Barry J. Boline

Top rated Family Law attorney in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Burbach & Stansbury S.C.
Barry J. Boline
Burbach & Stansbury S.C.

Practice areas: Family Law

Licensed in Wisconsin since: 1999

Education: Drake University Law School

Selected to Super Lawyers: 2026

Burbach & Stansbury S.C.

11270 W. Park Place
Suite 220
Milwaukee, WI 53224 Phone: 414-359-9100 Email: Barry J. Boline Visit website
Details

Barry J. Boline is an attorney at Burbach & Stansbury S.C. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with more than three decades of experience in family law, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.  He is widely respected as a seasoned, compassionate legal professional dedicated to fairness, clarity, and meaningful resolution.

Mr. Boline spent nearly 20 years in private practice, guiding clients through some of life’s most personal and challenging legal matters, including divorce, child custody and placement, and complex asset division. His perspective is further distinguished by his 13 plus years on the bench as a Family Court Commissioner, where he presided over thousands of cases involving families and children. His experience as both an advocate and a judicial decision-maker gives him a rare, comprehensive understanding of family law from every angle. That depth of insight allows him to approach each matter with empathy, balance, and a strong commitment to fairness.

In addition to his practice and judicial service, Mr. Boline has served extensively as a mediator and arbitrator, helping parties resolve disputes efficiently and respectfully. Drawing on decades of courtroom and judicial experience, he brings a steady, informed approach to conflict resolution, guiding families toward durable outcomes while minimizing the emotional and financial costs of litigation.

Mr. Boline is also deeply committed to education and the advancement of family law. He has taught students, attorneys, and judges, sharing practical insights shaped by real-world experience. He is the author of numerous articles and treatise chapters on family law topics, recognized for their clarity, practicality, and thoughtful analysis.

He is a member of several professional legal associations including the Ozaukee County Bar Association, the Society of Family Lawyers and Leander J. Foley Matrimonial Inn of Court, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, the Wisconsin Association of Family Court Commissioners (retired), and serves as a member and Secretary of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin. 

First Admitted: 1999, Wisconsin

Professional Webpage: https://www.burbach-stansbury.com/barry-boline

Bar / Professional Activity

  • Member, Judicial Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin. Appointed by the Supreme Court, this committee was created to render formal advisory opinions and give informal advice to judges and judicial officers governed by the Code of Judicial Conduct  concerning the compliance of their contemplated or proposed conduct regarding the code.
  • Appointed Member -- CCAP Steering Committee.  CCAP is responsible for supporting the IT needs of the entire Wisconsin Court System. CCAP's mission is to: maintain reliable necessary and useful data with appropriate uniformity; provide the Wisconsin Court System with ready access to data; maintain, support, and explore hardware and software necessary to store, secure, and manage data; provide the public access to the Wisconsin Court System; and promote a high level of confidence and satisfaction in the Wisconsin Court System. Appointed by the director of state courts, the CCAP Steering Committee sets policy and priorities for CCAP.
  • Member – Court System Integrity Subcommittee of PPAC to investigate judicial integrity. , 2024
  • Preliminary Review Committee of the Office of Lawyer Regulations.  Chairperson, 2022-2023; Vice-Chair, 2020-2022; Member, 2017-2023.   Appointed by the Supreme Court, this 14-person committee made up of nine lawyers and five public members reviews investigations involving complaints against attorneys to determine whether there is cause for the director of the Office of Lawyer Regulation to file a complaint with the Supreme Court.
  • President, Wisconsin Family Court Commissioners Association. The Association is the group that provides training for the full time and part time sworn family court commissioners in the state of Wisconsin., 2025
  • Director, Family Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin.  The Family Law Section Board directs policy and legislative direction of the section for the members.

Pro bono / Community Service

  • Active member of Lions Clubs International since 1994; served as chairperson of the governing counsel for the State of Wisconsin., 2026
  • Guest speaker:  What the heck is a Court Commissioner?, Fredonia Lions Club, 5/2022, 2022
  • Guest Speaker, Advocates of Ozaukee Domestic Violence Shelter, 6/2023, 2023
  • Presiding Judge, Wisconsin Bar Association Annual High School Mock Trial Competition, Semi-Final Round, 3/2021, 2021
  • Presiding Judge, Wisconsin Bar Association Annual High School Mock Trial Competition, Regional Round, 2/2021, 2021

Educational Background

  • Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana.  Bachelor's of Art in Philosophy, minor in business (and theology which was required at the time)., 1987-1991
  • National Judicial College, Reno, Nevada.  I took several classes, in person and virtually, in various areas of the law, focusing primarily on family law issues, from the judicial perspective., 2012-2025
  • University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.  Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace.  Training took place virtually., 2021-2022
  • University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.  Certificate in Mediation with Domestic Violence training., 2002-2003
  • Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa.  Juris Doctor., 1991-1994

