Leo Beskar, specializing in Wills and Estate Planning, Business Planning, Probate, Real Estate, Elder Law

Leo Beskar has been a business, real estate and estate planning attorney for over 40 years.  A Prescott native, Leo is married with three children and enjoys yard work, fishing, hunting and other outdoor related activities.

Practice Areas

• Wills & estate planning
• Business law
• Probate
• Elder law
• Real estate

Licenses and Certifications:

• Wisconsin (1978)
• U.S. District Court – Western District of Wisconsin

Education:

• University of Wisconsin – River Falls (B.S., 1973)
• Hamline University School of Law – St. Paul, Minnesota (J.D., 1978)

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• St. Croix Valley Bar Association
• State Bar of Wisconsin
• The River Falls Community Fund of the St. Croix Valley Foundation

Schedule Appointment

“Max will always be my first call.” 

Protecting you, your family and your business.  Max Neuhaus is a partner in the firm specializing in wills, trusts, estate planning, business, and real estate.  Aside from his private practice, Max serves as a Wisconsin Supreme Court appointed Special Investigator, as well as a Judge appointed trustee and guardian ad litem in cases where children have been injured.

Max has appeared in multiple editions of Super Lawyers Magazine and has been inducted into the Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society every year since 2015.  Max currently sits on the Editorial Board of Wisconsin Lawyer Magazine and is a current nominee in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in America for his Trusts and Estate practice.  In 2020 Max was named a Pierce County Public Health Hero and in 2021, Max was nominated as the River Falls Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year.

Max is the attorney to numerous local charities, and has served as President of the St. Croix Valley Bar Association, President of the River Falls Chamber of Commerce, President of the River Falls Economic Development Corporation, President of the Pierce County Economic Development Corporation, President of the St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice Program and President of Ezekiel Lutheran Church.

Practice Areas:

• Business
• Estate planning (wills & trusts)
• Real estate
• Trusts
• Wills

Current Court and Government Appointments

• Wisconsin Supreme Court Appointed Special Investigator (2014 – present)
• Judge Appointed Guardian ad Litem, Pierce, St. Croix and Eau Claire County, WI
• Judge Appointed Trustee, St. Croix County, WI
• Supplemental Court Commissioner, Pierce County, WI
• Independent Hearing Officer, City of River Falls, WI
• Pierce County Condemnation Commission (2021 – 2022 Chairman)

Selected Honors

• Best Lawyers in America nominee (2023)
• Executive Officer, University of Wisconsin River Falls Foundation (2022 – present)
• Citizen of the Year Nominee, River Falls Chamber of Commerce (2021)
  
• American Family Insurance “Dream Champion” (2021)
• Pierce County Public Health Hero (2019)
• Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
  
• Wisconsin Access to Justice Coalition Pro Bono Honor Society (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
• Wisconsin Lawyer Magazine Editorial Board (2016 – present)
• ABA Military Pro Bono Project Volunteer Attorney (2008 – present)
• National College Athlete Honor Society ex-officio to the Board of Directors (2019 – present)
• Turning Point Domestic Abuse Volunteer Attorney (2019 – present)
• Member of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin Discipline Committee (2021 – present)

Past Honors

• President: River Falls Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors (2019-2021)
• President: Ezekiel Lutheran Church, River Falls (2021)
• Wisconsin Super Lawyers Magazine (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
• President: Pierce County Economic Development Corporation (appointed 2012; re-appointed 2013)
• Chairman of the Board: River Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors  ( 2013)
• President: St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice Program (appointed 2011; re-appointed 2012)
• President: St. Croix Valley Bar Association (2012)
• Founding Board Member, FORWARD: The River Falls Education Foundation (2011)
• Pierce County Ethics Board Member (2015 – 2017)
  
• St. Croix County Special Prosecutor (2012 – 2015)
• St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors
  
• First National Bank of River Falls Board of Directors
• River Falls Rotary (Paul Harris Fellow)
• River Falls Library Foundation Board of Directors (2011 – 2014; 2019 – 2021)
• River Falls Area YMCA Community Board (Y-Partners Chair: 2010, 2011)
• Immanuel Lutheran Church Council (2004-2007)
• Leadership River Falls (Class of 2000)
• River Falls Board of Education (elected 1997-2000; re-elected 2000-2002)
• Turning Point Domestic Abuse Shelter Volunteer Legal Advocate (1999)
• American Legion Badger Boy (1996)
• UW-River Falls Track & Field announcer

