Finch & Lynde 1842-1844 Hubbell, Finch & Lynde 1844-1845 Finch & Lynde 1845-1857 Finches, Lynde & Miller 1857-1890 Miller, Noyes & Miller, 1890-1895 Miller, Noyes, Miller & Wahl 1895-1900 Miller, Noyes & Miller 1900-1906 Miller, Mack & Fairchild 1906-1951 Fairchild, Foley & Sammond 1951-1960 Foley, Sammond & Lardner 1960-1969
PARTNERS
William J. Abraham, Jr. (Partner) admitted to bar, 1973, Wisconsin. Education: University of Illinois (B.A., with honors, 1969); University of Michigan (J.D., magna cum laude, 1972). Order of the Coif. Note and Comment Editor, University of Michigan Law Review, 1971-1972. Law Clerk to the Honorable Edward A. Tamm, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, 1972-1973. Lecturer, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Executive MBA Program. Member: Milwaukee, Seventh Circuit and American (Member, Sections on: Corporate Law; Real Property) Bar Associations; State Bar of Wisconsin (Former Member, Special Committee to Revise Wisconsin Business Corporation Law; Chairman, Wisconsin Bar Association Business Law Section Legislative Committee, 1996-1998); United States Supreme Court Bar Association; Greater Milwaukee Committee; Wisconsin Policy Research Institute; Milwaukee Downtown Master Plan Task Force; Children's Hospital Foundation (Former Chairman of the Board); Greater Milwaukee Open; Zoological Society of Milwaukee County (Former Member, Board of Directors). Practice Areas: Securities; Mergers and Acquisitions; Corporate; Business Law.Email: William J. Abraham, Jr.
Jason W. Allen (Partner) admitted to bar, 1998, Wisconsin; 2003, California. Education: San Jose State University (B.S., B.A., 1995); University of Wisconsin, Madison (J.D., 1998). Named to the 2006 list of Wisconsin Super Lawyers - Rising Stars by Law & Politics Media, Inc. for his mergers & acquisitions work. Member: American Bar Association; National Bar Association; State Bar of Wisconsin. Practice Areas: Finance; Mergers and Acquisitions; Energy Finance; Project Finance; Securities; Corporate Finance; Corporate; Infrastructure Development; Energy.Email: Jason W. Allen
Michael J. Aprahamian (Partner) admitted to bar, 1992, Wisconsin; 1993, U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin and U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit. Education: University of Wisconsin (B.A., with honors, 1989); Yale University (J.D., 1992). Phi Beta Kappa; Phi Kappa Phi; Mortar Board. Publishing Editor, Yale Law Journal. Law Clerk, Hon. Richard D. Cudahy, U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 1992-1993. Co-author: along with several other Foley attorneys, "CCH Treatise entitled Product Distribution Law Guide". Articles and Presentations: Legal Considerations in Merging Two Distribution Networks; Legal Considerations in Marketing Through Distributors; Getting Your Bang for Your Buck Out of Contractual "Best Efforts" Provisions; Dealing with Financially Challenged Distributors; Can I Change My Channel of Distribution from Independent Distributors to Include Internet and Mass Merchandisers?; Picking Your Battlegrounds: Best Practices Re: Choice-of-Forum and Choice-of-Law Provisions in Distributor Contracts; State Regulation on Distribution Relationship (Or Where Fools Rush In); Best Efforts by the Distributor or Franchisee, What Does It Mean and How Do You Enforce It?; The Implied Obligation of Good Faith: Legal Morass or Useful Tool?. Member: State Bar of Wisconsin; American Bar Association (Member, Litigation Section); Milwaukee Bar Association. Practice Areas: Litigation; Distributorship Law; Franchise Distribution; Appellate Practice; Insurance.Email: Michael J. Aprahamian