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

  • An examination of the history of grounds based, fault divorce in Wisconsin.   The article was selected for inclusion in InsideTrack, the weekly newsletter of the Wisconsin State Bar, March 5, 2025, and published on WisLawNow, https://www.wislawnow.com/2025/03/finding-fault-the-history-of-grounds-for-divorce-in-wisconsin/., author, Finding Fault -- The History of Grounds For Divorce in Wisconsin, State Bar of Wisconsin Family Law Section Blog, Family Law, 2025
  • From 2021 through 2025, I gave the following presentations:   Boline, BJ.  Panel Speaker, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 3/2021 Boline, BJ.  Self-Represented Litigants, Sovereign Citizens and Difficult Parties, Family Court Commissioners Association, 8/2021 Boline, BJ.  Observations from the Bench, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 9/2021 Boline, BJ.  Panel Speaker, Society of Family Lawyers, 9/2021 Boline, BJ.  Family Law Case Law Update, Ozaukee County Bar Association, 10/2021 Boline, BJ. Introductory Speaker, Justice on Wheels, Supreme Court of Wisconsin,  10/2021 Boline, BJ. Panel speaker, State Bar of Wisconsin, Advanced Topics in Family law, 10/2021 Boline, BJ.  Family Law Case Law Update, Family Court Commissioners Association, 10/2021 Boline, BJ.  Ozaukee County Guardian ad Litem training, 11/2021 Boline, BJ. Panel Speaker, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 3/2022 Boline, BJ.  Panel Speaker, State Bar of Wisconsin, GAL Training 2022, 5/2022 Boline, BJ. Family Law Case Law update, Family Court Commissioners Association, 5/2022 Boline, BJ.  Family Law Case Law Update, Ozaukee County Bar Association, 10/2022 Boline, BJ., Jared Case Exercise, Ozaukee County Clerk of Courts annual in-service training, 1/2023 Boline, BJ.  Observations from the Bench, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2/23/2023 Boline, BJ.  Contempt and Family Law Cases, Wisconsin Supreme Court Family Law Conference, 3/2023 Boline, BJ. Annual report to Wisconsin Supreme Court as required by SCR 21.09(2) as Chairperson of the Preliminary Review Committee of the Office of Lawyer Regulations. 4/2023 Boline, BJ.  Panel Speaker, Foley Society of Family Lawyers. 4/2023 Boline, BJ.  Panel Speaker, Addiction and Mental Health and Mental Health, Treatment and Placement, State Bar of Wisconsin. 5/2023 Boline, BJ. Family Law Case Law update, Family Court Commissioners Association, 5/2023 Boline, BJ.  Moderator, The Intersection of Family Law with Civil and Criminal Law, State Bar of Wisconsin Annual Meeting and Conference, 6/2023 Boline, BJ.  Contempt and Family Law Cases, Family Court Commissioner’s Association Lunch-N-Learn Webinar, 7/2023 Boline, BJ.  Contempt and Family Law Cases, State Bar of Wisconsin Family Law Section Annual Conference, 8/2023 Boline, BJ.  Family Law Case Law Update, Ozaukee County Bar Association, 10/2023 Boline, BJ. Family Law Case Law update, Family Court Commissioners Association, 10/2023 Boline, BJ.  Moderator, Judicial Court Commissioner Conference, 10/2023 Boline, BJ.  Ozaukee County Guardian ad Litem training, 11/2023 Boline, BJ.  Confident Courtroom Demeanor, Family Court Commissioners Association, December Lunch-N-Learn, 12/2023 Boline, BJ. and Hickey, M., Capacity Issues with Litigants in Family Court, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 3/2024 Boline, BJ.  Panel Speaker, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 3/2024 Boline, BJ. and Fremgen, M., Dealing with Sovereign Citizens as Family Law Litigants, Wisconsin Supreme Court Family Law Conference, 3/2024 Boline, BJ.  Panel Speaker, Foley Society of Family Lawyers. 4/2024 Boline, BJ. and Fremgen, M., Dealing with Sovereign Citizens and Extreme Litigants in Court, Judicial Court Commissioner Conference, 4/2024 Boline, BJ. Family Law Case Law update, Family Court Commissioners Association, 5/2024 Boline, BJ. and Fremgen, M., Dealing with Sovereign Citizens and Extreme Litigants in Court, Wisconsin Court of Appeals Staff Attorney Training, 5/2024 Boline, BJ.  Family Law Case Law Update, Ozaukee County Bar Association, 09/2024 Boline, BJ.  National Legislation Limiting Reunification Therapy, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts – Wisconsin, 9/2024 Boline, BJ.  Family Law Case Law Update, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts – Wisconsin Chapter, 10/2024 Boline, BJ. and Fremgen, M., Legislative and Case Law Update, Family Court Commissioners Association, 10/2024 Boline, BJ. and Fremgen, M., Dealing with Sovereign Citizens and Extreme Litigants in Court, Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Judicial Conference, 11/2024 Boline, BJ.  Panel Speaker, Foley Society of Family Lawyers. 11/2024 Boline, BJ.  Family Law Case Law Update, State Bar of Wisconsin, 12/2024 Boline, BJ.  Panel Speaker, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 3/2025 Boline, BJ. Family Law Case Law update, Family Court Commissioners Association, 5/2025 Boline, BJ. Fremgen, M., and Moran. M., Dealing with Sovereign Citizens in Criminal Court, Criminal Law and Sentencing Institute, 5/2025 Boline, BJ.  Temporary Orders and other Family Law Issues, Russel Law Firm internal CLE, 6/2025 Boline, BJ.  Panel Speaker, State Bar of Wisconsin Family Law Section Annual Meeting, 8/25 Boline, BJ. and Fremgen, M., Dealing with Sovereign Citizens, Juvenile Clerk of Courts Conference, 8/2025 Boline, BJ.  Family Law Case Law Update, Ozaukee County Bar Association, 10/2025 Boline, BJ.  Panel Speaker, Family Court Commissioners Association, 10/25 Boline, BJ.  Panel Speaker, Agricultural / Farm Law, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Fall Conference, 10/2025 Boline, BJ.  Panel Speaker, Ethics of dealing with Self Represented Litigants, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Fall Conference, 10/2025, Primary or co-presenter / panelist, Various speeches and presentations -- see below, Various, Family Law
