About Susan
Susan Hansen earned her J.D. from Marquette University Law School in 1981. She came out of law school into the Wisconsin legal community at a time when alternative approaches to family dispute resolution were gaining traction. Her legal training in Milwaukee laid the groundwork for a career that has balanced courtroom experience with collaborative methods.
Early in her career Hansen practiced in Wisconsin and gradually directed much of her work toward family law. She adopted collaborative practice as a regular part of her toolbox. That shift reflected a preference for negotiated outcomes and a structured process that keeps families out of protracted litigation when possible. Her caseload has covered divorce, parenting plans and related financial issues, handled through negotiated settlement or collaborative agreements.
Her involvement in the collaborative movement moved beyond client work. Hansen served as president of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals from 2005 to 2006. In that role she participated in leadership, education and the development of standards for practitioners. The position placed her among a network of lawyers, mental health professionals and financial neutrals who promote collaborative practice worldwide.
Hansen maintains current memberships in professional organizations and remains active in collaborative circles. Colleagues describe her as steady and detail-oriented. She approaches cases by identifying practical steps parties can take to resolve disputes. The emphasis is on process and communication as much as on legal argument.
Her work has required balancing legal analysis with interpersonal dynamics. Collaborative cases, in particular, demand attention to both. Hansen’s experience in the field has allowed her to guide clients through negotiations, document settlements and, where necessary, transition matters back to traditional court proceedings.
Based in Wisconsin, Hansen continues to handle matters that touch on family relationships and property division. She works from a main office in the state and engages with other professionals when cases call for financial or counseling expertise. She currently concentrates her practice on collaborative law and family law.
