ATTORNEY JANICE K. WEXLER

Ms. Janice Wexler is a life-long Madisonian who has been practicing law for over twenty-five years. Her practice is exclusively focused on family related legal issues affecting adults and children.

Her professional experience includes service as the Assistant Family Court Commissioner for the Dane County Court system, Director of Continuing Legal Education for the State Bar, and Executive Director for two Madison area associations. Before joining a private firm in 1997, Ms. Wexler was the Lead Child Support Manager for the Training Unit of the State Division of Economic Support. She lectured in the area of legal writing at the University of Wisconsin - Madison Law School. She has been a shareholder in the firm of Scheffer & Wexler, S.C. since 2000.

Ms. Wexler served on the Board of Directors of the Dane County Bar Association as well as the Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin through 2004. She was reelected to the local Bar in 2007.  In 2001 she was elected to the statewide Family Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin, where she continues to serve. Ms. Wexler also formerly participated on the American Bar Association’s Committees on Child Custody and Cohabitation / Step-Families.

Evidencing her expertise in the area of Family Law, Ms. Wexler's work concerning the role of Guardian ad Litem in a Family Court has been published in the Wisconsin Journal of Family Law. Additionally she served on the Guardian ad Litem Legislative Council Advisory Committee that considered changes in Wisconsin law.  In 2000, 2002 & 2004 Ms. Wexler presented continuing legal education sessions to other attorneys focusing on Custody and Placement. Her materials were published for the State Bar of Wisconsin Continuing Legal Education Program titled: Build Your Practice, Handling a Basic Divorce. In late 2001 Ms. Wexler presented practice tips for the University of Wisconsin Extension’s “Through the Eyes of a Child” conference; in 2002, 2005 and 2006 she presented Guardian ad Litem training for attorneys and in 2003 and 2004 she presented at the Family Law Section’s annual workshop. Previously, Ms. Wexler served on the Board of Trustees for her synagogue and volunteered for the Interfaith Hospitality Network. She continues to volunteer at the Dane County Family Law Assistance Center, assisting members of the general public who cannot afford an attorney.

 

AREAS OF PRACTICE - Janice K. Wexler practices family law, including:


Divorce & Collaborative Divorce

Ms. Wexler has over 25 years' experience in helping couples peacefully end their marriages and personal relationships.  She helps couples divorce with dignity while minimizing their disillusionment with the court system.  Her philosophy on ending marriages can be called "hospice-like."


Guardian ad Litem

Acting as a Guardian ad Litem, Ms. Wexler represents the legal interests of children affected by divorce, paternity, or other legal matters.   Attorney Wexler is frequently appointed Guardian ad Litem for cases going though the Dane County Court system.


Paternity, Child Custody, Placement and Support

Ms. Wexler helps unmarried couples understand and implement effective placement plans.  She also is a strong advocate for parents who require assistance in enforcing a placement schedule, payment of child support, and other matters. 


Marital, Premarital and Domestic Partner Agreements

Ms. Wexler assists couples of all walks of life in creating agreements related to their relationships for purposes including financial security, obligations in case of divorce, protection of children from a prior relationship, and protection of credit history.  She  also helps clients understand Wisconsin's Marital Property Act and how it effects them and their estates.


Grandparents' Rights

Recognition of grandparents' rights by the Wisconsin legislature is a fairly recent trend.  Ms. Wexler assists grandparents who want to petition for visitation, placement, or custody of their grandchildren.