Molly is a member of GHN. She has dedicated her 25+ year career to serving children, families and grandparents throughout Wisconsin. She limits her practice to Children’s Law, specifically, termination of parental rights, third-party visitation, adoptions, surrogacy, guardianship, and custody disputes. She serves as a leader and educator in Waukesha County regarding various issues surrounding child abuse, truancy and juvenile law, and more. As a former Waukesha County Court Commissioner, Molly has extensive experience in navigating the intricacies of family and child welfare issues to win desired results for clients.
Areas of Practice
- Foreign and Domestic Adoption
- Termination of Parental Rights
- Guardianship (minor and adult)
- CHIPS and Child Welfare
- Foster Parent Rights
- Custody and Placement Disputes
- Grandparent/Third-Party Visitation
- Guardian ad Litem
- Parent Coordinator
- Referee/Special Master
- Surrogacy
- Mediation
- Paternity
- Juvenile Special Immigrant Status
- Appellate Proceedings
- Minor Settlements
Education
- Marquette University Law School, J.D., 1997
- University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, B.A., 1994
Classes & Seminars
- 2006-2018, Waukesha County Guardian ad Litem Seminar: Case Law and Statutory Law Update
- 2006, Wisconsin Juvenile Court Clerks’ Association Annual Conference: Minor Guardianships
- 2007, Waukesha County Social Worker and Law Enforcement Training: Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations and Courtroom Procedure
- 2008, Waukesha County Child Welfare/Law Enforcement Training: Probable Cause and Exigent Circumstances Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations
- 2009, Waukesha County Continuing Legal Education Training: Recognizing and Responding to Childhood Sexual Abuse
- 2011, Training Sponsor, Presenting a Case with a Child Witness
- 2011, 2012, 2014, UW Extension - Through the Eyes of a Child Conference, Case Law and Statutory Update
- 2012, Annual Wisconsin Judicial Training, Dispositional Hearings and Orders
- 2014, Waukesha County Truancy Conference, Young Truants and Juvenile Court
- 2014, Annual Wisconsin Judicial Training, Juvenile Court Issues – Cracker Barrell Session
- 2014, Wisconsin Juvenile Court Clerks’ Association Annual Conference, Opiate Addiction and CHIPS/UCHIPS
- 2015, Dane County Judicial Engagement Seminar, Engagement and Collaboration Within the Juvenile System
- 2015, Wisconsin Municipal Court Judge Training, Truancy – What To Do?
- 2016, Wisconsin Juvenile Court Clerks’ Association Annual Conference, Mediation in CHIPS, TPR and Guardianship Cases
- 2016, Wisconsin Juvenile Court Judge Annual Training, Child Safety Decision-Making
- 2017, Together for Children Conference, Protecting the Unborn Child
- 2018, Children’s Court Improvement Program, Child Safety Decision Making
- 2018, Wisconsin Judicial Training, Juvenile Law - Case Law and Statutory Law Update
Admissions & Memberships
- State Bar of Wisconsin, 1997
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1997
- U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin, 1997
- Waukesha County Bar: Juvenile Law & Family Law Sections
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
Published works
- Humanizing Child Welfare Through Child Protection Mediation, University of Wisconsin Law School Economic Justice Institute, Fall 2013
Professional Committees
- Department of Children and Families- Child Youth and Family Systems Planning Team
- Wisconsin’s Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board
- Waukesha County Truancy Committee
- Chair of Wisconsin’s Child Safety Decision-Making subcommittee
- Joint Legislative Special Committee on Permanency for Young Children in the Child Welfare System
- Children’s Court Improvement Program: Judicial Training – E-Learning Committee
- Ad Hoc Minor Guardianship drafting committee
- Wisconsin Commission on Children, Families and the Courts
- Children’s Court Improvement Program – Permanency Workgroup
- Board Member: Mental Health Association of Waukesha County, Inc.
- Board Member: Rosalie Manor Community and Family Services