Jeff, a member of the firm’s Financial Services & Capital Markets industry group, counsels businesses and individuals in fields as diverse as manufacturing, distribution, transportation, hospitality, banking, insurance, securities and construction, as well as professional services corporations and nonprofit entities. He has served as lead counsel in some of the largest aggravated civil fraud and business tort cases filed in federal or Wisconsin state court, a number of which had parallel criminal or regulatory proceedings.
Jeff successfully prosecutes and defends complex commercial cases with substantial civil and regulatory exposures in federal and state courts. (Three cases have had liquidated exposures to the client of $30 million to $200 million.)
He provides representation in matters involving:
- Breach of contract and creditors’ rights (including bankruptcy and receivership)
- Intentional business torts: common law misrepresentation, statutory misrepresentation, securities fraud, conspiracy, commercial bribery, conversion, embezzlement, breach of fiduciary duty, theft of trade secrets and proprietary information, and tortious interference with contract
- Negligence and professional liability claims
- Real estate and construction litigation
- Emergency provisional remedies
- Fidelity, surety and insurance claims
Jeff is experienced in litigating complex arbitrations (AAA and FINRA) involving breach of contract, securities, employment law, noncompetition and trade secrets, contract reformation, misrepresentation, real estate, negligence and other issues. Additionally, he counsels and represents businesses and individuals in regulatory investigations and proceedings commenced by government agencies such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority; Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Securities Division; Wisconsin Department of Transportation; Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; and other administrative authorities.
Professional Associations and Memberships
- State Bar of Wisconsin
- American Bar Association
Awards and Recognitions
- Wisconsin Super Lawyers, 2006-2017
- The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - Real Estate, Commercial Litigation, 2012-2018; Lawyer of the Year, "Litigation - Real Estate," 2017
- Litigation Counsel of America, Senior Fellow, Trial Lawyer Honorary Society, inducted 2007
Civic Involvement
- Healthy Families of Waukesha County Inc., President, 2008-2010, Board of Directors, 2004-2010
- Brookfield Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department, Commissioner, 2000-2003
- Elmbrook Humane Society Inc., Board Member, 1988-1994, Vice President, 1989-1994
- Elmbrook Board of Education, Board Member, 1983-1986, Board and School District Vice President, 1985-1986, Policy Committee Chairman, 1983-1986, Legislative Liaison, 1983-1986, Labor & Employment-Negotiations Committee, 1984-1986, Sites & Facilities Committee, 1983-1984