On the Job
Attorney Kevin Palmersheim’s Practice
Attorney Kevin Palmersheim is a partner in Stafford Rosenbaum’s Madison office. In addition to being a highly experienced business attorney, he is also adept at being creative and flexible in representing clients’ interests both in court and in negotiations. Kevin excels at finding cost-effective strategies to resolve business disputes and execute complex transactions, and is solicited by judges and lawyers to act as a mediator in business disputes. In his work as a business attorney, Kevin routinely represents clients on a variety of business litigation matters and advises on a broad range of business transactions, such as contracts or clients buying and selling businesses. He also acts as outside general counsel for a number of Wisconsin businesses.
One area where Kevin’s skills and creativity are frequently utilized is in business break-ups and dissolutions, often resulting from shareholder and partnership disputes. Kevin regularly represents clients in family business disputes, including family farms, and is also called upon by other lawyers and law firms to advise them on law firm formations and break-ups. He has successfully argued business law cases in the state and federal courts, including a substantial number of jury trials, and appeals before the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and the United States Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Kevin has been recognized by his peers as one of the top business lawyers in Dane County in surveys by Madison Magazine, and also in surveys conducted by Thompson Reuters of the best Wisconsin “Super Lawyers.” In addition to being named one of the best business lawyers in Wisconsin, in 2010 Kevin received a Leader in The Law Award by the Wisconsin Law Journal, recognizing outstanding contributions to the state’s legal profession and to the development of the law.
Prior to joining Stafford Rosenbaum, Kevin was the founding shareholder and managing partner at Palmersheim Dettmann, S.C., which merged with Stafford Rosenbaum in November 2025. He is a past president of the Dane County Bar Association, and is active in the Western District Bar Association and the State Bar of Wisconsin. In addition to his legal practice, Kevin is a writer and editor on a variety of legal and non-legal topics and lectures frequently to lawyers, professional groups, and college classes on topics such as entrepreneurship, business law, and legal rights and responsibilities.
Kevin’s Education
- University of Wisconsin Law School (J.D., 1992)
- University of Wisconsin School of Business (M.B.A.)
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (B.S., Political Science and Business)
Kevin’s Professional Memberships and Activities
- Dane County Bar Association; Past President
- Western District Bar Association, 1997 – Present; Past member Board of Directors
- American Inns of Court, James E. Doyle Chapter, 2011 – Present
- Wisconsin State Bar; Past member of Board of Governors, Past Chair of Public Image Committee, Past Chair of Editorial Board and Communications Committee, Past Chair of Public Education Committee
Kevin’s Professional Recognition and Awards
- Recognized by his Peers as One of the Top Business Lawyers in Dane County in Surveys by Madison Magazine
- Wisconsin Super Lawyer, 2007, 2010-present
- Wisconsin Law Journal, 2010 Leader In The Law Award
Kevin’s Publications
- Final Thought: Open Ses@me! (or Fluffy Gets It with a Toyota), Wisconsin Lawyer Magazine
- Final Thought: Watch Out for Whitecaps Ahead to Avoid Rough Water, Wisconsin Lawyer Magazine
- Final Thought: The Economics of Practicing Law: It’s the “Principal” of the Matter, Wisconsin Lawyer Magazine
- Final Thought: Red Velvet Jacket or Navy Suit? Be Yourself (Within Reason), Wisconsin Lawyer Magazine
- “Protecting The Minority Shareholder,” Wisconsin Lawyer Magazine
- “Avoid a Nasty Business Breakup,” Capital Region Business Journal
Kevin’s Presentations
- Arbitrators Falling Asleep, Tradenames and Business Sales, And Other Business Law Cases That May Induce Drowsiness
- Avoid Shareholder/LLC Member Litigation: Incorporate Preemptive Advice and Beware of the Long Arm of the Bylaw
- Wine Isn’t an Intoxicating Liquor, Business Sellers May Decline to Work for Free, and Other Sobering Decisions by Wisconsin Courts
- Trademark Rights and Remedies Under State Law, and the Impact of Madison Reprographics v. Cook’s Reprographics
- City Golf Courses Covered by Wisconsin Fair(way) Dealership Law, and Other Mulligans Granted by Wisconsin Courts
- Social Media and Accounting Ethics: Don’t Get All A-Twitter And Tumblr Down The YouTube
- Developing a Practice & Becoming a Better Lawyer Via The Big Picture (hint: it’s not a selfie, but may require focus)
- Manure is Not Liquid Gold; The Business Judgement Rule is Not an Oxymoron; And Other Business Law Matters Wisconsin Courts Have Recently Stepped Into
- Vampires, Exculpatory Contracts, Zombies, Economic loss, Ghouls, The Statute Of Frauds, And Other Issues That Have Risen From The Dead In Recent Business Law Cases
- Working With Family Business Clients: Striking a Balance of Heir Conditioning and Covering Your Own Assets
- Wisconsin’s Business Law Climate: Sometimes Warm and Sunny; Occasionally Cold and Rainy; With Case Law Just Clear Enough That Lawyers Can Weather The Storm
- Noncontrademarcononi-closism — And Other More Coherent, If Slightly Longer, Summaries of Recent Business Law Cases in Wisconsin
- Navigating by Star Direct: Traversing Wisconsin’s Current Law on Noncompetition Agreements Without Falling Into a Black Hole
- Understanding Accounting Bias, Conflicts of Interest, and Other Ethical Issues That Should Not Be Resolved With Denial Or A Paper Shredder
- Exercising Good Judgment, Avoiding Conflicts of Interest, and Abiding By All Other Ethical Rules to Avoid Disgruntled Clients and Even More Annoying Legal Professionals
Kevin’s Pro Bono Activity
- Board of Directors, Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation, a nonprofit agency that collects and distributes funding for legal services for low-income persons, 2012 – 2018
- Board of Directors, Canopy Center, a nonprofit child abuse treatment and prevention agency, 2003 – Present
- Board of Directors, Center for Families, a nonprofit agency providing child crisis care, child development and parenting support services, 2006 – 2009
- Board of Directors, Work Opportunities in Rural Communities, providing job coaching and professional assistance for adults with developmental disabilities, 1995 – 2007
