News

Steve focuses his practice in the areas of taxation and general corporate matters with a specific emphasis on non-profit tax, partnership tax, and Section 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange transactions. He advises clients on federal, state, and local business and tax issues arising from a broad range of complex transactions.

Scott counsels clients on their “people” issues. Businesses, owners, and boards of directors look to Scott as their outside general counsel to ensure legal compliance of their operations and initiatives. Scott represents businesses before federal and state courts and administrative agencies throughout the country in all areas of employment law.

For more than 25 years, Paul has specialized in product liability defense, class action defense, insurance litigation, and complex commercial litigation. He is particularly well known for his work in the class action and food and beverage sectors, where he is a nationally and locally recognized speaker and thought leader on product liability issues and regulatory trends.

Don’s outstanding track record is built on successful outcomes in complicated and high-profile intellectual property litigation across a wide range of industry sectors and in courts throughout the United States. Clients rely on his tenaciousness and excellent trial skills gained from many years of work with cases involving patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights.

Linda has spent her career in the arena of environmental regulation. Bringing her 17 years of experience as a state regulator, for 24 years she has continued to help our clients establish and maintain effective working relationships with state and federal environmental regulatory agencies. Linda has served in various policy advisory roles to state agencies, from both inside and outside of state government, including the Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Revenue. 

Jeff counsels clients on a wide range of business and intellectual property matters, including trademark, copyright, advertising, and unfair competition. He assists clients in developing strategies to protect, exploit, and enforce their intellectual property rights and represents them against allegations of infringement.

Amy’s outstanding track record is built on successful outcomes in the full spectrum of labor, employment and business-related issues, in both litigation and non-litigation settings. As a problem solver, Amy applies common sense and creativity to develop targeted employment-related solutions for her clients. 

Matt is an experienced real estate practitioner who advises clients on a wide array of real estate and development matters. Matt is adept at handling large-scale, politically sensitive development projects, including those involving public-private partnerships. He has extensive experience with structuring complex ownership, leasing, and financing structures for a variety of single and multi-use commercial projects.

Peter brings strategic business vision to his work assisting emerging and established companies in corporate and finance matters, particularly in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, executive compensation, and business-succession planning. He counsels companies in a variety of sectors including technology, software, digital and traditional media, distribution, and consumer products. 

David’s practice sits squarely at the intersection of the food-water-energy nexus. His work in the areas of environmental, regulatory, agricultural production, manufacturing and distribution and energy projects gives him the depth of experience necessary to counsel clients who will be feeding and powering a projected global population of nine billion people by 2050—at a time when resource scarcity and consumer confidence require an ongoing commitment to stewardship and sustainability.

David is a zealous and unrelenting advocate in employment and labor relations matters. He also serves as general counsel for selected clients. David’s practice is defined by his singular commitment to helping clients achieve their business objectives. A seasoned practitioner, David maintains a keen focus on helping clients manage employment law and corporate law risk by point-of-decision counsel and through the general counsel relationship.

Luke focuses his practice on trademark, copyright, and entertainment law. Known for his close relationships with clients and the practical advice he offers on a wide range of complex matters, he assists in the acquisition, enforcement, use, and management of IP assets in the U.S. and worldwide.

Colleagues and clients alike describe John as a creative and pragmatic litigator. As an advisor to corporate boards, CEO’s and presidents of publically traded and privately held companies, John has been entrusted to handle a broad range of complex disputes.

Kelly helps employers of all sizes meet their staffing needs by handling the immigration issues they face in hiring foreign nationals and moving employees around the globe. A partner in the firm’s Labor & Employment Relations Practice Group and Co-chair of the immigration practice, she handles compliance issues for corporations that transfer dozens of employees into and out of the United States each year, as well as small companies seeking to bring in a few key hires from abroad.

Alec serves as primary outside counsel to national, regional, and community banks on interest rate swaps, foreign exchange, commodities, and other derivatives product lines, including documentation for customer transactions and Dodd-Frank Act compliance. In addition, he represents end-users on interest rate swaps, foreign exchange, commodities, and other derivatives transactions and compliance. Alec also practices in the areas of commercial lending, corporate finance, and mergers and acquisitions.

Stuart maintains a diverse practice, including many long-standing client relationships. His primary focus is on mergers and acquisitions, business planning, and federal tax issues. Clients across multiple industries value Stuart’s knowledge and experience, as well as his responsiveness to their concerns. 

