Philip R. "Phil" Koutnik

Steve Botzau is the managing attorney in the firm’s Racine and Kenosha offices. He was certified as a civil trial specialist in 1997 by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and was recently selected for exclusive membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates. Steve has completed over 100 civil jury trials. Steve has been recognized as a Super Lawyer since 2005. He has been among the top 50 attorneys in the State of Wisconsin since 2011, and has been among the top 25 attorneys in t...

Rebecca K. Millenbach has practiced law since May 2001 and has focused exclusively on family law matters since 2005. She is a Partner at Nelson, Krueger & Millenbach, LLC, a family law firm serving clients in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and surrounding communities. Rebecca represents individuals and families in a wide range of family law matters, including divorce, paternity, child support, maintenance, legal separation, and post-judgment issues. Rebecca earned her bachelor’s degree in pol...

Steve is a seasoned litigation attorney with over 20 years of experience representing corporate clients and insurers in some of their most complex and high-exposure cases. While deeply rooted in the Wisconsin legal community, Steve regularly manages litigation dockets and coordinates defense strategy across jurisdictions. Clients rely on him not just for results, but for clear communication, sound judgment, and a steady hand throughout litigation. Steve’s practice spans a wide range of ...

Brian G. Carroll is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Brian G., who practices law in Waukesha, Wisconsin, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Wendy S. Rusch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Wendy S., who practices law in Waukesha, Wisconsin, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Wendy S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen Trigg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Stephen, who practices law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Terry Johnson is a Shareholder and Chair of the firm’s Professional Liability Section. Terry has tried hundreds of cases to a verdict in matters ranging from complex legal malpractice cases to major construction defect disputes to major personal injury actions. Terry has had an impact in the development of Wisconsin law through appellate work in a wide spectrum of areas. Terry was asked to serve by the Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court on the Office of Lawyer Regulation (&ldq...

John M. Manion is one of the founding shareholders of Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.C., located in Brookfield, Wisconsin. The firm, which traces its roots back to 1873, was formed in 1998 and practices in all areas of intellectual property law including patent, trademark, copyright and unfair competition law and related litigation. John is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern an...

Bill Ehrke is a shareholder with Crivello Carlson, S.C. Bill’s civil litigation practice focuses on the defense of corporations, insurers, municipalities, creditors, lenders, and repossession agents, with emphasis on personal injury defense, first party property insurance investigations and bad faith defense, the defense of lenders and repossession agents in Wisconsin Consumer Act and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act claims, third party casualty insurance defense, municipal civil righ...

John L. Schliesmann is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Tax Law. John L., who practices law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.