Madyson “Maddy” Bathke is a lawyer at Claggett & Sykes Law Firm and handles medical malpractice, nursing home, and personal injury cases. Maddy was born and raised in Mapleton, Iowa, a small town with around 1,200 people. Growing up, Maddy’s parents always told her she’d make a great lawyer, because she loved to argue.

Maddy graduated high school a year early, and headed to Lincoln, Nebraska to obtain her Bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. GBR! During her time at Nebraska, Maddy had the opportunity to travel to Lima, Peru alongside doctors and dentists to provide care to impoverished communities. It was during her time in Peru that Maddy fell in love with advocating for those who are struggling. Throughout her four years at Nebraska, Maddy was a “Big Sister” for Big Brothers Big Sisters, volunteered at various Special Olympics events, and spent a lot of time at Husker football games.

In 2019, Maddy moved to Las Vegas and started law school at the William S. Boyd School of Law. During law school, Maddy received First Place in the National Adam A. Milani Disability Law writing competition for a brief she authored in her legal writing class.

Maddy was presented with the unique opportunity to help develop Nevada’s first state climate strategy in 2020, paving the way for a more sustainable state. She was able to work alongside EPA lawyers and the Nevada Attorney General’s office, researching complex climate issues, and analyzing how Nevada laws needed to change in order to promote environmental sustainability.

In 2021, Maddy was published by the UNLV Gaming Law Journal for an article she authored proposing an alternative to an outright smoking ban in casinos by way of Nevada employment laws. Don’t Roll the Dice on Respiratory Health: How COVID-19 Can Spark Change in Casino Smoking Laws.

While in law school Maddy was a member of the moot court team, a Notes Editor for the UNLV Gaming Law Journal, the Vice President of the Society of Advocates, and the President of the Health Law Society. Maddy received the CALI award in her Trial Advocacy course, making her a great fit at Claggett & Sykes.

Maddy started at Claggett & Sykes Law Firm in 2021 as a law clerk. After graduating from law school, she was hired as an attorney.

In her free time Maddy enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, cuddling with her cat, and watching NFL games and of course, the Vegas Golden Knights!