Bloomington Lawyers

I grew up in Brownsdale, Minnesota, a small town in the southeastern corner of the state near Austin & Rochester. After graduating from Hayfield High School, I attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. I was a music major, and received my B.A. in 1987. That same year, I met my future wife, a Cassville native. We were married in 1991.

My first job after college was teaching vocal music at Bloomington, Wisconsin, which later merged with another school to form River Ridge School District. A few years after consolidation, the new district cut the music staff from four teachers down to...

Since 2005, individuals and businesses have entrusted me to advise them on their legal matters. With a broad range of legal knowledge and attention to detail, I strive to effectively and efficiently represent my clients. I have recently moved to Richland Center, Wisconsin along with my wife as it is her hometown. I'm grateful for the opportunity to provide legal services to the people of this area and be surrounded by the unique beauty that the driftless area holds.

Patricia McKinney-Lins focuses on family and business estate planning and probate. She is part of the Neider & Boucher, S.C. law firm, located on Madison's west side, with an office in Spring Green, Wisconsin. She is dedicated to serving families as well as small business owners, including family farm business owners. Patricia started her practice in 1986, practiced estate planning, real estate and probate for several years, took time off with her children and has been back to full-time practice since 2011. Patricia enjoys helping her clients organize their affairs to simplify the process of protecting themselves...

I am a fourth generation attorney in Richland Center. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1982 and have been in practice for over 35 years. I live in Richland Center, where my husband is a retired farmer and police officer. I have six children.

Attorney William M. Pemberton founded the firm Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm. Attorney Pemberton represents clients through out the entire State of Wisconsin who have suffered injuries or losses at the hands of others' negligence in cases related to the following: • Motor vehicle accidents • Wrongful death • Dangerous property • Animal attacks • Boating and snowmobile accidents • Catastrophic injuries Attorney Pemberton began his legal career in 2004 after earning his law degree from Marquette University Law School and his admission to the State Bar of Wisconsin. In addition to his approval to practice law before all of Wisconsin's state courts, the U.S. District Courts...

A true Wisconsin native, Attorney Wood earned her undergraduate degree from Marquette University and her law degree from the University of Wisconsin. From the beginning of her legal career, Attorney Wood dedicated herself to defending OWI cases—allowing her to gain valuable experience and insights that are used to help her clients. Attorney Wood is the first Wisconsin attorney to serve on the Board of Regents for the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) held at Harvard Law School, an organization devoted to furthering education for attorneys in this field of law. She is also a frequent speaker at...

I’m a financial problem solver who can think through unique and customized solutions for farmers, small business owners, debtors and creditors. As a principal shareholder with Krekeler Law, S.C., a firm devoted to debtor-creditor and bankruptcy matters, I work with a team of legal professionals that can deliver financial answers. Our practice includes representation of debtors, creditors, and bankruptcy trustees in cases under Chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. I also serve as a receiver in both supplemental and Chapter 128 proceedings. I am a member of both the Creditor’s Rights section and the Bankruptcy and...

Attorney Dera L. Johnsen-Tracy is a shareholder and co-founder of Horn & Johnsen SC. Dera and focuses her legal practice in the areas of estate planning, probate and guardianship. Prior to completing law school, Dera gained 14 years of legal experience as a paralegal in Texas and Wisconsin. Dera’s extensive experience provided a strong and practical client-centered foundation for her legal practice. She strives to meet the needs of her clients in a personal and efficient manner. In furtherance of her passion for helping families plan, Dera is an active participant in the Wisconsin Wills for Heroes program and...

Brandon Derry is an experienced attorney specializing in insurance defense law and personal injury law.

Steve graduated from Iowa State University, with honors and as a member of the scholastic fraternities of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. He received his law degree from the University of Minnesota in 1979, and has been a member of the bar in both Wisconsin and Minnesota since 1979. He is also admitted to practice in the federal courts of both states and in the Supreme Court of the United States. Steven is Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Civil Trial Specialist. He has concentrated his practice on commercial and business litigation,...