Paul Bargren (Partner) admitted to bar, 1994, Wisconsin; U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin; U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan. Education: University of Illinois (B.A., 1973); University of Wisconsin (J.D., magna cum laude, 1994). Member, University of Wisconsin Law Review. Author, "Joint and Several Liability," Wis. L. Rev., Vol. 1994, No. 2. Reported Cases: UGI Utilities, Inc., v. Cons. Edison, Second Circuit, U.S. Supreme Court (pet. for review) (limits of liability under CERCLA); SCE&G v. UGI Utilities, Inc., District of South Carolina (CERCLA issues relating to a manufactured gas plant cleanup); City of Waukesha v. Viacom International, Inc., Eastern District of Wisconsin (municipal landfill cleanup under CERCLA, RCRA); A-C Reorganization Trust v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Eastern District of Wisconsin (industrial site cleanup under CERCLA, RCRA); Lemberger Sites Remediation Group v. A.M. Richter et al., Eastern District of Wisconsin (CERCLA site cost allocation); Employers Insurance of Wausau v. Newell Co., Milwaukee County, Wisconsin (insurance recovery at CERCLA site); Ansul Inc et al v. Employers Insurance Company of Wausau, Marinette County, Wisconsin (insurance recovery at industrial site); Morris Material Handling, Inc., v. KCI Konecranes PLC, Eastern District of Wisconsin (false advertising claims); Conley Publishing Group v. Journal Communications, Inc., Wisconsin Supreme Court (antitrust litigation); Schnapp v. McBride, Eastern District of Louisiana (defamation); Schultz v. Sykes, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin and appeals (defamation); Comcast Sportsnet v. Major League Baseball, et al., Maryland Court of Appeals (media rights issues); RealNetworks v. MLB Advanced Media, Western District of Washington (media rights issues); Appleton Papers Inc. v. Advanced Barrier Extrusions, Outagamie County, Wisconsin (non-competition agreement). Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Media Law; Environmental Litigation; Intellectual Property Litigation; Marketing Law; Insurance Mediation; Sports Law; Insurance Litigation; Trademarks; Copyrights; Advertising Law.Email: Paul Bargren
Steven R. Barth (Partner) admitted to bar, 1984, Wisconsin. Education: Indiana University (B.S., Finance, with highest distinction, 1981); University of Michigan (J.D., cum laude, 1984). Recipient: Elvis J. Stahr Award; L.G. Balfour Award; Milwaukee 40 Under 40. Repeatedly named to the list of Wisconsin Super Lawyers by Law & Politics Media, Inc. for merger and acquisition transactions. Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, 2008 and 2009 in the area of mergers & acquisitions and securities law. Author, Corporate Ethics, "The Business Code of Conduct for Ethical Employees". Member: Board of Directors: Fresh Brands, Inc. (Nasdaq: FRSH); Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation; Wisconsin Independent Business Association. Member: Milwaukee Bar Association; State Bar of Wisconsin. Special Agencies: Board of Directors of Business Law Section of the Wisconsin State Bar; Board of Directors of Wisconsin Independent Business Association; Board of Directors of Milwaukee Economic Development Association Practice Areas: Corporate; Mergers and Acquisitions; Securities Law; Emerging Growth Companies; Joint Ventures; Food and Drug Regulation; Health Care.Email: Steven R. Barth
Steven C. Becker (Partner) admitted to bar, 1997, Wisconsin; registered to practice before U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Education: Marquette University (B.S.E.E., cum laude, 1994); Syracuse University (J.D., summa cum laude, 1997). As an undergraduate, he was a General Motors Scholar, a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, a member of the Justinian Honor Society. Lead Articles Editor, Syracuse Law Review. Author: "The Inequitable Conduct Defense: Down, But Not Out," ABA - IPL Newsletter V.15 N4 SUM, 1997. Member: American Intellectual Property Law Association; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; Society of Automotive Engineers; The Licensing Executives Society. Practice Areas: Intellectual Property; Patent Prosecution; Copyright; Electronics; Energy.Email: Steven C. Becker
Linda E. Benfield (Partner) admitted to bar, 1985, Colorado (inactive); 1986, District of Columbia; 1990, Wisconsin; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin. Education: Colorado College (B.A., summa cum laude, 1981); University of Chicago (J.D., 1985).
