Kristen E. Lehker

Kris joined the firm in 1997, after practicing law with Legal Aid of Western Michigan, the Cook County Public Guardian, and Jenner & Block in Chicago. Kris assists clients with wills, and collaborative family law cases. Her appellate practice has included oral argument in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, and the United States Circuit Court for the Seventh Circuit. Kris also is a skilled Parenting Coordinator.

Kris graduated with honors in 1985 from Boston University School of Law, where she won the school’s moot court competition and assisted visiting professor and former United States Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg. She received her bachelor of arts degree from Kalamazoo College in 1978, and attended Cuttington University College in Liberia.

In her free time, Kris enjoys reading, travel, and attending her children’s musical activities. Kris volunteers in various capacities in the Monona Grove School District and is active in local politics.

Experience

Partner, WESSEL, LEHKER & FUMELLE INC., Madison, Wisconsin
Attorney May 1997 to present
Emphasis on appellate work and litigation support in areas of family and criminal law.

LEGAL AID OF WESTERN MICHIGAN, Big Rapids, Michigan
Staff Attorney May 1989 to February 1994
Practiced general civil litigation in a four-county area. Balanced a large, active case load and frequent bench trials with weekly informal client counseling sessions.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC GUARDIAN, Juvenile Division, Chicago, Illinois
Supervising Attorney March to October 1988
Supervised twenty-four attorneys representing abused and neglected minors in juvenile court proceedings. Member of core coordinating committee; hired and trained new attorneys; assigned and supervised courtroom work; conducted staff meetings; established and implemented office policies and procedures.
Courtroom Lead Attorney December 1987 to March 1988
Coordinated representation of abused and neglected minors in one of Cook County’s juvenile courts. Supervised three attorneys and one social worker; maintained regular caseload.
Courtroom Attorney June to December 1987
Represented abused and neglected minors in juvenile court.

JENNER & BLOCK, Chicago, Illinois
Litigation Associate June 1985 to June 1987
Practiced general civil litigation in federal and state courts. Researched and drafted pleadings, briefs, legal memoranda, and discovery materials; conducted discovery; researched and argued motions.

BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, Boston, Massachusetts
Research Assistant December 1984 to May 1985
Assisted Justice Arthur J. Goldberg, Visiting Professor, with course on pending Supreme Court cases. Researched and drafted bench memoranda; evaluated students’ briefs and oral arguments.

LUBIN & MEYER, Boston, Massachusetts
Law Clerk Summer 1984
Assisted with discovery, research, and general trial preparation in small litigation firm.

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY, Michigan
Law Clerk Summer 1983
Tried misdemeanor cases before District and Probate Court judges; researched and wrote appellate briefs.

PROVE HIGH SCHOOL, Maywood, Illinois
Outreach Worker 1979 to 1982
Taught severely behavior-disordered high school boys; prepared case studies; provided individual counseling; developed behavioral and academic plans.