Brian C. Hartley

Brian C. Hartley focuses his practice on family law and represents clients in matters including divorce, custody and placement, paternity, property division, and financial support, including maintenance and child support. He also has experience in trust and estate administration.

Prior to entering private practice, Brian started as an attorney with the Milwaukee County Child Support Agency, where he litigated thousands of child support cases and developed substantial experience in addressing complex support issues.  Later in his career, he served as a Family Court Commissioner in Jefferson County. As a former judicial official, he brings a unique and practical perspective to his representation, helping clients navigate both the legal and emotional aspects of family law matters. His time on the bench also reinforced the negative impact and often limited long-term effectiveness of litigation on families, particularly children, which informs his approach to resolving disputes.

As a result, Brian places significant emphasis on alternative dispute resolution. He regularly practices collaborative divorce, mediation (including impasse and neutral-lawyer mediation), and parent coordination, working with clients to achieve more constructive, durable outcomes while minimizing conflict.

Brian earned both his bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor from Marquette University. During law school, he was an editor of the Marquette Sports Law Review and participated in moot court competitions.

Outside of his practice, Brian enjoys spending time with his family, coaching youth baseball, golfing, and reading.