Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

My mission as an attorney is to help clients understand their rights and to guide them through complicated and oftentimes emotional court procedures. Day to day I concentrate on listening to clients, returning phone calls promptly, fighting for clients' rights and educating clients on what to expect from their cases.

I specialize in family law, including divorce, adoption, custody and child support cases. I also specialize in criminal defense, making sure that the constitutional rights of those charged with a crime are protected. I am an experienced trial attorney.

In the business arena, I help small businesses implement their business plans and handle employment problems. No business should be without its own attorney for advice and counsel. Many business problems can be avoided by obtaining pro-active legal advice. My experience and training in business law means small business owners can rest easy.

Personal Data

Born in 1963
Married with two sons

Education

B.S. from University of Minnesota in 1985
J.D. from University of Notre Dame in 2000
Admitted to Wisconsin Bar in 2000

Professional Activities

Member of Wood County Bar Association
Member of State Bar of Wisconsin
Member Wood County Adult Drug Treatment Court
Member, Board of Directors, Wisconsin Rapids Community Theater

I often tell clients that usually when you think you need a lawyer, it is probably too late. In many situations, consulting an attorney as soon as possible may save you time, money, and difficulty on the back end. In my practice, I routinely help clients avoid problems down the road.

However, some problems may be unavoidable and people find themselves in situations where they need the immediate help of an attorney.

For example, I primarily work as a criminal defense attorney. Just because you have been accused of a crime does not mean you are guilty; nor does it mean that you should not have someone vigorously defend your rights. As with any other case, you can increase your likelihood of a successful resolution by immediately contacting an attorney. As your defense attorney, I will defend your Constitutional Rights no matter the charge and no matter the circumstances.

I also help people file for bankruptcy. I find that most people who come in to discuss a potential bankruptcy are good people who have suffered a terrible hardship such as a sick child, the loss of a job, or have gone through a difficult divorce. It is truly rewarding to help these people get a fresh start in life.

Regardless of the type of work I am doing, I endeavor to exercise the highest degree of honesty, integrity and professionalism in all my dealings with my clients, fellow attorneys, and our legal system.

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"I wanted to write a note of appreciation to you for all that you did for my son ---'s bankruptcy. So much frustration for so long, yet you kept persisting and made this huge burden be lifted off of our shoulders. You excelled in your profession, keeping up with the excessive forms of communication between ---, --- & --- and all the paperwork. But even more important Greg, is that you excel as a man who is kind and caring and empathetic to human problems and are willingly ready to help. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

P.S. Thought you might like the stationary I chose Greg. We know the adage - 'as wise as an old owl' - I don't know how old you are but I do know you are very wise & knowledgeable about the law. Thank you again for dispensing it so wisely."

- C.J.

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Personal Data

Born in Kewaunee, Wisconsin in 1978.
Married to his wife Jill since 2003.
Two children, daughter - Kate, son - Colin.


Community Involvement

United Way of Inner Wisconsin - Board of Directors, 2006-Present; Governance Committee, 2005-Present; Legacy Society, 2005-Present.
Boys & Girls Club of Wisconsin Rapids - Board of Directors, April 2007-Present.
State of Wisconsin Mock Trial Competition - Performance Judge, 2005-2007.
State of Wisconsin Mock Trial Competition - Attorney Coach, Oct. 2008 - Present.
Wood County Bar Association - Vice President, April 2007-Present.

Personal Interests

Spending time with my family.
Increasing my comprehensive knowledge of fantasy football.
Attempting to not embarrass myself on a golf course.
Expanding my vast knowledge of useless movie trivia.

Education

B.S. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point - 2001
J.D. Hamline University School of Law - 2004

Professional Activities

Wisconsin State Bar Association - 2004
Federal Court for the Western District of Wisconsin - 2007

Personal Data:

Born in Stevens Point WI on April 24, 1951

Education:

B.A. from University of Wisconsin in 1974
J.D. University of San Diego and University of Wisconsin in 1979 (cum laude)
Admitted to Wisconsin Bar in 1979

Professional Activities:

Member Order of the Coif.
Member Wood County Bar Association
Member American Bar Association
Member State Bar of Wisconsin

Mr. Woody has a special interest in environmental and natural resources law. He is a member of the Natural Resources Division and Forest Resources Committee of the American Bar Association. He serves as legal counsel to the Ruffed Grouse Society, a national wildlife conservation and sportsmens association, on matters pertaining to the National Forests. He counsels natural resource clients in all aspects of Forest Service decision-making and its consequences on the forest's stakeholders, including industry, Native Americans, residents, and environmental interest groups.