AVVO CLIENT CHOICE AWARD WINNER

Originally trained as a litigator, Jason knows that the best way to avoid problems is to start with a well thought out and carefully crafted document. Jason's clients benefit from his 23+ years of practice, his comprehensive knowledge of real estate law and his experience assisting clients in thousands of transactions.

Jason is a frequent lecturer on the topic of residential real estate transactions and is recognized by both the local and national media as an innovative leader in Wisconsin real estate law. As a member of the Wisconsin Realtor Association Real Estate Forms Committee, Jason lends...

Sarah concentrates on two areas of practice: criminal and traffic defense and immigration law. In the area of criminal and traffic defense, Sarah has defended clients at all levels - from local municipal courts through the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Sarah handles many circuit court trials every year, successfully protecting client interests. Sarah handles all levels of appeal in criminal and traffic cases and has argued several cases in front of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Sarah frequently handles charges of drunk driving, sexual assault, substantial battery, theft from employer, delivery of a controlled substance, and all types of criminal and...

Attorney Westley practices criminal defense and DUI/OWI all over Wisconsin. She graduated from Marquette University Law School in 2015 with a certificate in litigation and uses that every day. She did her undergrad at the University of Minnesota and graduated from there in 2011. She has done a stint with Americorps and regularly volunteers for Teen Court in Waukesha County as a judge.

She has won numerous awards for client satisfaction and works hard to get the best case scenario for her clients on a daily basis.

Nelson W. Donovan has spent a lifetime talking to audiences. First as a military aviation instructor and more recently, about the importance of estate planning, tailoring plans for his clients, and writing on this subject. Nelson is also a JAG attorney for the US Army Reserves.

Nelson’s experience as a wartime aviator, military instructor pilot, and airline captain, offers our clients steady precision. He acquired his fiscal savvy from his time as a licensed financial advisor, and an ethical outlook working for the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s Office of Lawyer Regulation.

A UW Law School graduate, Nelson integrates his extensive professional experience...

An accomplished defense attorney with a background in prosecution.

Dean is a Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist who has represented hundreds of injured people throughout Wisconsin. He received his Masters of Business Administration degree in 1986 after working as a commercial loan officer. In 1989 he received his law degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Dean believes that quality representation begins with treating every client as if they're your only client and spending whatever time necessary to get the best result. When working with injury victims, Dean makes sure his clients know he'll be as aggressive as necessary, and fight tirelessly on their behalf.

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.

I'm a shareholder with DeWitt Law Firm practicing in the areas of real estate and business. I have assisted local and international banks and retailers, national restaurant operators and other businesses, community associations, property managers and owners, title insurers, general contractors and construction trades, creditors, landlords, and parties to insurance coverage disputes. I also work with community associations and their property managers in all kinds of transactions and disputes. I have successfully tried and arbitrated cases and handled insurance appraisals in state and federal courts, as well as appeals. I have also been selected to serve as mediator involving issues...

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....

Attorney Michael Fox has been consistently recognized, not only as an outstanding trial lawyer, but as a teacher of trial practice. His record of success in trials has led to hundreds of settlements that allowed his clients to recover financially with dignity and without requiring a public trial. He was described by a noted colleague in the media as the “father of the modern civil rights jury trial” and promoted by the Minnesota State Bar as one of three national “stars of the plaintiff’s bar” repeatedly invited to address its annual Midwestern Employment Law Institute.

Founder of Krause Estate Planning & Elder Law Center, Dan has helped thousands of families with estate planning and estate administration since 1999. A retired Army Major and JAG Officer, Dan is a board-certified Estate Planning Law Specialist. He is certified by The Estate Law Specialist Board, Inc.

Dan and his former law partner, Nelson Donovan, wrote the book _Estate Planning in Wisconsin: Privacy, Protection and Taking Control_, published in 2017. It is an easy-to-understand primer for non-experts, covering the basics of estate planning, including wills, trusts and powers of attorney.

Besides offering education classes for the public, Dan has lectured on...

