History

In business for over 70 years, McCarty Law LLP has grown quietly and deliberately, earning our place as a top law firm in Northeast Wisconsin. We are very proud of our history. A bit of background on our founders:

The Founding Attorneys

Neil McCarty founded the law firm in his hometown of Kaukauna after graduating from Harvard Law School in 1949. An experienced litigator was needed and Irv Curry, a graduate of Lawrence University and the University of Michigan, joined the team in 1961 to fill this role fresh from service in the Judge Advocate General Corp. In 1965, Dennis Wydeven, a Kimberly native and University of Wisconsin Law graduate, joined the firm as an associate, bringing a strong background in real estate law, elder law and estate planning. These three founding partners served their communities for a total of well over 100 years. 

A Multigenerational Practice

Among McCarty Law’s 18 talented attorneys are four descendants of its founders, solidifying the family and community ties on which the law firm was built. Gregg Curry and Mike Curry, son and grandson of Irv Curry, have continued in the litigation practice area he founded.

Likewise, Reg Wydeven and Katrina Hochholzer, son and granddaughter of Dennis Wydeven, have continued in the estate planning and elder law practice area that he founded. This deep historical connection will continue to differentiate McCarty Law through the next 75 years of its growth.  

The Law Firm Today

Just as our founders practiced as a true partnership, each complementing the others’ talents, McCarty Law’s existing team of attorneys, paralegals and staff members work collaboratively in the best interest of each client. 

While a single attorney with the expertise needed may serve as a primary contact, the client will be supported by a talented team to help them accomplish their legal needs efficiently and cost-effectively. 

Our team lives in the Fox Valley, from Green Bay to Oshkosh, and our attorneys have practiced in courts and conference rooms both here and across the country.  Please review the Attorneys page for specific information about each of our attorneys. 

Our firm provides services in many aspects of business, estate planning, elder law and special needs planning, divorce, family law, health care law, real estate law and employment law with a team of experienced attorneys and a staff committed to meeting the ever-changing needs of our clients. We look forward to serving the legal needs of our community for generations to come. 

McCarty Law: Firm Timeline

1949: Neil McCarty opens his law office on the second floor of the old Bank of Kaukauna building, marking the founding of McCarty Law.

Bank of Kaukauna Building, 1949

Neil McCarty, McCarty Law Founder

1957: Neil McCarty moves his law office to the Pechman Building in Kaukauna.
1961: Irv Curry joins the firm as an associate.
1963: Irv Curry is named Partner at McCarty Law.

Irv Curry, McCarty Law Founder

 1965: Dennis Wydeven joins the firm as an associate.
1970: McCarty Law moves to a new office building at 120 East Fourth Street in Kaukauna, Wisconsin in December. 
1971: Dennis Wydeven is named Partner at McCarty Law. 
Between 1970-1984: The firm’s second generation starts to establish roots and grow their practices, prompting the need for additional office space.  The firm also acquires its first computer.
1984: A major addition is made to the law firm’s office building at 120 East Fourth Street in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.

McCarty Law Office Building at East Fourth Street in Kaukauna

1986: Neil McCarty retires from the firm.
1990: Computers are on every attorney and staff desk, starting on January 1.
1996: The firm launches its first website.
1998: Irv Curry retires from the firm.
2002: Dennis Wydeven retires from the firm.
2003: McCarty Law hires its first professional manager and acquires the property for a new location in Appleton, Wisconsin. 
2005: The firm adopts its first electronic document management system.
2006: McCarty Law breaks ground on a new office in Appleton, Wisconsin, expanding the firm’s reach in the Fox Valley region. 
Between 2008-2009: The firm experiences the typical challenges of doing business during the Great Recession. Attorneys and staff work together to focus on growth as well as improvements in processes and practices in the following years.
2020: During the COVID-19 pandemic, McCarty Law seamlessly moves to remote work while maintaining a small group of attorneys and staff in the office.
2024-2025: The firm commemorates its 75th anniversary, celebrating past and present partnerships, including clients, community members, attorneys and staff.