Wonewoc Lawyers

Wisconsin native, Collin Mettelka, grew up in Green Bay. His mother is a public school teacher at Doty Elementary School and his father is the owner and operator of Jaymar Screen Printers, Inc.
Although Collin grew up in Green Bay, the Mettelka family has been part of the Vilas County community since 1938, when his Great-Great Grandfather, John J. Mettelka, built a cabin in Plum Lake, Wisconsin. Since that time, his family has maintained strong roots in Vilas County.
Collin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and his Juris Doctorate from Marquette University Law School. While obtaining...

PRACTICE AREAS AND CLIENTS

My practice is focused on protecting individuals’ and businesses’ property rights. Whether those rights are affected by disputes arising out of construction projects, real estate transactions, property insurance disputes, or business matters. Most of my clients are homeowners, construction professionals, and small business owners.

WHY I ENJOY BEING A LAWYER

The aspect of being a lawyer that I enjoy the most is that I am constantly learning new things. I strive to immerse myself into the legal and factual issues of a particular case to better serve my clients. This means that I often find myself out in the...

Licensed to practice law in Wisconsin since 1984, Stephanie G. Rapkin also went on to obtain an LL.M. in taxation. She has written two tax and estate planning books for Lexis Nexis, one of the largest legal publishing houses in the world. She has written a number of law journal articles and specialty articles for electronic legal journals. She had taught both continuing legal education courses in estate planning and tax for practicing attorneys and university courses in probate law and business law. She has been named one of the top estate planning attorneys for 4...

Ralph Ehlinger is a lawyers' lawyer who brings knowledge and creativity to transactional matters and enjoys the challenge of an uphill battle in court. With a depth of experience in creating and acquiring businesses, drafting shareholder agreements and non-competes, and negotiating and closing business and real estate transactions, he represents individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations not only when things are going well but in times of trouble. He is a skilled litigator at both the trial and appellate levels, with particular emphasis on libel and slander, shareholder disputes and non-competes, open meeting and public records challenges,...

At Canfield & Lutz, LLC, we have built a culture of excellence, experience, teamwork, and commitment to our clients. Jason Canfield concentrates his practice on the defense of criminal cases and probate administration. Prior to opening the firm, Jason interned for the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office. This afforded Jason invaluable experience and a solid framework for strong advocacy for his clients.

I have been practicing for 27 years representing injured clients in workers compensation, social security and personal injury claims.

David C. Van Straten, II, practices in the areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law, Probate, Real Estate and Corporate/Business matters and General Civil Litigation. David received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse with a Bachelor of Science in general management and technology. He continued on to obtain his law degree from Creighton University School of Law, where he obtained an area of emphasis in business, taxation and commercial transactions. He was also a member of the Public Interest Law Forum, and vice president of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society. An active member of the community, David supports...

Mark N. Mathias has been an attorney for over 30 years. The focus of his experience is bankruptcy, debt restructuring, commercial and consumer finance, contract law, and banking law and regulation. Mark's approach is not only as a legal advocate, but as an educator. He explains the law so the client makes an informed decision. Each client's situation is unique. For this reason, Mark finds creative solutions to help you figure out what you can do instead of just telling what you can't.

Before joining Nicolet Law Office, Mark worked as in-house counsel for financial institutions in Detroit and Chicago...

Lindsay became a lawyer to help people. Growing up in a rural Wisconsin town, she didn’t know any lawyers—but she has always felt the drive to fight for the “little guy” against a system designed to take advantage of those without resources. Lindsay gets to fight for people that can’t fight for themselves as part of an incredible team. When people get food poisoning or get hurt, food and insurance companies too often fail to take responsibility for what happened. Our team has a track record of making sure they have to do the right thing. Let us help you.

Over 39 years of experience helping people in West Central and Northwestern Wisconsin in criminal defense, Social Security Disability, and personal injury matters. I have defended clients on many different kinds of criminal charges, including: - White collar crimes - Traffic crimes - Drug offenses - Drunk driving / DUI / DWI - Driver's license revocation and suspension - Sentencing / post-conviction - Appeals Geographical areas served: West Central and Northwestern Wisconsin including these townships, cities and counties: Towns and Cities: Abbotsford, Alma, Altoona, Ashland, Augusta, Balsam Lake, Barron, Black River Falls, Bloomer, Chetek, Chippewa Falls, Durand, Eau Claire, Eleva, Ellsworth, Elmwood, Fall Creek, Hayward, Hudson, Ladysmith, Medford, Menomonie, Mondovi, Neillsville,...

