Legal Team

Get to know us.

Mark J. Goldstein, President

Mark graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School and has over 30 years of legal experience—in the courtroom, employing strategies for staying out of court, and with transactional matters. He created Goldstein Law Group in 2008 after more than 15 years of practicing law. Mark is a frequent speaker and author on topics ranging from labor and employment law to business planning and change and process management. Mark is also actively involved in various boards and civic organizations. As a result, his approach to legal issues is shaped not only by over two decades practicing law, but also by considerable experience “on the other side of the desk,” all of which works to the benefit of the firm’s clients.

  • Favorite legal book/movie/show: 12 Angry Men
  • Favorite destination: In Wisconsin, Vilas County; outside of Wisconsin, the Amalfi Coast.
  • Favorite Milwaukee spot: The Oak Leaf Trail (and all the great stops along the way).

See Mark’s full biography.
Bar Admissions

  • State of Wisconsin
  • State of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court – Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court – Northern District of Illinois (including Trial Bar)
  • U.S. District Court – Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. Court of Appeals – 7th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals – 9th Circuit

Education
University of Wisconsin Law School (J.D., 1994)
University of Wisconsin-Madison (B.A. – International Relations, 1989)

Professional Associations and Memberships
American Bar Association

State Bar of Wisconsin

  • Wisconsin Law Foundation Fellow
  • Standing Committee on Professional Ethics

Milwaukee Bar Association

  • President (2026 – )
  • Member – Board of Directors (2022 – present)

Other

The Blue Lotus Center

  • Board Member (2023 – present)

Milwaukee Jewish Federation

  • Board Member (2009 – 2018, 2023 – present)
  • Vice Chair (2013 – 2016)
  • Cardozo Society Co-Chair (2018 – 2021)
  • BPN Chair (2022 – 2023)

MMAC/COSBE

  • COSBE Leadership Council Member (2020 – present)
  • COSBE #22 President (2009 – 2015)
  • Legislative Committee (2015 – 2021)
  • COSBE Board (2015 – 2021)

The EEOC has tapped Mark on multiple occasions as a presenter at its EEOC Training Institute, on topics including internal investigations and retaliation.

Past

SRKA (Society for Human Resource Management – Racine & Kenosha Chapter)

  • Governmental Affairs CLA Director (2010 – 2012)
  • SHRM Foundation CLA Director (2009 – 2010)

WISHRM (Wisconsin State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management)

  • State Council Governmental Affairs Director (2012 – 2015)
  • Conference Programming Committee Co-Chair (2009 – 2011)

Forward Careers (2020 – 2024)

WCTC Human Resources Ad Hoc Committee (2009 – 2022)

Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Board

  • Board Chair (2018 – 2020)
  • Board Member (2015 – 2025)

Milwaukee Youth Arts Center

  • Board Member (2018 – 2020)
  • Milwaukee Youth Arts Center Foundation (2020 – 2024)

Rotary Club of Milwaukee Northshore

  • President (2015 – 2016)

Ovation Communities

  • Board Member (2009 – 2015)

Maple Dale / Indian Hill School District

  • President of the School Board (2010 – 2014)
  • Vice President of the School Board (2007 – 2010)
  • School Board Member (2005 – 2014)

Mark graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School and has over 25 years of legal experience—in the courtroom, employing strategies for staying out of court, and with transactional matters. He created Goldstein Law Group in 2008 after more than 15 years of practicing law. Mark is a frequent speaker and author on topics ranging from labor and employment law to business planning and change and process management. Mark is also actively involved in various boards and civic organizations. As a result, his approach to legal issues is shaped not only by over two decades practicing law, but also by considerable experience “on the other side of the desk,” all of which works to the benefit of the firm’s clients.

  • Favorite legal book/movie/show: 12 Angry Men
  • Favorite destination: In Wisconsin, Vilas County; outside of Wisconsin, the Amalfi Coast.
  • Favorite Milwaukee spot: The Oak Leaf Trail (and all the great stops along the way).

See Mark’s full biography.
Bar Admissions

  • State of Wisconsin
  • State of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court – Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court – Northern District of Illinois (including Trial Bar)
  • U.S. District Court – Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. Court of Appeals – 7th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals – 9th Circuit

Education
University of Wisconsin Law School (J.D., 1994)
University of Wisconsin-Madison (B.A. – International Relations, 1989)

Professional Associations and Memberships
American Bar Association

State Bar of Wisconsin

  • Wisconsin Law Foundation Fellow
  • Standing Committee on Professional Ethics

Milwaukee Bar Association

  • President (2026 – )
  • Member – Board of Directors (2022 – present)

Other

The Blue Lotus Center

  • Board Member (2023 – present)

Milwaukee Jewish Federation

  • Board Member (2009 – 2018, 2023 – present)
  • Vice Chair (2013 – 2016)
  • Cardozo Society Co-Chair (2018 – 2021)
  • BPN Chair (2022 – 2023)

MMAC/COSBE

  • COSBE Leadership Council Member (2020 – present)
  • COSBE #22 President (2009 – 2015)
  • Legislative Committee (2015 – 2021)
  • COSBE Board (2015 – 2021)

The EEOC has tapped Mark on multiple occasions as a presenter at
its EEOC Training Institute, on topics including internal
investigations and retaliation.

