Milwaukee Divorce Attorney Kelly Dodd Headshot 2021

Kelly Dodd

Navigating the emotional consequences of divorce is challenging enough. Partner with a family law attorney you can trust to bring objectivity and rationality into pre-trial planning conversations.

Talk to Kelly

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Primary Office

933 N Mayfair Rd, Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI 53226

Mailing Address

933 N Mayfair Rd Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI 53226

Contact Information
Email Avvo
Primary Office

933 N Mayfair Rd, Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI 53226

Mailing Address

933 N Mayfair Rd Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI 53226

Kelly M. Dodd is our internal firm manager, acting as an attorney resource and in-house client advocate to provide our lawyers and clients with an additional layer of oversight, dispute resolution, and bottomless late-night second opinions. With over 20 years of experience as a partner-level family law attorney, she now provides a comprehensive training and mentoring curriculum to attorneys and staff and broadly oversees the development and improvement of the firm’s varied legal services.

In addition to her management work, she leads the appellate practice group who, collectively, have over 120 years of appellate experience and have handled over 50 cases in the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. No stranger to the higher courts herself, Kelly argued and won the landmark Frisch v. Henrichs case which established that major fines can be imposed against parents who intentionally frustrate an accurate reporting of their income to sabotage child support modifications. She has briefed and argued over a dozen cases in the Wisconsin Court of Appeals.

When she was a practicing attorney, Kelly had sweeping experience in all areas of family law—including obscure and peripheral issues such as partition actions, annulments, international jurisdiction disputes, and cohabitation agreements. Her divorce practice concentrated on complex high-asset matters including an estate valued at $140 million. 

Outside of work, Kelly continues to enjoy writing and editing and has published seven full-length humorous mystery novels with her brother as her co-author. She is also the lead singer in a cover band, playing area festivals, State Fair, and Summerfest.

  • Education

    Certificate in Divorce Mediation (University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2006)

    Marquette University Law School (J.D., 2000; Editor-In-Chief, Marquette Law Review)

    University of Nebraska – Lincoln (B.A., 1996)

  • Teaching Experience

    Kelly has served as an assistant adjunct professor at Marquette University Law School.

  • Appointed Supplemental Court Commissioner by Judge Rebecca Bradley who is now a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice.
  • Named to “Best Lawyers in America” for 2020 and 2021
  • Selected by peers as a Wisconsin Super Lawyers – Rising Star (2006, 2007, and since 2009)
  • Featured as an expert on divorce in four interviews on Milwaukee CBS Channel 58’s Morning News Express (aired January 4, 2007), an interview on the segment” Facebook Cheaters” on Today’s TMJ4 (aired November 4, 2010), and an interview on the segment” Divorce Insurance” on TMJ4 (aired February 17, 2011).

Kelly is a prolific legal writer and editor and was, at one time, the Editor-in-Chief of the Marquette Law Review, where she managed a staff of 40 editors and was responsible for the publication of a quarterly scholarly legal journal. An experienced mediator, with a certificate in Family Law Mediation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Kelly handled up to 70 mediations per year. Kelly’s commitment to family law causes is demonstrated in her history of affiliations with the below association(s):

  • Served as an assistant adjunct professor at Marquette University Law School.
  • Education

    University of Nebraska – Lincoln, B.A.
    Marquette University Law School, J.D.
    University of Wisconsin-Madison, Certificate in Divorce Mediation

  • Bar Admissions

    Wisconsin

HEAR FROM KELLY’S CLIENTS.

D
Douglas – in Wauwatosa

“The representation by Karp & Iancu that I received was very helpful to guide me through the difficult passage from marriage to divorce.”

C
Cheski – in Wauwatosa

“As a community rabbi I am very familiar with the challenges and the stresses that a divorce will put on a family. There is no law firm that I would recommend more to help you navigate this difficult and often painful process. Karp and Iancu, SC will be there for you and your family every step of the way.”

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KELLY’S PRACTICE AREAS

Divorce

Divorce is difficult & exhausting, but it's not devastating or complicated with the right attorneys on your side.

Our Approach to Divorce

Legal Separation

An alternative to divorce that still allows you to define your rights to your children and finances while claiming your independence.

More about legal separation

Military Divorce

We've been helping clients navigate the complex Wisconsin military divorce laws for decades.

More about military divorce

Child Custody & Visitation

Learn whether sole custody or joint custody is best for your children and find a visitation schedule that will work for your family.

More about child custody

Child Support

When you’re a parent going through a divorce, your first concern is likely your children. Our lawyers are experts in guiding clients through the options available. We understand your top priority is making sure your children are taken care of.

More about child support

Paternity

Whether paternity is established by acknowledgement or only after genetic tests, we are here to help you through the process from start to finish.

More about paternity

Alimony & Maintenance

Marriage isn’t always equal—and neither is divorce. You may have made unequal caretaking or financial contributions to the family. We will help you fight to make sure those contributions are acknowledged and compensated.

More about alimony

Property & Assets

When you’re facing a division of marital property, it can be tough to ensure you’ll get a fair share of the assets. We’ll work with you to determine what is and is not part of the marital estate and will help you claim what is rightfully yours.

More about assets

Prenups

Whether you have a premarital property agreement or a post-marital property agreement, we can help determine whether it is still fair to you and how it might affect the outcome of your divorce.

Prenuptial Agreements

Other nearby Wisconsin family law attorneys

Family Law Resources Written by Kelly Dodd
When can we legally sell or refinance the house in a divorce?

Published March 30th, 2021

Read More