I spent my childhood in the Milwaukee area. After graduating from High School I attended the University of Wisconsin Madison, where I earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and International Relations. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1992. I had my first legal experience in the District Attorney's Office for Marathon County. I next worked in a litigation firm in the City of Kenosha. In 1994, I started my first law firm which is now known as Arena Law Offices, L.L.C. I consider my practice to be a consumer practice, because I represent ordinary people that need a lawyer due to events that occur to ordinary people.