Linda E. Benfield is a partner with Foley & Lardner LLP and chair of the Environmental Regulation Practice. She is also a member of the Corporate Compliance & Enforcement Practice.
Ms. Benfield has 24 years of experience in litigation and counseling in all aspects of environmental law, including air and water permitting and compliance issues, and solid and hazardous waste handling and disposal. She has extensive experience on the cutting edge of Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Superfund, and RCRA enforcement, as well as citizen suit litigation, settlement strategies, and related cost recovery, insurance coverage, and indemnity disputes.
Ms. Benfield's recent cases and administrative proceedings include the defense of numerous complaints by U.S. EPA or state environmental agencies alleging air emissions or "new source review" violations, representation of clients in U.S. EPA multi-media audits, and prosecution and defense of citizen suit actions and cost recovery actions in federal and state courts. Ms. Benfield also advises clients regarding the variety of issues involved in the redevelopment, sale, or other transfer of contaminated properties.
Ms. Benfield is a regular speaker on issues relating to environmental enforcement, litigation, compliance, Brownfield development, and transactions.
Ms. Benfield graduated from Colorado College (1981 B.A., summa cum laude) and earned her J.D. from the University of Chicago (1985). She is listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, 1995-2010. She was also named to the list of Wisconsin Super Lawyers for her environmental work (2005-2008) and was recognized as one of the Top 25 Women for Wisconsin Super Lawyers in 2008 as well. In addition, Ms. Benfield was recently honored by the Wisconsin Law Journal as one of the Women in the Law 2009, an award bestowed on only 21 female attorneys in Wisconsin.
Ms. Benfield is admitted to practice in Wisconsin, the District of Columbia and Colorado (inactive). She is also admitted to practice before numerous federal courts, including the district court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Ms. Benfield's community activities include:
· Milwaukee Ballet, chair of the board (2003-2006); board member (1996-present)
· Milwaukee Jewish Day School, board member (2007-present)
· Wild Space Dance Company, board president (2001-2003), board member (1995-2003)
· Racine Lead Advisory Board (1993-1996)
Practice Areas: Corporate Compliance & Enforcement; Environmental Regulation.Email: Linda E. Benfield
Michael M. Biehl (Partner) admitted to bar, 1976, Wisconsin. Education: Harvard University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1973; J.D., cum laude, 1976). Phi Beta Kappa. Author of the "Health Care Contracting" chapter of the Aspen Hospital Law Manual. Co-authored a book on medical staff law for the American Health Lawyers Association. Adjunct professor of law at Marquette University. Chairman of the board of Aurora Psychiatric Hospital. Member: Milwaukee and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Wisconsin; American Health Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Health Care Law; Integrated Health Care Delivery Systems; Health Maintenance Organizations.Email: Michael M. Biehl
Bernard J. Bobber (Partner) admitted to bar, 1987, Illinois; 1989, Wisconsin; 1999, U.S. Supreme Court. Education: University of Illinois (B.A., Economics, 1984); Northwestern University (J.D., cum laude, 1987). Order of the Coif. Recipient of Lowden-Wigmore Award for Legal Scholarship. Author: "Retaliation Claims: A Different Set of Rules and Pitfalls," The Employers Handbook, 1999-2000; "Responding to Discrimination Charges--A Wisconsin Employer's Guide," The Wisconsin Labor Letter, June 2000. Member: Milwaukee and American (Member, Employment and Labor Law Section; Litigation Section) Bar Associations; State Bar of Wisconsin (Member, Employment and Litigation Sections). Reported Cases: Radue v. Kimberly-Clark Corp., 219 F.3d 612 (7th Cir. 2000); Hardin v. S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., 167 F.3d 340 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 120 S. Ct. 178 (1999) ; Hartley v. Wisconsin Bell, Inc., 124 F.3d 887 (7th Cir. 1997); Arcadi v. Nestle Food Corp., 38 F.3d 672 (2d Cir. 1994); Dohrer v. Metz Baking Co., 1999 WL 60140 (N.D. Ill. Jan. 27, 1999); Rochon v. Attorney General of the United States, 710 F. Supp. 377 (D.D.C. 1989), 691 F. Supp. 1548 (D.D.C. 1988). Practice Areas: Employment Law; Employment Litigation; Management Labor Law; Trial Practice; Commercial Litigation; Food and Drug Regulation; Litigation.Email: Bernard J. Bobber
Ralf-Reinhard (Ralf) Böer (Chairman and CEO) admitted to bar, 1974, Wisconsin. Education: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (B.A., cum laude, 1971); University of Wisconsin-Madison (J.D., magna cum laude, 1974) Order of the Coif; Note and Comment Editor, Wisconsin Law Review, 1974.
