About Beacon Family Law, LLC

More Than 20 Years of Wisconsin Family Law Experience

Renee has focused her legal career on divorce and family law, representing clients in matters involving property and debt division, maintenance, legal custody and physical placement, child support, businesses and professional practices, retirement assets and other complex financial issues.

Experience matters for reasons beyond familiarity with the law. It helps identify which issues deserve attention, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a position, and determine when compromise makes sense and when stronger advocacy is necessary.

Every case is different. Some require extensive financial analysis or litigation. Others require an experienced attorney to identify the important issues, negotiate a reasonable resolution and move the process forward efficiently.

Experience helps determine the difference.

Clear Advice. Strong Advocacy.

Renee is direct with clients about the strengths and weaknesses of their positions and the potential consequences of the decisions they are considering. She believes clients make better decisions when they understand both the advantages and risks of the choices before them, even when that means giving advice they may not have expected or hoped to hear.

Being straightforward with a client does not mean being passive in representing that client.

Renee does not believe unnecessary conflict serves a client well. But avoiding unnecessary conflict is not the same as avoiding a fight when one is necessary. When an important issue cannot be reasonably resolved, she is prepared to advocate firmly for her client’s interests.

The goal is to focus attention and resources on the issues that matter and advocate effectively where it counts.

Why Beacon Family Law

After more than 20 years of practicing family law, Renee founded Beacon Family Law to create a smaller practice where she can remain directly involved with her clients and their cases.

Family law is personal. Clients should know who is handling their case, be able to ask questions, and understand the advice they are receiving and the decisions that need to be made.

The size of Beacon Family Law is intentional. Renee remains directly involved in the legal work and important decisions affecting each case, providing experienced representation without losing the attorney-client relationship that is particularly important in family law.

In addition to representing clients in divorce, legal separation and other family law matters, Renee also serves as a neutral divorce mediator for spouses who want to work toward resolving their divorce together.

Professional Experience, Leadership & Recognition

Attorney Read’s work and commitment to the legal profession have earned the respect of other attorneys and leaders in the profession. She has been elected or selected for leadership and service at the local, state and national levels, including two elected terms on the State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors and two terms representing Wisconsin in the American Bar Association House of Delegates.

Bar Leadership & Professional Activity

• Wisconsin Delegate, American Bar Association House of Delegates, 2023–2025; re-elected for 2026–2028
• Advisory Committee Member, American Bar Association Lawyer Assistance Programs, 2026
• Advisory Group Member, State Bar of Wisconsin Rural Practice Development Program, 2025–present
• Member, State Bar of Wisconsin Family Law Section
• Member, American Bar Association Section of Family Law
• Member, American Bar Association
• District 3 Representative, State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors, 2019–2023
• Executive Committee Member, State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors, 2022–2023
• Leadership Development Committee Member, State Bar of Wisconsin, 2018–2021
• Member & Former Scholarship Committee Chair, Outagamie County Bar Association
• Member, Winnebago County Bar Association

Professional Distinctions & Leadership

• Fellow, American Bar Foundation
• Fellow, Wisconsin Law Foundation
• President & Board Member, Wisconsin Law Foundation Fellows Board of Trustees
• Board Member, Wisconsin Law Foundation, 2024–2027

Honors & Recognition

• Women in the Law Honoree, Wisconsin Law Journal, 2026
• Wisconsin Super Lawyers, Family Law, 2023–2026
• Wisconsin Rising Stars, Family Law, 2015–2018
• Client Champion, Silver, Martindale-Hubbell, multiple years
• Avvo Rating 10.0
• Top 10 Family Law Attorney, Wisconsin, Attorney & Practice Magazine, multiple years
• Fox Cities Future 15, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce and The Post-Crescent, 2013

Publications & Presentations

• Author, “Divorcing a Narcissist: The Legal Perspective,” Divorced Girl Smiling, 2026
• Author, “When is it too late to change attorneys during divorce? Almost never,” Divorced Girl Smiling, 2025
• CLE Speaker and Co-Presenter, “Are You Kid-ding? Child Custody, Placement and Support” State Bar of Wisconsin Solo & Small Firm Conference, 2023

Throughout her career, Attorney Read has written and spoken on numerous legal topics. The publications and presentations above are a selected listing of that work.

Interviews & Videos

• Guest, “Divorcing a Narcissist: The Legal Perspective,” 2026 [WATCH]
• Guest, “Thinking About Changing Attorneys? Keep These Things In Mind,” 2025 [WATCH]
• Guest, “Addressing Parental Alienation,” 2026 [WATCH]

Throughout her career, Attorney Read has participated in interviews, educational videos and other media appearances addressing divorce, family law and related legal topics. The interviews and videos above are a selected listing of that work.

Community Leadership & Service

• Board Member, Fox West Chamber of Commerce, 2019–2020
• Past President & Former Member, Fox Cities Morning Rotary Club
• Former Board President, Samaritan Counseling Center of the Fox Valley

Education, Training & Admissions

• J.D., Saint Louis University School of Law, 2004; Dean’s Scholar; National Dean’s List
• B.S., with honors, University of Iowa, 2000
• Admitted to practice in Wisconsin, 2004
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 2005
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2011
• Graduate, G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy, State Bar of Wisconsin, 2017–2018
• 30 hours of Interdisciplinary Family Law Mediation Training, Family Mediation Center, Milwaukee, 2025

The attorney you choose can make a meaningful difference in how you understand and navigate the decisions ahead. Attorney Read brings substantial family law experience, thoughtful counsel and strong advocacy to each matter, with an approach tailored to the circumstances and priorities of the individual client. If you are considering divorce or facing another Wisconsin family law matter, contact Beacon Family Law to request a consultation with Attorney Renee Read.