One of my clients once commented to me, “You laugh too much for a divorce attorney.” Perhaps so. Although I devote much of my law practice to helping people through separation and divorce, I still try to enjoy life and stay “in balance,” and I want to help my clients do the same. I strive to help my family law clients achieve their personal and financial goals in a dignified, mutually respectful process.

My professional development includes over 200 hours of training in collaborative law and mediation, and I offer both of these dispute resolution models to my clients, in addition to traditional litigation assistance. My family law practice includes premarital agreements, marital property agreements, divorce and post-divorce work, as well as separation agreements for nontraditional couples. I enjoy helping clients reach creative agreements which work for their entire family, for many years.

I also help clients who wish to make their end-of-life health care and financial plans by drafting wills and simple trusts, powers of attorney and health care directives.  As a former nurse, I feel uniquely qualified to help clients understand the health care decisions they may make.  In my real estate practice, I help clients who wish to own real estate with a partner, or who are buying or selling a home.

I have experienced divorce first-hand, and I have an adult child and three beautiful grandchildren.  In addition to my family and friends, my passions include singing in two groups, the Philharmonic Chorus of Madison and the JustUs Singers, and growing huge house plants and dahlias.  As a court commissioner for Branch 3 of Dane County, I may also officiate at civil weddings, something I greatly enjoy, and which definitely helps me keep balance in my life!

I hold both a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and I have had my own law practice in Madison since 1975.

Karen D. Julian, R.N., J.D.