Michelle Fitzgerald is an attorney and founder of Horizons Law Group, LLC. She practices family law, including mediation and collaborative law, real estate, new business start-ups, estate planning including probate and guardianships. Michelle is on the board of the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin as well as a past Chairperson. She formerly served on the Wauwatosa Village BID Board and school governance council at her children's former school. She is also an active member of the Milwaukee Bar, and the Association for Women Lawyers (AWL), and past volunteer at the House of Peace Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic. Michelle was...

25 years of experience helping injured and disabled people throughout Wisconsin in personal injury, worker's compensation, social security, short and long term disability policies, and disability pension cases and claims. I personally handle every aspect of your case.

Michael hails from the Milwaukee area, and is an avid fan of all Wisconsin Sports. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his Juris Doctorate from University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Law. Initially Michael had a general, civil practice which included: Criminal Law, Landlord/Tenant Disputes, and Real Estate Law. Helpful by nature, Attorney Rud decided to expand his practice to include Bankruptcy. He joined ESSERLAW in order to make people, who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances, more aware of accessible choices.

Michael is a Wisconsin native and graduated cum laude Marquette University Law School in 2009. He has spent time working for the Internal Revenue Service and Former Chief Judge Susan V. Kelley, as well as on both sides of creditor-debtor law, primarily dealing with bankruptcy, foreclosure, and eviction matters. He is admitted to the Wisconsin State Bar, the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin, and the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.

Michael enjoys practicing law to help people solve problems that would be difficult to manage on their own. He believes that everyone is entitled to be fully...

Our top notch attorneys are supported by an exceptional and caring staff, ensuring that our clients receive dedicated and personal attention for their matters, while maintaining the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. Established in 1994, we represent clients in the areas of Family Law, Divorce, Legal Separation, Estate Planning, Probate, Criminal/Traffic, Real Estate, Corporations and Litigation.

In addition to traditional divorce, we offer an alternative called Collaborative Divorce which focuses on helping family members transition in a mutually respectful manner. Ultimately we reach a settlement that upholds the priorities and interests of all family members, but especially...

I've lived and practiced law in Wisconsin for over 40 years, including Madison, Janesville and northern Wisconsin. Since leaving Judicare Legal Aid in August 2024, my main areas of practice are bankruptcy, foreclosure resolution through Chapter 13 and modifications, estate planning and family law.

I represent people who have been seriously injured as well as the families of those who have been neglected or abused in nursing homes, hospitals, or other long-term care facilities.

Before I joined firms that specialize in representing people, I was a shareholder in the litigation department at a well-established firm that represented businesses and insurers in commercial litigation, personal injury, and insurance coverage matters. Having defended complex cases for years, I am versed in the strategies that defendants use and employ, and this understanding now helps me offer unique insight and reliable advice to individuals seeking to hold corporate defendants...

Thomas L. Frenn is a Leading Lawyer in Business Law, Litigation and Estate Planning. He focuses his practice on small business law, real estate, non-profit organizations, wills, trusts, estate planning, and business litigation. He also has extensive experience in residential and commercial real estate transactions, including buying/selling, tax-free exchanges and eminent domain cases.

Virginia E. George is a partner at Steinhilber Swanson, LLP. She has served as a Chapter 7 Panel trustee in the Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District of Wisconsin (Milwaukee Division) since 1999. She has, for 25 years, been peer- rated “AV” at Martindale Hubbell. She has extensive experience in all aspects of consumer and business bankruptcy. She has also represented Creditors, and Debtors in Chapter 11 and 12 cases. For the past 25 years she has concentrated over 95% of her practice in bankruptcy and insolvency matters also serving as receiver in...

Jerome R. Kerkman is a shareholder with the firm. He has a business litigtion practice with an emphasis in commercial financial transactions, business restructuring in court or out-of-court, mergers and acquisitions, personal planning and complex business litigation involving wrongful competition and trade secrets.