In addition, to National Forest legal issues, Mr. Woody concentrates his practice on ERISA litigation, subrogation and insurance defense and complex coverage issues and appeals. Mr. Woody has represented ERISA Plans in numerous federal courts around the country.

John Starkweather practices commercial real estate and business law. His practice includes both transactions (such as purchases/sales, leases, easements, condominiums, and financing) and litigation (such as contract disputes, quiet title, partition, eviction, adverse possession, and title claims). John is licensed to practice in Illinois (having worked in Chicago for over 12 years) and Wisconsin.

Effective November 1, 2008, I opened my own law office in Brookfield, Wisconsin (in Waukesha County, a suburb of the City of Milwaukee). In addition to being more centrally situated to my personal client base, this move also reflects the fact that as my practice was increasingly focused on asset planning and debt reorganization, it resulted in my former law firm more frequently encountering conflicts of interest with business organizations and financial organizations it represented (or, desired to represent!).

Generally, I will continue to provide services in the following areas of concern as they tend to interact, and at the listed rates:

A. Personal/business debt reorganization/resolution. My services here are based on assisting clients either eliminating debt concerns that hamper their business, or in exiting the business under circumstances where protection of the owner's personal assets are maximized, to the extant legally possible. This involves the use of such tools as Chapter 7 and 11 bankruptcies; Chapter 128 state law liquidations: and personal asset protection plans. To that end, I am representing only a few area banking concerns [AnchorBank; NorStates Bank) to eliminate conflicts of interest which, far too often, may be influencing the vigor of representation offered by other firms in this locale. Fees in this practice area will range from $250 to $265 per hour.

B. Employment matters and litigation. For businesses, I offer services in responding to employee claims, and assisting in employment decisions where a claim potential exists. I also will counsel higher-compensated employees about exploring their options in conflict with their employer. To this area, I bring my experience as a former claims investigator for the Wisconsin Equal Rights Division and years of representing each side in - typically - contested employment disputes, where trials or administrative hearings are likely to occur. My litigation (courtroom work) matters will focus on misrepresentation, fraud and/or administrative code violations, such as deceptive business practices. Fees here will range from $225-$245, again driven by the complexity and breadth of the issues.

C. General business consulting, planning and setup matters, including subsidiary and affiliate implementation, as a means to protect the core business in the event a planned expansion or venture either fails, or is more successful than anticipated. Generally, these services will be at an hourly fee range of $200-225, based on the size and complexity of the client's project.

A note about the fee ranges: Generally, these ranges are markedly less than charged by similar practitioners with similar experience in the subject fields. Nor do I expect to increase them any time soon. The business model of a "downtown firm," with annual fee increases noted as
standard in their engagement letter is not one I care to follow. I have a long relationship with most all of my present client base; they expect effective service and I intend to keep my overhead under control to eliminate fee spiraling for such services.

It goes without saying that a business seeks customers that pay timely for fair services; but the larger you grow in the service fields, the harder it is to hold true to that goal . . . and other clients tend to suffer for the consequences of that growth. I am proud that my practice has been virtually client referral-based. After initial discussion on a matter, I quote a fee rate from the above ranges and confirm it by letter. I also charge as "expenses" only out-of-pocket fees (for legal filings, court reporter fees) and, occasionally, photocopying; scanning; mailing, if a large volume is handled on my end (versus being copied and issued at your own facilities).

Personally, I obtained the coveted A-V rating from Martindale-Hubbell (generally recognized as the foremost and longest-established lawyer evaluation service) back in 1991 (one of the first to achieve such at my former firm).