Licenses, Certifications and Associations:

• United States Federal Court
• Wisconsin Supreme Court
• Minnesota Supreme Court Qualified Neutral for Mediation
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
• Sons of the American Legion

Teaching and Publications

• Adjunct Professor of Business Law: University of Wisconsin – River Falls
• Wisconsin Lawyer Magazine
• Academy of Legal Studies in Business, San Antonio, Texas

Education:

• Mitchell Hamline University School of Law.  Dean’s List
• University of Wisconsin – River Falls.  Dean’s List

What Clients are Saying (2023-2024)

I couldn’t have asked for a better attorney or a better experience working with Max Neuhaus. He was so knowledgeable, helpful, and extremely prompt with his communication and getting things done. We were working on many different business projects at one time and he was amazing to work with! I will use him and this firm whenever I need an attorney. Highly recommend! – Beth

My right hand man. – Mike

Max is the best! Personable, community minded, giving of self, serving others! His expertise is invaluable. He and his staff and collogues were both very attentive and responsive! We are a small business and this firm treats us with such kindness and care! We LOVE working with Max. – Wendi

I worked with Max for almost two years. The best ever! – Cheryl

Our nonprofit has benefitted from the generous legal guidance of Rodli, Beskar, Neuhaus, Murray & Pletcher, S.C. for many years. We have had the privilege of working with Max Neuhaus on a variety of matters that have been vital to maintaining best practices and addressing new challenges for our organization. The sound counsel we receive from Max and his team allows us to carry out our core mission with confidence. – Jack

Max is not just one of the most qualified attorneys in the state in these areas, he is an absolute delight to work with. – Erin

I work with Attorney Max Neuhaus frequently as part of my job. He is professional, treats my clients with dignity and respect, and is always willing to go above and beyond. Thank you Attorney Neuhaus! – Haley

Max Neuhaus is such a pleasure to work with. He is able to look at the big picture of what you are trying to accomplish, then break things down into simple logical steps that no longer seem overwhelming.  After our first meeting, I knew I was in good hands and that everything would be taken care of. – Jane

Max was great to work with. I purchased a business and he handled the transaction. He is a great person, friend, and I completely trust Max and recommend him to anyone. – Jeff

I’ve had the privilege of working with Max Neuhaus for over four years. I am continually impressed with Max’s thoroughness, positive attitude and willingness to find the best solution for each client. I have referred numerous business clients to Max and they have always raved about their experience working with him. It is truly a pleasure working with Max and I am sure anyone who meets him would agree. – Danielle

Max is the best, truly a lawyer you can trust and depend on. – Tim

I have worked with Max Neuhaus for many items related to my business (contracts, etc.) and also for estate planning for my family. He is friendly, knowledgeable, and professional in everything he does. He responds to communication quickly and I can trust the information he gives me. Max also has shared other great resources for other needed services in the area. I will continue to work with Max in the years to come and I recommend him to anyone in need of assistance with business or estate planning. – Jenni

Max will always be my first call. – Megan

Serious Accidents & Personal Injury, Insurance Disputes, Family Law & Divorce

Dan Murray is a trial lawyer who has dedicated his career to zealously advocating for the rights of individuals and small businesses and obtaining the best possible result in each and every case.  To each client matter, Dan brings over 20 years of successful courtroom experience practicing law in many counties throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota.  He is also a seasoned mediator who utilizes this experience to negotiate positive outcomes for clients.

Dan is committed to the broad community in which he works and lives, and is a member of the local Kiwanis and Lions Clubs, volunteer coach for youth athletics, member of the Wisconsin Association for Justice, and since 1993 has represented disadvantaged clients pro bono for the Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services/Ramsey County Volunteer Attorney Program.