Ralf Böer is a partner of Foley & Lardner LLP. He has been chairman and CEO of the firm since 2002 and has been a member of the firm's Management Committee since 1992. He formerly served as chair of the firm's Business Law Department and of the International Practice. Mr. Böer is a member of the Transactional & Securities Practice and the Automotive Industry Team.
Mr. Böer's areas of practice include transnational and domestic mergers, acquisitions and other business combinations and international business transactions. He focuses his practice on clients from and transactions in Europe, and is fluent in German. Mr. Böer practiced for the firm in Frankfurt, Germany from 1975 to 1976.
Mr. Böer's international business law activities are extensive. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Fiskars Corporation (Helsinki, Finland), listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. He also serves as general (outside) counsel for numerous European clients. In the U.S., Mr. Böer is a member of the Board of Directors of Plexus Corp., a NASDAQ-listed company, and is chair of Plexus' Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Exide Electronics Group, Inc., a NASDAQ-listed company headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina until its acquisition by BTR plc in 1998. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® and in Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business. He was also named to the 2006, 2007 and 2008 lists of Wisconsin Super Lawyers by Law & Politics Media, Inc. for his business/corporate work.
Born in Berlin, Germany in 1948, Mr. Böer is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (B.A., cum laude, 1971), and of the University of Wisconsin-Madison (J.D., magna cum laude, 1974). He was elected to the Order of the Coif and was note and comment editor, Wisconsin Law Review, 1974. He is co-author of the German "Labor/ Management Relations Act/Betriebsverfassungsgesetz," Frankfurt, 1977 and 1983, and author of numerous legal articles.
In 1999, Mr. Böer was named Knight, First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland, awarded by the President of the Republic of Finland.
Languages: German. Practice Areas: Transactional & Securities.Email: Ralf-Reinhard (Ralf) Böer
Larry J. Bonney (Partner) admitted to bar, 1988, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Education: Luther College (B.A., summa cum laude, 1985); University of Michigan (J.D., cum laude, 1988). Phi Beta Kappa; Omicron Delta Epsilon; Phi Alpha Delta. Member: Milwaukee (Member, Real Estate Section) and American (Member, Real Estate Section) Bar Associations; State Bar of Wisconsin (Member, Real Estate and Business Law Sections). Practice Areas: Real Estate Law; Finance; Energy; Wind Energy.Email: Larry J. Bonney
Michael A. Bowen (Partner) admitted to bar, 1976, Wisconsin; U.S. Court of Appeal, Second, Third, Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, and Tenth Circuits. Education: Rockhurst College (A.B., summa cum laude, 1973); Harvard Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1976). Alpha Sigma Nu. Member, Harvard Law Review, 1975-1976. Member, Winning Moot Court Team. Author: Note, "Discovery in Patent Interferences," 89 Harvard Law Review 573, 1976. Co-Author: "The Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law," (Treatise) Wisconsin State Bar, First Edition, 1988, Second Edition, 1995. Contributing Author, Product Distribution Law Guide (CCH), 1999; "Screenscam," Poisoned Pen Press, 2001; "The Fourth Glorious Mystery," Branden Publications, 2000; "Collateral Damage," St. Martin's Press, 1999; "Worst Case Scenarion," Crown, 1996. Member: State Bar of Wisconsin. Reported Cases: Morley-Murphy Co. v. Zenith Electronics Corp., 142 F.3d 373 (7th Cir. 1998); Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club v. Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services, 130 Wis. 2d 56, 387 N.W.2d 245 (1986). Languages: French. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Distribution Litigation; Distribution Law; Antitrust Litigation; Original Appellate Practice; Litigation; Appellate Practice.Email: Michael A. Bowen
Mary K. Braza (Partner) admitted to bar, 1981, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas; 1982, Wisconsin, U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit and U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin. Education: Cornell University (B.A., 1978; J.D., magna cum laude, 1981) Order of the Coif; Note Editor, Cornell International Law Journal.
