Litigation: General Commercial: Wisconsin

THE FIRM This team is widely recognized as a leader in complex litigation as a result of its vast range of expertise and depth of resources. It is experienced in trying cases at state, federal and appellate levels, and has particular strength in securities enforcement, business litigation and distribution and franchise disputes. Current clients include large national and international companies such as MillerCoors and Harley-Davidson.

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Top-notch litigator" Jon Christiansen excels in franchise and distribution work. He litigates cases around the country for such notable clients as Daimler Trucks and MillerCoors. James Clark is "a terrific trial lawyer who is extremely quick on his feet." He has particular expertise in the fields of professional malpractice and product liability, recently acting for Habush, Habush & Rottier in a name misappropriation claim. Thomas Shriner is viewed as a leader at the federal and state Bars, and has many years' experience in complex corporate disputes and constitutional and civil rights litigation. He is praised as "an excellent lawyer who is adept at taking on the thorniest public policy cases." Tax law forms the basis of Maureen McGinnity's highly regarded litigation practice. One interviewee comments that they "have never seen someone so well prepared." Her expertise includes advising on Wisconsin's tax exemptions for manufacturing property and shareholder disputes. Nancy Sennett is the managing partner of the firm's Milwaukee office. "She is sought out for her superb skill in securities litigation." She regularly acts for clients in shareholder class actions, derivatives suits and ERISA actions. Harley-Davidson is one of her clients. Michael Bowen "wrote the book" on franchise and distribution litigation. In addition to his expertise in this area, his advises on a diverse range of commercial litigation and arbitrations. Brian McGrath also specializes in franchise and distribution litigation, and has particular experience in dealership law and real estate litigation. He is described as "an outstanding litigator, who gets things done at an astounding pace." Rebecca Wickhem House is praised for her strong analytical skills and ability to coalesce the important issues. Her practice is composed of general business litigation, with a focus on securities and antitrust counseling. Harley-Davidson and the Everett Smith Group are part of her client base.

THE FIRM This litigation boutique has a strong reputation in food safety litigation, and catastrophic injury and insurance claims. The practice has a broad geographical scope and represents leading companies such as Cargill and Fairbank Farms in multimillion-dollar claims. Clients particularly value the team's hands-on approach.

Sources say: "The team is our go-to for sophisticated, high-stakes litigation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ralph Weber moves up the ranks this year amid acclaim as a "bright, creative and highly regarded trial lawyer." He acts in substantial product liability and commercial disputes, and is renowned for his expertise in the food safety sector. He recently represented Trek Bicycle in an ongoing claim involving the marketing and sale of bicycles in the USA and Europe. Ric Gass has an excellent reputation in insurance defense matters. Specialist areas include product liability, trucking and catastrophic injuries. He recently represented Coca-Cola in a $22 million claim arising from a trucking accident. He is praised for his "excellent trial presence." Paul Heaton is also an insurance specialist and is described as "a tenacious litigator who has an excellent understanding of the client's perspective." He successfully represented Northwestern Mutual in a $28 million judgment arising out of a web-based extortion claim.

Since publication, Paul Heaton has joined Godfrey & Kahn, SC

THE FIRM This 48-strong team offers a full range of commercial litigation services. It represents a broad range of clients, who particularly value its business acumen and practical approach. Recently the team has acted for Marshall & Ilsley Bank and Liberty Mutual Insurance.

Sources say: "It is a team of passionate advocates who are incredibly business-focused."

KEY INDIVIDUALS William Levit is a highly regarded and experienced trial lawyer and arbitrator. Clients say he "is responsive to requests, produces quality work and always gets good results." He was recently involved in the representation of the Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta, Philadelphia and St. Louis together with Fiserv, in an alleged patent infringement suit. Madison-based Brady Williamson is well known for his First Amendment litigation practice. He is viewed by peers as "an excellent resource for advice and guidance on constitutional matters," due to his great political instincts and experience in the Wisconsin and national courts. Daniel Flaherty is a former US state attorney and currently chairs the firm's litigation practice. He splits his time between the Milwaukee and Green Bay offices, and recently advised Kimberly-Clark on a false advertising claim.

THE FIRM This highly regarded commercial litigation practice specializes in professional liability, insurance litigation and IP disputes. Its impressive client base includes Marsh USA and Tecta American.

Sources say: "All the attorneys are extremely responsive and accessible."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Daniel Conley is adept at handling complex litigation, with a particular specialty in professional negligence matters. Interviewees regard him as "a bright lawyer who is a leader in the Bar." Trial and appellate lawyer John Rothstein is "an excellent attorney and a worthy adversary," according to peers. His practice includes probate, real estate and insurance disputes. Eric Van Vugt is a new addition to this year's rankings. Clients praise his "ability to take complex legal issues and simplify them for a jury." He excels in actuarial misconduct claims and recently defended Mercer in a $500 million pension fund-related settlement with the State of Alaska Retirement Board.

THE FIRM Reinhart Boerner takes a multidisciplinary approach to litigation, putting together expert teams of both litigators and transactional lawyers. Key areas of expertise are financial litigation, distribution and franchise, and IP and insurance matters. The team's clients include CNH North America and Abbott Laboratories.

Sources say: "The team offers an efficient and well-organized service. Its key strength is its familiarity with our business and its history."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Scott Hansen leads the firm's litigation practice and is an expert in distribution and franchise matters. He is "a star litigator who commands respect in the courtroom." He acted for Milwaukee Electric Tool in a patent infringement suit relating to lithium ion battery technology. Mark Cameli is highly regarded for "his ability to think on his feet in the courtroom." He cochairs the firm's white-collar litigation team, and represents a broad range of clients under investigation for noncompliance and fraud.

THE FIRM This litigation practice is organized into separate tort and business litigation departments. It has recently been involved in a large volume of IP litigation but offers clients a wide range of expertise, including real estate, employment, tax, securities and professional liability.

Sources say: "The team has an unbelievable client service ethos."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ann Maher is a general business litigator who has recently been involved in numerous real estate disputes. She also acted as trial counsel for the Inland Power Group in a breach of warranty claim worth $10 million. Nathan Fishbach is an expert in white-collar crime matters: "He is extremely knowledgeable and well connected in his field." He recently handled a case for Johnson Outdoors, and clients benefit from his experience as a US federal prosecution attorney.

Since publication, Nathan Fishbach has passed away.

THE FIRM This boutique litigation practice has been involved in a large volume of business litigation as a result of the economic climate. The team has represented numerous companies in minority shareholder disputes and class actions.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Thomas St. John is a name partner and key contact at the firm.

THE FIRM Michael Best has a large litigation department that represents clients in a diverse range of matters. Its expertise includes IP, class actions and product liability, as well as construction and employment disputes. The attorneys are seasoned trial lawyers, and are also experienced in arbitrations and mediations.

Sources say: "The team takes an extremely business-minded and client-focused approach."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Paul Benson is chair of the litigation practice. 

THE FIRM This Madison-based team tries a diverse range of cases across the region. Recent experience includes representing large companies in insurance coverage matters, product liability claims and investigations by consumer protection forces. The group also has a strong municipal practice. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Brian Butler is widely recognized as a leader in franchise and distribution and fair dealership law. "He is extremely well respected and does an excellent job." Sources also highlight his expertise in arbitrations and mediations.