Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

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.

Sean's practice focuses on business transactional law, business litigation, civil litigation, and real estate law. Sean has experience litigating business and civil disputes as both plaintiff's and defendant's counsel, helping buyers and sellers complete real estate transactions, as well as experience drafting contracts ranging from small business contracts to plow a parking lot to large corporation contracts dealing with operating and maintaining real estate.

Sean earned his Juris Doctor (JD) and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Marquette University. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics from Northern Arizona University. Before joining Halling & Cayo, Sean ran his own practice, Tosa Law Office.

Sean has not only the legal training and experience needed to provide complete service, he also has the education and training to understand the real world needs and challenges that organizations large and small face today.

I am a founding and managing partner of Flynn Fleming LLP, a boutique law firm combining the best aspects of a small firm with big firm experience. I represent businesses and professional individuals in resolving disputes, both in and out of court.

I have represented individuals and businesses for ten years in a variety of litigation and pre-litigation matters in the areas of intellectual property, contract disputes, franchise and distribution, real estate, fiduciary duty, stock appraisal, insurance coverage and domestic relations.

James W. McNeilly, Jr., is the principal of Law Offices of James W. McNeilly, Jr. LLC, with offices in La Crosse and Kenosha, where he focuses on bankruptcy, estate planning, real estate and business law. Jim is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees, the Commercial Law League of America and the American Bankruptcy Institute. He has a BSSW from UW - La Crosse and obtained his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 1981. He has been a Chapter 7 Panel Trustee in the Western District of Wisconsin since 1987 and was a La Crosse County Court Commissioner from 1995 to 2007. Jim has administered thousands of Chapter 7 bankruptcies and has been a receiver and an operating Chapter 11 Trustee. He has also represented debtors, creditors, and trustees in bankruptcy proceedings under all chapters of the Bankruptcy Code and debtors, creditors and receivers in receiverships. Jim serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Creditors' Rights section of the Wisconsin State Bar and is a frequent lecturer and author on bankruptcy, real estate and business law topics.

Tamara B. Packard is a Partner in the Madison, Wisconsin law firm Cullen Weston Pines & Bach LLP. Ms. Packard has been practicing law since 1994, primarily in the areas of litigation and appeals, emphasizing employment, labor and civil rights law. She was named a Wisconsin Rising Star in Employment and Labor Law for 2006 and 2007, as announced in Milwaukee Magazine. She also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Ms. Packard frequently represents people with gender, disability and sexual orientation discrimination claims, as well as claims under the wage and hours laws, the State and Federal Family Medical Leave Acts, and in other employment and civil rights disputes. Her litigation and appeals practice also encompasses commercial disputes and serving as local counsel in complex federal litigation.

She is admitted to practice in the state courts of Wisconsin and Michigan, the Federal District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin, the Eastern District of Michigan and before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. She also regularly appears on behalf of clients at the Wisconsin Equal Rights Division, the Federal Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, and other administrative agencies.

Ms. Packard currently serves on the Executive Committee of the James E. Doyle Chapter of the American Inns of Court as Program Chair. She is also active in the Legal Association for Women, the National Employment Lawyers Association and the Wisconsin Employment Lawyers Association.

In a decision released on June 5, 2008, Ms. Packard prevailed on behalf of Fair Wisconsin before the Wisconsin Supreme Court in a case involving free speech, gay rights, allegations of defamation, and a frivolous lawsuit. Partner Lester Pines was co-counsel. Donohoo v. Action Wisconsin, 2008 WI 56.

In 2007, Ms. Packard and Mr. Pines defended, in an Original Action before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Wisconsin Ethics Board's right to discipline Judge Annette Ziegler for her violations of the State Ethics Code. The Supreme Court declined Judge Ziegler's request to take her case, and soon after Judge Ziegler admitted to the violations, agreed to pay a $5,000 forfeiture, and also paid the Board's attorney fees.

In 2003, Ms. Packard won her first case in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, In re Bar Admission of Vanderperren, 2003 WI 37. The Supreme Court found that the Board of Bar Examiners wrongfully denied her client the privilege of practicing law in Wisconsin.

