The Attorneys:

Bonnie S. Musial, a skilled litigator, brings extensive experience and a compassionate spirit to her practice. Whether negotiating or litigating, Bonnie is a tireless advocate for her clients. Recognizing that the client must make difficult decisions in stressful circumstances, she provides insight and information to help her clients consider their options. During negotiation, Bonnie’s goal is to help her clients reach agreements that will allow them to start their new lives while minimizing the need for attorney involvement in the future. If a client chooses litigation, Bonnie’s preparation ensures her client’s position is well presented. Bonnie began her career practicing criminal defense, and she has argued cases before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Bonnie now focuses her practice on family law, including divorce, custody disputes, paternity, and appeals. Bonnie has had her own law practice in Madison since her graduation from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1982. She has practiced law with Lisa Friedrich since 1990.

Lisa Friedrich believes that family relationships can and should continue to grow and be protected in whatever new form the family takes after a break-up. Providing these services to clients, educating them in the process and doing so in a compassionate, cost-effective manner are in the forefront of her work. Lisa focuses her practice in family law, including mediation, custody litigation, and divorce and paternity actions. She also assists clients in non-traditional family issues, premarital agreements, guardianships, adoptions, wills, health care powers of attorney and residential real estate transactions. Lisa has extensive experience as a mediator of family disputes and is a trained practitioner of Collaborative Family Law, but is also an effective litigator. She has taught lawyers at continuing legal education courses for the State Bar of Wisconsin and lawyers-to-be at the UW Law School. Lisa joined the firm in 1988, after working for one year as a law clerk for then Dane County Circuit Court Judge Moria Krueger. She became a partner in 1992 and has been practicing law with Bonnie S. Musial since 1990.

Sarah H. DeKraay brings a high level of commitment and dedication to her clients. Her diverse background and broad array of experience help her give perspective to her clients and to communicate different options and possible outcomes. Sarah has litigated family law cases in several counties in Wisconsin, including Dane, Columbia, Jefferson, Waushara and Dodge. Sarah's practice areas include family law, wills, powers of attorney, guardianships and probate. Her family law practice includes divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, paternity, legal separation, adoptions, premarital agreements and cohabitation agreements. Her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Business give her a broad base of knowledge in divorces that involve clients who are self-employed or own businesses. Sarah's training also includes the collaborative model for divorces. Sarah has been practicing law since 2002. She is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, the Dane County Bar Association and the Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin. From 1989 through 1997, Sarah competed as a professional golfer and played internationally on the European Professional Women's Golf Tour, and the Asian Women's Golf Tour. Sarah is also a past President of the Executive Women's Golf Association and a member of the Sun Prairie Rotary Club.

Administrative Staff: Our firm includes a courteous, friendly support staff of paralegals, legal secretaries, and legal assistants, all experienced in their areas.