Some announcements feel like a formality. This one feels like a celebration. We are so pleased to share that Devin C. Shanley has been named a partner at Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C., effective June 1, 2026. For the clients who have trusted Devin with some of the most personal decisions of their lives, and for the colleagues who have worked alongside him, this recognition is genuinely well deserved.
Devin’s practice centers on the moments that matter most to families. Whether he is helping someone navigate the emotional and legal complexities of a family law matter, such as divorce or child custody, or working with a family to put a thoughtful estate plan in place, his focus has always been on the people involved, not just the paperwork. That orientation toward real human outcomes is something our firm deeply values, and it is a significant part of why this partnership is such a natural fit.
Rooted in Green Bay
Devin grew up in Green Bay, and that connection to this community is not just biographical. It shapes how he practices law. He understands what families here are navigating, what they care about, and what is at stake when they walk through our door. That kind of local rootedness is something clients often sense right away, even if they cannot quite put words to it.
Before becoming an attorney, Devin served as Coordinator of Youth Ministry and Religious Education at St. Agnes Parish in Green Bay. That chapter of his life speaks to something enduring in his character: a genuine orientation toward service, toward relationships, and toward the wellbeing of others. Those values did not disappear when he went to law school. They came with him.
Devin earned his law degree from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, and he was recently certified as a Parenting Coordinator in Wisconsin. This certification speaks to his high level of experience and skill helping parents navigate day-to-day disputes outside of court as they co-parent their children.
How Devin Helps Families
If you have ever found yourself wondering whether you need an estate plan, or what happens to your assets if you become incapacitated, or how Wisconsin law treats property during a divorce, these are exactly the kinds of questions Devin helps people think through. And he approaches them with patience.
Estate planning can feel overwhelming at first. Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and marital property agreements all serve important purposes, and understanding how they work together for your specific family takes time and careful conversation. Devin’s approach has always been to listen first, to understand who you are and what matters to you, before offering any guidance. That is not just a professional style. It reflects something he genuinely believes about how good legal work gets done.
Family law matters carry their own kind of weight. Divorce, legal separation, child custody, and support arrangements all involve decisions that will shape your family’s life going forward. Wisconsin law provides a framework for how courts approach these matters, but the real question is how that framework applies to your family’s circumstances. Devin understands that the goal is not just a legal resolution. It is an outcome that allows you and your children to move forward with stability and dignity.
Probate and elder law are areas where families often come in feeling uncertain and sometimes grieving. Administering a loved one’s estate, or planning ahead for an aging parent’s care, involves both legal complexity and emotional weight. Devin’s background makes him well suited to walk alongside families during those times, offering clarity without rushing past the human dimension of what they are experiencing.
A Partnership Built on Trust
Devin came to Peterson, Berk & Cross in 2019 when his prior practice, Shanley Law LLC, merged with our firm. From the beginning, it was clear that his values and ours were well aligned. He has spent years building trust with clients across Brown County and the broader northeastern Wisconsin region, and that trust has been earned through consistent, careful, compassionate work.
Peterson, Berk & Cross has offices in both Green Bay and Appleton, and our team collectively brings more than 150 years of legal experience to the clients we serve throughout Wisconsin. Partnership at our firm is meaningful. It reflects a demonstrated commitment to the people we represent and to the standards that have defined this practice for decades.
Devin has met that standard in every way.
What Clients Say
Clients who have worked with Devin often describe the experience in terms that go beyond legal outcomes. One noted that he “listened compassionately and clearly answered our questions,” and that he is “a competent, caring attorney.” Another described how Devin immediately recognized the layers of a complex legal matter and developed a strategy that led to a strong outcome. These observations reflect a consistent pattern, not a lucky day.
That combination of genuine care and sharp legal thinking is what makes Devin such a valuable advocate for the families who come to us during some of the most difficult seasons of their lives.
Congratulations, Devin
We are proud to welcome Devin C. Shanley as a partner at Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C. This milestone reflects not only his legal abilities but the kind of person he has always been, someone who shows up fully for the people who need him.
If you are facing a family law matter, thinking about estate planning, or navigating a probate situation, we encourage you to contact us. You can learn more about Devin or schedule a consultation to meet with him by contacting our office. We are here when you need us.