James R. Phelan

Jim grew up in Little Chute and received his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. He graduated with honors from Baylor University Law School where he was an Executive Editor of the Baylor Law Review. He has practiced in Wisconsin since 2007, and prides himself on providing clients with thorough, effective legal advice, while taking a practical approach to complex legal issues.

Jim joined the firm in August 2013, after working for prior law firms in Superior, Wisconsin, and in the Fox Valley. He became a shareholder in 2017, and his practice focuses on estate planning, including wills, trusts, probate and trust administration, business law (formations, acquisitions, sales and transition planning), and commercial and residential real estate. He has frequently represented local and regional businesses and financial institutions in transactional and litigation matters.

In addition to being licensed in Wisconsin, he is licensed to practice in Florida and Minnesota, and regularly assists clients with estate planning, business, and real estate matters in those states.

Jim and wife, Katie, reside in Neenah and have four children. In addition to spending free time with family and keeping up with his kids’ musical pursuits and other activities, Jim enjoys running, hunting, playing guitar and traveling, including visiting family in Florida.

  • Baylor University School of Law, Waco, Texas
    • Juris Doctor - 2007
    • Honors: cum laude
    • Honors: With Honors
    • Law Review, Baylor Law Review, Executive Editor, 2006, 2007
  • University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, Green Bay, Wisconsin
    • Bachelor of Business Administration - 2003
    • Honors: magna cum laude
    • Major: Management
  • Frequent Seminar “Estate Planning”, Employment Law & Guardianship
  • Frequent Seminar “Estate Planning”, Employment Law & Guardianship
  • Wisconsin, 2007
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin, 2009
  • Minnesota, 2009
  • Minnesota Supreme Court, 2009
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2012
  • Florida, 2023
  • State Bar of Wisconsin, Member
  • Outagamie County Bar Association, Member
  • Winnebago County Bar Association, Member
  • Fox Valley Estate Planning Council
  • Shareholder, 2017
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate & Elder Law
  • Real Estate
  • Business Formations and Transactions
  • Wisconsin, 2007
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin, 2009
  • Minnesota, 2009
  • Minnesota Supreme Court, 2009
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2012
  • Florida, 2023