Bernardo Cueto
Fehr Law Offices
205 Green Street
Onalaska, WI 54650
Map
Phone: (608) 783-3647 | Fax: (608) 777-9366
http://wislawyer.net
Employment Law
Legal Topic
Employment Law
Preferred New Clients
I have a lot of experience and can help businesses ward off problems as well as enforce the rights of employees that want their rights enforced.
Sub-Topics
Sexual Harassment
Wage & Hour Laws
Workers' Compensation
Wrongful Termination
Legal Topic
Business Law
Preferred New Clients
Emerging and established businesses; corporations; LLCs and partnerships; start-ups; and businesses looking to add a partner and need a buy/sell agreement.
Sub-Topics
Business Litigation
Legal Topic
Real Estate Law
Preferred New Clients
Litigation, arbitration, mediation, and transactional work for individuals and small businesses with real estate needs: Landlord/Tenant issues, encroachment/nuisance issues; drafting/negotiating commercial and residential leases; real estate transfers to trusts; forming LLCs and corporations to hold real estate assets; neighbor/neighbor disputes.
Sub-Topics
Landlord-Tenant
Legal Topic
Criminal Defense
Preferred New Clients
I handle all types of Criminal Defense work. I have
received dismissals on many different types of criminal cases. I am also
relatively inexpensive for certain types of cases. I am one of only a few
criminal defense attorneys with an MBA so if your case is a white collar
crime please give me a call and I would love to help you with it.
Legal Topic
Government
Preferred New Clients
If the government or a government employee has injured
you please give me a call. There are a lot of ways to lose against the
government. If you don't have an attorney who can handle the complex issues
of government qualified immunity then there is a good chance you will lose.
Please give me a call and I can talk to you about what your options are.
Sub-Topics
Civil Rights
- Age Discrimination
- Gay & Lesbian Rights
- National Origin Discrimination
- Police Misconduct
- Race Discrimination
- Religious Discrimination
- Sex Discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
Bar Admissions
WI, Oct 2009
Bar Number: 1076013
Other Court Admissions
Western District of Wisconsin
Association Memberships
La Crosse County Bar Association. Membership Committee of the La Crosse Chamber of Commerce. Onalaska Area Business Association. Stoddard Lions Club.
Continuing Education
I teach continuing legal education seminars on Landlord/Tenant law as well as other topics. I always exceed the required number of continuing education hours.
Example Cases
I advised a married couple with children when they were planning on travelling as missionaries to Europe. I prepared wills, power of attorney healthcare, and power of attorney finance.
I advised a young couple who were traveling without their first child who was just a toddler. I created a will with a residuary trust so that they child will be taken care of all the way through its 23rd year of life if something were to happen to both parents.
I advised on a case where a surety signed the application, but never signed the lease and the landlord wanted to force the surety to pay for all of the bills for both tenants despite never having signed the lease. The landlord back off.
I helped an elderly widow on a case where she tried to raise the rent of the farm and then
When a young business owner wants to take on a partner we walk them through a list of questions to fashion the proper buy/sell agreement that will be needed to ensure that the business succeed.
Our firm has helped numerous businesses limit their liability by forming into an LLC.
I helped represent a woman who was fired from a healthcare company for saying "bless you," they had an illegal anti-religious policy.
I helped represent a business by putting together a severance package that followed the labor laws and helped to limit the liability of the company.
Education
University of North Dakota School of Law
J.D.
Grand Forks
ND
2009
Cum Laude
Student Trial Lawyers Association, Law Review, and Vice-President of the Federalist Society.
Marylhurst University
M.B.A.
Marylhurst
OR
2011
Cum Laude
Real Estate
Number of Attorneys
4
State Licensed In
Wisconsin
Firm Focus and History
Our firm started on a kitchen table and has grown to a large office building with four attorneys. Our firm focuses on the everyday legal issues that occur in smaller cities. We deal with the everyday non-contentious legal issues of businesses and families such as planning for the future. We also roll up our sleeves when we need to litigate a matter in court and have extensive trial experience.
Previous Employment Summary
I was the only Judicial Clerk for the La Crosse County Circuit Court. I handle many of the legal issues that came before all five sitting judges. I also mediated Small Claims Court, which includes all eviction actions in the La Crosse County area.
Activities and Awards
Pro Bono work for the Alliance Defense Fund.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
A lot of time I turn away clients when I tell them that they don't need to hire me for something they can do themselves. I encourage my clients to better understand and investigate their legal matters, the more they are able to help, the easier the process is for them and the lower their bill. I make my best efforts to keep my clients informed about the law and the process.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
We are always willing to review a client's existing documents or documents prepared by clients. Depending on the type of engagement, a document review is billed at either a pre-negotiated flat fee or at standard hourly rates. Clients who prepare their own documents must also be aware that their documents may need a little fine tuning (or sometimes a complete overhaul) to accomplish their intended goals. There may be some areas of the law that they may not be aware of.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
In private practice, I regularly suggest self-help tools and legal aid resources to clients and potential clients who wish to learn more on a particular area of law, need access to specific information or need to minimize attorney involvement in certain matters.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
To help people get over the most stressful time in their life and to help make sure there are fewer problems when planning for the future.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
My two years mediating all eviction actions in La Crosse County have made me appreciate when problems can be solved, when problems can't be solved, and when we just have to make due with what we have. Through my experience growing up in San Francisco and moving to a town of about 400 people after college, I have learned that all of us face similar problems.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I had an uncle pass away and I remember overhearing my relative's state, "You'd think by now there would be a better way of doing this." My uncle passed away without a will or a funeral directive. The family couldn't grieve because they had to spend all of their time fixing all the loose ends. I want to make this transition as smooth as possible so that the loved ones can grieve and as much of the work is taken care of as possible.
What do you like best about your career?
I love learning new areas of the law. I think too many lawyers become content with what they know. I always try to learn as much as I possibly can in order to better to serve my clients.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am lucky to work with a great staff, Cindy Wierschke will probably be the person that handles your phone call and sets up the appointment. I have two paralegals, to assist me who each have decades of experience. We are also lucky to have Jeanne Gilman as our office manager. Overall we try and have a very friendly and open environment so that you feel you can share what's going on in your life with us.
What are your strengths and style?
Foremost, I listen to my clients' concerns and map out a strategy to accomplish their goals. Then, I make sure that all of the steps are diligently followed. My knowledge, experience, and dedication assist me, but what often sets me apart is that I take a direct interest in making sure my clients are taken care of.
Personal Interests:
I was featured in the La Crosse Tribune for my activities coaching Luther High School's Mock Trial Team. I enjoy being active in the community and am active in the Shamrock Club, La Crosse Area Young Lawyer's Association, and La Crosse County Bar Association. I was also a Veterans Court Committee member that helped create the Veterans Court, which assists returning veterans with receiving necessary treatment for combat-related issues and become upstanding citizens in the community. I have been a frequent speaker on Landlord/Tenant law issues in Wisconsin and was a speaker at the annual Wisconsin Apartment Association conference. Bernardo and his wife run a fundraising program at their local church.
Fax
(608) 777-9366
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
We charge a reasonable flat fee for most of our estate planning. If you mention that you heard of my services through NOLO, I will give you a 10% discount.
Hourly Rates
$120 - $200 per hour.
Free Initial Consultation?
We offer a free consultation.
Typical Retainer
A retainer is generally required, depending on the circumstances.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.
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