Gratiot Family Lawyers

I am the founding shareholder of Kowalski, Wilson & Vang, LLC. Throughout my career, I have represented clients of diverse financial, ethnic, social, and cultural backgrounds.  Experience gained through participation in hundreds of court hearings allows me to serve my clients across the entire spectrum of family issues.. I routinely lecture on family and child-related topics at seminars sponsored by the State Bar of Wisconsin and other legal organizations.  For example, in 2010, I was Wisconsin’s representative to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Community Property Symposium in Seattle.  From 2015 onward, I was named by my peers as a Rising Star and designated Superlawyer by SuperLawyers magazine, a lawyer review publication....

Emily is a persistent and compassionate advocate for our clients. She strives to be creative and pragmatic in her work on behalf of children and families. She has a special interest in helping immigrant children and LGBTQ families. She was the lead attorney in a 2014 appeal in Wisconsin about applying the marital presumption of parentage to married same-sex couples post-marriage equality. She represents children and families all over the world in immigration, adoption, and assisted reproduction matters.

Brad is a founding partner at Richter & Schweiger, LLP, focusing on family law litigation, has training as a mediator, and cts as Guardian ad Litem. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (formerly The John Marshall Law School) where he was also Managing Editor of the Journal of Computer and Information Law (JCIL). Brad also was a contributor to JCIL, with a published comment, and has been featured in an article...

Sara has long been a strong advocate for children. Before attending law school, she was a social worker for the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare. Now as an experienced attorney, recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in 2017 and 2019, Sara helps families involved in divorce and paternity proceedings, grandparent and foster parent rights cases, and in complicated CHIPS and termination of parental rights matters. She also serves as a mediator, as well as a guardian ad litem, representing the best interest of children. In all cases, Sara seeks creative solutions that work for families and protect children’s...

I am an honest, compassionate, tenacious family attorney specializing in divorce, child custody and placement, restraining orders, paternity, child support and guardianship matters. I work as Guardian ad Litem and as advocacy counsel, and I also have extensive experience assisting domestic violence survivors. I am ready to help you and your family to navigate some of life's most difficult transitions. Please feel free to call or email me, or go to kwvfamilylaw.com for more information.

Cedric brings a background in education to his legal practice. His teaching experience allows him to understand the unique needs of diverse families and individuals. His previous role at a nationwide family law firm provided him with the skills to guide families towards collaborative solutions, and when necessary, to litigate aggressively. In every case, Cedric advocates for putting the child’s rights and well-being as the paramount consideration.

The practice of family law has been the perfect opportunity to use the skills I have nurtured throughout my life. Divorce cases are complex. The issues range from creating a placement schedule that permits your children to thrive, to assessing the values of businesses or pensions. My mathematical and analytical background, along with over 15 years of experience, allow me to fully and effectively counsel our divorce clients about family and financial issues in an effort to obtain a resolution that is fair and well-reasoned. I believe that children's needs and interests are paramount. I have three young children...

Long before law school, I advocated for children and families both in the court system and in the community. I have advocated for abused and neglected children as a volunteer and as a foster parent. My work as a volunteer coordinator for homeless families with children gave me insight into the challenges faced by families in Dane County in finding basic resources and gave me a profound respect for parents working to meet their children’s needs in the midst of chaos. I seek to be a fair, considerate, and zealous voice for my clients.

Attorney Tristan F. Eagon has spent her entire legal career as a courtroom trial attorney and litigator. Her practice is devoted to obtaining optimal outcomes for clients in need of an attorney to prevail in their case. Tristan has a degree in Criminal Justice from Muskingum University and received her law degree from Western Michigan University in 2012. She has been admitted to the Michigan Bar and was admitted into the Wisconsin State Bar in 2014. Today, her trial practice concentrates in the areas of family law but she also spearheads advocacy of alternative dispute resolution. She has the uncanny ability to...

I am one of the founders of The Law Center for Children & Families. I pride myself on being a creative litigator and strategist who devotes my skills to protecting the rights of children. I believe the law should provide solutions, not roadblocks. My 33 years of experience include many jury and court trials, as well as helping to develop state and national laws and ethical rules for surrogacy and adoption. I acted as expert witness in Mercycare Insurance Company v. Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance, a Wisconsin Supreme Court case addressing maternity coverage for surrogates.

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Attorney John K. Smerlinski has over 20 years of experience practicing criminal, divorce, and personal injury law in the state of Wisconsin. Attorney Smerlinski specializes in criminal law and can help you with DUI charges, drug charges, misdemeanor charges, and felony charges just to name a few. Smerlinski Law Office S. C. has extensive experience in divorce/family law and personal injury law. The firm has secured over 50 acquittals for clients over the years, and will work hard to get you the best results possible with your case. Contact Smerlinski Law Office today, for a free consultation, to discuss...

