Michael R. Phegley
Attorney at Law
Court Commissioner
Biography:
Michael Phegley graduated from Marquette University Law School in 1988. He is an experienced litigator having devoted his legal career to representing clients on a daily basis before various courts, judges and commissioners. Attorney Phegley primarily represents clients in Family Court matters. Areas of specialty include divorce, custody and placement, grandparent rights, guardianship issues and termination of parental rights. He served as a court appointed guardian ad litem for Racine County for ten years between 1993 and 2002 representing children in family court (divorce and custody), juvenile court (abuse and neglect) as well as adults in various probate matters. Attorney Phegley also continues to practice in the areas of Criminal Law and Employment Law. He began his career primarily as a criminal defense attorney and has tried over 35 cases before a jury. He also has extensive experience in the area of Labor Relations and Employment Law having previously served as labor relations counsel for employers working with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. In addition, he has represented individuals in employment disputes in conjunction with their union as well as employees in non-union settings. As an experienced litigator, Attorney Phegley knows the value and benefit of effective negotiation and the need to resolve matters short of trial. He is a certified mediator and previously served on the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee for the State Bar of Wisconsin. In addition to his private law practice, Attorney Phegley serves as a Judicial Court Commissioner for Racine County and as an Associate Professor of Law, Department of Business, at Carthage College in Kenosha.
Areas of Practice:
Family
Divorce, Custody, Placement, Grandparent Rights, Legal Guardianship
Criminal
Felonies, Misdemeanors, Felony Drunk Driving
Juvenile Court
Delinquencies, Guardianships, Termination of Parental Rights, CHIPS/JIPS (Children/Juveniles in Need of Protection and Services)
Traffic
Drunk Driving, Speeding, Suspensions/Revocations, Restoration of Driving Privileges
Probate
Protective Placement, Guardianships, Wills, Powers of Attorney
Labor and Employment
Employee Rights, Fair Representation, Dispute Resolution, Unemployment Compensation
Bar Admissions:
State Bar of Wisconsin, 1988
United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1988
Classes and Seminars Taught:
Carthage College, Kenosha, WI
Legal Environment of Business, Business Law for Accountants, Mock Trial
State Bar of Wisconsin Winter Bar Conference
Negotiation Techniques in Family Law (Panel Speaker)
Racine County Human Services Department
Court System and Juvenile Justice Code
Racine Unified School District
Instructor,Student Peer Mediation Training Program
Education:
Marquette University Law School
Juris Doctor, 1988
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
B.S. Labor & Industrial Relations, 1984
Memberships and Affiliations:
State Bar of Wisconsin
Former Member, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
Racine County Bar Association
President, 2002-2003
Board of Governors, 1998-2004 Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity
Community Service:
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
President, 2008-present
Vice President, 2004-2008
Board of Directors, 2002-present
Saint Catherine’s High School
Board Chair, 2010-2011
Vice Chair, 2009-2010
Board of Directors, 2005-present
Racine Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
President, 2004-2007
Board of Directors, 2001-2007
Conflict Resolution Center of Racine County
Vice President, 1993-1996
Board of Directors, 1990-1996
Michael R. Phegley