Mary K. Braza, partner, is a member of the firm's management committee and chair of the Sports Industry Team. Ms. Braza serves as outside counsel to Major League Baseball in a wide variety of issues including strategic planning. She also works closely with league and Foley lawyers working on matters such as employment, taxation, technology and consulting agreements, licensing, trademark and antitrust litigation. In recent years she has:
· Counseled on relocation of the Montreal Expos to Washington, D.C.
· Negotiated the settlement of claims by Peter Angelos, owner of the Baltimore Orioles, concerning relocation of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club
· Assisted in league structure issues and provided legal counsel regarding contraction, bankruptcy and Club ownership
· Represented Major League Baseball and its Commissioner in a range of litigation matters, including Baseball's successful assertion of the antitrust exemption in relation to the proposed contraction of the League, the voluntary dismissal of a federal court RICO lawsuit brought by former owners of the Montreal Expos Baseball Club, the court-ordered dismissal of a tortious interference claim by Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic involving licensing of Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals telecast rights, the dismissal of a ticket holder class action relating to the 2002 All-Star Game, and settlement of insurance coverage litigation on behalf of the Clubs
Ms. Braza was involved in Major League Baseball's successful consolidation of League and Club interactive media rights and the formation of MLB Advanced Media, L.P. She continues to counsel MLBAM on issues related to Baseball's interactive media business. She oversees a team of Foley lawyers working with MLBAM to grow its interactive media business and represents MLBAM in litigation, and she:
· Represented MLBAM in its successful tender offer for tickets.com, a leading business-to-business ticketing solutions provider for baseball and other live events worldwide
· Represented MLBAM in litigation matters, including federal court litigation involving licensing of MLB marks and player information to fantasy sports league providers, and litigation with real networks over web casting of MLB games
Ms. Braza also works with clients on the acquisition of professional sports franchises.
In addition to her sports practice, Ms. Braza has extensive experience in litigating commercial disputes in federal and state courts, involving such areas as environmental law, bankruptcy, distribution, insurance coverage, reinsurance and health care.
Ms. Braza received her bachelor's degree (1978) and her J.D. degree (magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 1981) from Cornell University, where she was note editor for the Cornell International Law Journal. She is a member of the Wisconsin Bar, and is admitted to practice in many federal district and appellate courts. Ms. Braza is an instructor at the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and has lectured on a variety of trial-related topics. Since 2006, she has served as an adjunct professor at John Marshall Law School in Chicago, IL, where she teaches a course on Sports Law.
Ms. Braza is a member of the American Bar Association Forum on Sports and Entertainment, Sports Law Association and Women's Sports Foundation. She is a frequent speaker on sports-related legal topics. Ms. Braza is an adjunct professor at Marquette, teaching a sports law course and is a member of the Marquette National Sports Law Institute's Board of Advisors. She was named one of America's Leading Lawyers in the area of sports law by Chambers USA in 2006-2009. Ms. Braza was also selected for inclusion in the 2006 Wisconsin Super Lawyers® list for her general litigation work and is included in The Best Lawyers in America® in the area of sports law.
Member: State Bar of Wisconsin; American Bar Association (Forum on Sports and Entertainment); Sports Law Association; Women's Sports Foundation.