Past

SRKA (Society for Human Resource Management – Racine & Kenosha Chapter)

  • Governmental Affairs CLA Director (2010 – 2012)
  • SHRM Foundation CLA Director (2009 – 2010)

WISHRM (Wisconsin State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management)

  • State Council Governmental Affairs Director (2012 – 2015)
  • Conference Programming Committee Co-Chair (2009 – 2011)

Forward Careers (2020 – 2024)

WCTC Human Resources Ad Hoc Committee (2009 – 2022)

Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Board

  • Board Chair (2018 – 2020)
  • Board Member (2015 – 2025)

Milwaukee Youth Arts Center

  • Board Member (2018 – 2020)
  • Milwaukee Youth Arts Center Foundation (2020 – 2024)

Rotary Club of Milwaukee Northshore

  • President (2015 – 2016)

Ovation Communities

  • Board Member (2009 – 2015)

Maple Dale / Indian Hill School District

  • President of the School Board (2010 – 2014)
  • Vice President of the School Board (2007 – 2010)
  • School Board Member (2005 – 2014)

Emma J. Whitfield, Associate Attorney

Emma graduated from Butler University in 2022 with a degree in Political Science and History and from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School in 2025. She joined Goldstein Law Group in 2025 as an associate attorney focusing on employment and business law. While attending law school, Emma served as a Managing Articles Editor for the Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender, and Society. Her law school experiences helped her develop the writing and research skills she uses to assist clients in both litigation and transactional matters. Emma is excited to continue expanding her legal knowledge and expertise through her experience at the firm.

  • Favorite legal book/movie/show: Daredevil
  • Favorite destination: Rome, Italy
  • Favorite Milwaukee spot: Milwaukee Art Museum

Emma graduated from Butler University in 2022 with a degree in Political Science and History and from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School in 2025. She joined Goldstein Law Group in 2025 as an associate attorney focusing on employment and business law. While attending law school, Emma served as a Managing Articles Editor for the Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender, and Society. Her law school experiences helped her develop the writing and research skills she uses to assist clients in both litigation and transactional matters. Emma is excited to continue expanding her legal knowledge and expertise through her experience at the firm.

  • Favorite legal book/movie/show: Daredevil
  • Favorite destination: Rome, Italy
  • Favorite Milwaukee spot: Milwaukee Art Museum

Adam E. Becker, Paralegal

Adam graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with an English degree while working as an editorial assistant and tutor. He completed a paralegal certification program through Milwaukee Area Technical College. Adam joined Goldstein Law Group in 2015 and supports both transactional work and litigation. He also uses his language and research skills to assist with other firm initiatives, including writing projects, speaking engagements, and more.

  • Favorite legal book/movie/show: Invitation to a Beheading by Vladimir Nabokov
  • Favorite destination: Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Favorite Milwaukee spot: Along the lakefront

Adam graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with an English degree while working as an editorial assistant and tutor. He completed a paralegal certification program through Milwaukee Area Technical College. Adam joined Goldstein Law Group in 2015 and supports both transactional work and litigation. He also uses his language and research skills to assist with other firm initiatives, including writing projects, speaking engagements, and more.

  • Favorite legal book/movie/show: Invitation to a Beheading by Vladimir Nabokov
  • Favorite destination: Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Favorite Milwaukee spot: Along the lakefront

Elise A. Cismesia

Elise graduated from the Eastman School of Music-University of Rochester with a Bachelor of Music degree. She joined Goldstein Law Group in 2024 and uses her creative background to ensure that daily office operations run smoothly. Elise also handles all accounting and runs office events, and hers is the voice you most often hear on the phone.

  • Favorite legal book/movie/show: Legally Blonde
  • Favorite destination: Vienna, Austria
  • Favorite Milwaukee spot: Rotary Arboretum and surrounding trails

Elise graduated from the Eastman School of Music-University of Rochester with a Bachelor of Music degree. She joined Goldstein Law Group in 2024 and uses her creative background to ensure that daily office operations run smoothly. Elise also handles all accounting and runs office events, and hers is the voice you most often hear on the phone.

  • Favorite legal book/movie/show: Legally Blonde
  • Favorite destination: Vienna, Austria
  • Favorite Milwaukee spot: Rotary Arboretum and surrounding trails
Contact Us: