Odalo J. Ohiku

Odalo J. Ohiku

4.8
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 23 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Milwaukee, WI
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Divorce & Separation, Family ... +3 more

1037 W. McKinley Ave., Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI

About Odalo

Biography

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 40%

The Law Office of Odalo J. Ohiku provides smart, experienced legal representation in all areas of criminal law including all felonies and misdemeanors. We fight to protect your rights and prepare your case to win.

40%
Divorce and Separation 30%

We provide exceptional legal counsel and representation in all areas of divorce including Temporary Support Orders, Child and Family Support, Maintenance, Child Custody and Placement, Asset Valuation, Marital Settlement Agreements, Pre-nuptial and Post-nuptial Agreements, Mediation, Negotiation, and Litigation.

30%
Child Custody 10%

we take painstaking efforts to protect your interests with respect to your family. We provide precision crafted legal representation in all family-law matters including Child Custody, Paternity, and Child Placement, Child Support.

10%
Family 10%

Family law necessarily involves your family. As such, we take painstaking efforts to protect your interests with respect to your family. We provide precision crafted legal representation in all family-law matters including Paternity, Legal Custody and Child Placement, Child Support, Modification of Child Support and Placement Orders, Restraining Orders, Contempt Orders, and Guardianship.

10%
Expungement 5%

Expungement requires smart, experienced legal representation in all areas of criminal law including all felonies and misdemeanors. We fight to protect your rights and prepare your case to win.

5%
Juvenile Law 5%

We provide aggressive legal counsel and defense to juveniles confronting the Children's Court System. Your child has rights. We work tirelessly to protect those rights and ensure your child keeps a clean record. We also fight to prevent your child from being waived to adult criminal court.

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Wisconsin for 23 years

State: Wisconsin

Acquired: 2002

Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

OHIKU LAW OFFICE

1037 W. McKinley Ave., Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI, 53205

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Odalo J. Ohiku's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

25 Client Reviews

5 star (24)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Mark | May 17, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Buyer Beware

I would like to start by saying that we were clients of this firm for a few months and have never seen, spoke with or heard from Odalo Ohiku. You hire the firm not the lawyer. Our story began with a $15,000 retainer and we were assigned an attorney. Our attorney working on the case became familiar ...with inner workings of the case. After a few months our attorney informed us that he was leaving the firm. We decided to continue using this attorney because he was already familiar with the case. Now for those that don’t know, when you pay a retainer or flat fee, a law firm can only charge for earned hours they worked on your case and your money is placed in a trust. Any unearned hours must be returned to the client (this is law). Now, when our attorney advised us he was leaving, we inquired on how much money was still in our account from the retainer and was advised that it was approximately $7000. The very next day we advised the firm we were terminating their services and requested the unearned attorney fees be returned to us. The firm advised us that our account balance was a little over $2000 with approximately $5000 unaccounted for and did not provide us with a full refund of the unearned balance. We are now going through the legal process of getting our money back. This have been a nightmare experience that I wish on no one. Buyer beware of Ohiku Law Office.

Odalo Ohiku

Replied last May 19, 2023

Unfortunately, the attorney who Mr. Morrison references gave him bad information. We do not fault Mr. Morrison for receiving bad information and poor advice from this attorney. We have a fully executed Flat Fee Agreement with Mr. Morrison. We have fully complied with the requirements and our obligations under the Flat Fee Agreement. We have provided Mr. Morrison a Closing Letter, Final Accounting, and a Partial Refund in the amount of $2,727. We have also submitted this matter to binding fee arbitration and will fully comply with this process. We have consulted with a detached, neutral Wisconsin ethics professional on this matter. We have fully complied with our ethical obligations and will continue to do so. Below, we include Supreme Court Rule 20:1.0(dm). You will note flat fee agreements are distinguished from hourly billing agreements. We believe the attorney Mr. Morrison references is intentionally misleading him. *SCR 20:1.0(dm) - (dm) "Flat fee" denotes a fixed amount paid to a lawyer for specific, agreed-upon services, or for a fixed, agreed-upon stage in a representation, regardless of the time required of the lawyer to perform the service or reach the agreed-upon stage in the representation. A flat fee, sometimes referred to as "unit billing," is not an advance against the lawyer's hourly rate and may not be billed against at an hourly rate. Flat fees become the property of the lawyer upon receipt and are subject to the requirements of SCR 20:1.5, including SCR 20:1.5(f) or (g) and SCR 20:1.5(h), SCR 20:1.15(f) (3) b.4., and SCR 20:1.16(d).

