Woodruff Lawyers

Attorney John Birdsall has more than 30 years of experience and has earned a reputation as one of the most trusted criminal defense lawyers in Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin. With over 250 jury trails, mostly for serious felonies such as homicide, he has an acquittal rate that is three times the Wisconsin average. John’s practice is focused exclusively on defending the wrongly accused, and has recently helped a client named Eddie Gill. After being accused of shooting and killing a Milwaukee resident, John helped uncover that the police has interrogated Gill into confessing when he was in...

We are the best criminal defense team in Northcentral and Northwestern Wisconsin. We have been helping clients resolve their matters for over 30 years. A criminal or OWI case can leave you with many hardships — from loss of a job, to financial hardships, community stigmatization and psychological and emotional distress. Defending a criminal or drunk driving case is difficult and stressful. You don't have to fight this battle alone. When a loved one is charged with a crime, the impact can be felt throughout the home. Many individuals struggle with enormous stress and anxiety due to the situation. This stress...

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.

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 Julie C. Hancock is a seasoned legal professional with a career spanning nearly a decade, encompassing both corporate and solo practices. Holding a bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University and a JD from Barry University School of Law, Julie has further honed her expertise by obtaining an Entertainment Law certificate from Southwestern Law School. She also gained global exposure by studying intellectual property law in Dublin, Ireland. Julie's legal forte lies in a diverse array of areas, including immigration, entertainment law, business operations, and federal election law. Her specialization particularly shines in visas like EB-2/National Interest Waivers and O-1A/B, marking her...

Mr. Dixler specializes in immigration, visa law, citizenship and related matters since 1993. He is a 29 year member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He now serves on the AILA Chicago Chapter’s liaison committee between prosecutors and private attorneys practicing in the Chicago Immigration Courts. Mr. Dixler was nominated and named a Thomson Reuters Super Lawyer in immigration for the last ten consecutive years. Many are marriage-based and family immigration clients. However, he is experienced in all aspects of immigration and visa law. He has exceptional insight on cancellation of removal and waiver work. Mr. Dixler represents those in Immigration...

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...

I’m a financial problem solver who can think through unique and customized solutions for farmers, small business owners, debtors and creditors. As a principal shareholder with Krekeler Law, S.C., a firm devoted to debtor-creditor and bankruptcy matters, I work with a team of legal professionals that can deliver financial answers. Our practice includes representation of debtors, creditors, and bankruptcy trustees in cases under Chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. I also serve as a receiver in both supplemental and Chapter 128 proceedings. I am a member of both the Creditor’s Rights section and the Bankruptcy and...

Mike is originally from Greendale, and now makes the Slinger/West Bend area home with his wife, two children and their dog. He likes to spend his free time outdoors, and you can often find him riding and racing his mountain bike, hunting, fishing or skiing. Mike graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He graduated from Marquette University Law School in 1995. Mike practiced for several years in Mayville and Eau Claire, where he gained a broad experience in a variety of legal matters – family law,...

Attorney Kelsi Cottle grew up learning first-hand about the struggles of migrating your family and business to a new Country. Ms. Cottle was born in New Zealand, to parents who were each citizens of different Countries, and spent her childhood living in Canada, New Zealand and the USA. Because of these experiences, Ms. Cottle has a unique, and personal, perspective on the implications that migration can have on a family and a business. Ms. Cottle received her undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Computer Science from Lakeland University in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Upon deciding to pursue a career in...

Attorney Jim Lewis received his Bachelor Degree with highest honors from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. He then went on to the University of Wisconsin and earned his Law Degree in 1998. Jim has appeared on behalf of his clients in 25 Wisconsin Counties and both Wisconsin Federal District Courts. Although he has previously handled controversies in almost every area of the law, Jim currently concentrates his practice in the areas of Bankruptcy, Business Reorganization and Collections. Jim also practices in the areas of Business and Estate Planning and Family Law. He is a...

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...

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...

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...

Amy joined Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C., as an attorney in 2005. A graduate from the University of Wisconsin Law School, Amy practices in the personal injury section. Amy has tried many cases to verdict in multiple areas of personal injury law, including automobile accidents, dog attacks, premises liability and medical malpractice. Amy has also handled numerous appellate matters, appearing in the Court of Appeals of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Amy has been selected for inclusion as a Rising Star in the Super Lawyer publication of Milwaukee Magazine.

Mr. Cafferty’s credentials and awards include: + Graduate of Marquette University Law School + Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers + Member of the Wisconsin Association Criminal Defense Lawyers + Named in Super Lawyers Magazine 2008 – 2021 + Earned the Distinguished Martindale-Hubbell AV* Peer Review Rating + Named in Best Lawyers in America 2013-2021 Edition for Criminal Defense Mr. Cafferty has developed solid professional relationships and a reputation of being honest with judges and prosecutors throughout Southeast Wisconsin. From offices in Racine, criminal defense lawyer Patrick Cafferty defends the rights of people charged with state and federal criminal offenses throughout Southeastern Wisconsin and Northern...

