WILSON LAW - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Madison Estate Council
Attorney Cherish Buss, a 2017 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Gender and Women's Studies. She then earned her Juris Doctorate from Marquette University Law School. While enrolled at Marquette, she was an active member of Marquette's Estate Planning Society and Association for Women Lawyers Student Chapter. Additionally, she was the Staff Editor for the Marquette Benefits and Social Welfare Law Review. Prior to working at Wilson Law Group, she worked as a judicial law clerk for the civil branch of Waukesha County.
Attorney Cherish Buss is licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin. As an estate planning attorney, she strives to help individuals and families take hold of their future with customized planning and advice. She believes in taking a holistic approach when considering her clients objectives and needs. Her goal is to build a meaningful relationship, ensure a sense of security, and help her clients protect their life savings and legacy from probate, estate taxes, and long-term care costs.
Attorney Buss is an active member of the Madison Estate Council, Momentum Professional, Inc. (board member), Wisconsin Power Partners, the Young Professionals Advisory Council (YPAC) for First Tee - South Central Wisconsin, WealthCounsel, ElderCounsel, and the State Bar of Wisconsin.
Job Titles:
- Estate Planning Law Specialist
Attorney Daniel Purtell is an Estate Planning Law Specialist and Accredited Estate Planner® as certified by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils and accredited by the American Bar Association. Attorney Purtell is an active member of WealthCounsel, ElderCounsel, the Wisconsin Council of Estate Planning Attorneys (former president), the Madison Estate Council, and the State Bar of Wisconsin (Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section). He is also committed to his community through involvement as the executive director of a youth lacrosse club and through various charities.
Attorney Purtell is licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin and admitted to practice in the Western District of Wisconsin. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Daniel earned a BA double degree in Political Science and History with a minor in Business. He also attended Thames Valley University in London, England. He then attended the University of Wisconsin Law School and received a JD degree. Dan provides educational programs both for the public and professional advisors in the areas of general estate planning, elder law, wealth transfer strategies, planning for young families, and issues relating to farm and business succession. He is the co-author of Your Life, Your Legacy: The Fundamentals of Effective Estate Planning (2009); Your Life, Your Legacy II: Protecting Those You Love (2010); and has written numerous published articles on various estate planning topics. Attorney Purtell holds a "superb" AVVO rating of 10/10.
Job Titles:
- Estate Planning Law Specialist
Attorney John Haslam is an Estate Planning Law Specialist and Accredited Estate Planner® as certified by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils and accredited by the American Bar Association. Attorney Haslam is a member of WealthCounsel, ElderCounsel, and the Wisconsin Council of Estate Planning Attorneys. He is also a member of the Elder Law Section and the Real Estate, Probate and Trust Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin. John was admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court in 1998 and is a 2005 graduate of the Medicaid Practice Systems Program in New York. He co-authored Your Life, Your Legacy: The Fundamentals of Effective Estate Planning (2009); Your Life, Your Legacy II: Protecting Those You Love (2010); and Your Life, Your Legacy: Nursing Homes and Long Term Care (2006). He also serves on the board for the Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance.
John provides seminars for clients and community organizations. His seminars focus on his specialty areas of practice, which include post-death estate and trust administration, estate planning, and long-term care planning.
Attorney Haslam was admitted to the State Bar of Wisconsin in 1997 after receiving his law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He received his bachelor's degree from UW-Madison in 1994, majoring in business and finance.
Job Titles:
- Trust Administration Paralegal
Courtney handles our trust administration and probate processes under the guidance of Attorney John Haslam. She is always happy to assist you with any questions or concerns throughout the trust administration process. Courtney also provides paralegal support to Attorney Dan Purtell. In his absence, she is an excellent person to speak with to ensure you receive help from the right person.
Donna handles the client billing process under the direction of the attorneys. You may contact her with any billing questions.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Coordinator
Erin provides support to the attorneys in setting up initial estate planning meetings with prospective clients and conveying their needs to them. She organizes RWay events, workshops, and programs, as well as seminars for prospective clients and financial advisors. She is also the person to speak to when making reservations for any of our events.
Jen is responsible for the overall management of the firm. This includes the development of all the practice areas, the firm's accounting, business relationships, technology, and human resources.
Kassandra handles updating your trust documents with any and all changes for your annual review meeting, sending out information regarding review meetings, and providing you with the services of LegalVault. Call her with changes to your existing plan, questions, and for assistance on the use of LegalVault. She is also one of the people with whom you meet to review and discuss any updates to your plan at your RWay® meeting.
Job Titles:
- Trust Creation Team Leader
Kathy is charged with overseeing our processes and delivery of services regarding estate planning, trust creation, funding your trust, and business planning. Call her with changes to your trust documents and general questions regarding your estate planning. She will assist as she can and connect you with the appropriate attorney on questions regarding the law.
Kati handles upd ating your trust documents with any and all changes for your annual review meeting, sending out information regarding review meetings, and providing you with the services of LegalVault. Call her with changes to your existing plan, question s, and for assistance on the use of LegalVault. She is also one of the people with whom you meet to review and discuss any updates to your plan at your RWay® meeting.
Kyra is generally the first person to answer your call to our office and the individual that greets you when you arrive. She is charged with helping you reach the right person for your needs every time in an efficient and expedient manner.
Attorney Liam Gilhooly is a 2018 graduate of Marquette University, where he studied history and psychology. During his undergraduate studies, he was a member of Triangle Fraternity and participated as the chapter secretary. He attended Marquette Law and Business School where he earned his JD and MBA. After completing his studies, he moved from Milwaukee to Madison.
Attorney Liam Gilhooly is licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin. As an Attorney here in Madison, Liam Gilhooly likes to be involved in community events. He volunteers to help individuals in need at the Small Claims Assistance Program and the Basic Estate Planning clinic. He is also a member of Wisconsin Power Partners, Dane County Bar Association, State Bar of Wisconsin, WealthCounsel, ElderCounsel, and Wisconsin Council of Estate Planning Attorneys. Liam provides educational estate planning programs for the public, as well as professional advisors. His top priority is ensuring planning excellence by realizing client goals in their plan. If you need assistance with Estate Law, Liam will gladly offer his advice to you during a complimentary introductory meeting.
Liam grew up in Mokena, IL, a short distance away from the City of Chicago. He is close with his family back home and they spend many spring and summer afternoons at White Sox games rooting for their favorite team. In Madison, he likes to break a sweat riding his bicycle on trails and exploring local shops and businesses.
Mary works in our funding department. She is responsible for transferring assets and changing beneficiary designations to reflect your estate plan. She is always happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have with respect to the proper classification or designations of your assets. She also handles our business work including LLCs and Corporations.
Pam assists Kathy in the trust process with the creation of your trust documents.
Job Titles:
- Trust Administration Paralegal
Samantha handles our trust administration and probate processes under the guidance of Attorney John Haslam. She is always happy to assist you with any questions or concerns throughout the trust administration process.