Karyn Gimbel Youso

Karyn Gimbel Youso is an experienced family law attorney located in Brookfield, WI, serving Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee counties. After 26 years of working for others, she established her own firm in 2018, First Look Family Law.  She offers compassionate and effective low conflict family law services and processes to help families lower their conflict and lower their costs, both financial and emotional.

In the Mediation process, Atty Youso helps families (usually unrepresented) communicate better, which leads to cooperation and direct problem-solving.  This approach is cost-effective and time-saving, and deals with the heart of the issues causing conflicts between parties.   She has extensive experience handling complex issues involving child custody, property division, domestic violence and substance abuse cases, and often enlists the assistance of other professionals to educate couples and help lower conflict (financial neutrals, mental health experts, appraisers, etc.).  If a couple wants to get divorced, but prefers privacy and the opportunity to be "heard" in a way that will lead to a mutually satisfying outcome (both financially and emotionally), then private mediation with an experienced mediator such as Atty Youso is an effective divorce process for that couple.  

In Collaborative Divorce, Atty Youso advocates as counsel for her client as part of a larger Collaborative Team, keeping the good of the whole family in mind even as she addresses the concerns of her individual client.  By committing to a no-litigation approach, the whole team can focus on solving problems instead of preparing for trial.   The transparency of the process ensures that all concerns are addressed, all necessary information disclosed and exchanged, and the outcome of the case is based on actual interests, not knee-jerk positions/wants.  Emotions are heard and addressed respectfully.  Children are prioritized.  Focus is on the long game.  

A 1989 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Ms. Youso completed her Bachelor of Arts in French with a minor in Russian literature, and then went on to receive her Juris Doctor in 1992 from the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. In law school she was a member of the Journal of Urban and Contemporary Law, and the recipient of the Golden Quill Award. She was first admitted to practice in Illinois and later in Wisconsin in 1993.

Ms. Youso lends her time and services to those in her community. She previously served on the Public Education Committee of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, and the Board of the Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin.  She was involved in major fundraising at her children's school, and place of worship.   She is currently serving her second term on the Wisconsin State Bar Family Law Section Board, as well as on the Advisory Board of the Redeem and Restore Center in Waukesha, Wisconsin, serving the needs of women who have been sexually assaulted or sex trafficked.  She is a member of many business organizations in the community, including the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce, the Idea Collective, TEMPO Waukesha, Elmbrook Rotary Club, and the KNOW Women of Milwaukee.

For Atty Youso’s professionalism and outstanding client services, she is rated “Superb” through Avvo.