GIMBEL - Key Persons
Adam J. Schleis is an associate with Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Before joining the firm, Adam spent seven years doing trial level defense work for the Wisconsin State Public Defender's Office. Adam's practice expanded beyond just criminal defense and included work in juvenile, mental health, guardianship, child protective services, and family law. He represented clients from the pre-charging stage all the way through jury trial. Over the past eight years, Adam tried numerous cases in front of a jury. Most recently, he earned a full acquittal for a client charged with a felony. Adam's creative motion practice has led to many favorable outcomes for his clients. He prides himself in digging as deep as he can to put his client in the best position as possible. Because of this diligence, in 2018, the Wisconsin Law Journal named Adam one of Wisconsin's "Up and Coming Lawyers".
Adam received his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2014. He graduated in the top 1/3 of his class. Adam interned with the Public Defender's office in the summer and fall of 2013. Adam served as a discussion group leader for LLM students from China for Property Law, International Business Transactions, and Real Estate Law. Adam earned top marks in his 4th,5th, and 6th Amendment Motion Practice class, and Property Law.
Since graduating from law school, Adam coached high school mock trial for two different schools. He also spent four years volunteering with the Big Brothers Big Sisters "Mentor 2.0" program where he mentored the same student all the way through high school. Adam's wife, Arial, is a managing attorney for the Public Defender's office and they share a daughter named Scarlett and dog named Favre. Adam loves spending his weekends with his family going on bike rides, going to Atwater Beach, and trying out various breweries and beer gardens. He also loves to disc golf in his spare time and competes all over the state of Wisconsin.
Britt has been involved in the legal community for over 15 years. She started at the Milwaukee Bar Association in 2002, first as a Coordinator for the Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS), then as Office Manager, and in June 2005, became the Director of the LRIS. In that year she also started the Waukesha County LRIS, which the MBA administers. In 2007, the MBA's LRIS won the American Bar Association's Cindy A. Raisch Award, which recognizes the enhancement of public service-oriented LRIS programs that provide access for moderate income consumers. In addition to running the LRIS, Britt was the staff administrator for the MBA's Messenger Magazine, the annual Solo and Small Firm Conference; the MBA's Mentoring Program; the Boy Scout and Girl Scout events; the "Choose Law" Program, which places attorney speakers at local schools; and the MBA's Speakers Bureau.
Britt comes to GRGB with a passion for the Southeast Wisconsin legal community and several civic ties. She served on the Board of the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center and the Planned Parenthood Leadership Council. She also volunteers with Secure Futures WI, a program that teaches financial literacy to high school students.
When not spearheading the marketing efforts for the firm, Britt enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, giving food tours and traveling the world. She has traveled to over 30 states and 20 countries.
Education
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee - B.A. Broadcast Journalism and Communications
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee - Nonprofit Management Graduate Program
Honors and Awards:
Notable Marketing Executives, Milwaukee Business News
Cindy A. Raisch Award - American Bar Association
2019 Unsung Heroes, Wisconsin Law Journal
Cameron Weitzner is an associate with Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Prior to joining the firm, Cameron spent five years advocating for clients and litigating cases at the Wisconsin State Public Defender's Office. Cameron has represented clients pre-charge all the way to jury trial and has achieved successful outcomes for many clients. His motion practice resulted in cases being dismissed or evidence being suppressed because of unconstitutional police or government conduct.
Cameron received his J.D. from Marquette University in 2015 where he graduated in the top 25% of his class. While in law school, Cameron was selected to compete on both Mock Trial and Moot Court teams. Cameron was given the CALI award (given to the student with the highest grade) in both Privacy Law and Criminal Procedure. Cameron graduated from Marquette with a specialization in litigation and was named a distinguished member of the Pro Bono Honor Society for providing over 120 hours of volunteer legal work.
Since graduation, Cameron has served as a coach for numerous teams in the Wisconsin Bar Association's High School Mock Trial Competition. Cameron is a frequent commentator on CourtTV and has been recognized as an Elite Lawyer and a Best Lawyer: Ones to Watch for White Collar Criminal Defense. Cameron lives in Milwaukee with his significant other and likes to spend his free time fishing and golfing.
Christopher L. Strohbehn is a partner at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Chris enjoys the challenge of helping clients through difficult situations. His calm demeanor is often a great comfort for clients in their times of uncertainty.
