Overview Experience Thought Leadership Outside the Office Community Leadership

Lisa M. Lawless

Senior Counsel

Milwaukee
office: 414.978.5438
fax: 414.223.5000

Overview Experience Thought Leadership Outside the Office Community Leadership

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Overview

Lisa has more than 25 years of litigation experience before state and federal courts.

Industry

Financial Services & Capital Markets

Services

Consumer Financial Services

Litigation

Recognition

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
Wisconsin Law Journal, Leader in the Law, 2019
Wisconsin Super Lawyers, 2010-2013
State Bar of Wisconsin, President Award, 2007, 2015
Graduated first in class from Indiana University School of Law, 1992

Education

J.D., Indiana University Maurer School of Law
- summa cum laude
B.A., University of Virginia
- History and American Studies

Admissions

U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Georgia
U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
California
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit

Professional Associations and Memberships

Fellow of the Wisconsin Law Foundation, 2016-present
State Bar of Wisconsin: Board of Governors, 2004-2008, 2011-2015, and elected to a term for 2017-2019. Chairperson of the State Bar Strategic Planning Committee, 2014-2015. Pro Bono Volunteer, Appellate Help Desk, 2016-present. Liaison, Intellectual Property section (2011-2015; 2004-2008). State Bar Law-Related Education Committee, 1996-1997
Milwaukee Bar Association: Co-Chair, Bench Bar-Appeals Committee, 2015-present, Board of Directors, 2008-2011, Co-Chair, Intellectual Property Section, 2004-2007, Professionalism Committee, Chair, 1997-1998, Vice-chair, 1996-1997
Thomas E. Fairchild Inn of Court, Barrister, 2002-present
Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association, Secretary and Board of Directors, 1996-1997, newsletter editor, 1996-1997

Experience

Handled over 70 appeals in state and federal courts, including arguing before the Wisconsin Supreme Court three times since 2010. Previously served as chair of the Appellate Team of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek. Her appellate experience includes handling matters for consumer financial services companies in state and federal courts in defense of consumer litigation arising under state and federal statutes and common law as well as litigation arising from contested foreclosure matters.
Substantially experienced handling litigation on behalf of financial services clients in litigation filed by consumers under the Wisconsin Consumer Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, and the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act, and claims under state common law including contract/promissory estoppel claims, good faith and fair dealing claims, fraud claims, and false advertising claims under statute and common law.
Recent completed FCRA representations include handling a AAA arbitration on behalf of a creditor defending a claim alleging failure to reasonably investigate claim that debt was paid in full, obtaining finding of no liability under FCRA by arbitrator; defending a FCRA claim in federal court alleging failure to reasonably investigate in response to a consumer’s dispute, resolving case in settlement after filing a motion for summary judgment.
Substantially experienced in handling litigation on behalf of mortgage lenders and servicers concerning debts in default and foreclosure, including disputed foreclosures. Recent results include obtaining a judgment of foreclosure and a finding of zero damages under a liability claim for breach of good faith and fair dealing for delayed provision of pay-off statement. Also prevailed in consumer’s appeal of that ruling.
Presented argument in numerous motion hearings and made many other appearances before state and federal courts. Substantially experienced briefing procedural and substantive motions in state and federal court as well as disputed discovery issues.
Handled numerous mediations and settlement conferences before private mediators and court officials.
Briefed arbitration issues before trial courts and courts of appeals including motions to compel arbitration.
Handled cases in state and federal courts throughout the United States involving a wide variety of subjects, ranging in size from large-scale complex litigation to medium and smaller cases. Beyond consumer financial services litigation, experienced handling commercial litigation and intellectual property litigation including patent infringement, trademark infringement, copyright, and licensing disputes. Experienced handling defamation and deceptive practices/false advertising claims for publishers and merchants.

Thought Leadership

Client Results

Oneida Nation Obtains Dismissal of Class Action Suit

March 24, 2017

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Alerts

Creditors' Liability Under WCA Limited by Wisconsin Supreme Court

April 23, 2019

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Articles

Top 9 Recent Wisconsin Supreme Court Decisions, Wisconsin Lawyer

December 15, 2016

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Insights

Wisconsin Lawyer: Top 10 Recent Wisconsin Supreme Court Decisions

December 2018

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News Releases

Lisa Lawless Honored as a 2019 Leader in the Law by Wisconsin Law Journal

March 01, 2019

Wisconsin Law Journal: Sins of Omission

July 22, 2016

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Community Leadership

Facilities Advisory Committee, Wauwatosa School Board, Co-Chair, 2017-present
Wild Space Dance Company Board of Directors, 2007-present, 1995-1998, Secretary, 1997-1998
Tosa Kickers Soccer Club, Board of Directors, 2016-present
Nicolet High School Foundation Board, 2004-2008
Women's Soccer Club, 2008-present