Practice Areas: General Commercial Litigation.Email: Mary K. Braza
John F. Callan (Partner) admitted to bar, 1984, Wisconsin. Education: Marquette University (B.S., summa cum laude, 1980; J.D., summa cum laude, 1984). Beta Gamma Sigma. Certified Public Accountant, Wisconsin, 1986. Member: Milwaukee Bar Association (Past Chair, Probate, Practice and Procedure Section). Practice Areas: Trusts and Estates Law; Marital Property Law; Estate and Retirement Planning; College Planning; Corporate Tax Planning.Email: John F. Callan
Charles G. Carter (Partner) admitted to bar, 1993, Minnesota; 2000, Wisconsin; registered to practice before U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Education: University of Rochester (B.Sc., Chemistry, with honors, 1974); Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., magna cum laude, 1993); University of Oregon (Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, 1979). Order of the Coif. Practice Areas: Intellectual Property; Chemical Intellectual Property; Pharmaceutical Intellectual Property; Food and Drug Regulation; Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Biochemical Technology; Energy.Email: Charles G. Carter
Richard H. Casper (Partner) admitted to bar, 1975, Wisconsin; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin. Education: Bowdoin College (A.B., magna cum laude, 1972); Northwestern University (J.D., cum laude, 1975). Order of the Coif. Member, Editorial Board, Northwestern University Law Review, 1974-1975. Published writings and formal presentations: Co-Author: "Agency and Distribution Agreements in the United States," International Agency and Distribution Agreements (Mitchie Butterworth 1995); Product Distribution Law Guide (CCH 1999); "International Sales and Marketing Practice Manual," (Practical Law Company 2002 (expected). Speaker, "Using Sales Agents and Distributors Abroad," East-West Trade Conference, Knoxville, Tennessee 1994. Member: Milwaukee and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Wisconsin. Practice Areas: Distribution Law; Bankruptcy; Creditors Rights; Commercial Transactions; Business Planning; Food and Drug Regulation.Email: Richard H. Casper
Jon P. Christiansen (Partner) admitted to bar, 1975, Georgia; 1976, Wisconsin. Education: St. Olaf College (B.A., magna cum laude, 1972); Vanderbilt University (J.D., 1975) Order of the Coif; Editor-in-Chief, Vanderbilt Law Review.
Jon P. Christiansen is a partner and chair of the firm's Litigation Specialties Group, which includes the following litigation practice areas: Antitrust, Appellate, Consumer Finance, Construction, Distribution and Franchise, Energy Litigation and Insurance Dispute Resolution. He is the former chair of the firm's national General Commercial Litigation Practice. He also formerly chaired the firm's Distribution & Franchise Practice and practices primarily in the areas of commercial litigation, distribution & franchise and construction. He serves on the firm's Training Committee and heads the firm's Electronic Evidence training. His experience includes preliminary injunctions, trials, arbitrations and appeals throughout the United States in commercial, distribution, construction and trade secret cases.
Mr. Christiansen has lectured frequently to trade associations and business groups on the subject of distribution and antitrust law, including, most recently, Web-based seminars on distributor consolidations and distribution challenges presented by e-commerce. He has drafted numerous national distribution agreements in diverse industries, has managed distribution channel consolidations, and has counseled with both distributors and manufacturers in resolving distribution disputes. He is one of the principal authors of the "Product Distribution Guide," published by CCH. He is one of the co-authors of Annual Franchise and Distribution Law Developments - 2009, published by the ABA Forum on Franchising. He recently co-authored a chapter on distribution agreements in the "Illinois Business Law Series" (IICLE 2005).
Mr. Christiansen is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin and the American Bar Association. He graduated, magna cum laude, from St. Olaf College with a B.A. degree and was awarded his J.D. degree in 1975 by Vanderbilt University, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif and served as editor-in-chief of the Vanderbilt Law Review.
Mr. Christiansen served a judicial clerkship in 1975-76 with Judge Griffin B. Bell, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. He has been a partner with Foley & Lardner since 1982.
Mr. Christiansen has been selected by his peers for inclusion for at least 10 years in The Best Lawyers in America® in the fields of "Bet the Company" litigation, one of only 416 in the entire United States, commercial litigation and franchise law. He is also listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers (2008-2009), which referred to him as "a highly analytical trial lawyer who writes an impressive brief." Franchise Times selected Mr. Christiansen as one of its "Legal Eagles." He was also selected for inclusion in the 2005-2008 Wisconsin Super Lawyers® lists. Mr. Christiansen is a member of the American Bar Association "Forum on Franchising."