In addition to representing individuals and small businesses in Wisconsin and Minnesota with family-law matters and a wide-variety of personal injury, disability, insurance, business and property damage claims, Dan has extensive legal experience in many other states throughout the country in complex litigation and appellate matters including successfully representing dairy farmers against electric utilities, cooperatives, and large insurance companies on a variety of agricultural-damage cases involving stray voltage/stray electricity, faulty milking equipment, and deficient feed.

Practice Areas:

• Family Law, divorce, custody, child placement, paternity, and adoption
• Serious accidents, wrongful death, electrocution
• Personal injuries, including brain and back injuries, disfigurement, and burns
• Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, boating accidents, and farm accidents
• Disability cases, including social security benefits
• Agricultural issues, stray voltage, milking machine, and defective feed cases
• Property damage, business and real estate litigation
• Lawsuits against insurance companies, including coverage disputes and bad faith claims

Licenses and Certifications:

• Wisconsin State Bar, September 1993, Bar Number: 1022103
• Minnesota State Bar, May 1994, Bar Number: 244612
• United States District Court: Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin
• United States District Court: District of Minnesota

Education

• Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, MN (J.D.,1993)
• Hamline University, St. Paul, MN (M.P.A.– Master’s of Arts in Public Administration, 1999)
• University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (B.S.– Economics & Political Science, 1989)

Papers and Publications

• Divorce and Family Law Weblog: Western Wisconsin

Associations/Memberships

• Member Wisconsin Association for Justice;
• Member of the Wisconsin Association of Mediators; Qualified Neutral: MN Rule 114;
• River Falls Lions Club (President 2008-2009; Lion of the Year 2012-2013; Knight of Sight Fellowship 2014);
• St. Croix Valley Bar Association (President 1999-2000);
• Hudson Kiwanis Club, Founding Member;
• Hudson Hockey Association Board Member and Tryout Committee Chair 2012-2015.

Kenneth Pletcher, specializes in Personal Injury, Bankruptcy, Divorce & Custody, Criminal Defense, OWI Defense, Litigation

Kenneth Pletcher began his legal career as an associate in 1998, becoming partner in 2005. He has been listed in Wisconsin Super Lawyer multiple times.  When not working with clients, Ken enjoys outdoor activities and traveling with his family.

Practice Areas:

• Personal Injury
• Criminal and Traffic defense
• Litigation
• Bankruptcy
• Divorce & Custody
• Car Accidents
• Family Law
• Medical Malpractice
• Misdemeanors and Felonies
• OWI-DUI-DWI
• Paternity
• Bank and creditor rights

Licenses and Certifications:

• Wisconsin (1998)
• Minnesota (1998)
• U.S. District Court – Western District of Wisconsin

Education:

• St. John’s University (B.A. 1995)
• William Mitchell College of Law (J.D. 1998) cum laude

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• St. Croix Valley Bar Association (past president)
• State Bar of Wisconsin
• Wisconsin Association for Justice
• State Bar of Minnesota
• Named a “Rising Star” by Wisconsin Super Lawyer: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. Wisconsin Super Lawyer established the Rising Star honor to recognize the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state – those who are 40 years old or younger, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less.

Rory O’Sullivan, specializing in litigation cases from personal injury to insurance disputes

Rory E. O’Sullivan is a trial lawyer with an extensive experience of every aspect of litigation and a formidable presence in the courthouse. He is intelligent yet practical and aggressively defends his clients’ interests while also giving them great comfort and the peace of mind of knowing that their affairs are being taken care of. Rory is reasonable and forthright in his dealings with his clients’ complex issues and yet shows great compassion to people, who are in a difficult time in their lives.

A native of Dublin, Ireland. Rory started his legal career in an international corporate firm in Dublin before his wife, a native of Spring Valley, brought him back to the United States. After moving to Wisconsin, Rory ran his own private practice in Spring Valley while simultaneously prosecuting for the State of Wisconsin as an assistant district attorney. In this capacity, Rory handled hundreds (perhaps thousands) of cases at all stages in proceedings. He has not kept count of the number of trials, both court and jury, which he has tried but there is no aspect of trial work, with which he is not familiar.

