Sara M. Vanden Brook

Sara has long been a strong advocate for children. Before attending law school, she was a social worker for the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare. Now as an experienced attorney, recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in 2017 and 2019, Sara helps families involved in divorce and paternity proceedings, grandparent and foster parent rights cases, and in complicated CHIPS and termination of parental rights matters. She also serves as a mediator, as well as a guardian ad litem, representing the best interest of children. In all cases, Sara seeks creative solutions that work for families and protect children’s rights. PRACTICE AREAS Divorce Cooperative and Collaborative Divorce Child Custody, Placement, and Support Paternity International Family Law LGBTQ Family Law Marital Property and Cohabitation Agreements Mediation Parent Coordination Appeals Guardian ad litem Appointments CHIPS Guardianships Grandparent Rights Foster Parent Rights Adoption (Contested and Uncontested) Assisted Reproduction Surrogacy EDUCATION Sara graduated with distinction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies & Psychology. She earned her law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2008. While in law school, Sara was a leader in the Children’s Justice Project. She was also active in the Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender & Society, and Law Students for Reproductive Justice. She interned for the Honorable David Flanagan, Dane County Circuit Court, and was a student attorney with both the Rock County Public Defender’s Office and the Family Law & Restorative Justice Project of the Frank J. Remington Center. COMMUNITY AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES Sara serves as a member of the Board of the Divorce Cooperation Institute. She was formerly the President of the Board. She is also a member of the Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin, the Dane County Bar Association, and the Legal Association for Women. Sara has served on the Board of the Children and the Law Section of the State Bar since 2017, an elected position. Sara volunteers with the Dane County Family Law Assistance Center and the Dane County Case Mediation Program. She has been a coach for Dane County Girls on the Run, and while she has traded in her running shoes for a yoga mat, Sara is proud to have completed numerous charity runs, including a Madison Marathon and several half marathons across the country. PERSONAL Sara and her husband are the proud parents of their two young children, and they have two socially awkward cats, Monkey and George. Sara is an avid fan of the Badgers, Packers, and Brewers. She and her family love to travel, especially to tropical destinations, and they also regularly enjoy local trips to the zoo, parks, and the Farmer’s Market. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Sara M. Vanden Brook included in a Super Lawyers® list Other Sources of Feedback About Sara M. Vanden Brook Included on the 2021Wisconsin Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2020 Wisconsin Super Lawyers list 2019 Wisconsin Super Lawyers list 2017 Wisconsin Super Lawyers list

• Attorney | Officer

• Honorable David Flanagan, Dane County Circuit Court, Intern
• Rock County Public Defender’s Office, Student Attorney
• Family Law & Restorative Justice Project of the Frank J. Remington Center, Student Attorney

• Volunteer, Dane County Family Law Assistance Center
• Coach, Dane County Girls on the Run

• Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin (Member)
• Board of the Divorce Cooperation Institute (Member)
• Dane County Bar Association (Member)
• Legal Association for Women (Member)
• Board of the Children and the Law Section of the State Bar since 2017
• Dane County Case Mediation Program