Arthur offers clients a winning combination of trial and appellate experience gained as a federal prosecutor and more than 20 years of experience in handling patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secrets litigation. While his practice concentrates on intellectual property litigation, Arthur also has significant experience in internal investigations, False Claims Act suits, partnership and breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and employment litigation. 

Julie’s outstanding track record is built on successful outcomes in legal matters related to estate planning, trust administration, and probate. Clients rely on her sound judgment regarding lifetime planning, as well as the administration and distribution of assets at death.

Bob handles complex tax cases, often involving novel or first impression issues. His practice includes federal, state and local taxation and tax controversies, trial and appellate tax litigation, property taxation of commercial, industrial, utility, and special use manufacturing properties, as well as property tax exemptions.

Mike is a member of the firm’s Management Committee and the former chair of the firm’s Transactional Practice Group. He is an experienced transactional attorney who serves as outside general counsel to many real estate investment and corporate clients, and is seen as strategic counselor and advisor.

High-net-worth individuals call on Bill for clear-headed guidance in protecting and preserving their wealth for future generations. Bill works closely with his clients, helping them to develop estate plans and implement strategies that both save taxes and achieve personal objectives. 

Nancy is a partner in the Land & Resources Practice Group. Her more than 30 years of experience covers a broad range of real estate law, including assisting clients in purchases, sales and leases of property, and development and zoning work; representing borrowers and lenders in real estate loans; assisting in foreclosures and workouts; advising on questions of condominium law; negotiating construction and architects' contracts; and assisting in real estate litigation.

Clients from regulated industries such as health care, insurance, public utilities, and financial services call on Dave for sound counsel on a wide range of corporate, transactional, and regulatory matters.Dave has substantial regulatory experience with state and federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, and the Wisconsin Public Service Commission.

Jordan helps energy companies and other sophisticated businesses structure and contract for large scale capital expansion and procurement, including representation in siting and certification cases for large power generation facilities, electric transmission lines, private energy facilities, and large agricultural projects.

Paul crafts solutions to the business and legal challenges faced by his clients, who value his tenacity, responsiveness, and creativity. His practice concentrates on commercial real estate with a health care focus. 

Brad counsels clients on mergers and acquisitions, federal and state securities law compliance, forming and financing startup businesses and real estate matters. He has extensive experience in private placements and other private securities transactions, Rule 506 offerings, and corporate governance matters.

Bob has participated in hundreds of transactions during the course of more than 30 years’ experience in his practice, advising closely held and family-owned U.S. and European (German, Swiss, Polish) clients involved in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, venture capital financings, and other significate business events.

Clients look to Amy to provide pragmatic, strategic counsel in managing the full spectrum of legal issues that arise out of the employment relationship. Amy collaborates with her clients to identify and understand their objectives, which form  the touchstone in every engagement. Amy collaborates with her clients to identify and understand their objectives, which serve as the touchstone in every engagement.

Dan focuses his practice on mechanical technologies, design patents, and licensing. He has prepared and prosecuted patent applications in many areas of technology, including internal combustion engines, microturbine engine generators, water heaters, outdoor power equipment, robotic inspection systems, air tools, compact construction equipment, hydraulics, golf carts and low-speed vehicles, hair clippers, and furniture.

Brad serves as a trusted advisor to individuals, families and companies seeking to cost- effectively structure or transfer businesses. Clients value his responsiveness, particularly his ability to help them understand complex property and tax law concepts. Brad is also a Certified Public Accountant. His practice includes estate planning, business succession planning, charitable planning, and trust and estate administration.

Clients turn to Dan because he is an outstanding litigator and a trusted advisor on employment issues. His deep knowledge of employment law, exceptional judgment, and strategic advice enable clients to achieve their goals. Businesses, colleges and universities, municipalities, and other clients rely on Dan’s proven litigation experience and proactive counsel on a broad range of issues.

In a career spanning more than 35 years, Ray has developed a rare practice combining environmental law and law concerning art and architecture. He has also played a major role in the Milwaukee and national art worlds, as well as in local government and conservation efforts. The founder of the firm’s Climate Change practice and the leader of a sub-group focused on commercial solar developments, Ray has counseled clients, negotiated settlements, litigated cases, and lectured on a wide range of topics relating to the environment.

