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Overview

Eric's more than 25 years of professional experience includes industrial facility siting and development, as well as complex litigation involving land-use, administrative, regulatory and constitutional law.

Eric helps industry leaders throughout the Midwest develop their businesses with his insightful guidance on land-use, industrial facility siting and related litigation. He guides clients in mining, energy, agriculture and other industries to meet their development and permitting needs. His familiarity with many of the key regulatory players means he is adept at dealing with local, county and state agencies across a broad variety of critical business issues. These include land-use and environmental permitting as well as a variety of related regulatory matters. Also a seasoned litigator, he has aggressively and skillfully handled lawsuits involving land-use, environment and other regulatory disputes, including an extensive appellate practice.

Clients also appreciate Eric’s extensive government relations background. Eric has represented the Wisconsin State Legislature as outside litigation counsel in statutory challenges. He has also served as special counsel to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, as lead counsel to state senators subject to recall and as lead counsel to the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly on the 2010 decennial legislative and congressional redistricting. Eric brings those skills to routinely assist clients with complex litigation involving administrative and constitutional issues, as well as business litigation matters.

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Commercial Litigation, 2024 and 2025
  • Benchmark Litigation
    • Local Litigation Star, 2021-2025

Education

  • J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School
    • cum laude
  • B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison
    • Journalism/Advertising

Admissions

  • Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court
Experience
  • Obtained win in Wisconsin Supreme Court, which held that local government exceeded scope of its land-use permitting authority when it imposed unlawful conditions on energy pipeline company's zoning permit.
  • Represented industry-leading industrial sand company in the permitting and expansion of sand mining facilities in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
  • Defended challenge to state statute providing uniform standards for the siting of large dairy and other livestock facilities.
  • Defended claims against former owner of closed landfill property concerning rights and obligations following issuance of tax deed.
  • Defended challenges to the siting of wind farm projects in northeastern Wisconsin.
  • Led appeal that secured zoning and related approvals for the siting of ethanol plant.
  • Challenged the constitutionality of Wisconsin statute prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons.
  • Served as special counsel to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on state and federal challenges to 2011 Wisconsin Act 10.
  • Served as lead counsel to Wisconsin Senate and Assembly on 2010 decennial legislative and congressional redistricting.
  • Represented Wisconsin state senators subject to recall in 2011 and 2012.
  • Defended national school choice organization against claims it violated state campaign finance laws.
  • Successfully defended private group practice against lawsuit that sought to enjoin client’s construction of a new hospital and cancer center.
  • Routinely assists clients with legislative initiatives to address changes in both state and local laws that affect their businesses and industries.
Case Studies
CityDeck Landing LLC

Our team filed a rare petition for a supervisory writ with the Wisconsin Supreme Court—and won the case.

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Husch Blackwell put together a coalition to help clarify CERCLA in an influential U.S. Supreme Court amicus brief.

Media Mentions | April 26, 2021
C-SPAN: Guam v. United States Oral Argument
Community Leadership
  • Madison Country Day School, Co-Founder and Trustee, 1995-present
  • Village of Maple Bluff, Wisconsin, Village President, 2009-2015, Board of Trustees, 2000-present