Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

I have successfully defended the rights of the accused in the full range of criminal and traffic offenses since 1992. I am sensitive to the fact that while I have a busy caseload, this may be your only experience with the criminal justice system. Whether your are accused of a minor traffic violation or a serious felony, you can expect that your matter will be handled with a high level of professionalism, integrity and sensitivity. Remember, itâs your case.



Proper communication between attorney and client is the hallmark of effective representation. Clients can expect copies of documents filed on their behalf and should maintain a file for their records. Phone calls are returned within 24 hours. In the event a call is not returned, clients are encouraged to make a follow up call. I am a courtroom attorney and often out of the office but excellent staff and current technology make quick response possible.

Waukesha, Jefferson, Dodge, Milwaukee, Dane, Walworth and Washington Counties.

Criminal Law
All Misdemeanors and Felonies

Property Crimes
* Theft
* Fraud
* Uttering
* Worthless Checks
* Identity Theft

Violent Crimes
* Battery
* Sexual Assault
* Domestic Disorderly Conduct
* Domestic Violence
* Weapons Offenses
* Armed Robbery

Drug Offenses
* Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance
* Criminal Possession with intent to Deliver
* Criminal Delivery of a Controlled Substance
* Criminal Delivery of a Controlled Substance in or near School Grounds
* Criminally Possession or Use of Drug Paraphernalia
* Criminal Sale of a Prescription for a Controlled Substance
* Unlawful Possession of Marijuana
* Criminal Possession of Marijuana
* Criminal Delivery of Marijuana
* Criminal Diversion of Prescription Medications and Prescriptions
* Conspiracy



Drunk Driving
* Repeat Offenses
* Unlawful Arrests
* Suppression Hearings
* Refusal Hearings
* Administrative Suspensions
* Drunk Driving Causing Injury
* Drunk Driving Causing Serious Injury
* Homicide By Intoxicated Use
* Felony Drunk Driving
* Blood & Breath Challenges
* Blood Alcohol Curve Defenses


Traffic
* Speeding Tickets
* Operating after Suspension/Revocation
* Habitual Traffic Offenders
* Reopenings
* Occupational Licenses

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.

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.

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.

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.

Aileen Henry has dedicated her legal practice to ensuring justice and due process for her clients. You can be confident that she has the knowledge and experience to be able to stand by your side and fight aggressively to protect your rights.
When you or someone you know is being questioned by the police or has been charged with a crime, the stakes are high. A conviction can lead to jail or prison time, fines, restitution, community service, driver’s license suspension, probation. In addition, it can result in a lifetime mark on your criminal record which may have a serious impact on your future. You deserve a criminal defense attorney who will fight to protect your future. It Aileen's goal to achieve a case win and provide your case with our personal attention, dedication and commitment.

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, 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 the Vice Chari 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.

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.

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.

I am an informed transactional and commercial attorney who counsels businesses on organizational questions and planning matters including shareholder, contract, finance, and private placements as well as purchasing or selling businesses.

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.

General counsel and labor and employment lawyer to small and mid-sized businesses.

Rob has enjoyed the opportunity to practice law in Southeastern Wisconsin for over 24 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.

I love being a lawyer, and particularly a trial lawyer. It calls upon your intellect, your integrity and your imagination to solve remarkably tough problems. There is no greater opportunity to learn about human nature and participate in the affairs of your community than to work as a trial attorney.

Criminal work is particularly fascinating. Properly done, the vigorous and ethical defense of a serious crime not only protects the client but is also a service to every citizen.