Strategic counsel with judicial perspective on fiduciary and commercial litigation
Lindsey Grady advises clients on fiduciary litigation, including a full spectrum of issues related to probate, guardianships and conservatorships, and trusts and estates. She handles petitions to the probate court, preparation of nonjudicial settlement agreements, high-value probate administrations, special administrations, disputes arising from guardian and fiduciary actions, and adult adoption. Lindsey also represents individuals, fiduciaries and beneficiaries – including charities named as beneficiaries—dealing with:
- Trust contests
- Will disputes
- Attempted removal or surcharges of trustees
- Will and trust constructions
- Other fiduciary litigation
Before joining Quarles, Lindsey served for 11 years as a Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge, Milwaukee County. During her tenure, she served as the presiding judge for the Probate Division and also was a member of the Chief Judge Executive Committee. From 2009-2012, she was Milwaukee County’s deputy register in probate and acting judicial court commissioner. Prior to her public service, Lindsey worked at Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee and was a partner at a Milwaukee law firm.
Lindsey’s decade-plus experience on the bench enables her to understand what matters most to a judge when reviewing motions, briefs and petitions, providing her clients with a critical advantage in achieving the best possible outcome during a dispute.
Experience in Action
- Litigates a range of fiduciary matters, including claims of breach of fiduciary duty, undue influence, lack of testamentary capacity and intentional interference with inheritance.
- Advises charities named as beneficiaries in preserving their donors’ intentions.
- Represents charities and fiduciaries in resolving trust and estate disputes.
- Counsels personal representatives, trustees and beneficiaries in complex probate, guardianship and trust administrations.
Successes
- Presided over hundreds of court and jury trials in criminal, probate and civil cases or matters.
- Effectively navigated probate and fiduciary matters as an attorney, acting commissioner and judge.
- Initiated and oversaw a successful overhaul of Milwaukee County Probate Court, ensuring alignment among all stakeholders.
- Presented at national, regional and state conferences to judges and commissioners on best practices in handling domestic violence, probate and guardianship matters.
Capabilities
Professional & Civic Activities
- State of Wisconsin, Circuit Court Judge, Milwaukee County, Branch 23
- Elected (2012, 2018)
- Rotations: Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, Children’s, Felony (Drugs & General), Civil and Probate
- Leadership: Presiding judge – Probate Division, Chief Judge Executive Committee, member
- Milwaukee County (2009-2012)
- Deputy register in Probate & Acting judicial court commissioner
- Milwaukee Trial Judges Association, member (2012-2023), board member (2015-2021), president (2019-2020)
- Office of State Courts, Judicial Council Committees (2013-present)
- Juvenile Jury Instruction Committee and Uniform Bond Committee
- National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (2012-2018)
- Project One Juvenile Court Initiative, lead judge
- Judicial Trainings on Domestic Violence, faculty
- Milwaukee Bar Association (2009-present)
- Probate and Elder Law, CLE speaker
- Association for Women Lawyers, board member (2009-2013)
- Fairchild Inns of Court
- Mock trial: Whitnall high school coach, Milwaukee, Waukesha and Statewide high school, college and law school mock trial judge (2004-present)
- University School of Milwaukee Alumni, board
News & Insights
Education
- Marquette University Law School (J.D., 2000)
- C.A.L.I. Awards (Highest Grade): ADR, Torts and Negotiable Instruments
- Marquette University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1997)
- Academic Honors Scholarship and Competitive Writing Scholarship
Bar Admissions
- Wisconsin