David serves as the firm’s managing partner and works closely with clients, lawyers, and staff to determine and implement Michael Best’s strategic growth and development plan. In this capacity, his priorities include building and maintaining productive client relationships; enhancing value of the firm’s services through improved business operations and flexible fee structures; and attracting and retaining a diverse group of top-tier legal and business talent on both a regional and national level.

Chuck represents clients in all phases of intellectual property law. In addition to vigorous and effective litigation, he helps them obtain, maintain, assess, and enforce ownership of valuable intellectual assets in the U.S. and worldwide.

Rick Langer is a partner concentrating his practice in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, trusts, and marital property.

Ed partners with clients to protect their intellectual property and develop and manage their IP portfolios. Clients appreciate the sharp focus he brings to the preparation and prosecution of United States and foreign patents in technologies related to mechanical engineering, material sciences, consumer and industrial products, mining equipment, and automobile components. His outstanding track record is the result of insights gleaned from a thorough understanding of client business goals coupled with high-levl technical expertise as a mechanical engineer.

Tod Linstroth is a past member and Chair of the firm’s Management Committee and a senior partner in the firm’s Transactional Group. He serves as lead corporate counsel to many significant traditional corporate and technology-based clients, and co-founded the firm’s Venture Best^TM venture practice.

Clients look to Thor for strategic counsel on all aspects of corporate law, business transactions, and finance. He applies his broad business knowledge and extensive experience to represent clients in domestic and international mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures, as well as debt and equity restructurings and financings.

Thor advises boards of directors of publicly traded and privately held companies on strategic and corporate governance matters, and has conducted internal investigations throughout the world.

Greg Lynch is a partner in the firm’s Transactional Practice Group and Energy Industry Group. He also is the Co-Founder of the firm’s Venture Best^TM venture practice. His principal experience includes early-stage company formation, angel and venture capital financing, public and private placement of securities, stock option and equity incentive plans, and more.

Jon is a persuasive and effective advocate for large commercial clients seeking to protect their intellectual property assets. His outstanding track record is built on successful outcomes in high-profile litigation related to patents directed at a wide range of technologies. Jon’s common sense and diligent attention to client goals have proven a winning combination in dozens of trademark, unfair competition and trade libel cases across the United States. 

Porter has established a strong track record based on his strategic, results-driven representation of clients involved in complex corporate transactions. A diverse group of clients look to him for sound guidance on general corporate counsel, commercial contracting, including inbound and outbound supply and distributor agreements, corporate restructuring, acquisitions of companies and company assets, divestitures of companies and company assets, joint ventures, and general contracts.

Gordon Miller is a partner in the firm's Wealth Planning Services Group. Gordon's practice is concentrated in the areas of estate planning, estate and gift taxation, and trust and estate law. 

Tom specializes in building large intellectual property portfolios that advance his clients’ business strategies, protect their investments in research and development, and enhance their competitive position in the marketplace. A trusted advisor to his clients, he is highly responsive and valued for his thoughtful, practical, and business-savvy insight. Tom represents companies in heavy equipment manufacturing, financial services, and the software-as-a-service (SaaS) sector, with a particular focus on the protection of machine-control systems and software.

Clients look to Kevin for strategic counsel on the protection of their intellectual property, including acquisition of, enforcement of, and defense against United States and international patents. His strong track record in these areas, paired with a technical background as a product engineer, give Kevin a unique perspective on the challenges facing developers of mechanical, electro-mechanical, and biomedical technologies. 

Melinda represents companies in commercial matters with a focus on defending asbestos product liability claims. She draws on her experience across business sectors and issues that include insurance coverage, risk management, railroad, leasing, and entertainment. Melinda also has experience assisting individuals as they pursue and defend personal injury and civil sex offense cases. 

Rob is a skilled negotiator whose practice includes both public and private sector management labor and employment law. His work includes National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) proceedings, collective bargaining, contract administration, and arbitration proceedings. Rob also has extensive experience working on employment discrimination matters and wage and hour claims. He helps clients tackle tough issues, including: union elections and right to work, severance agreements, health insurance issues, title IX, investigations, and complex employment issues, and more.