Mr. Christiansen is a regular contributor to trade associations and seminars. Mr. Christiansen's publications and presentations include:
· 18th Annual Law of Product Distribution & Franchise - Strategies & Solutions in a Troubled Economy
· Wisconsin's Economic Forecast - Guiding Principles for Weathering the Storm
· Evidentiary and Trial Issues in Franchise Cases
· The Changing Landscape of Distribution & Franchise Law
· Practical Approaches to Managing Electronic Evidence
· Distribution & Franchise Law Update: Drive Your Business Forward
· The Ten Commandments of Termination - You Can Keep Terminations (and Litigation) to a Minimum
· Not in My Backyard: The Legal Boundaries of Territorial Restrictions
· Distribution After Corporate Acquisitions: A Manufacturer's Primer
· How to Deal with Your Insurance Company in Product Liability Litigation
· Ten Things Manufacturers Should Never Say
· The Tale of the Ostrich: Living in Ignorance with the Battle of Contract Forms
· The Tale of the Ostrich II: The Dark Side of Technology
· The Basics of Territorial Restrictions
· A Practical Primer on the Law of Price Discrimination
· EDI and Fax Machine Orders are Creating New Warranty Problems
· Drafting Distribution Contracts to Avoid Litigation
· Drafting Distribution Contracts to Avoid Litigation
· The Termination from Hell - A Case Study
· Future Distribution Issues
· Distributor Terminations: Sometimes When You Win, You Lose
· In Pursuit of Share of Mind
· Getting to the Starting Line: Using Appointment Letters to Supplement Distribution Agreements
· E-Commerce - Exclusivity in the Existing Dealer Body: Recognizing and Dealing with Channel Conflict
· Distributor Consolidation - Supplier's Friend or Foe
· Constructive Terminations
· How Do I Know If My Distribution House Is In Order?
· Alternate Fee Arrangements
· What Do You Do To Accomplish A Market Withdrawal
· The Dam Is Broken: Expedited Proceedings And Checklist
· Write Smart To Avoid Litigation\Key Issues In Private Label Agreements
· Creating An Enforceable Prospect Registration System
· The Ten Worst Distribution Mistakes A Manufacturer Can Make
· Budgeting Away Litigation Cost Surprises
· Litigation Alternative Fee Arrangements - Real World Alternatives and Provisions
· Market Withdrawal - The Landscape of "Termination by the Market" (ABA Forum on Franchising, with Scott E. Korzenowski)
· Competitive Discounts - The United States Supreme Court Clears the Way
· Advanced Performance Measurement and Management
· Managing Electronic Discovery to Avoid Litigation Risk
· Can a Manufacturer Control its Prices Downstream?
Mr. Christiansen has been active in numerous bar, charitable and conservation groups. He served on the board of directors of the Milwaukee Bar Association and its Bench and Bar Committee. He was a member of the board of directors of the Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association. He has also served on the board of directors of the Milwaukee Council on Alcoholism. He served for 20 years on the board of directors and was chairman of St. Aemilian-Lakeside, Inc., a treatment home for abused youth. He currently serves on the national board of trustees of Trout Unlimited, a cold-water conservation organization.
Member: American Bar Association (Forum on Franchising).