Posted by Amanda | October 27, 2020 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Domestic Abuse, Family child Custody

In my time of need Mr. Odalo was there, Very Swiftly and Professionally did he come to my Aid. I want so much to share my story and Im sure you have your own, Retain and allow him to help you and you'll be telling your own story. Thank You, Mr Odal...o

Posted by Saquine | May 2, 2020 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

An Excellent Attorney

At a time when our family was going down an uncharted territory facing a very difficult task of dealing with the challenges of our loved one facing very serious charges, we began our search for legal representation. The prospect of losing our loved one to the criminal justice system was a reality whe...re our son was facing being charged with two Class C Felonies and potentially serving a maximum sentence of 60-years. Facing such serious charges, we knew that it was crucial in finding the right attorney to not only represent but also believe in our son, recognizing that he was a young man who made a very bad decision but willing to fight to provide him a second opportunity in life. During our very first conversation, we knew Attorney Ohiku was the right person to represent our son. Attorney Ohiku truly embodies, “Caring for the Whole Person”, as from day one he showed true compassion. Attorney Ohiku throughout the entire process was very straightforward, readily assessible and very responsive. It was through Attorney Ohiku’ s hard work, experience and professionalism that ultimately led to one charge being dismissed and that ensured our son received both a fair and favorable outcome. Our family will always be forever grateful for his guidance and dedication. Attorney Odalo Joseph Ohiku is a true blessing.

Posted by anonymous | April 9, 2020 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

service worker

Thorough and attentive. He made sure to address all aspects of my needs and was there when I needed. He helped me get what I needed through the system despite everything. I would recommend it all.

Posted by Darryl | December 18, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Custody

Mr Odalo and his staff were very much concerned With my case, And because of that I was totally impressed. After our consultation, I definitely felt the need 2hire him, You see, the first person 2tell there story seems true, Until someone Professional Qualified Questions that person, That pers...on is Mr Odalo Thank you,

See All Client Reviews

Odalo J. Ohiku's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Odalo
William F. Sulton headshot
William Sulton

Mediation lawyer | Feb 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Ohiku is a skilled mediator. He discusses complex legal issues in an easy, understandable way. I recommend Attorney Ohiku."

Jessica Marianne Butler headshot
Jessica Butler

Mediation lawyer | Feb 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I am the President-Elect of the Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers of which Atty. Ohiku is a member. Atty. Ohiku is highly skilled and well respected within the legal community and a valued member of our organization."

Kori L. Ashley headshot
Kori Ashley

Family lawyer | Feb 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Ohiku is well versed in the areas of criminal and family law. He is a dedicated advocate who works hard to obtain positive results for his clients. I endorse this lawyer."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Family lawyer | May 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Odalo. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Syovata K. Edari headshot
Syovata Edari

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Dominique Michele Samari headshot
Dominique Samari

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly recommend Odalo Ohiku as an attorney. Odalo is extremely knowledgeable in criminal and family law and is adept at dealing with complex legal issues. In the courtroom, Odalo is very comfortable and confident and is well respected by his peers. He is meticulous, detail-oriented and passionate about providing the best representation for his clients."

Patrick M. Roney headshot
Patrick Roney

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Attorney Ohiku for many years. He is a very competent, friendly, and straightforward professional."

Hubert Orlando Thompson headshot
Hubert Thompson

Litigation lawyer | Aug 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. My firm retained Mr. Ohiku to assist us in toxic fume litigation in his state. We were greatly impressed with his skills professionalism. I wholeheartedly endorse him."

