Family Law

• Divorce
• Guardianship
  If you have questions let Guttormsen & Hartley answer all of your questions about wills, trust, powers of attorney and guardianship.

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
• Business Disputes
  For 135 years the lawyers of Guttormsen & Hartley have been assisting clients with their civil and business disputes. Our vast experience has shown us that a lawsuit, though often a necessity, is not necessarily the most efficient way to manage a dispute. We are zealous advocates for our clients, but never lose sight of other forms of dispute resolution.
• Business Transactions
  Our trial attorneys work closely with our experienced business lawyers, who are able to guide you through business transactions from inception to completion, identifying and addressing issues before they become major disputes.
• Construction Contracts

Employment Law

• Workers Compensation
  The attorneys of GUTTORMSEN & HARTLEY are licensed to practice before every court and administrative agency in the State of Wisconsin, as well as the United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin, the Seventh Circuit of the US Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Additionally the firm has made appearance before federal administrative agencies including the Social Security Administration, the Office of Workers Compensation  Programs and the Internal Revenue Service.
• Employment Contract

Property Law

• Construction Litigation
• Eminent Domain
  Tom Hartley, a partner in the firm has over 25 years of experience in the area of Condemnation/Eminent Domain. He has represented both condemnation authorities and individual property owners. The condemnation authorities Tom has represented include the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Wisconsin Department of Aviation, We Energies, the City of Racine, the City of Beloit and the City of Glendale. Tom recently served as a member of the committee that rewrote Wisconsin’s Jury Instructions in the field of eminent domain.
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes
  The attorneys of Guttormsen & Hartley have handled issues arising out of commercial and residential property rentals on a daily basis. The firm is skilled in handling the most mundane issue of landlord-tenant law to the most complex. If you need someone to appear in court for you the attorneys of Guttormsen & Hartley not only can appear, but will have the experience to provide you with the best representation possible.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  Personal injury law covers a broad spectrum of issues when one has been physically or emotionally injured, and/or personal property has been damaged.  In legal circles, personal injury law is also known as “tort” law, the French word for “wrong.”  Personal injury or “tort” law is the body of law that allows one to be compensated in the event that someone’s carelessness, recklessness or intentional misconduct injures or damages you or your personal belongings.  Automobile accidents are classic examples of the types of events covered by tort law.  If someone hits the back of your car while you are stopped at a red light, that person commits a tort and is referred to as the ‘tortfeasor’ (French for “wrongdoer”).  In America that person is generally referred to as the “defendant” once a lawsuit is filed, and the person harmed is a “plaintiff” or “claimant.”  State law usually governs personal injury lawsuits, but federal law may apply in certain circumstances.  For example, an injury suffered on federal property may be covered by the Federal Tort Claims Act or liability for injuries suffered in an airplane crash may be governed by international treaties.  A claim for personal injury must be accompanied by an injury that can be compensated,  in other words, one must prove an injury in order to seek monetary damages.  For example, if you were to slip and fall due to someone else’s fault or negligence, you could not recover damages if you were not injured in some way.
• Social Security Disability
  Do you know that a majority of people who apply for Social Security disability benefits have their initial application denied? Guttormsen & Hartley, LLP can help. Often, these deserving people with the assistance of an attorney are granted benefits through the appeal process.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Guttormsen & Hartley is one of the most diversified law firms in Kenosha County providing the highest quality legal services in numerous practice areas including business, estate planning, and injury cases.
• Wills
  GUTTORMSEN & HARTLEY will ensue that all of the assets are distributed according to the last wishes of the decedent as expressed in their Last Will and Testament or to the proper heirs according to the state statutes if no will exists.
• Trusts
  Estate planning is essential to ensure that the largest portion of your present net worth passes to those you decide should inherit. Guttormsen & Hartley can handle the preparation of wills and trusts which will provide for the orderly disposition of property to your loved ones. Through the use of wills, trusts and other estate planning techniques, estate taxes can be significantly reduced, and in some cases, completely eliminated.
• Power of Attorney
  Another important estate planning tool if you should become disabled or incapacitated due to health reasons is the Power of Attorney. This instrument allows you to choose ahead of time the person that you feel is most suited to make financial and/or health care decisions on your behalf if you are ever unable to make them yourself.
• Probate