Richard Reilly brings the sharp strategic instincts of a litigator to the delicate practice of family law. He balances his practice with a compassion for the client and a willingness to fight on their behalf. “We know the issues surrounding family law can be very sensitive and require a soft touch, however, we also show our clients that we are not afraid to take an aggressive approach if need be,” he notes. Richard honed his instincts while serving five years as a trial lawyer in the United States Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's...

Daniel Finerty concentrates his practice on representing and counseling clients in labor and employment litigation and compliance matters in front of administrative agencies, federal, state and tribal courts and in labor arbitration. Daniel has represented Wisconsin counties, cities, school districts, Native American tribes, tribal businesses and private sector employers in senior living, healthcare, manufacturing, food manufacturing, commercial laundry, dry cleaning and other industries. He has handled litigation matters involving Title VII, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the...

Frank Gilbert Slinkard is an experienced attorney representing Wisconsin clients in the fields of Internet law, intellectual property, and business formation. Slinkard was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with specialization in political theory. He completed his undergraduate thesis on the concept of reflective equilibrium in Rawls’s Theory of Justice. He received a Master of Arts in Government from the College of William and Mary in Virginia, completing his master’s thesis on Grotius’s Introduction to the Jurisprudence of Holland. Slinkard received his law degree from the Cornell Law...

Attorney Jennifer Chamberlain is dedicated to helping clients find solid solutions to resolve their legal problems. She is committed to providing excellent client service and is always sensitive to the fact that going through a divorce or bankruptcy or other legal issue can be a difficult and stressful process.

Attorney Chamberlain practices family law, including divorce, custody, child support, and post-judgment modification. She also practices bankruptcy law, with a focus on personal Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies.

Attorney Chamberlain received her law degree in 2002 from New Hampshire School of Law in Concord, NH. Prior to law...

Steve’s practice includes commercial and business litigation, construction law, mechanic’s liens and bond claims. He provides efficient and effective representation, taking business, personal, and practical considerations into account when advising clients. Steve has experience representing clients in trial and appellate courts at both the state and federal level, and in alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation and arbitration.

Steve also works with clients to prevent disputes through contract drafting and document review, and provides valuable general counsel advisory services to his industry clients.

Jim Dash concentrates his practice in real estate-related litigation, with an emphasis on construction (including mechanic’s lien claims), as well as title insurance defense work. Jim’s clients include a number of companies whose businesses are in, or related to, the construction industry.

Although Jim prefers to resolve disputes by agreement, when an agreement cannot be reached, his effective work in the courtroom has led to a number of client-favorable, published opinions that have helped shape Illinois law regarding construction and mechanic’s liens.

As lead litigator at Madrigrano, Aiello & Santarelli, LLC, Thomas M. Santarelli brings the knowledge, skill and experience necessary to effectively represent your litigation needs. Mr. Santarelli utilizes confident, aggressive and efficient techniques to zealously advocate his clients’ positions. Knowing that litigation is often an emotional and intense experience for clients, Mr. Santarelli takes the time to present an objective view throughout the case to his clients so they can make rational, cost-effective decisions. Concentrating his practice in civil litigation, collections, condominium law and business litigation, Mr. Santarelli is a passionate advocate for his clients. With nearly 10 years of successful...

Mr. Payne is a personal injury attorney at R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. He graduated from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 2012 and was recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2014. Prior to joining R.F. Wittmeyer, Mr. Payne began his career representing major non-profit organizations and other large organizations in the defense of employment claims and other civil litigation matters in Philadelphia. Since relocating to Kenosha, Wisconsin, Mr. Payne has dedicated his practice to representation of injured persons including car accidents, slip-and-falls, pharmacy negligence, medical and dental malpractice, insurance claims, and privacy cases. He is admitted...

I have been in practice in the State of Wisconsin for over 30 years and have been in the Hudson community for over 25. I have a varied litigation practice that is now focused on Family Law, Criminal Defense and Personal Injury. I litigate cases from beginning to closure; meet clients; research and prepare for court hearings; draft pleadings, motions, and appellate briefs.

Mr. Prachthauser is a frequent presenter and speaker for the State Bar of Wisconsin, American Board of Trial Advocates, and Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers. He has been a Civil Trial Practice Instructor at the University of Wisconsin Madison-Law School.