Jefferson County Lawyers

I grew up in and around Fort Atkinson. I went to college and law school in Oklahma and Virginia respectively. I lived in China for a month, and I lived in and around Israel for two weeks. I had the honor and privilege of studying under Former U.S. Attorney-General John Ashcroft; Sitting Virginia Supreme Court Justice D. Arthur Kelsey; Professors Brad Jacob and James Duane, who had U.S. Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Stephen Breyer as law professors; Ben Madison, who writes law school Civil Procedure text books for Carolina Academic Press, a national law school textbook publisher;...

I genuinely believe that the value of life comes from service to others. I have dedicated more hours to this philosophy than our business manager would care to imagine. I have been rewarded kindly in the friends that I have made, the lessons that I have learned and the impact that I have made on the community. I never stop hunting for the next project. My service to the community has been very broad in scope. I have served as a member of the Oconomowoc school board, the Oconomowoc Hospital Foundation, and as a trustee of St. Jerome’s Catholic...

Brad is a Senior Partner with the law firm of Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C. where he has been an insurance defense trial attorney for the past 12 years. Brad has litigated and tried numerous personal injury, insurance coverage, toxic tort, lemon-law and Magnuson-Moss warranty cases for individual insureds, insurance companies and numerous automobile dealerships throughout Wisconsin. In addition, Brad has strived to provide legal services in all matters relating to a general practice law firm. Brad was engaged in the private practice of law in Cedarburg, Wisconsin until he became an Assistant District Attorney with Ozaukee County in 1981, where...

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,...

Melissa is a registered patent attorney whose practice includes all aspects of intellectual property law, with an emphasis on intellectual property litigation and dispute resolution. In her more than 16 years in practice she has become adept at developing cost-effective business solutions to legal disputes. Melissa collaborates with her clients to enforce their patent and trademark rights and defend against charges of infringement. Melissa also works with her clients to create value by using cost effective strategies to build intellectual property portfolios.

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...

My practice is focused on the areas of construction law and real estate, and the unique legal challenges facing these areas.

From construction project disputes, to closing on complicated real estate transactions, I can assist you in resolving your legal needs. I regularly assist clients in contract negotiations, litigation and arbitration, lien filings and disputes, delay and warranty claims, theft by contractor, right to cure, home improvement practices claims, and foreclosure.

In addition to being a lawyer, I hold a degree in Civil Engineering, with a focus in construction project management, and have work experience as an engineering technician on various...

J. David Krekeler is the founder of Krekeler Law, S.C. in Madison, Wisconsin, a firm dedicated to solving financial problems. His practice includes representation of debtors, creditors, and bankruptcy trustees in cases under Chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. He also serves as a receiver in both supplemental and Chapter 128 proceedings. He is a member of both the Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Creditor’s Rights section (BICR) of the Wisconsin State Bar, as well as the Western District Bankruptcy Bar. He is also a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy...

Attorney Jason F. Abraham began his career with Hupy and Abraham in 1993 and was promoted to shareholder in 1999.

Attorney Abraham's proficiency in handling personal injury matters attracts clientele from across the nation. He has settled or tried personal injury cases with a combined value of approximately $350 million and resolved many cases for over one million dollars each.

His expertise in personal injury matters has granted him lecturing opportunities in numerous states across the nation.

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...

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 John A. Birdsall has more than 30 years of experience and has earned a reputation as one of the most trusted and victorious criminal defense attorneys in the State of Wisconsin. With over 260 jury trials, mostly for serious felonies, he has an acquittal rate that is three times the state average. John’s practice is focused exclusively on defending the wrongly accused, and he has recently made headlines for his defense of a client named Eddie Gill. After being accused of shooting and killing a Milwaukee resident, John helped uncover that the police had interrogated Gill into confessing when...

Franklyn M. Gimbel founded GRGB after serving as an Assistant United States Attorney from 1963 through 1968. His experience as a federal prosecutor has proven invaluable in developing a successful private criminal defense law practice.

Over the years, Frank has expanded his practice into civil litigation, including complex business, employment, communications, and First Amendment cases. He has represented small businesses and large corporations, as well as individuals ranging from working men and women to judges, CEOs, and other professionals. No person's problem is too insignificant or too complicated.

Helping people is Frank's passion and the cornerstone of his practice. As he so...