Chris has developed a diverse litigation practice that focuses on personal injury, insurance coverage litigation, civil litigation, and commercial property tax appeals. His strategic vision, affability, and attention to detail allow him to thrive in handling complex cases that often overlap into multiple practice areas and venues.
Chris's practice extends throughout the state of Wisconsin. He represents clients across the spectrum - from individuals, to small businesses, to large national corporations. No matter the client, he brings the same sense of calm and pragmatism in an effort to solve their problem and achieve the best resolution.
Chris is also experienced in litigating in appellate courts across the state, including serving as lead counsel in a number of cases that were litigated at the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Previously, Christopher was President of the Milwaukee Young Lawyer's Association and was a member of the Board for six years. He also sat for a number of years as an alternate on the City of Milwaukee's Administrative Review and Appeals Board and was President of a large downtown Condominium Association. Currently, he is a board member of the Wisconsin Association for Justice.
When he is not helping find solutions for his clients, Chris enjoys spending time with his family, working in the yard and grilling outside. As a native of Rock Island, Illinois, he enjoys cheering on the Cubs and Bears, as well as his alma mater, the University of Illinois.
Cianna worked in the Milwaukee legal community as a paralegal since 2015 in the areas of Bankruptcy, Real Estate, Personal Injury and Civil Litigation. She works with attorneys on cases in litigation including drafting pleadings, preparing answers and responses to all discovery requests, maintaining the client case file, mainlining the case calendar, and scheduling depositions and mediations. Cianna communicates regularly with clients giving updates on each case and assisting with the discovery process. Cianna is strong believer in the power of positive thinking in the workplace, and uses her positive attitude and energy to encourage others to work tirelessly towards success. What she enjoys most about being a paralegal is focusing on helping our clients and helping our clients understand the litigation process.
Mr. Guerin is past president of the over 22,000 member State Bar of Wisconsin and the 2,600 member Milwaukee Bar Association. He holds election to these positions as a profound honor, and he is deeply humbled by the professional recognition of his peers. At his swearing-in ceremony for the State Bar, he told colleagues "I don't treat myself real seriously, as most of you know. But I do treat my responsibilities to my profession very seriously."
Providing thoughtful and deliberate care to his client's needs, Denis handles a variety of practice areas, including real estate, business law, estate and succession planning, and probate. The most enjoyable thing about his practice is the diversity of people he is able to help. "I truly enjoy working and interacting with people and helping them to realize the best possible solutions for their needs. It not only makes my job interesting, but also very rewarding," Denis reflects.
Since joining GRGB in 1986, Denis has represented many organizations in a wide variety of business areas. His clients appreciate his straightforward and honest advice, designed to avoid or resolve legal difficulties. Denis also brings a creative and practical approach to estate planning, utilizing his knowledge and common sense ideas to assist clients in the development of plans to distribute assets in a suitable and effective manner.
His goal is to draft estate plans that are not only understandable to the client but also minimize estate taxes, establish trusts to benefit children and address practical concerns. Denis is very effective in dealing with difficult family situations from a planning perspective or probate dispute scenario. And, he provides a common sense approach to litigation involving family disputes as they pertain to contesting wills and family trusts.
When Denis is not helping his clients settle current issues or plan for the future, you can find him spending time with his family, playing golf and taking part in a wide variety of community activities. One of his favorite community events is an annual program through his church, providing gift giving opportunities for children with financial needs. His position as a board member for the charity "Be the Change," which provides healthcare and economic development to specific areas in Africa, is another cause that is particularly close to his heart. And, he continues to be involved in the firm's efforts on behalf the ALS Association-Wisconsin Chapter.
Job Titles:
- Angels High School Alumnae Board, President
Known for her compassion for her clients and a willingness to go the extra mile to ensure that their concerns are addressed, Erin joined GRGB as a law clerk after graduating cum laude from Marquette University with a degree in print journalism. She accepted a position as an associate attorney after receiving her law degree from Marquette University Law School in May 2006.
Erin is recognized throughout the legal community as one of the State of Wisconsin's up-and-coming attorneys. As a result of her efforts, she was selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2019-2022 and in 2017, she was identified as a Leader in the Law by the Wisconsin Law Journal. Erin has also received the prestigious Super Lawyers Rising Star award every year, from 2009 to 2020 and graduated to "Super Lawyer" in 2021.
