Wauzeka Lawyers

After working in a firm for the first four years out of law school, Candice opened her own law practice in Sparta, Wisconsin. While she thoroughly enjoyed the six years she spent working across multiple counties and a wide range of legal areas, Candice sought and received a judicial appointment to complete a term as La Crosse County Circuit Court Branch 5 Judge. Now that her term has concluded, Candice has returned to private practice with increased skill and knowledge to better serve her clients.

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...

Since 2005, individuals and businesses have entrusted me to advise them on their legal matters. With a broad range of legal knowledge and attention to detail, I strive to effectively and efficiently represent my clients. I have recently moved to Richland Center, Wisconsin along with my wife as it is her hometown. I'm grateful for the opportunity to provide legal services to the people of this area and be surrounded by the unique beauty that the driftless area holds.

Patricia McKinney-Lins focuses on family and business estate planning and probate. She is part of the Neider & Boucher, S.C. law firm, located on Madison's west side, with an office in Spring Green, Wisconsin. She is dedicated to serving families as well as small business owners, including family farm business owners. Patricia started her practice in 1986, practiced estate planning, real estate and probate for several years, took time off with her children and has been back to full-time practice since 2011. Patricia enjoys helping her clients organize their affairs to simplify the process of protecting themselves...

I have provided over 20 years of estate planning and real estate legal services in southwest Wisconsin. I serve La Crosse, Vernon, Monroe and Crawford counties.

I am a fourth generation attorney in Richland Center. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1982 and have been in practice for over 35 years. I live in Richland Center, where my husband is a retired farmer and police officer. I have six children.

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...

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 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...

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,...

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.

John T. Fields is an attorney based out of Madison, WI. With proven expertise in family law, divorce, and child custody cases, he provides legal representation to individuals and families in need. With more than three decades in practice, he has been a staunch advocate for his clients in sensitive matters including domestic abuse, contested divorces, paternity suits, gaining sole custody, and many others. Navigating these issues can prove challenging, but Attorney Fields possesses the requisite knowledge and negotiation skills to assist you in achieving your goals. To schedule a consultation with the Madison Family Law attorney, please call 608-729-3590 or...

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 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.

Tracy received his law degree from the University of Minnesota in 1990, where he served as Articles Editor for the Minnesota Law Review. He received a B.A. from the University of Minnesota in 1987. He is Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Civil Trial Specialist and focuses on plaintiff's personal injury. Tracy N. Tool is a civil litigator experienced in a wide range of substantive areas of law. He uses the legal process to restore the balance of power and to remind big corporations and insurance companies that injured clients must be...

Nikole K. Messerschmidt exclusively practices Family Law and helps each client move forward. Cases hanlded include divorce, child custody, mediation, spousal maintenance, and other family law related cases.

Attorney Cole D. Ruby is universally recognized as one of the leading appellate attorneys in the State of Wisconsin. He focuses his practice on litigating appeals following convictions at jury trials. He has successfully litigated post-conviction issues in cases involving, for example, drug trafficking, sexual assault, possession of child pornography, arson, and homicide. On several occasions, Attorney Ruby has been able to have convictions overturned and charges dismissed completely, even after a client was convicted at jury trial while represented by other attorneys. Attorney Ruby is also an accomplished trial lawyer. Together with Andrew Martinez, he’s a two-time recipient of...

Attorney Dera L. Johnsen-Tracy is a shareholder and co-founder of Horn & Johnsen SC. Dera and focuses her legal practice in the areas of estate planning, probate and guardianship. Prior to completing law school, Dera gained 14 years of legal experience as a paralegal in Texas and Wisconsin. Dera’s extensive experience provided a strong and practical client-centered foundation for her legal practice. She strives to meet the needs of her clients in a personal and efficient manner. In furtherance of her passion for helping families plan, Dera is an active participant in the Wisconsin Wills for Heroes program and...

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...

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...

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.

Nils Wyosnick is an attorney for Murphy Desmond S.C., based in Madison, Wisconsin. With a concentration in defending clients charged with drunk driving offenses and misdemeanor and felony crimes, Nils represents clients in Wisconsin and Illinois. A graduate of the University of Illinois-Chicago School of Law, Nils began his career as a prosecutor for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office in Chicago. As an Assistant State's Attorney, Nils prosecuted in some of the busiest courtrooms in the nation, gaining extensive trial work experience and training. In 2014, Nils left the State's Attorney's office for private practice; continuing his experience in...

Attorney Westley practices criminal defense and DUI/OWI all over Wisconsin. She graduated from Marquette University Law School in 2015 with a certificate in litigation and uses that every day. She did her undergrad at the University of Minnesota and graduated from there in 2011. She has done a stint with Americorps and regularly volunteers for Teen Court in Waukesha County as a judge.

She has won numerous awards for client satisfaction and works hard to get the best case scenario for her clients on a daily basis.

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...

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

I'm a shareholder with DeWitt Law Firm practicing in the areas of real estate and business. I have assisted local and international banks and retailers, national restaurant operators and other businesses, community associations, property managers and owners, title insurers, general contractors and construction trades, creditors, landlords, and parties to insurance coverage disputes. I also work with community associations and their property managers in all kinds of transactions and disputes. I have successfully tried and arbitrated cases and handled insurance appraisals in state and federal courts, as well as appeals. I have also been selected to serve as mediator involving issues...

Nelson W. Donovan has spent a lifetime talking to audiences. First as a military aviation instructor and more recently, about the importance of estate planning, tailoring plans for his clients, and writing on this subject. Nelson is also a JAG attorney for the US Army Reserves.

Nelson’s experience as a wartime aviator, military instructor pilot, and airline captain, offers our clients steady precision. He acquired his fiscal savvy from his time as a licensed financial advisor, and an ethical outlook working for the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s Office of Lawyer Regulation.

A UW Law School graduate, Nelson integrates his extensive professional experience...

Brian Brophy is a civil litigation and criminal defense attorney. He’s had the benefit of extensive experience both prosecuting and defending criminal and civil actions. The majority of his practice is devoted to defending those charged with crimes and representing people who have been seriously injured in accidents.

He is the co-author of Your Life, Your Legacy (2003) and has written numerous published articles on various estate planning topics. Attorney Purtell is an active member of WealthCounsel, the Wisconsin Council of Estate Planning Attorneys (past-President), the Madison Estate Council, the State Bar of Wisconsin (Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section), and the Dane County Bar Association. He is also committed to his community through involvement in the Optimist Club of Cross Plains (past-President), being an active parish member of St. Francis Xavier Parish, and through his appointment to the Chair of the Personnel Committee for the Village...