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November 17, 2025
GREEN BAY – Though Peterson, Berk & Cross has outgrown its longtime Broadway Street office, Green Bay remains home as the firm moves to a larger space at 2071 Central Drive, Suite A100.
“It was a good problem – we outgrew our old space; we had too many people and not enough space,” Attorney Stacy J. Schlemmer said. “People really like the new location. People are familiar with it because of all of the growth out by Costco.”
Founded in the early 1990s and formally established as Peterson, Berk & Cross in 2005, Schlemmer – a family law attorney – said she now co-owns the firm with Personal Injury Attorney Amy M. Risseeuw, making it a woman-owned business.
Specializing in family law, personal injury and estate planning, Schlemmer said with a total of seven attorneys, Peterson, Berk & Cross “has a good makeup of talent right now.”
“That was a big part of why we had to move,” she said. “We added another personal injury attorney and another family law attorney to the Green Bay location specifically, so we needed to expand to make room for them.”
With additional space, more natural light and easier flow to the office, Schlemmer said the growing Peterson, Berk & Cross team is excited for the firm’s new chapter in the new space.
Furthermore, Schlemmer said Peterson, Berk & Cross aims to broaden its reach beyond Green Bay and Appleton, where the firm’s other office is located at 2400 S. Kensington Drive, Suite 100.
Thanks to the emergence of video conferencing software and its use in the courtroom, Schlemmer said the firm can offer services to rural areas of Wisconsin underserved by attorneys.
One step further, she said the firm also aims to offer other innovative services, like limited scope representation for those who are unable to pay large retainer fees.
Schlemmer said the firm also plans to reach a broader audience through social media and an upcoming podcast.
“I am very excited to see our firm growing with Green Bay and Appleton presence,” she said.
Schlemmer said the success of Peterson, Berk & Cross is rooted in its dedicated staff, who are essential to the firm’s daily operations.
Committed to encouraging mentorship and growth, Schlemmer said the firm offers opportunities for recent law school or paralegal graduates to develop their skills and advance in their careers.
She said Peterson, Berk & Cross believes in investing time in developing younger attorneys and paralegals – efforts that have resulted in positive results for the firm.
Honesty, trust, connection
Schlemmer said one of the firm’s key strengths is its deep-rooted connection to the community, with many of its attorneys having grown up and attended school in Green Bay or the Fox Valley.
“Our reputation, our outcomes for our clients are personal for us because it is our own friends, family, neighbors and community and that means something – we are invested in the community,” she said.
Furthermore, Schlemmer said building trust with clients is central to the success of Peterson, Berk & Cross, with much of the firm’s business coming from word-of-mouth referrals.
“Developing that relationship with a client, we are very honest,” she said. “Even if it may not always be the information they want to hear, we try to be honest and upfront with our clients about their legal rights and options. I feel like people appreciate the fact that we are not sugar-coating things and are real with them.”
Schlemmer said the firm’s strong reputation for presenting effective arguments in court also plays a crucial role in building trust with its clients.
Continuing education
Since beginning her career as an attorney in 2008, Schlemmer said she has witnessed significant changes in the legal landscape and procedural changes.
To stay current in the ever-evolving field, Schlemmer said all attorneys at the firm are required to complete continuing legal education credits.
These credits, she said, are reported to the state bar every two years, ensuring the attorneys maintain up-to-date knowledge and can provide clients with the highest-quality legal advice.
Oftentimes, Schlemmer said, this includes addressing common misconceptions about the legal system, such as the belief that court proceedings move quickly like they do on television, when in reality, they can take several months.
Schlemmer said Peterson, Berk & Cross prides itself on an open-door policy for attorneys and staff.
“Just walk in and talk to any of the partners or associates or other staff,” she said. “We try to encourage a positive attitude among everybody.”