For a Green Bay Attorney that PUTS YOU FIRST, look no further! The Schenk Law Firm, LLC is a "Client-First" Law Firm serving Green Bay (Brown County), Appleton (Outagamie County), Oshkosh (Winnebago County), and all other areas in Northeastern Wisconsin & Michigan. The Schenk Law Firm provides powerful legal representation to the people of Wisconsin, we are available for 24/7 Emergency Legal Assistance 911@SchenkLegal.com as well. Our Attorneys are some of the most sympathetic and considerate. Whether you're experiencing a Criminal Felony or Misdemeanor Law Case, Traffic, Probation Revocation, Appeals, Family Law Case, Divorce, Child Custody, Tribal Court, or Federal...

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.

John W. Menn is a partner in the bankruptcy and insolvency group of Steinhilber Swanson LLP in Oshkosh, WI. Mr. Menn joined the firm in 2009 with a law degree from the University of Wisconsin. He has built a practice centered primarily around consumer bankruptcy, farm reorganizations and business reorganizations. He represents individual and business debtors in cases filed under Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code, and represents debtors in adversary proceedings in bankruptcy, as well as negotiating settlements outside of bankruptcy. He assists clients who are facing foreclosure, helping them defend their foreclosure case and...

A Fox Valley native, I enjoy all things Packers, Brewers, and Badgers. My hobbies include golf, softball, and going "Up North." In my professional life, I appreciate my ability to present to my clients complex legal concepts and advice in a manner that is easily understandable.

Anne Schmiege grew up on a potato farm outside of Antigo, Wisconsin. After taking five years off between college and law school to work at an insurance company and to teach English abroad, she graduated from Hamline University School of Law in 2003, summa cum laude. Following graduation, Anne practiced law at Doar, Drill & Skow in New Richmond for nearly 14 years, becoming a partner with the firm in 2010. She enjoyed her time at that firm, but eventually decided to step out on her own, founding Schmiege Law Office in 2017.

Throughout her years of practice, Anne...

I grew up in Brownsdale, Minnesota, a small town in the southeastern corner of the state near Austin & Rochester. After graduating from Hayfield High School, I attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. I was a music major, and received my B.A. in 1987. That same year, I met my future wife, a Cassville native. We were married in 1991.

My first job after college was teaching vocal music at Bloomington, Wisconsin, which later merged with another school to form River Ridge School District. A few years after consolidation, the new district cut the music staff from four teachers down to...

Admitted to practice law in Wisconsin since 1995, I have had my own law practice since 1997. Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, my practice concentrates on litigation in the areas of criminal defense (all levels, state & federal), family law (divorce, child custody/support, paternity), personal bankruptcy (and alternatives), state & municipal licensing and other areas. I am admitted to practice in Wisconsin and in both the U.S. District Courts of the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin. I earned my B.A. at the University of New Orleans in 1991 and my J.D. from Marquette University Law School in 1995. I am...

Max Neuhaus is a partner in the firm specializing in wills, trusts, probate, estate planning, business, and real estate. Aside from his private practice, Max serves as a Wisconsin Supreme Court appointed Special Investigator, as well as a Judge appointed trustee, mediator, and guardian ad litem in cases where children have been injured. Over the years, Max has served the community as President of the River Falls Chamber of Commerce, President of the Pierce County Economic Development Corporation, President of the St. Croix Valley Bar Association, and President of the St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice Program.

Max appears in...

My grandfather’s great grandfather came to Milwaukee in 1867, the same year Jacob Leinenkugel and John Miller started a brewery in Chippewa Falls. However, instead of being skilled at brewing beer, Grandpa Heinen had a passion for woodworking. He started a cabinet shop out of his home and ran his small business off Market Street for over 15 years. Numerous people throughout Wisconsin have a passion for the skills and talents God gave them; they pour their lives into families and businesses they cherish. My passion is legal counseling and advocating for those brewers, woodworkers, and...

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.

Nicole M. Masnica is a Partner at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Working to serve Wisconsin clients and bettering her community has always been a top priority. Nicole has spent countless hours in circuit courts in Southeastern Wisconsin both as a trial attorney and appellate advocate. Prior to joining the firm, Nicole spent nine years representing countless individuals in all stages of criminal litigation at the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office, from pre-charging conferences to appellate representation to administrative revocation proceedings. She has tried multiple cases to a jury with successful outcomes and has achieved relief for...

Benjamin Nicolet focuses his practice on Personal Injury and representing clients who have been injured as a result of another’s negligence. He is admitted to practice law in the state courts of Minnesota and Wisconsin; as well as the federal courts of the District of Minnesota and Western District of Wisconsin. Ben has handled the gamut of injury cases, from life-altering 18-wheeler accidents, to vicious dogs terrorizing neighborhoods, and family camping trips ending in tragic boating accidents. Ben says, “Clients generally come to us when they feel like their lives have been turned upside down; whether it’s from a car accident...

