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