A Milwaukee native, Erin is dedicated to providing legal services to her hometown community. She has a well-rounded litigation practice, representing clients in probate, trust, insurance, employment, business, and other civil disputes. She also provides employment and regulatory guidance to her business clients. She is a frequent speaker on probate topics to other attorneys in Wisconsin.
When she is not providing solutions for clients, Erin cheers on the Bears, Cubs and Fighting Illini and she just concluded her service as President of the alumnae association of her alma mater, Divine Savior Holy Angels High School. She lives just north of Milwaukee with her husband and fellow GRGB partner, Chris, their daughter, Emma, and their two dogs, Leia and Rosie.
Franklyn M. Gimbel founded GRGB after serving as an Assistant United States Attorney from 1963 through 1968. His experience as a federal prosecutor has proven invaluable in developing a successful private criminal defense law practice.
Over the years, Frank has expanded his practice into civil litigation, including complex business, employment, communications and First Amendment cases. He has represented small businesses and large corporations, as well as individuals ranging from working men and women, to judges, CEOs and other professionals. No person's problem is too insignificant or too complicated.
Helping people is Frank's passion and the cornerstone of his practice. As he so aptly puts it, "my goal is to ensure that people are better off in some way after I render my services, than when they came in the door. If that is the end result, I have been successful." He also wants clients to feel that every attorney at the firm is accessible to them. "There is a real team approach here. This is not always the case in law firms. My job is to mirror that behavior so that everyone works together for the common good of the entire firm and most importantly, our clients."
Reaching out to the community is another important aspect of the GRGB culture. "There is nothing that we do that should be measured by a direct economic impact. Giving back is a crucial part of being a good citizen and neighbor in the communities we serve," he notes. In demonstration of this mantra, Frank has established an impressive record of community service. In May 1994, he was appointed to a three-year term on the Wisconsin Center District Board of Directors by then Governor Tommy G. Thompson. Under his guidance, the District completed the construction, renovation and financing of the buildings which form the core of Milwaukee's convention business, the Wisconsin Center, the U.W. Milwaukee Panther Arena, and the Miller High Life Theatre. He was elected Chairperson at its first meeting and served in that capacity until 2015. In 2015 Frank was bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award from Marquette University. The Lifetime Achievement Award serves as a way for Marquette Law School to "honor the ideal of the Marquette lawyer."
Managing a work / life balance is also important to Frank. When he is not manning the helm at GRGB, he enjoys spending time with his wife, four children and six grandchildren.
Today, GRGB is recognized as one of the best trial and litigation firms in Wisconsin. Our attorneys have successfully represented individuals and businesses in a wide variety of cases, from white collar criminal investigations and serious criminal offenses, to personal injury and complex civil litigation, to family law and real estate matters. They have earned the respect of the legal community and are recognized for their skill and experience not only by our clients, but also by colleagues, adversaries and judges. GRGB is known for its tradition of honesty, candor and in-depth preparation and presentation.
Jack graduated from Marquette University cum laude with a major in History and a minor in Political Science in 2014. After teaching for a year at Marquette University High School, Jack returned to Marquette's Law School, graduating with a Litigation Certificate in 2018.
While attending law school, Jack was a Summer Fellow at the Milwaukee Justice Center, providing assistance to self-represented litigants navigating the court system. He also served an internship with Judge Jeffrey Conen and later with the State Public Defender's Trial Divisions in Waukesha and Milwaukee. Jack was inducted into the Pro Bono Honors Society in 2017 as a result of his community service efforts.
Jaclyn Kallie is an associate with Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Prior to joining the firm, Jaclyn concentrated her practice in the area of civil litigation and insurance defense. She is admitted to practice in Wisconsin.
Jaclyn graduated from Marquette University cum laude with a double major in Finance & Entrepreneurship, with minors in Criminology & Law Studies in 2009. She received her JD from Marquette University Law School with a Certificate in Civil Litigation in 2012.