Mr. Dixler specializes in immigration, visa law, citizenship and related matters since 1993. He is a 31 year member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He now serves on the AILA National Committee for the 2025 Annual Convention in Denver. Mr. Dixler was nominated and named a Thomson Reuters Super Lawyer in immigration for the last eleven consecutive years. Many are marriage-based and family immigration clients. However, he is experienced in all aspects of immigration and visa law, which includes practice in the Immigration Courts. He has exceptional insight on cancellation of removal and waiver work. Mr. Dixler represents those...

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.

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...

Do you need a lawyer? Our clients are middle class Americans who work hard to possess retirement savings, real estate, and their own businesses. At McAvoy Law Offices LLC, our job is to make sure that our clients' income, estates, and livelihood are protected.

As an young and energetic attorney at Tracey Wood & Associates, Teuta Jonuzi fights hard for the rights or her clients.

Raymond M. Dall’Osto is a partner with the law firm of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is admitted to practice law in Wisconsin and Illinois. His practice areas are white-collar and criminal defense in federal and state courts, defense of regulatory investigations, professional discipline defense, ethics and licensing matters, civil litigation, personal injury, employment, and constitutional rights. Ray received his law degree from the Marquette University Law School in 1977. He taught there as an adjunct professor of law from 1985 to 1990, and also has lectured at the University of Wisconsin...

Attorney Timothy W. Schelwat has been practicing with Hupy and Abraham, S.C. since 2002. Attorney Schelwat is an avid Harley-Davidson motorcyclist who can often be found at rider events, and has given lectures to motorcyclists throughout the Midwest on legal and insurance coverage issues.

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...

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...

As a litigator, Alan Olson helps his wrongfully discharged clients recover their lost pay and benefits. He has argued four of his cases to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, resulting in expansion of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing for employees, as well as increased protection for employees in retaliatory discharge cases. Undaunted by huge insurance companies, Alan repeatedly sues them in federal courts across the United States in order to recover long-term disability benefits for his disabled clients. Alan also sues big corporations when they defraud the government and retaliate against the employee who blew the whistle. As...

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.

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...

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...

I proudly represent only those injured by the negligence of others. On three different cases I recovered awards that were at that time the highest personal injury awards in the history of Wisconsin. Currently I have the largest personal injury compensatory damage verdict in Wisconsin history, a $35 million medical malpractice verdict. I am an invited member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an organization limited to 100 of the best plaintiff attorneys in the U.S, a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the International Society of Barristers.. I was honored as the Marquette Law...

Education
Mr. Llaurado earned his bachelor’s degree from Marquette University, graduating magna cum laude in 1983 and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Sigma Nu. He graduated from Marquette University Law School in 1986, and was a Thomas More Scholar. He was on the Marquette Law Review as an Articles Editor.

Background
Mr. Llaurado was raised in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. He resides with his wife, Kathleen, and together they have four children, Thomas, Kathryn, Joseph, and Patrick.

Mr. Llaurado is an active member of the American Association of Justice, Wisconsin Association for Justice, American Bar Association, and State Bar...

Keith is a member of the Wisconsin Association for Justice and is on the Board of Directors. He has also lectured and authored articles for presentation at continuing legal education seminars sponsored by that organization. Keith is the author of the Jury Deliberations chapter in a State Bar of Wisconsin publication entitled “Wisconsin Trial Practice.” He is listed in the Martindale Registry of Preeminent Lawyers as having the highest ratings awarded by that group. He has been awarded a Superlawyer designation for Personal Injury since 2011.He has an AVVO rating of 10.0 out of a possible 10.0. He is also...

Using as a foundation engineering and legal services provided to Fortune 500 companies, individuals, venture capitalists, start-up companies, and family businesses alike, Garet works with clients towards efficient and strategic IP management, assertion and defense; from concept through all levels of appeal. He enjoys meeting with clients to establish long-term, candid relationships that help to achieve client objectives through a team approach.

Emily is a persistent and compassionate advocate for our clients. She strives to be creative and pragmatic in her work on behalf of children and families. She has a special interest in helping immigrant children and LGBTQ families. She was the lead attorney in a 2014 appeal in Wisconsin about applying the marital presumption of parentage to married same-sex couples post-marriage equality. She represents children and families all over the world in immigration, adoption, and assisted reproduction matters.