Firm Overview

As your criminal defense legal team, the attorneys of Eisenberg Law are proud to offer legal representation in criminal defense, personal injury, family / divorce, drunk driving and more. We value our relationships with our clients and are dedicated to keeping them involved in our process and communicating with them each step of the way. You’ll never hear our clients say that we do not return phone calls. Although we cannot guarantee a specific outcome for your case, Eisenberg Law pledges to work to achieve the best results under the circumstances of your case.

Personal Injury in Wisconsin

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I provide innovative representation to low-income clients, primarily in the areas of family and housing law. Licensed to practice in the state of Wisconsin and admitted to practice in the Eastern & Western U.S. District Courts of Wisconsin.

Jeff practices criminal defense and family law in Wisconsin. His office is in Madison. Jeff graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1991. He received his B.S. in history in 1987.

Former Family Court Commissioner Ginger Murray offers over 20 years of family law experience to clients. As Commissioner, Ginger presided over divorce and paternity cases in which she decided custody, placement, child support and asset distribution as well as abuse and harassment restraining order/injunction hearings. As legal advocate, Ginger provides competent and compassionate representation for clients with family law matters: adoption, change in custody/placement/support, divorce, grandparent’s rights, guardianship, marital property/prenuptial agreements, paternity, surrogacy, and restraining orders/injunctions. Ginger helps many clients with diverse needs, including cordial couples seeking amicable divorces, abused clients needing their rights protected, parents wanting more time with...

Steven Chesebro received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Legal Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He received his law degree from Marquette University Law School in 2011. In Law School, Mr. Chesebro was active in the Business Law Society as a chairperson, treasurer, and during his third year as President. Upon admission to the Wisconsin State Bar, Mr. Chesebro moved to Janesville to be near family and opened a law office dedicated to helping the residents of Rock County. In January of 2013, he joined the Consigny Law Firm, S.C. Mr. Chesebro is a member of the Wisconsin Bar Association...

With more than 35 years of practicing law, Bob Duxstad offers clients unparalleled experience in representing their cases. His practice is focused on personal injury and civil litigation, banking, business law, and criminal and traffic matters. Earning his reputation as a tenacious litigator and negotiator, Bob has recovered more than $7 million in damages for clients in the personal injury arena alone. While serving as Green County District Attorney, Bob started the law firm that is now Duxstad and Bestul. He is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin and its Litigation and Office Management Sections, the Green...

Paisley Hoffman is an Associate Attorney with Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C., where she represents clients in a variety of practice areas, including: Criminal defense Divorce Paternity Post-judgment custody and placement disputes Child in need of protection or services (CHIPS) Delinquency Injunctions She serves as advocacy counsel in such cases at the urging of a Dane County Judge. In addition, she is regularly asked by multiple judges to serve as Guardian ad Litem, where she represents the best interest of children in Dane and surrounding counties. Judges trust her judgment in family cases and know she will always be a strong advocate for the best interest of children....

Tim Greenwood grew up in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, before moving to Oshkosh for undergraduate, and then Milwaukee to attend Marquette University Law School. After graduating Tim worked as a Family Law Contract Attorney for a private firm in the Milwaukee area before joining LaRowe Gerlach Taggart LLP in 2019 until 2021. Then in 2021, the office split and Tim remained with the Sauk City Office, which became Taggart Law LLC, until February 2022. Areas of Practice: He is a general practice attorney, specializing in Family Law, Divorce, Custody, Placement, and Support, and Estate Planning.

Elizabeth “Liz” Rodriguez Lanzhammer is a senior associate in Axley’s Family Law Practice Group. She focuses her practice on divorce, child support, placement, paternity judgments and termination of parental rights and stepparent adoptions. Her practice also focuses on guardianship, both adult and minor, and conservatorship work. She acts as a Guardian ad Litem in both family and guardianship matters. Ms. Lanzhammer also works handling trust and probate litigation.

Ms. Lanzhammer prioritizes helping her clients work through the divorce process from both a legal and emotional standpoint. Ms. Lanzhammer advocates for her client’s best interest while also keeping them...

Randall J. Andersen has 24 years of experience representing individuals, businesses and cooperatives in a wide variety of civil legal matters. He provides general counsel and legal services for businesses, including business acquisitions, entity formation, employment law matters, the drafting of contracts and legal agreements, real estate transactions, condominium law, business litigation and enforcement of creditor's rights. Legal services provided for individual clients include estate planning and probate administration, real estate transactions, family law, and litigation. He is an active member and former president of Madison Horizons Rotary Club, member of Wisconsin Agri-Service Association, and the Madison Estate Council.

Practicing since 1990 and specializing in Business Law, Estate Planning, Probate and Real Estate. Open, Client centered practice.

