On the Job

Attorney Rich Latta’s Practice

Attorney Richard Latta is a partner in Stafford Rosenbaum’s Madison office. He focuses his practice on corporate and partnership mergers and acquisitions, corporate and partnership reorganizations, advice on tax-optimized debt and equity restructurings, financing business acquisitions, representation of banks before federal and state banking authorities, corporate governance matters, tax law, succession planning for closely-held businesses, and resolving corporate, partnership and limited liability company governance matters including minority equity-holder lawsuits.

Rich is recognized for providing value oriented solutions in complex transactions. He is known for his commitment to high level client service and his practical approach to resolving issues and reaching closing.

Rich has a wide variety of experience representing buyers and sellers in structuring and financing purchases and sales of companies and businesses in the franchisee hospitality line of business, and manufacturing, distribution, banking, financial services and investment management advisory services. He has represented corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and not-for-profits regarding fiduciary duty and corporate governance matters, and succession planning for family businesses.

Rich’s previous experience includes being a partner in large Midwestern-based and international law firms. Prior to law school, Rich practiced accounting with Arthur Young & Company. Rich is a certified public accountant (inactive).

Rich’s Court Admissions

• State of Wisconsin
• State of California
• State of New York

Rich’s Education

• New York University School of Law (Masters of Laws, Taxation, 1989)
• University of Wisconsin Law School (J.D., 1986)
• University of Notre Dame (BBA, Accounting, 1981, high honors)

Rich’s Professional Recognition and Awards

• Listed in Best Lawyers in America for Banking and Finance Law (since 2018); Business Organizations, including LLCs and Partnerships (since 2015); Corporate Compliance Law (since 2013); Corporate Governance Law (since 2006); Corporate Law (since 2006); Financial Services Regulation Law (since 2013); and 2013 Lawyer of the Year – Corporate for the Madison, Wisconsin area
• Recognized as a Wisconsin Super Lawyer (since 2014)
• Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell (since 2001)
• Listed in Who’s Who in America (2006-2015 ed.), Who’s Who in the World (2009-2015 ed.), and Who’s Who in American Law (2009-2011 ed.)
• Voted by peers in Madison Magazine as one of Madison’s best attorneys (2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007)
• Selected by InBusiness Magazine as one of Madison’s civic-minded executives in its Annual Executive Register (2006-2015)

Rich’s Professional Memberships and Activities

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Chair of Executive Committee and Advisory Board, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center (2007-2019)
• President and Board of Directors, Friends of Carbone Cancer Center, Inc. (2011-present)
• President and Board of Directors, Dairymen’s Foundation, Inc. (philanthropic charity focused on supporting education and environmental activities in Vilas County, Wisconsin) (2009-present)
• Board of Directors, Tax Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin (2018-present)
• Madison Symphony Orchestra, Advisory Board (2015-present); Member of Board of Directors (2010-2015)
• Chair, Chapter 183 Wisconsin Limited Liability Law Subcommittee of the State Bar of Wisconsin Business Law Section (2005-present)
• Co-Chair, Arts Ball-Annual Benefit for Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and Madison Symphony Orchestra (2011-2017)
• Board of Directors, $65 million community bank (2008)
• Board of Directors, Business Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin (2005-2011)
• Board of Directors and Secretary, Monona Terrace Community Programs, Inc. (2004-2012)
• Chairman, Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants Annual Tax Conference (2001)
• Co-Chair, Partnership Workouts Subcommittee of the American Bar Association Section of Taxation (1997-2007)
• Legal Counsel, $8 million private sector funding initiative for construction of Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center (1994-2007)
• Board of Directors and Legal Counsel, Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (1994-2002)

Rich’s Speaking Engagements

• State Bar of Wisconsin, Chair and Moderator of 71^st Annual Tax School held on December 4, 2020; also presenter on panel entitled “What Does Taxation Look Like After the November 3^rd [2020] Election?”
• Association of Corporate Counsel–Wisconsin, Annual Chapter Conference held on May 16, 2019, presenter on panel entitled “Wayfair or Not Fair?  New Wisconsin Emergency Tax Rules:  New Sales Tax Collection Requirements and Income/Franchise Tax Rules Regarding Taxable Activities in Wisconsin”