Rory handles litigation cases, which is to say, disputes. Whether it be a case about a personal injury, which a person sustains; an insurance dispute; a construction dispute; a breach of contract; a defamation case; or a civil rights case, Rory has likely seen it and dealt with a similar lawsuit in the past. In resolving these lawsuits, Rory is aggressive but realistic, cutting to the heart of the case quickly in order to see if the dispute can be settled and, if not, then simply giving his clients their day in court to resolve their case through trial.

Since 2021, Rory has been listed in Super Lawyers Magazine.

Rory lives in Hudson, Wisconsin with his wife and two children and is active and well-known in the local community. He enjoys reading, exercising and travelling in his spare time.

Practice areas:

• All litigation and lawsuits
• Contractual disputes
• Insurance disputes
• Personal injury cases
• Torts, including property damage and defamation
• Construction disputes
• Estate disputes, including probate and trust cases
• Real estate disputes, such as adverse possession or easement cases
• Business disputes

Education:

• Trinity College Dublin, LLB
• King’s College London, MA in Intellectual Property law

Licenses and certifications:

• Wisconsin (2012)
• United States Federal Court (WI Western District) (2012)

Nicole Niewolny specializes in Real Estate, Probate, Business and Corporate Law, Elder Law and Estate Planning

Nicole attended the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. In between her undergraduate degree and attending law school, she joined the United States Army Reserves. While attending the University of Madison Law School, Nicole participated in the Constitutional Litigation, Appeals and Sentencing Project. Additionally, she was a senior managing editor on the International Law Journal Senior Editorial Board. Outside of Law School, Nicole was a law clerk for Waukesha County in Waukesha, WI, before joining Rodli, Beskar, Neuhaus, Murray and Pletcher, S.C.

Practice areas:

• Real Estate
• Business and Corporate Law
• Elder Law
• Probate 
• Estate Planning

Licenses and Certifications:

• Wisconsin State Bar

Education:

• University of Eau Claire
• University of Madison

Catherine Munkittrick (Retired)

Before retiring in 2021, Catherine Munkittrick had over 25 years of experience in the practice of law, beginning at the firm in 1987.  In this capacity, she had the privilege of serving as attorney for several municipalities in Western Wisconsin.  Before becoming an attorney, Cathy worked in the Research Department at the League of Minnesota Cities, answering questions from City officials.

Cathy is married with three children, and in addition to family activities, Cathy’s interests include biking, camping, reading, and being active in her church.  Cathy is currently a citizen member of the Plan Commission for the Town of Kinnickinnic, where she lives.

Practice Areas:

• Government relations
• Employment law
• Land use law
• Wills and estate planning
• Appellate advocacy

Education:

• University of Minnesota – Minneapolis (B.A., 1978) cum laude
• William Mitchell College of Law (J.D., 1986) summa cum laude

Licenses and Certifications:

• Wisconsin (1987)
• Minnesota (1986)
• U.S. District Court – Western District of Wisconsin

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• St. Croix Valley Bar Association
• State Bar of Wisconsin
• State Bar of Minnesota

Gwen spent more than 35 years at the firm working with governmental bodies and with families in all types of transition for more than three decades.

Gwen and her husband have two grown children, three grandchildren, a cat and a very hairy yellow lab.  Gwen enjoys knitting, reading, following Brewers baseball and Badger basketball, and is always grateful for time spent with family and friends.

Education:

• University of Wisconsin – River Falls (B.S., 1977)
• William Mitchell College of Law (J.D., 1984)

Former Professional Associations and Memberships:

• St. Croix Valley Bar Association
• State Bar of Wisconsin
• NAELA (National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys)
• WINAELA (Wisconsin National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys)
• Wisconsin Towns Association

Stuart Krueger (Retired)

A native of River Falls, Stuart Krueger practiced law for forty years before retiring with the firm under AV Preeminent status.  Stu’s broad career includes recovering million dollar verdicts on behalf of victims in personal injury lawsuits, representing local banks, and representing clients and mediating in complex divorce situations.  Stu’s outside interests include wilderness canoeing, hunting, fishing and woodworking. He has served as Chairperson of the River Falls Area Hospital Ethics Committee, the Chairman’s Cabinet of Northern Star Council Boy Scouts of America, and on the Board of Directors of the River Falls State Bank.