Kristin A. Leaf

Kristin Leaf is a Partner in the Family Law Department at Gimbel Reilly Guerin & Brown, LLP, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Known for her rigorous preparation, assertive advocacy, and unwavering commitment to her clients, Kristin prioritizes compassionate guidance and practical solutions that help families move forward.

With nearly two decades of courtroom and litigation experience, she brings a commanding presence to divorce, custody, financial issues, and high-stakes family-law disputes. During her 17 years of practice, Kristin has handled not only family-law matters but also criminal defense, civil litigation, and guardianship cases involving both children and adults—areas that frequently intersect with family law. This breadth of experience gives her a comprehensive understanding of the issues that often influence family-law strategy; enabling her to anticipate complications, identify leverage points, and champion for her clients with well-rounded insight.

Kristin began her legal career in 2008 at another firm in Milwaukee, where she mastered the skill of guiding clients through emotionally charged legal issues with clarity, compassion, and aggressive advocacy.

Her training in mediation and alternative dispute resolution informs her client-centered practice and equips her to identify constructive paths toward resolution while ensuring her clients’ goals remain at the forefront.

Kristin earned her J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law and holds a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee with an emphasis in English. Away from work, Kristin enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys, tending her garden, relaxing at the lake in summer, and cheering on her sons’ athletic pursuits.

Bar Admissions

• Wisconsin, 2008

Education

• William Mitchell College of Law (now Mitchell Hamline School of Law)
  • J.D., 2007
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
  • B.A., 2004

Areas of Practice

• Family Law
• Divorce

Memberships & Associations

• State Bar of Wisconsin
• Milwaukee Bar Association
• Waukesha Bar Association
• Milwaukee Society of Matrimonial Lawyers

Notable Achievements

• Successfully litigated a Wisconsin Supreme Court case resulting in a client’s inclusion on the National Registry of Exonerations; represented the client at trial, on appeal, before the Supreme Court, and again on remand, ultimately securing dismissal of the criminal case and resolving the related child custody matter.
• Played a central role in a life-saving guardianship matter.
• Receives referrals from the Life Legal Defense Fund for high-stakes guardianship and civil litigation matters involving life-support disputes and urgent medical decision-making.