While attending law school, Jaclyn served an internship with the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee where she assisted lawyers in providing civil legal services to low income clients, with a focus on bankruptcy and predatory lending. Jaclyn was inducted into the Pro Bono Society by volunteering more than 120 hours of legal services, primarily through her role as student volunteer at the Milwaukee Justice Center. Attorney Kallie has served as a volunteer coach for the Chicago Bar Association Moot Court Competition and was a volunteer Judge for the National Moot Court Competition. She has also previously volunteered with the Special Olympics and the Elmbrook Humane Society. Today, Jaclyn an Emerging Woman Leader with Tempo Milwaukee and also recognized as an Elite Lawyer and Super Lawyer's Rising Star. Attorney Kallie is also Lead Council verified.
Practice Areas
Civil Litigation
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Jason D. Luczak is a trial and appellate attorney at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He represents clients in a variety of practice areas, including criminal and white collar defense, administrative and licensing matters, and civil litigation in the state and federal courts, as well as municipal courts and administrative agencies throughout Wisconsin and Illinois. His experience includes trying serious felonies and other charges in state and federal court and briefing and arguing appeals before the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Jason is licensed to practice law in Wisconsin and Illinois, as well as before the U.S. District Courts in Wisconsin, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
Jason is a 2008 graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he was a member of the school's nationally recognized trial team. When he was in Chicago, he worked on post-conviction and death penalty cases and appeals through the Law Offices of Chicago-Kent College of Law. While at Chicago-Kent, he received the CALI Award for Trial Advocacy, Legal Writing, Criminal Appellate Advocacy and International Human Rights. Jason graduated summa cum laude from Ball State University in 2005, with a B. A. in Television News and Political Science, where he was an anchor and reporter for a local PBS station.
In addition to his law practice, Jason is currently an adjunct associate professor of law, teaching the trial skills competition course at Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee. He also coaches the Marquette National Moot Court Competition team, which won the regional competition and advanced to the national finals in 2013. Jason is a frequent commentator on CourtTV and speaker on numerous criminal law topics for the Milwaukee Bar Association.
Jason is a past President of the Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association (MYLA), a current Board Member for Sharp Literacy and has been recognized as a Wisconsin Super Lawyers Rising Star for the past several years. He was also honored by the Wisconsin Law Journal as one of Wisconsin's Up and Coming Lawyers.
Jeff Kaufman lived with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, for an amazing 21 years. As time passed, he could not breathe on his own or speak aloud. He spent the last years of his life bedridden and communicating by moving his toe, grinding his teeth or blinking his eyes. Yet, although he could no longer lift a finger, he still could and did help others.
Born in Logan, Ohio and raised in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Jeff was athletic and active, taking home the state long jump title in his senior year at Central High School in 1974. (He still holds the school record at 23 feet.) Jeff obtained his undergraduate degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he also was a long jumper.
Jeff graduated from Marquette University Law School in 1982 and joined the law firm now known as Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP. He quickly became known as a superb trial lawyer: "highly intelligent, creative, charismatic and sincere," according to firm founding partner Frank Gimbel. Terence T. Evans, a judge with the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago, recalled: "When I was a district court judge in Milwaukee, he was one of the absolute best young lawyers who ever appeared in my court."
In 1989, a year after being named a partner with the firm, Jeff began to experience strange symptoms. The accomplished athlete began having problems jumping on a volleyball court, lifting himself out of the swimming pool, and holding a golf club, baseball bat or briefcase. He was diagnosed with ALS in late 1989.
Despite his diagnosis, Jeff had tremendous determination: to watch his children -- Nora, Ben, Sarah and Clare -- grow up and to find a cure for ALS. In the early 1990s, Jeff and his wife Jan became heavily involved with the ALS Association-Wisconsin Chapter. They were instrumental in ALS fundraising and joined the Board of Directors. A few years later, Jeff started the Chapter's Evening of Hope event. He was involved in all details of the event, from selecting speakers to suggesting auction items to approving arrangements for the event. The goal was money for research toward a cure. The Evening of Hope has raised millions of dollars.
In 1994, Jeff saw the movie The Shawshank Redemption, which is about a wrongly imprisoned man. The man gains freedom by slowly chiseling a hole through his cell wall for 19 years. Jeff's essay about how the movie inspired him, entitled "Digging My Own Tunnel," was published in Newsweek in September 1995. The essay led to a friendship with the movie's director and screenwriter, Frank Darabont, who has been an honored guest speaker and major benefactor of the Evening of Hope.