Tom advises Fortune 500 and other national corporations on all aspects of labor, employment and discrimination law. Clients value his extensive, multistate experience spanning a range of industries, including manufacturing, service, chemicals, financial, retail, food, pharmaceuticals, and warehouse/distribution. Clients also turn to Tom for guidance on labor and employment matters arising out of major acquisitions, divestitures, and consolidation of operations.

José is the founder and co-chair of Michael Best’s immigration law practice. Clients depend on his deep knowledge of and experience with U.S. immigration law and employment-based immigration matters, including immigration status, permanent labor certification, national interest waiver, adjustment of status, consular processing, citizenship and naturalization, and I-9 compliance. José is former leader of the firm’s Higher Education Industry Group and counsels colleges and universities on issues including governance, Title IX, student discipline, and labor contract administration.

Joe is a trial attorney practicing primarily in the areas of class action defense, wage and hour litigation, employee benefits litigation, regulatory compliance, and complex commercial litigation. In this capacity, he: routinely helps clients deal with class actions suits across all subject matters and handles all aspects of complex employment litigation including wage and hour suits arising under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and applicable state laws, plus benefits litigation.

Chuck is a go-to lawyer for complex cases involving OSHA, employment law, labor negotiations, independent contractor and joint employment matters. Clients rely on his years of experience in dealing with state and federal enforcement agencies to develop human resource, safety and environmental policies and practices that prevent problems and save them significant expense. Chuck has defended employers in more than 1,000 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citation cases over the past 26 years.

For more than 25 years, Todd has helped numerous clients remain in compliance with all aspects of the complex and dynamic Clean Air Act regulatory program. His extensive knowledge of and experience with Clean Air Act matters includes obtaining air emission control permits, planning future activities to minimize the expense of regulation, and the defense of allegations that a company may have violated Clean Air Act requirements.

Clients call on Hamang for guidance on the federal, state and local tax and business law issues stemming from complex business transactions. His strategic counsel encompasses mergers and acquisitions, tax-free reorganizations, spin-offs, new market tax credit financings, historic tax credit financings, partnerships and joint ventures, REIT acquisitions, real estate transactions, and renewable energy tax incentives.

Brian brings strategic business vision to his work representing companies engaged in employment-related disputes, both in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. The focus of Brian’s practice is to deliver positive outcomes in litigation matters, including class action discrimination, wage and hour collective actions, harassment and discrimination claims, wrongful termination, disability accommodations, theft of trade secrets, and enforcement of restrictive covenants.

Lisa represents employers in regard to the full spectrum of labor and employment issues. Widely recognized for her work in employment litigation, she has achieved an enviable record of success in all types of civil and commercial disputes. Lisa concentrates her practice on representing employers in all types of employment disputes, including contract disputes, drafting employment contracts, drafting employment policies and procedures, appealing both civil litigation and administrative proceedings, and more.

Ian’s strong track record in commercial litigation is based on his success in trying cases before juries, judges, and arbitration panels. Clients and colleagues respect Ian’s sound professional judgment and creative thinking. He is often called upon to offer a second opinion in regard to especially challenging legal issues.

Mark serves as a trusted advisor to individuals, family fiduciaries, and businesses. Clients turn to him for his deep experience representing both businesses and individuals in tax and succession planning, along with disputes with state and federal tax authorities. His wealth management practice also includes asset protection planning, family wealth transfers, wealth preservation, business and ownership succession planning, estate planning, trust and estate litigation, and tax dispute resolution.

Dave serves as a partner and advisor to those seeking to develop and protect intellectual property. Clients turn to him for guidance whether they need to obtain patent protection or avoid infringement. His practice includes product design and development counseling, patent counseling, patent licensing, and patent prosecution.

Mitch serves as a trusted advisor to businesses on all aspects of management labor and employment law. Clients value his deep knowledge of employment and labor laws, with an emphasis on wage and hour law. Clients regularly seek his counsel regarding compliance with the many and continually changing labor and employment laws, as well as to address challenging or risky personnel situations.

Bret assists clients with the transactional and operational aspects of acquiring, forming, operating, owning, and structuring businesses. A problem-solver who can help companies get back on track, he is also a hard-nosed negotiator whose tireless work for clients often results in deals that surpass their highest expectations. Bret represents privately and publicly-held corporations, nonprofit corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships. He focuses on matters concerning business ...