PHIL CARDIS - FOUNDER/MANAGING PARTNER CARDIS LAW GROUP With offices in Mesa, Arizona, Madison, Wisconsin and Bloomington, Minnesota Quality, Trusted, Experienced Counsel in Estate Planning, Bankruptcy and Business matters. Cardis Law Group can provide our clients with exceptional, pragmatic counsel. Cardis Law Group is a dedicated and highly skilled law firm with deep experience in legal advisement and representation. We are exceptional, powerful negotiators and diligent advocates, and we will be your proactive partner to help you navigate through your legal...

At the law firm of Nowlan & Mouat LLP, Rock County personal injury attorney Steve Caya will provide the expert legal support you need in this time of crisis. He will protect your rights with insurance companies and seek fair and full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Just as important, he will help you plan for a secure future.

Tracy received his law degree from the University of Minnesota in 1990, where he served as Articles Editor for the Minnesota Law Review. He received a B.A. from the University of Minnesota in 1987. He is Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Civil Trial Specialist and focuses on plaintiff's personal injury. Tracy N. Tool is a civil litigator experienced in a wide range of substantive areas of law. He uses the legal process to restore the balance of power and to remind big corporations and insurance companies that injured clients must be...

Brian Brophy is a civil litigation and criminal defense attorney. He’s had the benefit of extensive experience both prosecuting and defending criminal and civil actions. The majority of his practice is devoted to defending those charged with crimes and representing people who have been seriously injured in accidents.

Rick Coad is the founder and principal of Coad Law Office, S.C., in Madison, Wisconsin. He is a top-rated criminal defense attorney with more than 19 years of experience. Rick focuses his practice on defending individuals and corporations in state and federal court. His skills have carried him to courts throughout the midwest, and he has argued a case in the United States Supreme Court. He has been named by Super Lawyers thirteen times in his career, most recently in 2023. He is widely considered a leading defense lawyer in Wisconsin.

After her first stressful decade as an insolvency attorney, Rebecca R. DeMarb started repeating the mantra, to ‘live with Integrity’. No matter the circumstances, she comes back to that mantra to determine the best way forward for her clients and the companies she has in receivership. This mantra, along with her caffeinated practice and willingness to be creative in finding both the best business and legal solution, drives her practice. The most rewarding part of Rebecca’s career has been building professional relationships. Rebecca is the founder of the Wisconsin Network of the IWIRC. She remains a co-chair of the Wisconsin...

Matthew Gillhouse is an Immigration attorney who graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2007. He is best known in the Latino community as "Mateo." Matthew previously worked as a judicial law clerk for the federal district court located in Madison (District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin). Since 2011, he has been dedicated to representing immigrant families in immigration law cases. He has extensive experience working with victims of domestic violence. He is also completely fluent in Spanish. Matthew Gillhouse es un joven padre de familia y abogado de...

Kevin Palmersheim is the founding shareholder of Palmersheim Dettmann, S.C. and is also its managing attorney. In addition to the knowledge and experience that Kevin brings to legal issues as a highly-experienced business attorney, he is also adept at being creative and flexible in representing clients’ interests both in court and in negotiations. He excels at finding cost-effective strategies to resolve business disputes and execute complex transactions, and is solicited by judges and lawyers to act as a mediator in business disputes. In his work as a business attorney, Kevin routinely represents clients on a variety of business litigation matters...

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.

Brad is a partner at Richter & Phillips, LLP, focusing on family law litigation, and has training as a mediator. 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 for the Chicago Tribune. Brad...

Specialties: Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Administration; Contested Trust & Estate Litigation; General Litigation; Business Planning, Real Estate, Tax

Attorney Scott J. Curtis, a shareholder with the firm, practices in the areas of probate estates & trusts, general business law, estate planning, litigation, business formation & administration, business succession planning, estate and trust litigation, real estate, non-profit organizations, professional practices, estate planning, and general litigation.

Proficient in comprehensive estate planning, Mr. Curtis structures succession and estate plans for owners of family businesses engaged in numerous industries. In the field of probate and trust administration, Mr. Curtis has a reputation for success handling...