James P. O'Neil

James “Jim” O’Neil helps individuals and families make thoughtful decisions about their estates, their businesses and the people and property most important to them. His practice at DeWitt focuses primarily on trusts and estates, including estate planning, probate, trusts, powers of attorney, guardianships, and marital agreements.

Jim brings an unusually broad perspective to this work. Since beginning his legal career in 1988, he has advised clients on business, real estate, family law, civil litigation, bankruptcy, personal injury, workers’ compensation, and other legal matters. That breadth of experience helps him see how an estate plan fits into a client’s broader circumstances rather than treating it as a collection of documents.

Jim believes effective legal counsel starts with understanding the problem from the client’s perspective. He takes time to identify what matters most, explain the available options in plain language, and develop a practical course of action tailored to the client’s individual needs and goals.

A Green Bay native, Jim earned his B.S. from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay and his J.D. from Marquette University Law School. He was admitted to the Wisconsin State Bar in 1988.

Jim also served his country for many years in the United States Army Reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2013. His military service included active-duty assignments overseas in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bosnia, and Iraq.

Deeply involved in the Green Bay community, Jim currently serves as a volunteer advisor with the Wisconsin Disabled American Veterans. He previously served as chair of the Board of Trustees for St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter and Micah Resource Center and served on the UW–Green Bay Alumni Board of Directors.

Outside the office, Jim enjoys traveling, working out, hunting, reading, and spending time with his wife, Brenda, and their three adult children.