  • This article describes the difficulties with and provides resources for dealing with sovereign citizens and otherwise difficult litigants in family court., author, Dealing with Sovereign Citizens in Family Court, Wisconsin Journal of Family Law, Vol. 40, Number 4, p. 65-68, October, 2023, Family Law; General Practice, 2023
  • This article is a comprehensive review of Wisconsin contempt law in family cases from the late 1800's until the major changes made by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the 21st century. In the article I describe the law and policy behind our contempt legislation and case law and provide practical ideas for their application in attorneys cases.  , author, Do What I Say!: Contempt in Family Cases, Wisconsin Journal of Family Law, Vol. 38, Number 4, pp. 76-80, October, 2021, Family Law; General Practice, 2021
  • My article describes the extraordinary relief requested in a motion to enforce physical placement and I argue that under most circumstances using this type of motion is inappropriate and will lead to less favorable outcomes for clients. This article was selected for inclusion in Inside Track, the bi-weekly newsletter of the Wisconsin State Bar, Volume 15, Number 2., author, Are Motions to Enforce Physical Placement the Best Remedy For Your Client?, State Bar of Wisconsin Family Law Section Blog, January 4, 2023, Family Law, 2023
  • This article described the process for counsel to take if they believed that a pro se opposing party might be incompetent. The competency of an opposing party is extremely important in Wisconsin because if an opposing party is incompetent any resulting judgment would be subject to collateral attack post judgment and in some situations, post death. My article was selected for inclusion in Inside Track, the bi-weekly newsletter of the Wisconsin State Bar, Volume 15, Number 15, and published on WisLawNow, https://www.wislawnow.com/2023/08/what-to-do-if-you-believe-a-pro-se-party-may-be-incompetent/.   , author, What To Do If You Believe a Pro Se Party May Be Incompetent, State Bar of Wisconsin Family Law Section Blog, August 14, 2023, Family Law; General Practice
  • There is a trend in Wisconsin now for courts to consider modifying custody or placement as a remedy when a parent is in contempt. This article argues that the modification of custody or placement is not an appropriate remedy either historically or under the statutes as they're currently drafted. Modifying custody or placement as a remedy for contempt turns our contempt law on its head, and is inappropriate and lacks basis in Wisconsin law., author, Is Modification Of Custody Or Placement A Remedy For Contempt?, State Bar of Wisconsin Family Law Section Blog, January 24, 2024,, Family Law, 2024
  • My article was a deep dive into the Court of Appeals decision in Jahimiak v. Jahimiak, 410 Wis. 2d 557 (Ct. App. 2023),  in which the court drew a distinction between the directory use of the word "shall" in the Wisconsin Statutes versus the mandatory use of the word. The Jahimiak case will have ongoing application in statutory interpretation and statutory construction cases in Wisconsin., author, Jahimiak and the Directory or Mandatory ‘Shall’, Wisconsin Journal of Family Law, Vol. 41, Number 3, p. 56-59, July, 2024., Family Law, 2024
  • From initial client interviews to post-judgment actions, Family Law in Wisconsin: A Forms and Procedures Handbook (previously titled System Book for Family Law) can help you streamline your family law practice while sparing your clients undue stress. With all the essential forms, checklists, outlines, and overviews, the Handbook ensures you get the information you need systematically.   Chapter 12 focuses on Appeals and appellate practice for family law matters in Wisconsin. Chapter 14E focuses on the Valuation of Business Interests in complex family law matters., Chapter 12 and Chapter 14E author, Family Law in Wisconsin: A Forms and Procedures Handbook, State Bar of Wisconsin, Family Law, 2026

Honors

  • I was honored to be presented with the second highest award conferred by Lions Clubs International, and humbled to be recognized by its International President for my work toward eliminating the disease of blindness in children and adults around the world., International President's Appreciation Award, Lions Clubs International, 2025

Office location for Barry J. Boline

11270 W. Park Place
Suite 220
Milwaukee, WI 53224

Selections

1 Year Super Lawyers
  • Super Lawyers: 2026

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