Overview
Joe has a strong track record in representing clients in a variety of commercial litigation matters with a focus on distressed assets, workouts, bankruptcies, receiverships, and other insolvency proceedings. In particular, Joe has extensive experience counseling banks, corporations, secured, and unsecured creditors in:
- Workouts, with a focus on, forbearance agreements, loan restructuring, deeds in lieu of foreclosure, asset liquidation, and other out-of-court remedies.
- Insolvency and collection matters ranging from large Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 bankruptcies to state court receivership, garnishment, replevin, and collection actions.
- Wisconsin Chapter 128 receivership proceedings.
- Preferential transfer and avoidance actions.
- Uniform Commercial Code litigation and foreclosures focusing on establishing, preserving, and enforcing lien rights.
- Commercial and residential foreclosures, including farming and agricultural properties.
- Commercial contract disputes and theft by contractor litigation.
- Construction disputes and preservation of lien rights.
- Permitting and regulatory matters before the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Department of Administration.
Joe is also a certified American Bankers Association Bank Solutions Provider.
Prior to joining Michael Best, Joe worked as a law clerk, assisting with legal research and civil and criminal jury trials. He also served as a research assistant and legislative aide within the Wisconsin State Assembly and interned with the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Experience
Solutions in action
Credentials
- Marquette University Law School, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 2010
- University of Wisconsin - Madison, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Political Science and Legal Studies, 2007
- Wisconsin
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
- United States District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
- “Lawyer of the Year” (Madison) in Litigation – Banking & Finance Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy Law, Best Lawyers®, 2027
- Best Lawyers®, Litigation – Banking & Finance, 2026-present
- Best Lawyers®, Litigation – Bankruptcy, 2024–present
- Selected to Creditor Debtor Rights, Business Litigation, Bankruptcy Rising Stars, Super Lawyers®, 2016-2025
Engagement
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, State Bar of Wisconsin
- Member, Dane County Bar Association
- Volunteer Judge, Marquette University Law School Jenkins Moot Court Competition
- Board President, Madison Area Down Syndrome Society
- Member, Downtown Madison, Inc. Government Relations Committee
Insights

Michael Best Attorneys Earn Recognition in The Best Lawyers in America 2027 List
Michael Best is proud to announce that 150 attorneys have been selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2027 list, with representation across 52 different practice areas across the nation. In addition, the firm is also excited to share that six attorneys have been named to the 2027 edition of the “Lawyer of the Year” list, which is a prestigious designation of a single lawyer in each specific practice area and location. 33 attorneys have also been named to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2027 list.Read
Aug 20, 2026

Michael Best Attorneys Earn Recognition in The Best Lawyers in America 2026 List
Michael Best is proud to announce the selection of 104 firm attorneys to The Best Lawyers in America 2026 list, with representation across 48 different areas of legal practice nationwide.Read
Aug 21, 2025

Ninety-Eight Michael Best Attorneys Earn Recognition in The Best Lawyers in America 2025 List
Michael Best is proud to announce the selection of 98 firm attorneys to The Best Lawyers in America 2025 list, with representation across 49 different areas of legal practice nationwide. Best Lawyers® is one of the most respected peer-reviewed publications in the legal profession and has been published for more than three decades. Best Lawyers’ methodology is based on a comprehensive peer-review survey in which thousands of attorneys across the United States evaluate their peers in various legal practice areas.Read
Aug 15, 2024