Prior to engaging in private practice, I served as a law clerk (legal researcher) to the Wisconsin Supreme Court after graduating cum laude from Marquette Law School, where I was one of the editors of its Law Review. During law school, I was employed as a field investigator for the Equal Rights Division (through a law school clinical program) of the State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (investigating discrimination claims).

I have also been president of the Alumni Association for the Law School, and served two terms as its representative on the Marquette University National Alumni Association's Board of Directors. Early on, I was awarded the Volunteer Lawyer of the Year for the Milwaukee Young Lawyers' Association/Legal Action of Wisconsin joint program for supplying legal services to the community for complex employment matters; and still provide services on bankruptcy matters for its current program.

Born and raised in the Milwaukee area, Robert Levine received his undergraduate and juris doctor degrees from the University of Wisconsin. While earning his J.D., he served on the Student Senate and as a student court judge, and was selected to work as a law clerk for the late Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge John Decker.

As an attorney, Mr. Levine has been serving the people of Wisconsin since 1968. Not only has he won cases for countless clients in both civil and criminal court, he has been instrumental in changing laws regarding when pleadings can be amended and real estate taxes. Mr. Levine has argued cases before the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and has tried in excess of 200 jury trials. He is licensed to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin and the United States Supreme Court, among others.

Chris Dyer is a dedicated criminal/ OWI defense and civil trial attorney located in the City of Onalaska, La Crosse County, Wisconsin. He is licensed to practice law in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. He graduated with high honors from law school in 2000.

Christopher Dyer regularly provides aggressive representation to people from all walks of life in La Crosse, Vernon, Trempealeau, Monroe, Jackson and Crawford counties in Wisconsin, and Houston & Winona counties in Minnesota. He accepts and has represented clients in numerous other counties, as well.

Christopher Dyer has successfully defended criminal cases ranging from simple OWI to the embezzlement of hundreds of thousands of dollars. His civil litigation experience is equally broad, ranging from personal injury and auto accident claims to real estate and business disputes. If you have been charged with a criminal or traffic offense, or if you have been injured or have an issue that may lead to litigation, it is likely Christopher Dyer has previously handled a case similar to yours.

Rob has enjoyed the opportunity to practice law in Southeastern Wisconsin for over 25 years. Rob and his wife, Ann, currently have a son in college and twin daughters in high school, and they reside in Mequon. Rob is responsive to questions from both individuals and business owners, and has handled a variety of cases and projects in the areas of estate planning, wills, elder law, trusts, probate, tax, small business, business sales and acquisitions, real estate, litigation and general practice.

Jody L. Usow was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, obtained her bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1983, and is a 1986 graduate of the Marquette University Law School in Wisconsin. She was admitted to the Wisconsin State Bar in 1986.

Jody has extensive experience in civil and criminal law and is an experienced litigator having tried hundreds of cases in Wisconsin Circuit Courts since 1986. Although the focus of her practice is increasingly devoted to aspects of family law, she continues to litigate in several areas.

-- Family Law and Litigation, including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity and domestic violence. In addition to representing private clients, Ms. Usow is regularly appointed as a Guardian ad Litem in the interest of minor children by local Circuit and Childrens Courts and is a member of the Collaborative Law Council.

-- Criminal Law and Litigation, including felony and misdemeanor defense, municipal and criminal traffic defense. While Ms. Usow tries a large variety of criminal cases, she has significant experience in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault including both adults and minors.

-- Civil and Corporate Law and Litigation, including contract enforcement and disputes, insurance claims and defenses, general civil litigation, large and small claims actions and collections.

Attorney Jody L. Usow has broad experience trying cases before both juries and courts throughout Wisconsin, with a primary focus in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Racine and Kenosha Counties. Jody has been a partner with Hickey, Turim and Usow, S.C., since 1996.

The Law Office of Daniel A. Necci, LLC, is a multi-service, multi-discipline, personal-sized law firm serving all of Southeastern Wisconsin. If you’ve found yourself in need of legal services, call Daniel Necci.

He’ll provide you with no-nonsense, common-sense advice based on years of practice and local experience so that you can effectively navigate the complex waters of your particular legal situation most efficiently.

Don’t wonder, don’t worry, call Daniel Necci today and get big city professionalism with the hometown attitude you can trust.