Jeff Kaufman led the fight against ALS by challenging old ways, taking chances and never giving up. He started the Evening of Hope event with the belief that he could change the world. And he did. As he stated in his Newsweek essay, "Hope can live as long as we're willing to dig. Even for 19 years." Jeff Kaufman dug for 21 years. We will continue digging in his name and memory until a cure is found.
John "Jack" McNally is an associate with Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP in MIlwaukee, Wisconsin. Prior to joining the firm, Jack served as an Assistant City Attorney in Milwaukee, focused on business licensing litigation and claims against the City. He is admitted to practice in Wisconsin and the federal court system.
John has over 28 years of Paralegal experience working in the legal areas of plaintiff/defense personal injury, workers compensation, privacy and compliance, criminal defense and state/federal regulatory compliance and has the esteemed position of being one of the first non-lawyers to represent injured employees in workers compensation claims in the State of Wisconsin, having obtained his license to appear before the administrative agency in the state in 1989 and represented injured employees for over 14 years.
John has been highly involved in the Paralegal Association of Wisconsin since 1987, serving as Vice-President, President (5 terms) and NFPA Primary and Secondary. He currently serves the Association as Board Advisor and Co-NFPA Representative for this year, as well as Chair of the Professional Development and Public Relations Committees. John was also a founding member of the Wisconsin State Bar Task Force on Paralegal Regulation, serving from 1996 to 2004. This organization drafted the paralegal licensure petition heard by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. John also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. and is currently serving as the President of the organization.
John is a frequent speaker for state and national organization with topics ranging from paralegal regulation and ethics to litigation and workers compensation. He also co-authored a seminar manual titled "Discovery Skills for Paralegals," which was used by the Institute for Paralegal Education.
When he is not serving the clients of GRGB with his finely honed paralegal skills, John enjoys spending time with his wife, son's family and grandchildren. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Little Red Store, which is the oldest building in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin and the oldest post office in the State of Wisconsin, as well as the Board of Directors of the Wauwatosa Historical Society. He is also an avid traveler and loves to take in Milwaukee's cultural scene.
Jorge R. Fragoso is an associate with Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For years, Jorge has been an advocate in courtrooms across the state. He has always taken great care to inform clients regarding their options and then to fight zealously on their behalf.
Before joining GRGB, Jorge spent years representing indigent clients at the State Public Defender's Office. While at that trial division in Waukesha County, he represented people in criminal matters from the pre-charging stage through motions and trials and sentencings and achieved successful outcomes for many clients. He was a member of the Waukesha Drug and Alcohol Treatment Courts, and he won multiple probation revocation hearings. During his years at the appellate division in Milwaukee, he won relief for many clients in post-conviction and appellate proceedings, and he argued before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He has worked on juvenile cases, emergency detentions, protective placements, guardianships, and cases involving CHIPS and termination of parental rights.
Jorge was raised in Mexico and grew up speaking Spanish at home. He attended the University of Notre Dame, from which he earned a B.A. from the Program of Liberal Studies. At Notre Dame, he became involved with the Center for Social Concerns and volunteered his time at the South Bend Center for the Homeless and the Catholic Worker House. After graduating from college, Jorge worked as a substitute teacher, a Spanish teacher, and a rare books seller at Better World Books. He enrolled at the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2009. There, he worked with inmates through the Remington Law Center, visited ICE detention facilities to conduct immigration screenings with people in immigration detention, and learned how to advocate on behalf of his clients. He published an article titled "The Human Cost of Self-Deportation: How Attrition through Enforcement Affects Immigrant Women and Children" for the Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender and Society. Jorge received his J.D. in 2012 and started working for the trial division of the State Public Defender's Office in Waukesha County right after taking the Illinois Bar Exam.
During his free time, Jorge volunteers with the Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic. He enjoys reading, cooking, playing the piano, and spending time with his wife and daughter and his dog, Simon.
Like his father, Frank Gimbel, Josh is also passionate about giving back. He is Chair of the Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation and is also a member of the Greater Milwaukee Committee (GMC). The GMC is comprised of 200 passionate CEOs and other community leaders who work together to make Milwaukee the best place to live, learn, work, play and stay. Josh serves as Chair of the Milwaukee Bar Association Foundation and volunteers monthly at the Milwaukee Justice Center providing brief legal advice to pro se litigants in Milwaukee County.
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.
Job Titles:
- of Counsel
- GRGB in 1989 As an Associate
Kathy joined GRGB in 1989 as an associate attorney. 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 client.