Eric advises clients in all areas of labor and employment law. With a practice that is national in scope, he is particularly active in litigating matters involving trade secrets, non-competition agreements and related disputes. Eric has a nationally recognized practice in the area of contingent labor and regularly prepares and reviews policies, procedures and contracts and litigates contested matters for users and providers of temporary employees, consultants, independent contractors and other contingent talent.

Larry is a former co-chair of the Intellectual Property practice group. A strong litigator, he also prosecutes U.S. and international patents, trademark, and copyright applications and prepares IP licenses. Due to his extensive background in many areas of intellectual property law, including both transactional and litigation experience, Larry is highly qualified to achieve positive outcomes using innovative strategies.

Tim provides strategic counsel on tax matters contested by the Internal Revenue Service, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, and the taxing authorities of other state and local jurisdictions. Contested matters, for Fortune 1000 and other clients, include: federal income taxation of banks, insurance companies and manufacturers; multistate apportionment and allocation of income; transfer pricing among affiliated entities; and sales and use tax for retailers, manufacturers and construction contractors.

Clients count on John’s extensive experience in commercial and intellectual property litigation before federal, state and administrative courts across the United States. His strong background in life sciences as well as the chemical, pharmaceutical, and mechanical arts has contributed to an excellent track record in trying patent cases. He is particularly successful at obtaining and defeating injunction requests in intellectual property disputes.

Marshall’s practice focuses on resolving disputes regarding scientific issues and counseling clients in chemical and biotechnology matters. A skilled first chair litigator and trial lawyer, his practice includes helping clients develop strategies for obtaining and effectively enforcing their intellectual property rights. Clients seek Marshall's advice to help solve complex intellectual property-related problems.

Tom’s practice includes all aspects of labor law and employment litigation. He represents clients in a broad range of industries including construction, health care, printing, education, manufacturing service providers, and nonprofits. Tom is a frequent speaker before industry gatherings on topics such as wrongful discharge, employment litigation, work force reduction, drug and alcohol testing, disability and family medical leave laws, and sexual harassment.

Ann works with business owners, investors, and lenders, establishing and navigating their financial relationships and resolving matters relating to financial distress. Her practice is focused on commercial transactions, commercial litigation, bankruptcy, and other insolvency situations.

Marty Stern is a partner in the Intellectual Property practice group, as well as a past member of the firm’s Management Committee and a former Co-chair of the Intellectual Property practice group. Over the course of his career, Marty has been involved in a wide variety of intellectual property litigation matters, including trademark, copyright and patent infringement matters, trade secret misappropriation, enforcement of restrictive covenants and unfair competition matters.

A persuasive advocate, Charlie vigorously defends employers and benefit plans in courts and other forums. He excels at assessing and fixing problems that arise with employee benefit programs and providing a strategically driven approach to benefits compliance and risk management planning.

Brent represents clients on the full spectrum of finance issues. His strong background in commercial, real estate, and municipal finance and transaction experience have generated an excellent track record in these areas.

Representative matters on behalf of lenders and borrowers encompass negotiating and documenting secured and unsecured financing transactions.

Sheila works with clients to help them preserve and protect their wealth – and plan for its stewardship in the future. She takes the time to understand each client’s unique circumstances and goals. She then works compassionately and creatively with clients to devise personalized estate plans that are tailored to their needs and save taxes. Sheila regularly lectures on estate planning and charitable giving topics.

Clients turn to Martin for his tenacious problem-solving approach to all areas of employee benefits law. He is particularly valued for his track record of untangling and simplifying complex executive compensation matters. Clients seek his counsel with respect to retirement and executive compensation plan design, ongoing compliance with tax and regulatory requirements, and benefits issues in mergers and acquisitions.Martin has spoken frequently on employee and retirement benefits topics.

Clients turn to Dan when facing white-collar criminal or complex civil litigation, relying on him for the judgment, sound counsel and strong courtroom skills he has developed through years of trial experience as a federal and state prosecutor and defense lawyer. Dan routinely helps companies and individuals respond effectively to government inquiries and investigations, especially in relation to fraud and cybercrime.

Teresa has more than 20 years of experience procuring patent protection in the area of life sciences, working with clients in the therapeutics and pharmaceutical area in their product life cycles from discovery to development to manufacturing and marketing. She also provides patent strategic advice in regulatory aspects such as Food and Drug Administration Orange Book listing and Hatch-Waxman patent term extension.