill as an oral advocate and legal writer rose to the top of his class as he was selected to the Moot Court Honors Board. Mr. Madsen thereafter supervised a legal writing and advocacy class at McGeorge School of Law to incoming students.
Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Madsen served as a Deputy District Attorney in the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office. During that time, Mr. Madsen acquired an extensive and successful trial record and handled thousands of felonies and misdemeanor cases.
Richard A. Madsen, Jr.
Phone: (925) 974-0800
[email protected]
Recognized consistently by Super Lawyers as preeminent in his field, Mr. Madsen is known as a zealous and effective advocate and a straight shooter whose credibility is trusted by judges, prosecutors and opposing counsel. In over three decades of practice, he has taken on and successfully defended a substantial number of high profile cases: a woman charged with solicitation of a double murder, a Contra Costa County businessman suspected of a $100 million dollar fraud (act of deception) occasioned upon St. Mary's College, and a local priest in a clergy sex abuse case.
Equally adept as a personal injury and civil trial lawyer, Mr. Madsen is regarded as a fair but fierce litigator who has recovered millions of dollars for his clients in catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, teacher sexual assault cases, and police misconduct matters. In a recent notable case, Mr. Madsen uncovered a scheme involving multiple California Highway Patrol Officers, who conspired to access and distribute personal photos of female arrestees. Mr. Madsen secured the arrest and felony conviction of one CHP officer and thereafter filed a lawsuit and recovered in excess of two million dollars for his clients.
With extensive experience negotiating with other lawyers, judges and mediators, Mr. Madsen has successfully resolved thousands of civil and criminal cases. With over 30 years litigation experience, call Madsen Law Firm and let us help you navigate the complexities of the legal system.
“What can I say? He's funny, he's kind, he's relentless, he's fierce… and he delivers! Thank you, Rick!” - Carrie W., Oakland, CA 3/17/2020
ADMISSIONS
· State Bar of California, 1990
· United States Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1990
· United States District Court, 1990
EDUCATION
· McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, Juris Doctorate, 1988
· California Polytechnic State University; Bachelor of Arts, 1984
Recommendations
- Sarah M., San Francisco, CA, 6/5/2019 Having Rick and Sherry in your corner is the best choice you can make! I was a passenger in a double fatal car accident in 2016 and had a lawsuit served in my lap as I was being rolled to physical therapy. Faced with hundreds of thousands of dollars in medi...
- Alan L., Oakley, CA, 10/19/2018 Mr. Madsen is the best criminal defense lawyer I have ever seen! His dedication to your case, as well as his staff make you feel that your money is well spent. Cannot recommend him enough!
- Dan P., Castro Valley, CA, 4/20/2017 Needing a defense lawyer for any reason is never a good feeling. From the moment I sat down with Rick, I felt reassured that my case would be resolved in the best possible outcome. He was able to look at the facts and give me some realistic expectations righ...
- Romina G., Walnut Creek, CA, 1/20/2017 Got the referral from a good friend... I didn't know we were going to get the kind of help, support, kindness, professionalism, level of respect and of experience like Rick Madsen offered. Thanks for everything you did in our case Rick. Sherry and you make...
- Dawn D., Concord, CA, 1/19/2017 Rick is not only an extremely talented attorney with years of experience in the legal field but one of the most honest, kind and amazing human beings I've met. There's a lot of talk about people going "above and beyond the call of duty" but Rick doesn't just talk ...
- Michelle H., San Ramon, CA, 1/16/2017 We needed legal help and advice that was honest and based on years of experience. Thankfully we found Rick Madsen. He knows the legal system from experience as both a Deputy DA and a defendants attorney, and he used that experience and his relationships in t...
- Michael M., TX, TX, 12/13/2016 I was in a difficult situation that needed legal representation. Rick was right on in his approach and advice. He guided me through some turbulent times. His calm demeanor is very reassuring. I could not think of a better attorney when you are in need of representa...
- Edwin C., Martinez, CA, 12/7/2016 Best attorney around hands down! My case took about a year and a half and he was there the whole time for every call, email, court date. He's very dependable and help me get some serious charges dropped. Highly recommend.
- Corey Z., Pinole, CA, 12/3/2016 Hiring Rick Madsen was the best thing I could have done for myself in my time of distress. He was friendly, prompt in his responses and very obviously astute in legal matters. He is familiar with the different DAs and judges we were dealing with in my case which m...
- Rick C., Martinez, CA, 12/6/2013 When you or your kids screw up this is the guy to call. Speaking from personal experience Rick provided professional counsel and due to his previous experience working for the District Attorneys office he had valuable suggestions of how to resolve my sons problem
- Karen S., Danville, CA, 8/28/2012 My son is 19 and has a substance abuse problem. So frustrating as a parent to witness them spiral downhill. When he was finally arrested on a number of charges, I wanted to throw up my hands. But he's still my child -- so (on a referral from a fellow mom who'd ...
- Evelyn B. Lafayette, CA, 9/2/2009 Rick is the all time best attorney for DUI cases. In my opinion he is a savior. Well, he saved me anyway. I got my second DUI and thought without a doubt I was going to go to jail or lose my job (I need my license for my job). I used another attorney for my fir...