
Jody Usow
- 105 E. Silver Spring Drive Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
- +1-414-961-9500
- user@domain.com
About:
Jody L. Usow is a graduate of the Marquette University Law School and was admitted to the Wisconsin State Bar in 1986. Jody has extensive experience in civil and criminal law and is an experienced litigator having tried hundreds of cases in Wisconsin Circuit Courts. Although the focus of her practice is increasingly devoted to aspects of family law, she continues to litigate in several areas. -- Family Law and Litigation, including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity and domestic violence. In addition to representing private clients, Ms. Usow is regularly appointed as a Guardian ad Litem in the interest of minor children by local Circuit and Childrens Courts and is a member of the Collaborative Law Council. -- Criminal Law and Litigation, including felony and misdemeanor defense, municipal and criminal traffic defense. While Ms. Usow tries a large variety of criminal cases, she has significant experience in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault including both adults and minors. -- Civil and Corporate Law and Litigation, including contract enforcement and disputes, insurance claims and defenses, general civil litigation, large and small claims actions and collections. Attorney Jody L. Usow has broad experience trying cases before both juries and courts throughout Wisconsin, with a primary focus in Milwaukee, Waukesha and Ozaukee Counties. Telephone (414) 961-9500
Jurisdiction:Wisconsin
Practice Area
Juvenile/Dependency
Advocates in CPS cases to separate perpetrator from protective parent, ensure safe visitation, reasonable services, and trauma-informed findings without punishing the survivor.
Family Law
Handles divorce, custody, parenting time, and support with DV-informed safety planning, temporary orders, safe exchanges, discovery protections, and long-term financial stability.
Criminal Law
Guides reporting, evidence, bail conditions, no-contact orders, prosecutions or defenses, and record sealing, centering survivor safety and informed participation across the criminal process.
Victims’ Rights
Explains survivor rights in criminal cases, including notices, attendance, restitution, privacy, protection orders, and input at bail, plea, sentencing, and post-conviction hearings.
Languages
English
Fees
Free Consultation
Education
Associations
Member
Reviews
RATED 5.0
Aug 7, 2025via Google
Kate Le Cloux
"Jody has been extremely professional and helpful with both my divorces. I would recommend her time and time again"
RATED 5.0
Apr 10, 2025via Google
Steven J Mathie
"Leaving a review for a law firm that helped secure and solidify the future for me and my children is a passionate process for me. When you are going through the most difficult time in your life, it’s overwhelming to have to make decisions relating to your separation or divorce. It’s intimidating to have child custody paperwork and meetings that impact your children in the present and future world in which they must adjust. It goes without saying that it is vital to attain counsel you can trust. Jody Usow is a dynamic lawyer with a wealth of knowledge vital for operating in the world of divorce and child custody in Wisconsin. I learned fast that Jody has an organic process that alleviates the intimidating process of divorce. My initial consultation with Jody took place at a time where I was emotionally unstable and intimated by fast approaching court appearances and deadlines. Jody does not spend time with the minutia that exists between parties, but on a staunch conviction that the facts and realities of your current situation will be the foundation of your approach for the entirety of the process. I found this approach to be effective in the divorce process itself, and for me personally. One of the most exceptional traits that Jody has in her arsenal is the ability to find the things in your life that you thought futile or irrelevant, and maximizing their significance as they apply to the terms of the divorce. This unique skill set is a testament to years of experience litigating in the state of Wisconsin and working closely with families to meet their needs. Jody communicates effectively with you - explaining your options. Jody communicates promptly and respectably with your spouses attorney, something I appreciate to this day as it has a lasting effect on the relationship between parties. I found Jody to pe particularly pleasant to deal with in the areas of property division, maintenance and child placement. Jody uses an eclectic blend of skills that made for a particularly effective representation of a father that spent most of his time caring for kids. The relationships that Jody has developed in her years of practicing family law proved critical in the process involving our children. A guardian ad litem was made part of the process and we were able to effectively communicate with her and make known the challenges surrounding our situation. It was evident to that Jody was exceptionally respectful and sensitive when it came to this, and once she felt like the GAL would help to investigate and represent the best interest of the children, that is what we did. The world is evolving at an incredible rate and views on divorce are always changing. The word ‘divorce’ has such an unpleasant vibration, and the stigma around it is real. But for me, I will always remember that in the most trying time of my life, I had a lawyer that genuinely focused on my divorce and made me and my family a priority. I was more than thrilled with the placement of the children. In the end I found the alimony agreement reached to be reasonable and effective for all parties, and the property division was fair and efficient. One year after my divorce is when I am really able to see the range of effectiveness Jody Usow has had on the lives of both me and my children. Every single aspect of the divorce has proven to have been navigated in a responsible way that put everyone in a position to be as happy and successful as possible. There are indisputable challenges for both spouses when the process of divorce takes place, and I could not be more passionate about recommending Jody Usow to anyone in the Greater Milwaukee Area that is proceeding with the process. Jody operates with a particular level of civility and advocacy that allows for a safe and responsible process."