In 2001, on behalf of Madison Teachers, Inc., Ms. Packard and Mr. Pines protected the teachers' union's ability to negotiate domestic partner health insurance for school district employees. This victory was achieved in the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in cooperation with attorneys for the Madison Metropolitan School District. Pritchard v. MMSD and Madison Teachers, Inc., 2001 WI App 62.

Ms. Packard is a past-President of the Board of Directors of Fair Wisconsin Education Fund. She continues to serve on the Board. She also writes a regular column for Madison magazine Our Lives. She offers information on legal topics of particular interest to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people.

By the appointment of the Honorable Shelley J. Gaylord, Dane County Judge, Ms. Packard is a Dane County Supplemental Court Commissioner. This appointment allows Ms. Packard to officiate at marriage ceremonies throughout Wisconsin.

Practice limited to Wisconsin and Federal Criminal Appeals, habeas corpus, and post-conviction litigation

I have been practicing for four years in the State of Wisconsin, representing people in the criminal courts.

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.

Shawn Rice practices primarily in the areas of mergers & acquisitions, corporate, business, real estate, banking & finance and estate planning. Shawn provides counsel and strategic direction to business clients and individuals, guiding them through a variety of transactional matters. Shawn focuses his practice on business, corporate and commercial matters. He advises businesses of all types and sizes, from closely-held, family companies to multi-national corporations.

He has extensive experience providing counsel on general business matters such as start-up and formation, limited liability companies, joint ventures and partnerships, corporate governance, shareholder relations, bank and other financing, securities, real estate matters, and contracts including venture capital, franchises, employment, vendors and consulting arrangements. Shawn also maintains an active practice assisting clients with mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, including leveraged buy-outs and business succession planning. Shawn also represents local non-profit organizations and financial institutions.
Recent Experience.

* Representing buyers and sellers in the acquisition and divestiture of various international, national, regional and local businesses
* General counsel for numerous manufacturers, franchises, entrepreneurs and service companies
* Representing various local and Wisconsin-based lending institutions and non-profit entities
* Representing financial institutions and distressed businesses and their owners in restructuring and workout transactions
* Mergers, acquisitions and divestitures including asset purchases and sales, stock purchases and sales, and entity conversions
* Structuring and formation of legal entities including limited liability companies, corporations, non-profit and tax-exempt entities and partnerships

Bar Admissions.

State of Wisconsin, 1993; Eastern District of Wisconsin (1993); Western District of Wisconsin (1997)
Education and Honors.

Marquette University Law School, J. D., 1993; Creighton University, B.A., 1990, cum laude
Professional Affiliations and Community Service.

Member, State Bar of Wisconsin; Member, Sheboygan County Bar Association; Member, Milwaukee Bar Association; Member, Marquette Golden Angels Investment Network; Member, Sheboygan County Estate Planning Council; Member, Employers Against Drugs Board; Board Member, Friends of St. Nicholas Hospital; Greater Sheboygan Committee; Member, Downtown Rotary Club; Member, Sheboygan Economics Club; Member, State Bar of Wisconsin Private Equity and Venture Capital Committee of Business Law
Articles, Publications, and Lectures.

Author, "Architectural Appearance Ordinances and the First Amendment," 76 Marquette Law Review 439, 1993; Editor, Marquette Law Review; Presenter, numerous legal seminars
Related Experience.

* Davis & Kuelthau, s.c., Milwaukee/Sheboygan, 2002-2007
* Godfrey & Kahn s.c., Milwaukee, 1998-2002
* Schreier Malting Company, General Counsel, 1996-1998

Jason R. Oldenburg is an attorney with Previant, Goldberg, Uelmen, Gratz, Miller & Brueggeman, S.C. in Milwaukee. He graduated summa cum laude from Winona State University in 2001 and earned his law degree from Marquette University in 2004, graduating cum laude.