Megan enjoys working with clients of diverse backgrounds to provide guidance and creative solutions to complex family law matters. She has worked in private practice serving family law clients since her graduation from the University of Wisconsin Law School. While Megan’s practice is focused in Dane County and Jefferson County she has also practiced throughout southern Wisconsin. Megan has shown a demonstrated commitment to family law. While at the University of Wisconsin Law School, Megan earned a Family Law Concentration Certificate. As a participant in the Family Court Assistance Project, she gained valuable experience representing clients in divorce, paternity, and...

Cecilia Ju has legal education background in China, U.K and U.S., she has a deep understanding of different legal systems. Her admiration of judicial independence and check & balance brings her to U.S. After graduation from George Washington University, she worked in immigration area for five years and gained extensive specialize in employment-based and family-based immigration cases.

Finding her internal passion in transitioning people from fear zone to safe harbor, Cecilia starts her journey in family law with Kowalski Family Law. Currently, her concentration includes litigation and collaborative divorce, paternity, post judgment modification etc. She also seeks to serve...

As a partner at Henry & Higgins, L.L.C., in Madison, Wisconsin, Attorney Michael Higgins firmly believes that every client deserves his personal attention and responsive communication to help resolve their legal matter. He is dedicated to helping people who are going through difficult situations find the right legal solution by offering a wide range of service levels from do-it-yourself divorce, where he advises you and you do the forms and the legwork, to full service divorce, where a retainer fee is collected and Mr. Higgins does all the work. He is also an experienced mediator for family law cases.

Private practice attorney serving Monona and Madison since 1977. Primary areas of law are estate planning including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, elder law, including guardianship, medical assistance planning, probate and trust admininstration, real estate, tax and business.

John T. Fields is an attorney based out of Madison, WI. With proven expertise in family law, divorce, and child custody cases, he provides legal representation to individuals and families in need. With more than three decades in practice, he has been a staunch advocate for his clients in sensitive matters including domestic abuse, contested divorces, paternity suits, gaining sole custody, and many others. Navigating these issues can prove challenging, but Attorney Fields possesses the requisite knowledge and negotiation skills to assist you in achieving your goals. To schedule a consultation with the Madison Family Law attorney, please call 608-729-3590 or...

Nikole K. Messerschmidt exclusively practices Family Law and helps each client move forward. Cases hanlded include divorce, child custody, mediation, spousal maintenance, and other family law related cases.

Attorney Maureen Black is an experienced family law lawyer based in Waukesha and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Maureen has worked at two reputable divorce and family law firms prior to joining Karp & Iancu and she brings with her vast experience and strategies to help her clients in their times of need. Maureen is responsive, creative and highly skilled in the courtroom and at the negotiation table.

Scott McCarthy has been in practice since 1991 and is one of the most experienced trial lawyers in southern Wisconsin. Scott has taken countless cases to trial in Rock County, Dane County, Waukesha County, Jefferson County and more surrounding counties and counties around the State. He has won at every level including the Supreme Court Scott's success was noticed in 2007 when one of the larger firms in Madison asked Scott to join their litigation team. Scott founded the Janesviille branch of Murphy Desmond and was quickly named to the firm's Litigation Executive Committee where he helped guide the...

Family Law Attorney Jeff Blessinger has earned a very strong local and regional reputation as tough and intelligent, yet compassionate in fighting for the rights of his clients. For more than 19 years, Attorney Blessinger has skillfully handled all types of family law cases, from high conflict child custody, child support and maintenance battles, to collaborative divorces, alimony, and paternity issues. Jeff has the skills, experience, reputation, and legal ability to successfully represent and defend you in any family law case, no matter how large or small.

After graduating from Washington & Lee, School of Law, in Lexington, Virginia, I started practicing law in Roanoke, Virginia in 1987, doing a variety of legal work in private practice, mostly in the area of family law. When I came back to Kenosha, Wisconsin, my home town, I resumed private practice in 2009. We opened the law firm of Nickolai & Poletti in 2012 where I continue to specialize in family law which includes divorce, child custody and placement, termination of parental rights and step-parent adoptions, and grandparents rights, to name a few areas. I am proud...

Breanne Bucher joined the firm in April, 2014. She previously was an associate attorney at a general practice law firm in Waukesha County. Breanne graduated from Valparaiso University School of Law in 2010 and passed the Wisconsin Bar Examination on her first attempt.

In law school, she was a member of the Valparaiso Law Criminal Law Clinic, in which she represented indigent clients charged with both low-level misdemeanors and violent felony offenses. She also interned with the Lake County Public Defender’s Office in Lake County, Indiana and continued to gain experience in criminal defense. Although passionate about criminal law, she discovered...