Paulette Brazil was born and raised in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee with an undergraduate degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance in 1986. She graduated from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois with honors, Cum Laude, in 1990. During law school, Paulette participated in a number of school activities including the law review program, the Gavel Society, the International Legal Fraternity of Phi Delta Phi and student government. Paulette was also awarding the Outstanding Achievement in the Study of Law award in the Who's Who Among American Law Student's 10th Edition. After moving back to the State of Wisconsin, Paulette passed the Wisconsin State Bar Exam in 1991. She has been practicing law since 1991 and has been practicing exclusively in the family law area since 1993. Paulette started her own law practice in September of 1993. Attorney Kristina Thelen and Paulette formed a partnership in 1997 and grew the firm further. Stephanie Benske jointed as a third partner in 2000 and the firm enjoyed further growth and established the business now known as Brazil, Thelen & Benske, S.C. Paulette practices primarily in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine and Ozaukee Counties. Paulette also graduated from the University of Milwaukee's Mediation Program in 2011 and she offers mediation services to assist in resolving family law related issues. Paulette is also trained in collaborative law and offers services as a collaborative attorney as well. Paulette has been a member of the Inns of Court, the Family Law Society, Justinian Society and the Wisconsin Club. She has done volunteer work in the area of domestic violence and at the Self Help Legal Clinic which was offered at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. She has appeared on WTMJ both in a radio and a news program. Paulette has also appeared with Attorney Stephanie Benske on a Dateline program which profiled a family related case. Paulette has been recognized as a Super Lawyer associated with the Milwaukee Magazine. She has also prepared materials for and presented seminars for other attorneys on family law related issues for the National Business Institute. Paulette's interests include a priority of spending time with family and participating in sports, especially running. Running has been a passion. Paulette is a long standing member of the Badgerland Strider's running group. She has been a significant supporter of and participates in running events including marathons in Georgia and San Francisco and half marathons including the Rock and Soul half marathons at the Summerfest grounds and the Badgerland Strider half marathon. Paulette's passion for running is shared by her sister Kelly Hazelton who is a paralegal at the law firm and nieces and a nephew. They can all be found frequenting local running events throughout the season including the family favorite "The Storming of the Bastille" held in downtown Milwaukee.

Jonathan is a native of Laurinburg, NC, and he was inspired to study law when he read The Federalist Papers in a 9th grade civics class. Reading the Founding Fathers explain in their own words the democracy and government that they wanted to create in the United States fascinated him as a young man and made him realize that the practice of law was a way to honor what men like James Madison had started. Growing up in a small town taught Jonathan the values of hard work and community involvement. His work ethic drove him to register for classes at North Carolina State University just three weeks after graduating from high school. He graduated from NC State with a political science degree in just three years, and went on to spend time working in the North Carolina General Assembly and learning the inner workings of government before attending Campbell University School of Law. He chose Campbell because of the practical legal education offered, including courses in how to practice in North Carolina district courts, where the bulk of legal business is conducted, and how to start a law practice. While in law school, he interned with the District Attorney offices in Scotland and Hoke Counties, where he gained valuable experience in how criminal cases are handled. He also studied law abroad in London, England through a summer program and learned the value of living and studying in another country and culture. The education he received at Campbell provided Jonathan the foundation he needed to start his own practice once he passed the bar exam. He settled in Johnston County because of its rapid growth and found that young families in the area needed qualified lawyers to help with various domestic and family law matters. Since opening his doors in late 2000, Breeden has helped countless people in Johnston and Harnett Counties and surrounding areas with various family and domestic law issues and criminal charges. As an attorney, he has a reputation for sinking his teeth into a case and tenaciously fighting for the best outcome for his clients. He also has a reputation for compassion for children — a reputation bolstered by his community involvement, including his support of Little League sports, his work with the Greater Cleveland Athletic Association, and his support of special needs children through the Crossroads Civitan Club. He joined the Board of Trustees of Johnston Community College from 2015 to 2019 to help ensure the future of higher education in his region. When not fighting for his clients or working for children in his community, Jonathan is an avid sports fan who attends NC State Wolfpack, Carolina Panthers, or Carolina Hurricanes games whenever he can.