Mr. Oldenburg practices in the areas of personal injury, worker's compensation and social security disability. He maintains a statewide practice and exclusively represents injured individuals. He is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice and the Wisconsin Association for Justice. He is admitted to practice before the State of Wisconsin and the United States District Court for the Eastern District. He was named as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2008. He is a frequent lecturer to labor unions throughout the State of Wisconsin on the topic of Worker's Compensation.

Since 1995, I have used my experience as the chief executive officer of a trade association and an elected official to assist corporations and public entities avoid litigation and prevail in complex disputes. I assist my clients by managing their risk and terminating commercial disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration or, if necessary, litigation. I'm also an experienced trial lawyer, having led or second-chaired more than 15 trials, with a 90% success rate. In addition, I defend professionals accused of negligence.

I've helped large corporations and other public entities such as cities and school districts achieve their business and organizational goals:

On behalf of subsidiary of a 6,000 employee industry leader in power plant technology and power generation, successfully sued a deep-hole drilling subcontractor when it failed to properly manufacture large-scale heat exchanger components. Obtained 2007 summary judgment in Washington County Circuit Court.

Defended numerous employment claims brought against Racine Unified School District, which annually educates approximately 21,000 students with 1,400 teachers and more than 100 administrators. Prevailed at both federal and state investigation and administrative hearing stages on discrimination, retaliation, and disparate impact complaints, effectively preventing litigation of all claims brought from 2005-2009.

Defended a leading global engineering and design firm against claims of negligence arising from the design and construction of a water intake and transmission main for a Wisconsin municipality. Prevailed on 2007 summary judgment against co-defendant construction company, preventing trial on $2 million-plus claim in Winnebago County Circuit Court.

Defended a global restaurant chain (280+ locations worldwide) in Milwaukee County Circuit Court litigation arising from food-borne illness outbreak that made headlines in Milwaukee. Settled the majority of the eight-figure case before trial, leaving only the restaurant chain's cross-claims to be tried.

Defended regional HVAC equipment supplier against claims of negligence and breach of contract in Waukesha County Circuit Court. Obtained reversal of default judgment and pretrial judgment dismissing the majority of plaintiff's claims. In 2008, settled the action for less than its cost of defense.

Defended Bergensons Property Services, Inc., a California-based leading national provider of superior maintenance, cleaning, and janitorial service to the retail, commercial, institutional, and hospital industries. Despite not meeting contract requirements, a subcontractor sought payment from Bergensons. Settled the contentious dispute in 2007.

Defended 2005 commercial eviction of car repair chain boasting approximately 60 locations nationwide. After bringing a motion to dismiss before the Kenosha County Circuit Court, settled the suit within two weeks, and negotiated the client's continued presence in Wisconsin.

In 2009, successfully defended of one of Wisconsin's leading worker's compensation attorneys against claims of professional negligence. Settled the $2+million suit prior to Dane County Circuit Court trial.

Second-chaired the Western District of Wisconsin federal court trial of a constitutional challenge to the State of Wisconsin's system of Medicaid administration. The 7th Circuit's appellate decision cleared the way for the client to attract new clients from throughout the United States, significantly increasing its revenue.

In 2009, second-chaired the successful Milwaukee County Circuit Court trial defense of a renowned trauma surgeon accused of negligence after a laparotomy sponge was left inside a patient following surgery.

In the Eastern District of Wisconsin, defended a regional warehousing and transportation logistics company against allegations that it induced a breach of fiduciary duty and interference with multiple contracts. During 2008 and 2009, conducted dozens of depositions of third-parties in this approximately $2 million case, establishing the basis for a summary judgment motion and related motion to recover six-figure costs and fees.

I'm a member of the Litigation and Real Estate Sections of the State Bar of Wisconsin. I also participate as a member of the Commercial Litigation and Professional Liability Committees of the Defense Resource Institute. I practice with Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP, a 475-lawyer firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Hinshaw's 23 offices in 15 states from Florida to Oregon offer comprehensive legal services, including intellectual property, business transactions, transportation, environmental, employment, fidelity and surety, white-collar crime, and products liability.