Kristen Nelson is an associate with Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Prior to joining the firm, Kristen was a solo practitioner in private practice, specializing in criminal and health care defense. She has represented clients before the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, the Wisconsin Department of Hearings and Appeals, Wisconsin State Courts and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Kristen graduated from DePaul University College of Law, earning a Health Law Certificate along with her law degree. In September 2012, she became licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin.
Prior to moving to Wisconsin, Kristen worked for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations in its Health Related Prosecutions unit. Working for a state regulatory agency trained her to understand the complicated set of laws, rules and regulations that a healthcare professional may be accused of violating. It also gave her a unique perspective on the impact resulting from an administrative investigation, civil lawsuit and/or criminal investigation.
Kristen lives in Cedarburg, Wisconsin with her family where they are currently restoring a historic home in the downtown area. Kristen is also active in the Association for Women Lawyers and participates in their mentoring program.
Practice Areas
Appeals
Job Titles:
- Society of Family Lawyers, Board Member
Max T. Stephenson is an attorney in the family law department at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP. Max helps clients work through the complexities of each unique divorce. His practice also includes representing clients in paternity actions, post-judgment actions, guardianships, and injunctions. A graduate of Marquette University School of Business Administration ('10) and Marquette University Law School ('13), Max joined the firm as a law clerk in 2012. He has since become Partner and practices exclusively in a family law setting.
His dedication to giving back remains strong as he serves as a part of the coaching staff for the National Moot Court Competition team. Max has also become well-versed in LGBTQ+ family law cases and was the driving force behind the firm being honored with the "Diversity In Business" award from the Wisconsin Law Journal due to his work in the LGBTQ+ legal community. Max has been a frequent speaker on various family law topics. He has also been named a "Best Lawyer-Ones to Watch" and Super Lawyer-Rising Star" and is Past President of the Milwaukee Young Lawyers' Association.
When Max is not serving his clients at GRGB, he enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons and daughter. He has also been mastering his skills on the barbeque.
Megan L. Drury is an attorney in the family law department at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP. Megan joined the firm in 2021 after graduating from Marquette University Law School ('21). Prior to attending law school, Megan received her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison ('17) and completed her Bachelor's Degree at Marquette University in Psychology ('14). Megan appreciates working and helping clients through the challenging and often emotional process of a divorce.
Throughout law school, Megan was dedicated to volunteering at various pro bono clinics throughout the Milwaukee community. After volunteering nearly 250 hours, she received the Milwaukee Bar Association's Pro Bono Publico Award, an award given to one law student per year who has generously given their time and talent in support of pro bono services. Megan's dedication to serving others continues as she works to serve her clients at GRGB.
While not in the office she enjoys being outdoors and exploring all that the Milwaukee community has to offer.
Nicole M. Masnica is an associate with 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 many clients in post-conviction and appellate proceedings. As a State Public Defender, Nicole represented the defense perspective on both the Waukesha County Drug and Alcohol Treatment Courts. In addition to traditional criminal work, Nicole has helped clients in termination of parental rights proceedings on appeal, pursued civil writs of habeas corpus in both state and federal court on behalf of Wisconsin inmates, and has argued before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Nicole graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities with a B.A. in Political Science and Minors in Sociology & Philosophy in 2006. She received her J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2010 and was the recipient of the Waukesha County Bar Association Scholarship while in law school. As a practicing attorney, Nicole was named an "Up and Coming Lawyer" by the Wisconsin Law Journal in 2013. Over the years, she has educated other attorneys at various continuing legal education (CLE) programs, including sessions on the nuances of asserting self-defense claim at trial and identifying unique meritorious issues for appeal.
In her free time, she serves as a board member of the Elm Grove Junior Guild. Nicole currently lives in Elm Grove with her husband and three adorable boys.
Patrick Knight's thirty plus years of litigation experience in the civil, white collar criminal and healthcare fields make him uniquely qualified to handle the complex legal issues that impact multiple areas of a client's interests.
Rachel graduated with distinction from the University of Wisconsin Madison in December of 2018. She started her work in the legal community in 2016 as a case worker for ARC Community Services helping clients moving through the Dane County Drug Court. Rachel also completed internships with Senator Tammy Baldwin's office in Washington D.C. and the City of Madison Human Resources Department where she assisted in drafting and implementing a paid leave policy for City of Madison employees. Most recently, Rachel worked as a paralegal for the State of Wisconsin Department of Justice in their criminal litigation unit.
