ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR)
Litigation can be costly in terms of time, emotions and money. These costs often make it worthwhile to explore the more peaceful and less costly process of alternative dispute resolution, or ADR. Our ADR Team has the experience to help you determine whether your dispute is suited for ADR, such as mediation or arbitration, and if so, provide skillful representation during that process. Our ADR Team also has significant experience acting as neutral decision makers in the ADR process.

ANTITRUST AND TRADE REGULATION LAW
An in-depth understanding of federal and state antitrust laws and Wisconsin’s stringent consumer protection laws allows us to skillfully represent clients in litigation. Our experience also makes us particularly effective in an advisory role, helping clients craft business practices designed to avoid litigation.

BANKRUPTCY/CREDITORS’ RIGHTS
Creditors often turn to us to help salvage the most out of the bankruptcy process. We have broad experience representing both secured and unsecured creditors, including the defense of businesses charged with receiving preferences, litigation involving letters of credit, voidable transactions, and equitable subordinations.

BUSINESS LAW
Business organization. Business sales and acquisitions. Negotiation of loan and financing arrangements. Compliance with government licensing and regulatory requirements. These are just a few of the services that our experienced Business Law Team provides to businesses of all sizes, from start-up ventures to closely held firms to publicly traded corporations. We work to know the business of our clients so that we can anticipate the problems that can be prevented and resolve efficiently those that cannot.

DEALERSHIP AND FRANCHISE LAW
We know dealership and franchise law. We have more than 30 years of experience in these areas. You might even say we wrote the book: one of our partners was instrumental in crafting Wisconsin’s dealership law and has long co-authored the definitive treatise on the subject, The Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law, published by the State Bar of Wisconsin. Another partner writes the chapter on Trade Regulation for the State Bar’s Annual Survey of Wisconsin Law. We use our depth of knowledge and experience to assist dealers, distributors, franchisors and franchisees in litigation, and to solve problems and evaluate options.

EMPLOYMENT & LABOR LAW
The number of federal, state and even local laws employers must grapple with on a daily basis is staggering. You don’t have to go it alone. Our experienced Employment and Labor Law Team offers employers what they need: clear and practical advice both in the context of litigation and pro-active problem solving. So you can turn to us for solutions whenever you are faced with issues relating to anti-discrimination and harassment laws, wage and hour laws, labor relations, employee benefits, or any other employment related matter.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
Environmental law is constantly evolving and has significant financial and long-range implications. Lenders, buyers and sellers rely on our advice to identify and minimize environmental liability associated with corporate and real estate transactions and redevelopment of Brownfield sites. Clients also turn to us for representation in regulatory enforcement matters and complex environmental litigation. We represent responsible parties in many federal Superfund proceedings and other cases involving contaminated property.

ESTATE PLANNING & PROBATE LAW
Our Estate Planning and Probate Team is well-versed in all areas of estate planning, including the drafting of wills, marital property agreements and complex trusts. Knowing the importance of minimizing or eliminating the federal estate tax, we draft all relevant documents to take maximum advantage of available estate tax credits and deductions and make sure our clients understand the effect of income tax considerations on their estate plans. Veteran litigators on our team have handled everything from small, summary probate proceedings to multi-million-dollar estates and contested probate cases.

FAMILY LAW
Family law can be surprisingly complex. From preparing prenuptial and marital property agreements to negotiating and litigating divorce, you can turn to us. We will work with you to resolve disputes about property division and support and maintenance obligations. Often divorce matters are better resolved outside of the courtroom. We are skilled in using alternative dispute resolution and the emerging concept of collaborative divorce as alternatives to litigation. We also handle child custody matters and are sensitive to the needs of families under the stress of these proceedings.

GOVERNMENT LAW
Condemnation. Intergovernmental disputes and agreements. Zoning. Municipal tax disputes. Economic development. Tax incremental financing. Annexation. Our Government Law Team has a wealth of experience with these government-related issues, and many more, both in and out of court. We represent both municipal governments and individuals dealing with governments. This experience gives us a unique ability to see both sides of an issue, which in turn better equips us to provide solutions.

INSURANCE LAW
We have been providing both insurance defense and coverage advice to insurance companies for more than half a century. Whatever our role, our experience allows us to make realistic assessments of likely outcomes, and if litigation is necessary, to provide well-prepared, focused and zealous representation.

LITIGATION
We regularly try cases and handle appeals across a broad range of substantive areas in both the state and federal court systems. Our experience allows us to focus on the kind of trial preparation that counts: investigation and discovery that get to the heart of even the most complex cases. We’re ready for the courtroom, but our goal is always to work closely with clients to end litigation on favorable terms as quickly as we can.

PUBLIC UTILITY AND ENERGY LAW
We have been working for more than a century to meet the distinctive needs of public utilities. We have long represented Madison’s major investor-owned electric and natural gas utility, and also provide services to natural gas pipeline companies, petroleum products transporters, municipal utilities, water companies, telecommunications providers, and cable television firms. Using our extensive experience, we develop practical strategies to help clients achieve their regulatory goals, to resolve disputes with customers, competitors, and suppliers, and effectively handle right-of-way acquisition and pipeline construction matters.

REAL ESTATE LAW
Our attorneys understand how real estate and the law are intricately intertwined and assist clients before problems arise, as well as when litigation is necessary. We help businesses, including insurance companies and financial institutions, protect investments in commercial projects by negotiating with borrowers and ensuring the perfection of liens and security interests. Extensive knowledge of today’s real estate market, combined with a high level of proficiency in secured transactions and bankruptcy, enables us to shape and execute real estate transactions.

SCHOOL LAW
School districts turn to our experienced School Law Team for help with legal matters pertaining to employees, students, special education, board-superintendent relations, school finance, school construction, and other issues. We create policies and solutions for student discipline issues, open meeting and open record questions, labor and employment matters, non-renewal and union disputes, business contracts and disputes, civil rights and constitutional claims. We emphasize preventative services to help school districts avoid legal problems and keep legal costs down, but we have also achieved favorable results for school districts through litigation and arbitration.

For more information about our legal services, or questions regarding representation, contact our office at 608.256.0226 or call any of our attorneys directly. See our Attorneys Directory for phone numbers and e-mail addresses.