Best Divorce Lawyers in Milwaukee
Mark S. Knutson
Divorce Lawyers
Mark S. Knutson is a native of New Berlin, WI. He graduated from Catholic Memorial High School in 1971 and went on to St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota, graduating in 1975. While there, he met his wife Patti. Upon graduation she took a job at KPMG as an Accountant in Chicago, and Mark attended Loyola University Law School. He graduated from Loyola in 1978.
Longing to return to Wisconsin after finishing law school, he took and passed the Wisconsin bar exam, then began working with the Hartman Law Office in Juneau, Wisconsin that year. Eventually he and Patti and their two children, Kristin and Katie, made their home in Brookfield, WI, where Mark started his own law firm in 1994, The Law Offices of Mark S. Knutson, S.C. His practice began with Family Law, Wills and Estates, and Traffic matters. As time went on, attorneys were hired to focus on Estate Planning, Probate and Civil Litigation. Divorce and Family Law continue to be Mark’s primary areas of focus to this day.
Mark and Patti have been members of Elmbrook Church for over 30 years. He loves the outdoors and gardening. He enjoys spending time with his friends at the Waukesha Gun Club and students through his involvement with the high school ministry at Elmbrook Church.
Stephanie Benske
Divorce Lawyers
Stephanie Benske was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska where she graduated from the private high school Omaha Marian High School. After graduate from Omaha Marian, Stephanie was accepted at and attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. While at Nebraska Stephanie gained valuable work experience working at the State Legislature and working on political campaigns. As a member of the sorority Chi Omega Stephanie developed lasting friendships and acted as the Sorority’s Secretary for two years.
Stephanie graduated with her Juris Doctorate degree from Creighton Law School in 1998. During law school, Stephanie was accepted as a visiting scholar at Marquette Law School for her third year of law school. She also gained valuable experience working as an intern for the Honorable Daniel Noonan at the Children’s Court Center in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
Stephanie relocated to Wisconsin. After successfully completing the Wisconsin Bar Exam Stephanie joined Brazil & Thelen in 1998. Stephanie quickly proved to be a valuable addition to the firm and was named a full partner by 2000. In addition to quickly proving her legal talents at Brazil & Thelen, S.C., Stephanie has been widely recognized as a Super Lawyer in Milwaukee Magazine in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Stephanie has prepared materials for and taught legal seminars on adoption and family law related issues for other attorneys through the National Business Institute. She has appeared on Dateline with fellow partner Paulette Brazil on a family related case. She has been a member of the Inns of Court, Society of Family Law, Justinian Society and the Wisconsin Club. She has also used her political campaigning skills to assist with judicial campaigns. She has donated her time at the Volunteer Self Help Legal Clinic which was offered at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
Carlton D. Stansbury
Divorce Lawyers
Whether you are contemplating divorce or have already been served papers, enlist the help of Attorney Carlton D. Stansbury. An esteemed family law attorney at Burbach & Stansbury S.C., Carlton provides strong yet compassionate representation to all clients. He handles every case with respect, dignity, and your best interest in mind. Carlton believes that every case is unique, which is why he strives to give each client personalized attention and carefully tailored strategy.
Practice Areas
- Family Law
- Child Support
- Child Custody
- Divorce
- Property Division
- Paternity
- Alimony
- Prenuptial Agreements
Honors & Awards
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America
- Listed one of Milwaukee’s Best Lawyers in Milwaukee Magazine
- Named as one of Wisconsin’s Top 10 Super Lawyers
- Selected for Lifetime Achievement in America’s Top 100 Attorneys
- AV-Preeminent Rating in Martindale-Hubbell Directory
- AV-Preeminent Rating in Martindale-Hubbell Directory Judicial Edition
Samantha S. Bailey
Divorce Lawyers
Samantha Bailey is an Associate with Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is admitted to practice in Wisconsin and the federal court system.
Samantha graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Marquette University cum laude in the Pre-Law Scholars program followed by Marquette University Law School with a Litigation Certificate in 2022.
While attending law school, Samantha interned with the Village Attorney in Menomonee Falls, the Wisconsin Department of Justice, and for a local law firm working on a range of legal matters.
During law school, Samantha participated in various competitions. In 2021, Samantha argued in the Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competition over constitutional rights issues. In 2022, Samantha competed in the American Association for Justice Trial Skills Competition where she advanced to the semi-finals. Samantha was inducted into the Pro Bono Honors Society in 2021 due to her community service efforts with various volunteer legal projects. Attorney Bailey is now an Adjunct Professor at Marquette University.
Areas of Practice
- Civil Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Wisconsin
Education
- Marquette University Law School
- J.D., 2022
- Marquette University
- B.A., Cum Laude, 2020
Emily A. Hall
Divorce Lawyers
Emily A. Hall (formerly Tercilla) joined Becker, Hickey & Poster, S.C. as an Associate Attorney in August 2017. She received her undergraduate degree in Spanish and Political Science from the University of Florida in 2014, and she received her J.D. from Marquette University Law School in 2017. Emily focuses her practice in the areas of Family Law, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Guardianships, and Probate and Trust Administration.
Emily focused her legal coursework on family law, estate planning, and tax. During school she volunteered for the Milwaukee Justice Center and served as a law clerk at Becker, Hickey & Poster, S.C. during her second and third year of law school.
Emily is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Bar Association, the Waukesha County Bar Association, and the Association for Women Lawyers. Emily serves as the co-chair of the Elder Law Section of the Milwaukee Bar Association, and she volunteers for the Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic.