Rachel is passionate about public service. She is the founding president of the UW Madison chapter of Leading Women of Tomorrow which empowers women to pursue careers in public service. Rachel is also part of the Advocacy Committee of NAMI, an organization which helps improve the lives of people affected by mental health conditions. Additionally, she has volunteered with Leaven Legal Clinic which provides legal services to underserved communities in the Fox Valley. She now spends her time mentoring multiple students that are interested in the legal field.
In her free time, Rachel enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her nieces and nephew. Rachel is an avid traveler and recently completed a solo camping trip to multiple national parks in South Dakota.
Richard Reilly brings the sharp strategic instincts of a litigator to the delicate practice of family law. He balances his practice with a compassion for the client and a willingness to fight on their behalf. "We know the issues surrounding family law can be very sensitive and require a soft touch, however, we also show our clients that we are not afraid to take an aggressive approach if need be," he notes.
Richard honed his instincts while serving five years as a trial lawyer in the United States Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's office. He joined the firm in 1971 after trying literally hundreds of cases, an experience that is unique in a family law attorney. More than anything, this expertise has shaped Richard's passion for preparation. He demands much from his capable and loyal staff and describes the family law practice at GRGB as a "team," utilizing the skills of paralegals and legal assistants to ensure that the needs and concerns of the client are addressed swiftly and accurately.
Combine preparedness with his skills as a strong negotiator, and you begin to understand what makes him such a powerful advocate for his clients. His uncompromising style serves him well in an area of practice dominated by compromise; so well that Richard has been recognized as one of Milwaukee Magazine's Best Lawyers in Family Law, including divorce, custody dispute and paternity cases; particularly regarding financial issues.
When he is not advocating for his clients, Richard enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren, rooting them on in their sporting endeavors. He is also an avid golfer and likes to reduce the stresses of his job at the gym.
Russell J. Karnes is an associate at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Russ has substantial trial and appellate experience, and has a diverse civil litigation practice focused on real estate, property tax assessment appeals, contract and business disputes, quiet title actions, foreclosure and title insurance litigation, misrepresentation claims, collection actions, and municipal law. He also assists clients in their business, estate planning and real estate transactions.
Prior to joining GRGB in 2016, Russ was the managing attorney of a local real estate and creditor's rights firm's litigation department, where he also worked as a paralegal and law clerk during law school.
Russ is a proud Milwaukee native and dedicated to serving the community. He also believes that his clients are best served when they can relate to their attorney on a personal level. He strives to use his extensive experience in complex civil litigation to provide practical and effective legal representation to his clients.
Ruth brings 28 years of paralegal experience to GRGB, first working on Insurance Litigation, Personal Injury, Worker's Compensation, and Family Law. In 2000, she began serving the citizens of Milwaukee County at the Milwaukee District Attorney's Office while providing support and assistance to the deputies, assistant district attorneys, and support staff for 16 years.
"As a paralegal, my position offers me the unique opportunity of being a respected member of a legal team, who takes pride in helping individuals who find themselves in unexpected and unfortunate situations. I am given the ability to perform a wide range of tasks in helping others when they are suffering through one of the most difficult experiences of their lives." Ruth says, "It's very rewarding to help someone through a difficult process and see the benefit they receive from our services."
Ruth takes delight in serving as a liaison with clients, witnesses, case participants, and outside professionals by gathering and imparting information. She views her position as intellectually challenging which allows her to be a problem-solver and innovative thinker while interfacing with attorneys, opposing counsel, vendors, staff members, clients and others. She enjoys organizing and analyzing the information gathered to be used by the attorneys, in deciding the most effective course of action for a particular case.
Away from the office, Ruth enjoys all manner of sports and exercise and volunteers to participate in fundraising events and organizations such as the Association for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Support, Blood Center of Wisconsin, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.
While the accolade that resounds most strongly with Tom is the satisfaction of his clients, Tom is also renowned among his peers. He has been recognized as one of "Best Lawyers in America" by a national publication, and is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an honor bestowed upon less than five percent of the trial lawyers in the United States.
Job Titles:
- Leadership Award - National Federation of Paralegal Associations ( NFPA ) - 2017