Executive and Governmental Experience
For three years, I served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Apartment Association of South Central Wisconsin, the second-largest such association in the state of Wisconsin. During my tenure, the Association grew to include three additional counties. Under my leadership, the Association successfully defeated multiple municipal, county, and state legislative efforts that would have harmed its members' businesses. For instance, one proposed ordinance would have mandated participation by all rental property owners in the federal government's Section 8 housing subsidy program.

I have extensive experience as an appointed and elected official in the State of Wisconsin. For example, Governor Tommy Thompson in 2000 appointed me to the Lead Paint Technical Advisory Committee, which was instrumental in crafting a lead paint law for Wisconsin. In 2006, I was appointed to the City of Muskego's Board of Review, where I served as vice-chairman. In 2007, I was elected to the City Council of Muskego, Wisconsin, and was three times elected to serve as the Council's representative on the Plan Commission, and appointed to chair the Public Works Committee in 2008. In April, 2009, I was re-elected to my second two-year term on the City Council of Muskego, Wisconsin, and was also elected President of the Council.

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 to permit your children to thrive, to assessing the values of businesses or pensions. My mathematical and analytical background, along with over fifteen 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 and understand the importance of maintaining stability in the midst of change. Since parents put their children's needs before their own during marriage, I encourage clients to keep their children's needs and interests at the forefront as a part of the divorce process as well. Since the parents are divorcing and not the children, I urge clients to isolate the children from the conflict to the greatest extent possible.

My peers have named me a "Wisconsin Super Lawyer" in the area of Family Law. I have also been elected to the Board of Directors for the State Bar Family Law Section. I am a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the preeminent organization of Family Law lawyers in the nation. My dedication to law extends beyond my practice. I have presented seminars to fellow lawyers and judges, written proposed legislation, and testified before legislative committees on family law matters. I also offer mediation services.

I look forward to using my experience to help you during your time of need.

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.

PATRICIA L. GROVE was admitted to the State Bar of Wisconsin in 1981 after graduating from Tulsa University Law School where she was an editor of the Tulsa Law Journal, a member of the International Moot Court Team, and the recipient of the 1981 Rogers Inn Graduate of the Year Award. Pat has a B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and an M.S.W. from Washington University.

Pat served from 1981 to 1982 as law clerk to Justice William Callow of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. She is the author of numerous articles and is the co-author of Appellate Practice and Procedure in Wisconsin (1986), the standard work on appellate procedure in the State of Wisconsin. She is a member of the Milwaukee and American Bar Associations, the State Bar of Wisconsin, the Society of Family Attorneys and the Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin, Inc. She has been recognized as one of Milwaukee's top family law attorneys by Milwaukee Magazine, and in the 2006 Super Lawyers edition. Pat's practice is principally devoted to family law and appellate practice. Pat is also a court commissioner.

Chuck Palmer is the Managing Partner of Michael, Best & Friedrich's Waukesha, Wisconsin office. His primary practice areas are Labor and Employment Law, OSHA defense, fire, explosion and safety related litigation, and construction law. He is co-chair of the firms construction practice group. He is the author of Wisconsin Workers Compensation Law, a Handbook for Employers. He is on the Board of Directors for the following organizations: Wisconsin Underground Contractors Assn., Wisconsin Council of Safety, Make A Wish Foundation. An example of one of his published opinions can be found at:

http://www.wicourts.gov/sc/opinion/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=33223

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

Kathleen B. Stilling is a partner in the Milwaukee area law firm of BUTING & WILLIAMS, S.C., practicing statewide primarily in the field of criminal defense, both trials and appeals. She is a member of the Wisconsin State Bar, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and is a charter member and past-president of the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She is admitted to practice in federal and state courts in Wisconsin as well as the United States 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. She is a frequent speaker at CLE seminars for lawyers throughout Wisconsin, as well as national seminars sponsored by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She is frequently sought after for her expertise in the defense of accusations of sexual assault and child sexual assault offenses.

Nathan is a labor and employment attorney representing labor unions, individuals and benefit funds before courts, administrative agencies, and in labor arbitrations. He has handled matters under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Title VII), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA), Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA), some areas of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and Wisconsin labor and employment statutes.