Claire Longdin
Divorce Lawyers
Attorney Claire Longdin received her Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School. Prior to graduation she interned with Centro Legal, Catholic Charities Legal Services for Immigrants, and Federal Defender Services of Wisconsin. She also did work for JB Enterprises, LLC, and Malmquist Law Firm in Thiensville, WI while earning her degree.
Attorney Longdin practices family, criminal, and immigration law. She has a heart for justice and works zealously to represent her clients interests with compassion and hard work. She regularly appears before the Chicago Immigration Court and litigates cases throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. She enjoys helping her clients navigate the legal system and creating effective arguments and solutions in difficult cases.
Attorney Longdin is a member of the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA). She and Attorney John Cabranes co-host a weekly radio call in show, on WDDW 104.7 in Milwaukee at 11:00am Saturday morning, devoted to Immigration, Criminal and Family issues.
Teri M. Nelson
Divorce Lawyers
Attorney Teri M. Nelson has a unique philosophy in handling Family Law matters. She believes that every client deserves her time in terms of individual attention and her experience so that they have the best representation possible to guide them through one of the most difficult experiences in their life. She has a commitment to excellent personal service to her clients and believes her clients appreciate her quick and truthful responses to their questions and concerns.
No one wants an expensive, difficult or time-consuming divorce experience. Therefore, Attorney Nelson is committed to giving her clients a quick, civilized and fair resolution to their family law matter. To do that, she provides to her clients an accurate picture of what to expect, what the personal and financial costs are likely to be, and what their legal options are. She strongly believes that providing clients with realistic information in this way empowers them to make good legal decisions for themselves. However, if a resolution cannot be accomplished, Attorney Nelson has over 25 years of family law experience and is known as a tough and competent litigator with excellent results in the courtroom.
Bryant J. McFadden
Divorce Lawyers
Attorney Bryant J. McFadden is quickly building a reputation as one of the most technically superior divorce and family practice lawyers in the State. Attorney McFadden also practices in the area of criminal defense, and it is likely the experience he gained in that environment has prepared him for the success he has had in divorce and family law.
As Attorney McFadden’s practice evolved into Divorce and Family Law, he quickly discovered that the same skill set necessary for success in criminal defense could be utilized in representing clients in family court cases. His successful approach to dealing with these matters involves making his client aware of the entire process so that they know what to expect from start to finish. In addition to basic divorces, he has successfully handled matters pertaining to, custody, placement, child support, property division, maintenance and domestic abuse restraining orders along with the entire range of post judgment issues.
Attorney McFadden has represented clients in a wide range of criminal and quasi-criminal matters. He has successfully defended clients facing felony, misdemeanor, OWI, and traffic charges. Through hard work and dedication, Attorney McFadden will take on the tough cases.
Attorney McFadden has also put his undergraduate degree in business and his International Business Certification to use in handling a number of corporate litigation cases and has worked alongside Attorney Gatzke in managing collection matters for several of the firm’s corporate clients.
Having the best divorce lawyer in Milwaukee can provide numerous benefits if you’re going through the process of divorce in that area. Here are some specific advantages of hiring a top-notch divorce lawyer in Milwaukee:
Local Expertise: A skilled divorce lawyer who is familiar with Milwaukee’s local laws and court procedures can provide valuable insights and guidance tailored to the specific legal landscape in the area.
Understanding of State Laws: Divorce laws can vary from state to state. Hiring a Milwaukee-based divorce lawyer ensures that you have someone who understands Wisconsin’s divorce laws and can navigate them effectively.
Negotiation Skills: Divorce often involves negotiations over issues like property division, spousal support, and child custody. A skilled lawyer can negotiate on your behalf, aiming for the best possible outcome while considering your preferences and the legal standards.
Protection of Your Rights: Your divorce lawyer’s primary role is to protect your rights throughout the divorce process. They will advocate for your interests, ensuring that you receive a fair share of marital assets and proper arrangements for child custody and support.
Objective Advice: Emotions can cloud judgment during a divorce. A knowledgeable divorce lawyer can provide objective advice based on legal considerations, helping you make informed decisions that align with your long-term well-being.
Paperwork and Documentation: Divorce involves a substantial amount of paperwork, including filings, financial disclosures, and agreements. An experienced lawyer will manage the paperwork accurately, reducing the risk of mistakes that could lead to complications later on.
Counsel and Support: Divorce is emotionally challenging. A compassionate divorce lawyer can provide not only legal support but also emotional guidance, helping you navigate the process with greater ease.
Experience with Complex Cases: If your divorce involves complex financial situations, business interests, high-value assets, or other intricate matters, a skilled lawyer is crucial to ensure your interests are appropriately represented.
Mediation and Resolution: A top divorce lawyer can help facilitate mediation and alternative dispute resolution methods, which can lead to more amicable and efficient resolutions without the need for prolonged courtroom battles.
Reduced Stress: By taking care of legal matters, your lawyer can alleviate much of the stress associated with divorce, allowing you to focus on your well-being and moving forward.
Strategic Planning: A skilled lawyer can develop a strategic plan for your divorce case, considering your goals and helping you understand the potential outcomes of different decisions.
Preventing Mistakes: Divorce can have long-term financial and legal consequences. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you avoid making mistakes that could negatively impact your future.
In summary, hiring the best divorce lawyer in Milwaukee can be highly advantageous. They can provide legal expertise, protect your rights, offer objective guidance, handle paperwork, and ultimately assist you in achieving a fair and favorable divorce settlement or court decision.