Madison Attorney Drew Cochrane

Drew J. Cochrane, Partner

Practice

Drew’s practice focuses primarily on commercial litigation, labor and employment law. In his work, Drew has appeared before numerous state and federal courts and administrative agencies throughout Wisconsin, including the Wisconsin Supreme Court. His experience includes:

  • Litigation of contract and other business matters, construction cases and election law disputes.
  • Representing vehicle manufacturers in breach of warranty and lemon law disputes.
  • Successful litigation of numerous labor and employment matters including termination disputes, wage and hour complaints, unemployment compensation cases, disabilities act and other discrimination cases and non-compete agreements.
  • Significant litigation experience as lead and local counsel on numerous FLSA collective action and related Rule 23 class action cases.
  • Regular consultation with employers to avoid future legal problems.
  • Effective representation of employers’ interests during union representation elections and collective bargaining.

Drew is admitted to practice law in Wisconsin.

Education

University of Wisconsin Law School (J.D., 1999)

University of Wisconsin (B.A., 1994)

Professional Recognition and Awards

Selected by peers as a Wisconsin Super Lawyer (since 2011) and as a Wisconsin Rising Star (2007-2010) for his work in employment & labor law.

Named to In Business Magazine's 2011 class of 40 Under 40. 

Publications

Co-author, "Disability Law in Wisconsin Workplaces," Wisconsin Lawyer (October 2004)

Co-author, "Employee Handbooks in the Municipal Workplace," Municipal Lawyer (May/June 2003)

Co-author of chapters on the "Wisconsin Fair Employment Act" and "Family or Medical Leave Act" in the Wisconsin Attorney's Desk Reference, published by the State Bar of Wisconsin

Teaching Experience

Drew frequently speaks throughout Wisconsin on various labor and employment issues. Some of his recent presentations topics include Employee Handbooks, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and Worker’s Compensation.

Professional Memberships and Activities

American Bar Association

State Bar of Wisconsin (Board Member, Labor & Employment Law Section)

Dane County Bar Association

Drew and his wife Gretchen live in Madison with their two young children, dog, turtle, and whatever other “pets” the kids have recently brought home. Drew and Gretchen spend their time coaching youth sports teams, helping out at their kids’ school, volunteering at church, and doing all those other things parents of young kids do. They are also both interested in history – Gretchen even taught history for a while at Marquette University, while Drew merely harbors a somewhat unhealthy obsession with Theodore Roosevelt.

Drew likes to do pretty much anything that requires him to be outside, including golfing, hiking, camping, bird hunting, fishing, boating, or even just going to the Memorial Union.

Favorite food: Seafood

Favorite artist: Claude Monet and Dan Carey (the beer brewing “artist” at New Glarus Brewing Company)

Last place visited: Disney World

Favorite getaway: Door County

Favorite book: The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, by Edmund Morris

Favorite movie: Field of Dreams

Would like to visit: Italy

Last book read: The Path to Power (The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Volume 1) by Robert Caro

Community Involvement

City of Madison Ethics Board, Member

Ducks Unlimited, Dane County Chapter, Committee Member

High Point Christian School, School Board Member