Purpose of the Corporation Counsel

The Dane County Corporation Counsel is the attorney charged with representing the interests of the county, its elected officials, agencies, boards, and commissions in all legal matters. This includes both prosecutorial and defense responsibilities. Consequently, the Corporation Counsel's office represents the county in any litigation or legal matter involving the county's interests. Additionally, statutes require that the Corporation Counsel represent the interest of the public in all mental commitments, certain guardianship and protective placement cases, certain juvenile and child in need of protection and services cases, and involuntary termination of parental rights cases. In addition to these cases, the Dane County Corporation Counsel's office represents the state of Wisconsin in paternity establishment and child support enforcement cases.

The Corporation Counsel's office does not deal with creating or finding information about Wisconsin corporations. Information about corporations or other business organizations can be found through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.