On the Job
Attorney Cathleen Dettmann’s Practice
Attorney Cathleen Dettmann is a partner in Stafford Rosenbaum’s Madison office. She concentrates her practice on business litigation and business transactional matters. As a litigator, Cathleen focuses on franchise and dealership law, copyright and trademark issues, business break-ups, non-compete and trade secret litigation, as well as general contract disputes.
Cathleen is an experienced trial attorney and is adept at advising clients throughout the entire lifetime of the case, including trial and appeal. She has successfully conducted AAA arbitrations and tried several cases to both juries and judges in state and federal courts. Cathleen has also successfully argued cases before the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. She has been recognized for her work as a litigator by the Wisconsin Law Journal, Litigation Counsel of America, and Super Lawyers.
Cathleen’s business transactional experience is diverse and includes serving as outside general counsel to numerous local and regional businesses. She does a substantial amount of work in buying and selling businesses, general contract matters, franchise issues, real estate development and commercial leasing, as well as start-up work (entity formation, equity and capitalization, and key employee compensation).
A core area of Cathleen’s transactional practice involves helping business owners successfully navigate transitioning their business to the next generation of ownership. Her succession-planning work spans a variety of industries, including family farm operations. Effective business succession planning requires a blend of technical expertise, relationship management, and practical problem solving. Cathleen leverages her substantial experience, sensitivity and practical know-how in a goal-oriented approach, which effectively meets the needs of each stakeholder in this important process.
Prior to joining Palmersheim Dettmann, S.C., which joined its practice with Stafford Rosenbaum November 2025, Cathleen worked for several years as a lobbyist and public policy analyst, representing a variety of clients’ interests before the Wisconsin State Legislature. She was elected to serve as president of the Dane County Bar Association by attorneys, judges and justices in the county, serving in 2020-2021. In law school, Cathleen was active on the Moot Court Board and co-produced the school’s popular annual comedy sketch show, Stuart’s Law Revue. While in college, Cathleen studied abroad at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, studying Irish poetry and literature.
Cathleen’s Education
- University of Wisconsin Law School (J.D.; cum laude, Order of the Coif)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (B.A., 2000)
Cathleen’s Professional Memberships and Activities
- Dane County Bar Association, Past President (2020-2021)
- State Bar of Wisconsin
- Legal Association for Women Lawyers
- American Inns of Court, James E. Doyle Chapter, 2014-present
- Trial Law Institute
- Diversity Law Institute
Cathleen’s Professional Recognition and Awards
- Wisconsin Law Journal Powerlist Attorney – Business Defense
- Wisconsin Law Journal “Women in the Law” Award Recipient, 2019
- Wisconsin Super Lawyer (since 2020)
- Wisconsin Rising Star by Super Lawyers (2016 – 2019)
- Associate Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
Cathleen’s Publications and Presentations
- “Litigation ABCs: D is for Discovery…and Don’t Distress,” Author/Lecturer, Opening Plenary CLE Seminar, Wisconsin State Bar Solo and Small Firm Conference
- “Working with Expert Witnesses: How Not to Feel Like a Novice,” Panel Member, CLE Seminar, Wisconsin State Bar Solo and Small Firm Conference
- “Lessons Learned from Intellectual Property Practice,” Author/Lecturer, IP Litigation CLE Seminar, State Bar of Wisconsin
- “Client Demands and Expectations: How Have They Changed and How Do You Manage Them?” Author/Lecturer, Practice and Ethics CLE Seminar, Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company
