Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

Founder and CEO of MicroLaw, Inc., a 24 year old legal technology and law practice management consultancy serving law practices worldwide. Developed the "Paper LESS Office(tm)" process in 1994. In addition to consulting with law firm and legal department clients, I delivery over 40 CLE programs per year worldwide on a variety of legal technology topics. I write for a number of publications including Law Technology News and Technolawyer. I blog at the ABA award-winning blawg, Ross Ipsa Loquitur (rossipsa.com).

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.

Corporate/business attorney with over 15 years business experience both as a business manager and in-house attorney before moving to private practice. My primary focus is on technology, intellectual property, renewable energy and entertainment law.

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.

Wisconsin personal injury lawyer Frank Pasternak is managing partner of Pasternak & Zirgibel S.C., award-winning plaintiffs personal injury attorneys in Wisconsin. In 2008 and 2007, he was honored by "Super Lawyers" (top 5% of all Wisconsin attorneys) in Milwaukee Magazine. In 2006, he was recognized as a Wisconsin "Super Lawyer Rising Star" (top 2.5% of all Wisconsin lawyers under 40) in Milwaukee Magazine and in 2005, he was voted by CNI Newspapers as "Best Attorney." Pasternak & Zirgibel focuses exclusively on plaintiffs' personal injury and wrongful death litigation, including car accident, asbestos, malpractice and mesothelioma cases. Frank Pasternak has litigated lawsuits nationwide, including a trial against Walmart that resulted in a post-trial recovery of $11,400,000.00.

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

We represent BUYERS OR SELLERS of Residential, Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate from the Offer to Purchase through the Closing.

We offer One Stop FOR SALE BY OWNER (FSBO) Service Including: Forms & Contracts, Title Insurance and Closing.

ALSO, Offers, Deeds, Land Contracts, Broker Assisted Transactions, Section 1031 (âStarkerâ) Exchanges, Landlord/Tenant Issues, LLC Organization, Will and Power of Attorney Preparation, Estate Planning and Probate Matters.

Ask about our FLAT RATE FEES!

Member: Wisconsin Bar Association, Milwaukee Bar Association, Attorneys Title Guaranty Fund.

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.

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

SCOTT N. BURNS graduated from the University of Wisconsin, and from Marquette University Law School. He is a member of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and American Bar Associations. He is admitted to practice in the Wisconsin and U.S. District Court, both Eastern and Western Districts.

Scott's practice is devoted to all aspects of real estate and business transactional law. Scott was recognized as a "top attorney" in Milwaukee Magazine Best Lawyers issues (February, 1995, October, 1999, and September, 2003) in the real estate law specialty. He has appeared on both radio and television as a real estate law expert. Scott has also lectured on real estate and construction law at Marquette University Law School. Scott often acts as a court-appointed and private mediator in litigation matters in his area of expertise, particularly involving real estate, contract/business disputes, construction defects and transactional disputes.

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.

Jerome Buting is a shareholder in the Milwaukee area law firm of BUTING & WILLIAMS, S.C., where he practices throughout the state exclusively in the field of criminal law, handling both trials and appeals. He received his B.A. in Forensic Studies from Indiana University-Bloomington in 1978 and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1981. Mr. Buting is admitted to practice in Wisconsin state and federal courts as well as the United States 7th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. He is a current member and past chair of the Criminal Law Section Board of Directors. He is a member of the Wisconsin Criminal Justice Commission, which is presently reviewing potential areas of reform in the Wisconsin criminal justice process. He is a past-president of WACDL, and a life member of NACDL and formerly served on its board of directors. Mr. Buting has organized CLE seminars for the State Bar Criminal Law Section and NACDL, and is a frequent contributor to State Public Defender seminars.

Mr. Buting is frequently sought after for his expertise on DNA and other forensic evidence, cross-examination of experts, innocence and wrongful convictions challenges, and how to handle a high profile case.

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.

My practice is intentionally limited to Divorce and Family Law issues. I have been practicing for over 20 years, and place a personal emphasis on resolving family conflicts rather than inflaming them. I listen closely to my clients to identify what is most vital to them, and then we pursue those goals in a way that is least divisive. Unfortunately, sometimes we need to act quickly and decisively to protect these goals. But this is usually done only after attempts at resolution have failed.

I enjoy what I do, because I can see the positive influence that I have on the lives of family members who are experiencing very stressful and difficult times.