Leonard Anthony Jackson headshot
Leonard Jackson

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Ohiku is an aggressive and hardworking advocate for his clients. He brings experience, knowledge of the law, and believes in justice and fairness for all clients, regardless of the circumstances."

Kevin M. Gaertner headshot
Kevin Gaertner

General practice lawyer | Jul 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Ohiku is a diligent attorney who will do everything he can, and then some for his client's. Anyone would be lucky to have him represent them."

View All Endorsements
Justin Taylor Padway headshot
Justin Padway

Criminal defense lawyer

William O. Marquis headshot
William Marquis

Criminal defense lawyer

Jessica Marianne Butler headshot
Jessica Butler

Litigation lawyer

William F. Sulton headshot
William Sulton

Employment and labor lawyer

Kevin M. Gaertner headshot
Kevin Gaertner

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

2019 President's Award, State Bar of Wisconsin

2019

2019 WAAL Attorney of the Year Award, WAAL

2017

Pro Bono Honor Society, Milwaukee Bar Association

2016

Pro Bono Honor Society, Milwaukee Bar Association

2015

Client Distinction Award, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Preeminent 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Pro Bono Honor Society, Milwaukee Bar Association

2014

Top 40 under 40, The National Trial Lawyers

2014

Top 40 under 40, The American Society of Legal Advocates

Work Experience

2019 - Present

Governor's Judicial Selection Advisory Committee, Office of the Governor of Wisconsin

2017 - Present

Board of Governors, State Bar Of Wisconsin

2017 - Present

Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Committee, State Bar Of Wisconsin

2017 - Present

Strategic Planning Committee, State Bar Of Wisconsin

2003 - Present

Owner, Law Office of Odalo J. Ohiku

2002 - 2003

Immigration Caseworker, Office of US Senator Russ Feingold

Associations

Milwaukee Bar Association

United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin

Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

United States Supreme Court

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

National Trial Lawyers Association

American Society of Legal Advocates

American Bar Association, Business Law Section

American Bar Association, Family Law Section

Wisconsin Association of Mediators

Wisconsin State Bar Association

Wisconsin Association of Minority Attorneys

Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

National Bar Association

Milwaukee Urban League

American Bar Association

2019 - 2020

State Bar of Wisconsin, Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Committee

Board Liaison

2019 - 2020

Office of the Governor

Governor's Judicial Selection Advisory Committee

Sample of Legal Cases

State v. Private Citizen

Not Guilty

State vs. Private Citizen (Name Withheld due to Privacy Concerns)

Case Dismissed

State vs. Michael Ellis

Not Guilty after Jury Trial

State vs. Jaboree Williams

Case Dismissed

State vs. Lindsay Jones

Case Dismissed

State vs. Private Citizen (Name Withheld due to Privacy Concerns)

Case Dismissed

See More Legal Cases

Education

2013

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Certificate in Mediation, Spring 2013

2002

Marquette University Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1999

Marquette University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2019

Second Chance Expungement Clinic

Expungement

2017

Second Chance Expungement Clinic

Expungement

2016

Second Chance Expungement Clinic

Expungement

2015

Second Chance Expungement Clinic

Expungement

2015

Panel Discussion

Know Your Rights

2015

Live Radio Call-In

Expungement

2015

Know Your Rights

Beware of What You Post: Privacy Rights and Internet Safety

2014

Know Your Rights

In the News: Dontre Hamilton

2014

Know Your Rights

Knock and Talk Seminar

2012

DMSF Summer Program Conference Series

Racial Disparities, Crime and the Law

Publications

2017

860WNOV Radio Live Broadcast-Law Office of Odalo J. Ohiku Real Time On Air Calls

2016

Milwaukee Bar Association Messenger Sentencing Reforms Can Help Save Our Communities

2015

Law Office of Odalo J. Ohiku Blog Frequently Asked Questions: Custody and Placement

2015

Law Office of Odalo J. Ohiku FAQ: Divorce in Wisconsin

2015

2014

Law Office of Odalo J. Ohiku Blog What does Due Process really mean?

Languages

English

Spanish

Lao

Hmong

Thai

Activity

Avvo Rating

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What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
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