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...

An accomplished defense attorney with a background in prosecution.

Dean is a Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist who has represented hundreds of injured people throughout Wisconsin. He received his Masters of Business Administration degree in 1986 after working as a commercial loan officer. In 1989 he received his law degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Dean believes that quality representation begins with treating every client as if they're your only client and spending whatever time necessary to get the best result. When working with injury victims, Dean makes sure his clients know he'll be as aggressive as necessary, and fight tirelessly on their behalf.

Attorney Mehlos graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame and the University of Wisconsin Law School. During law school, Attorney Mehlos participated in the Wisconsin Innocence Project, handling 10 post-conviction homicide and assault cases. That experience provided Attorney Mehlos with the foundation to surgically attack highly-complex cases involving tough facts and tailor creative solutions to achieve outstanding results for his clients. Attorney Mehlos has worked relentlessly to achieve outstanding results for his clients in cases ranging from homicide cases, personal injury lawsuits, to helping families with child protective services. In his first case out of law school, Attorney...

Josh Gimbel joined Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP in 2013, after a long partnership at Milwaukee-based, Michael Best & Friedrich. Josh's Partnership role ushers in a new era at GRGB, building on the already strong groundwork started by the firm's founding partners. Josh's practice focuses on commercial and corporate litigation, all areas of land use and zoning, real estate, and municipal law as well as providing general business advice. These practice areas are a great addition to GRGB's, already diverse, legal specialties. Like his father, Frank Gimbel, Josh is also passionate about giving back. He is Chair of the Jewish Home...

Russell Nicolet has always been focused on helping people through difficult situations. He became an attorney and has integrated this personal philosophy into his practice so that he could help people through some of the most stressful situations they will face in life. Russell’s goal in every case is to help his clients get into a better position than where they were prior to contacting him. Russell has focused his legal practice to the area of Personal Injury in Wisconsin and Minnesota. This focused approach allows him to provide clients with knowledgeable and effective representation while maintaining the...

Steve graduated from Iowa State University, with honors and as a member of the scholastic fraternities of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. He received his law degree from the University of Minnesota in 1979, and has been a member of the bar in both Wisconsin and Minnesota since 1979. He is also admitted to practice in the federal courts of both states and in the Supreme Court of the United States. Steven is Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Civil Trial Specialist. He has concentrated his practice on commercial and business litigation,...

Matthew Biegert graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison. After graduation, he clerked for the Hon. Thomas Cane before joining his current firm of Doar, Drill & Skow. He became a partner in 1996 and has spent his career actively fighting for the rights of his clients.

After receiving his Bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of New York at Stony Brook, Attorney Pasquale obtained his Juris Doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law. He provides exceptional legal representation for matters concerning divorce, child custody, child support, maintenance/alimony, paternity and relief under Chapter 7 and 13 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code. Attorney Pasquale is an experienced litigator who has handled family actions ranging from basic uncontested cases to the most complicated divorce actions involving significant marital estates, business interests and substantial party incomes. Attorney Pasquale's thorough understanding of Family Law, Bankruptcy Law,...

Attorney Jeremiah Meyer-O’Day has dedicated his career to the service of others and the protection of the “little guy.” His legal career began at a non-profit law firm in Madison, Wisconsin, where he helped people in both criminal and civil proceedings, including evictions, collections, and family-law issues. Attorney Meyer-O’Day then joined the Office of the State Public Defender, working in the Lancaster, Wisconsin office. There, he defended people accused of crimes at all levels of severity. He has extensive trial experience, and a record of successfully litigating issues involving the violation of clients’ constitutional rights. He’s convinced judges to throw...

As the Wisconsin Law Journal put it Peter Fox "Champions the Underdog." Not all of Mr. Fox's clients are "underdogs," but most of them have been wronged in some way that requires a legal intervention. Whether through private settlements or public trials, Mr. Fox has consistently obtained substantial jury verdicts, money awards and other favorable rulings for his clients. He has tried cases before judges and juries in state and federal courts and also before various administrative and other agencies, and has successfully argued cases before state and federal appeals courts 'and the Wisconsin Supreme Court'. His cases involve Employment...

Kathy joined Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP in 1989 as an associate attorney. Her experience with the firm began even earlier, as she worked at GRGB as a law clerk from March 1985 through May 1986 during law school. Kathy has a distinct ability to make people immediately feel comfortable, but she is also known for her no-nonsense approach and willingness to fight hard for her clients. Kathy has a diverse practice area. She is the firm’s lead appellate attorney and has authored scores of appellate and trial court briefs in all areas of GRGB’s practice. Known as...