RATED 5.0
Aug 10, 2024via Google
Matthew Eternicka
"I cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional legal representation I received from Jody Usow. Navigating a complex and emotionally charged custody battle is never easy, but Jody demonstrated unwavering dedication, expertise, and compassion throughout the entire process. From our first consultation, Jody made it clear that my child's best interests were at the forefront of every strategy and decision. The recent temporary orders, which return my daughter to the state she was removed from without consent and establish favorable custody and placement, provide immense relief and stability for our family. This outcome is a testament to Jody's deep understanding of family law and tireless advocacy on our behalf. Despite the case involving a GAL and the opposing party going through numerous attorneys and doing everything possible to deny me placement and keep my child out of state, Jody's preparation and attention to detail were evident at every step. From the thorough gathering of evidence to the compelling arguments presented in court, her professionalism and calm demeanor, even in the face of challenging accusations and high-stress situations, gave me confidence and peace of mind. Moreover, Jody consistently communicated with me, ensuring I was informed and involved in every aspect of the case. This transparency and collaboration were crucial in overcoming the obstacles we faced and achieving the favorable outcome we did in front of the judge. I highly recommend Jody Usow to anyone in need of top-notch legal support, particularly in family law matters. Her commitment to her clients' well-being and exceptional legal acumen make her an invaluable ally in any legal battle. Thank you, Jody, for your hard work, dedication, and for helping us secure a brighter future for my child."
RATED 5.0
Aug 10, 2024via Google
Malik Zakir
RATED 5.0
Aug 10, 2024via Google
Douglas Fellows
"As a business professional, I have required legal services for countless situations over my lifetime. Mostly for normal business dealings, though a few were more adversarial in nature. In either case, selecting the best attorney for the situation is obviously important. When our family was faced with a situation involving a family member being falsely accused, I found myself out of my element as family law was an area I had never needed to explore. I did know however, not having the best attorney in this particular case would mean a devastating outcome and a tarnished record that would haunt us for a very long time. My vast and extensive research brought our family to Usow Law and thank goodness it did. Simply put, Jody Usow is an extraordinary attorney in every way. From the beginning she was great at managing the expectations, the process and our family. Even though our emotions and frustrations would sometimes run wild due to the unjust accusations, Jody always managed to recenter us and focus on the law and her plan to succeed. Jody's experience and overall strategy in dealing with the opposition was brilliant. I was very impressed with her proactive tactics that set the stage for a favorable outcome. Watching Jody in the courtroom was a sight to behold. Measured and mild-mannered up until the petitioner's testimony became clearly disingenuous, and the lion was unleashed. In this day and age when we have so little accountability, it was thrilling to watch a dishonest person eviscerated on the witness stand during cross-examination due to their lack of integrity and vengeful actions. Needless to say, Jody was so compelling in the courtroom that the case was dismissed without her client (our side) ever needing to testify. Jody brought this 4-month nightmare our family was living to an end! If you are in need of a family law attorney, contact Usow Law. If you are faced with unfair and unjust family-law legal issues you should definitely contact Usow Law. If you don't, the opposing side might. We are forever grateful for Jody Usow!"