Emily Brenner is the founder of the Brenner Law Group. She brings over 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer, family lawyer, mediator, negotiator, and nationally-certified psychologist to every aspect of our exclusive divorce and family law practice.

A 1995 KU Law School alumni, I am licensed to practice law in the states of Kansas and Missouri. I devote my practice to providing every client with honesty, dedication, and wisdom to make the right decision for their situations; as well as passionate representation that is not often seen in the legal profession.

I am often asked: “Why are you a divorce lawyer?” The answer – I get great satisfaction from seeing how well my clients are doing at the end of their case versus when we first met. Facilitating that transition and growth, while challenging, is the most gratifying part of my job. The follow-up question is often: “What prepared you most to be a Family Law attorney?” Ironically, the answer lies not in court but rather on a court – a tennis court! Besides being a highly competitive tennis player throughout my life, I worked in various capacities as a tennis pro and in clay court maintenance. Little did I know that over thirty-five years ago, as a teenager and through college, spending my spring and summer days waking up at 5:00 a.m., rolling and sweeping har-tru tennis courts, carrying 50-pound bags of calcium chloride and clay, providing instruction to adults and children, and training for upcoming tournaments, that I would actually be learning how to become a Family Law attorney. There are many similarities between a Family Law attorney and a competitive tennis player. First, preparation is key. Just as I endlessly practiced to hone and analyze every last minute detail of my strokes, it is necessary as a Family Law attorney to understand the details regarding my client’s wishes and desires, his/her unique situation, his/her spouse’s personality, and attitude, the strengths and weaknesses in positions, and the ramifications of the foregoing in light of the law. Second, being able to change strategies if your initial plan is faltering is the key to achieving a most favorable outcome. While preparing and counseling my client, I know that the other side is strategizing and preparing to take advantage of and expose weaknesses in my case. Accordingly, I prepare as though I represent the other side. Since I represent all different types of people, I have a tremendous advantage – as I often represent the “other side,” which provides me with a unique perspective, allowing me to effectively counsel my client best on how to proceed. Put simply, no one will outwork or outlast me. Understanding conditions that impact a tennis match, such as weather, wind, and outside distractions, and managing to stay focused when there are other interruptions is crucial. This is why my tennis coach always made us practice in the most difficult of conditions, including on a court that was located off a busy street that shared a fence with a pool filled with children and an outdoor bar and grill. I had to stay focused and block out distractions, especially during swim meets and happy hour. Similarly, the conditions in a courtroom can change at a moment’s notice. Notably, you often are not assigned a judge until the day of your trial. Further, there are always disruptions. People constantly coming in and out of the courtroom. Ten minutes recesses become forty minutes. Witnesses are taken out of order. Exhibits are not admitted into evidence. To be effective, you must adjust and stay disciplined, all while keeping the judge focused. Having been involved in some of the most challenging and notable cases in Connecticut, I have learned how important it is to consult with other professionals to assist in the process. I have worked successfully with many therapists, accountants, business valuators, and attorneys in other practice areas (tax, real estate, criminal, and trust and estates) when it becomes necessary. As a Past-President of the Fairfield County Bar Association, I have had the opportunity to get to know the leading lawyers in each practice area. Having significant experience as a trial lawyer has strengthened my belief that every divorce case should be settled. What people do not realize is that less than 5% of divorce cases go to trial. Of course, it is far more interesting to hear about the gory and gossipy details of a contested divorce in a social setting. However, that is, to great relief, the exception. The only time a case should go to trial is if the offer on the table from the other side represents something beyond the worst-case scenario. This is why it is absolutely necessary to honestly counsel my clients and cultivate their expectations based on my over twenty-five years of experience. I believe in being direct and honest with my clients. While I will always be supportive, I am not a cheerleader. Most importantly, there is one major difference between a divorce court and a tennis court. If you are successful, you win your tennis match. There is no winning in divorce – at least not on the day of the divorce. You can judge how well you did in your divorce by looking at where you are personally, professionally, and most importantly, if relevant, how well your children are doing one to two years after the divorce is finalized. Is everyone adjusting well to the new schedule? Are you settled professionally? Have you rediscovered who you were before your marriage deteriorated? This all leads back to the most gratifying part of my job, hearing from clients a couple of years after the divorce where they share the success they have had in moving on – thanking my team and me for being there during one of the darkest, insecure and difficult periods in their lives.