Family Law

• Divorce
  When faced with an initial divorce or paternity case or post-divorce changes to child custody, child placement, or child support, you want an attorney that not only understands the law but understands your goals throughout the legal process. You may have an amicable relationship with your ex-partner, or maybe you can’t be in the same room together. Perhaps you are working through a contentious custody and placement issue or need assistance on a low drama divorce. Maybe you have a small business to protect, have concerns that a divorce could disrupt its success, and need an attorney that understands both business law and divorce law and procedures. Whatever the size of your estate or value of assets, KEW can assist clients with nearly any type of divorce, paternity, or post-divorce action. For more information on the specific ways KEW can help you keep reading below.
• Child Support
  If the parties do not agree on anything at the outset of the divorce, then the court will typically hold a temporary order hearing to determine how certain aspects of the parties relationship will be governed while the divorce is pending a final hearing. Temporary Orders are not determinative of a final outcome and can be amended until a final decision is issued by the court. More often than not, temporary orders will outline a legal custody and physical placement schedule with regards to minor children, set initial child support orders, and dictate which party has the right to possess and use certain property (such as vehicles and the residence) until a final split of property can be made. Temporary Orders will also require the parties to preserve all assets during the pendency of the divorce.
• Child Custody and Visitation
  For family law clients, Nick listens carefully to individual goals of his clients and adjusts his litigation style accordingly, whether working toward an amicable solution or aggressively litigating complex property division cases and/or contentious child custody and placement issues. Nick also works with individuals seeking to express their property division wishes through a marital property agreement.
• Paternity
• Premarital Agreement
  A marital property agreement is the name given to a document that dictates how marital property should be divided between the couple upon divorce, and how that property should be treated at death. This is commonly referred to as a “prenup” or prenuptial agreement, and it can have somewhat of a negative connotation. However, the benefits of a marital property agreement generally outweigh the poor reputation of the prenup. The concept of a marital property agreement allows spouses to reach an understanding about how the property should be split at the beginning of the relationship while everyone is agreeable and before Spouse A starts leaving the coffee mug on the counter instead of putting in the dishwasher every morning and before Spouse B forgets where the laundry basket is located. A marital property agreement can be drafted before marriage or while the parties are married. But, in order for marital property agreements to be valid in the eyes of a court, they must meet certain legal technicalities, so having an experienced attorney draft a marital property agreement is strongly encouraged.
• Spousal Support
  Often one of the more contentious aspects of a divorce is whether one spouse is entitled to spousal support, or maintenance, from the other. The determination of spousal support depends on several factors, including the respective earning capacities of each spouse, the length of the marriage, whether one parent sacrificed his or her earning capacity to stay at home with the children, or whether one party significantly contributed to the other’s education or training which resulted in an increase in earning capacity. After hearing all the evidence related to maintenance, a court may order limited term maintenance (maintenance which expires after a certain amount of time), indefinite maintenance which only terminates at the death of one party or the remarriage of the receiving party, or no maintenance at all.

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  The best way to set up a business for success in the future is to make sure the business owners discuss how to handle tricky potential business issues at the outset in the form of an operating agreement, partnership agreement, shareholder agreement or other governing document depending on the individual business. At KEW, we think of this document as a key planning component to help prevent a messy “business divorce” in the future. The document is important, but what is almost more important is the discussion between business partners that goes into it. In the process of drafting an operating agreement or the like, KEW meets with all business partners and runs through questions with both to get an understanding ahead of time as to how to work through problems. Such questions might be, what is your plan if a partner becomes permanently disabled? Have you considered what happens if one of the partners becomes divorced, and what rights to the business the spouse may have?
• Business Formation
  More often than not partners are on the same page when starting a business. But, after working together for some period of time, unshakable differences may appear, often with one partner not completing their fair share of the work, or at least the perception of such. Resolving such disputes between business partners and owners requires detailed analysis of the specific facts of the case, business formation paperwork, if any exists, and the laws governing the type of entity under which the business is formed. When such business ownership disputes cannot be resolved, it may be necessary to dissolve the business in what can be colloquially referred to as a “business divorce.”
• Business Disputes
  Justin is a passionate litigator, never backing down from challenging cases or legal issues. Justin’s practice focuses on litigation in areas ranging from business and contract disputes to landlord-tenant law. Justin previously worked in a variety of areas, including litigation, real estate, business representation, and municipal law. During law school, Justin served as the Senior Articles Editor of the
• Limited Liability Companies
  In April 2022, Governor Evers Signed Wisconsin Act 258. This Act makes significant changes to the statutes for all forms of business entities – corporations, non-stock corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships and limited liability companies. This article will focus specifically on the Read More »

Employment Law

• Employment Discrimination
  Sometimes, even if an employer has all their ducks in a row, and follows all recommended protocol, an employee still files some type of employment related claim or action against the employer. This could be an employment discrimination claim, a retaliation claim, wage and hour violation or something different. Filing a complaint through an administrative agency such as the Wisconsin state agency, the Equal Rights Division in Wisconsin, or the federal agency, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is of no cost to the complainant and involves filling out a simple form. Because of the ease with which a complaint can be filed, they are quite common, even against responsible employers, or employers facing a complaint without having had the benefit of having competent legal guidance ahead of time. In any event, KEW is ready to assist businesses with aggressively defending a complaint or working towards a resolution, depending on the desires of the client. More about civil litigation can be found here.
• Employment Contract
  KEW provides employment advice to businesses seeking guidance regarding wage and hour laws, hiring, discipline, termination, employment contracts, employee handbooks and more.
• Employment Litigation
• Non-compete Agreement
  The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has filed an appeal of the Texas ruling that halted enforcement of the proposed rule banning noncompete agreements (the “Rule”). The Rule, which was set to go into effect last month, has been halted nationwide since August 20, 2024. For more information on the Rule and its effects, see our previous KEW Tip, Last Minute Ruling Saves Noncompetes.
• Sexual Harassment
  The Fair Housing Act (FHA) is a federal statute that prohibits discrimination against individuals when engaging in certain activities including renting and seeking housing assistance. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and sexual harassment), familial status and disability. Individuals may file a complaint under the Fair Housing Act through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). After a complaint is filed by an individual, the party against whom the complaint is filed will typically receive the opportunity to respond in writing.

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  Real Estate is a practice area that has found KEW through the growing success of our clients. As our clients expand their businesses and investment portfolios, our clients have increasingly wanted our involvement with real estate matters. This is a natural extension from our already robust landlord practice where we provide comprehensive representation to landlords. More information about landlords can be found here.
• Real Estate Transactions
  KEW’s role in real estate transactions typically begins once a client has found a property it wishes to purchase, or if selling, finds a buyer to whom it desires to sell. From there, KEW becomes involved in drafting and reviewing offer documentation, and engaging in negotiation when necessary. Most of the real estate transactional work in which we engage is for commercial properties.
• Land Use and Zoning
  Leslie counsels businesses regarding entity choice and governance, contracts, industry compliance, real estate and zoning concerns, business and asset purchase and sales, as well as serving as a seasoned pair of eyes for potential legal pitfalls.
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes
  Joe has an enthusiasm for new challenges and a willingness to adapt and learn. He particularly enjoys engaging collaboratively with clients to help them achieve their goals, and primarily represents landlords, including Manufactured Housing Communities (MHCs). Representing landlords, Joe provides day to day advice navigating complex landlord tenant laws and overcoming challenging tenant issues. Joe understands the value of minimizing the risk of litigation, and regularly advises landlords on issues such as fair housing laws, security deposit issues, lease compliance, and more.