Practice Areas: Distribution & Franchise; General Commercial Litigation.Email: Jon P. Christiansen
Keith A. Christiansen (Partner) admitted to bar, 1968, Wisconsin; 1973, Florida. Education: University of Wisconsin (B.S., 1965; J.D., with honors, 1968). Order of the Coif. Member, Board of Editors, Wisconsin Law Review, 1967-1968. Co-Author: "Marital Property Law in Wisconsin," 3 Vol. ATS-CLE, The State Bar of Wisconsin, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995. Member: Milwaukee and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Wisconsin; The Florida Bar. Fellow: American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Practice Areas: Trust and Estate Law; Wisconsin Marital Property Law; Estate Planning; Tax Litigation; Tax Valuation; Corporate Tax Planning.Email: Keith A. Christiansen
Mary Ann Christopher (Partner) admitted to bar, 1991, Illinois and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois; 1992, U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit; 1994, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin; 1995, Wisconsin. Education: Carleton College (B.A., magna cum laude, 1988); Northwestern University (J.D., 1991). Phi Beta Kappa. National Merit Scholar. Member: Energy and American Bar Associations. Languages: French. Practice Areas: Energy; Project Finance; Infrastructure Finance; Mergers and Acquisitions; Finance; Business Law; Securities; Wind Energy.Email: Mary Ann Christopher
James R. Clark (Partner) admitted to bar, 1971, Wisconsin. Education: Ripon College (A.B., 1968); University of Wisconsin (J.D., 1971). Phi Beta Kappa; Order of the Coif. Editor-in-Chief, Wisconsin Law Review, 1970-1971. Member: Milwaukee, Seventh Circuit and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Wisconsin; Defense Research Institute; Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers. Fellow: American College of Trial Lawyers; American Board of Trial Advocates. Practice Areas: Antitrust and Trade Regulation; Civil Litigation; Antitrust; Litigation.Email: James R. Clark
James P. Connelly (Partner) admitted to bar, 1972, Wisconsin. Education: Marquette University (B.A., 1969); Georgetown University (J.D., 1972). Phi Alpha Delta. Editor-in-Chief, Georgetown Law Journal, 1971-1972. Special Assistant to Secretary of the Treasury, 1975-1976. Trustee, Village of River Hills, Wisconsin, 1991-1995. Member: State Bar of Wisconsin. Practice Areas: Health Care Corporate Law; Health Law; Health Care.Email: James P. Connelly
Jeffrey N. Costakos (Partner) admitted to bar, 1988, Virginia; 1990, Wisconsin; U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh and Federal Circuits; registered to practice before U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Education: The Ohio State University (B.S., 1985); Marshall-Wythe School of Law, College of William & Mary (J.D., 1988). Practice Areas: Intellectual Property Litigation; Intellectual Property.Email: Jeffrey N. Costakos
Frank W. DiCastri (Partner) admitted to bar, 1997, Wisconsin; 1998, Illinois. Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison (B.A., 1994); University of Wisconsin (J.D., 1997). Senior Admin. Editor, Wisconsin Law Review. Judicial Law Clerk, The Hon. Jon P. Wilcox, Justice, Sup. Ct. of Wis., 1997-1998. Practice Areas: Bankruptcy; Litigation.Email: Frank W. DiCastri
Lloyd J. Dickinson (Partner) admitted to bar, 1974, Wisconsin. Education: University of Wisconsin (B.A., 1970; J.D., cum laude, 1974). Order of the Coif. Member: State Bar of Wisconsin. Practice Areas: Employee Benefits; Tax Litigation; Corporate Tax Planning.Email: Lloyd J. Dickinson
Mark J. Diliberti (Partner) admitted to bar, 1998, Wisconsin. Education: Marquette University (B.A., English and Philosophy, summa cum laude, 1995) Phi Beta Kappa; University of Chicago Law School (J.D., with honors, 1998).
Mark J. Diliberti is a partner in the Milwaukee office of Foley & Lardner LLP. He is vice chair of the Trademark, Copyright & Advertising Practice and a member of the Entertainment & Media Industry Team. He counsels clients on a wide range of intellectual property issues, particularly those involving trademark and copyright law. These issues include: strategic brand development, clearance and risk assessment; global portfolio management, enforcement and defense; agreement negotiation and intellectual property aspects of business transactions. Mr. Diliberti has substantial experience with protecting unique and distinctive features of products (such as color and shape) as trade dress and copyrights. He has also presented on this topic (available at Foley.com).
Mr. Diliberti was named to the 2006 and 2007 lists of Wisconsin Super Lawyers - Rising Stars by Law & Politics Media, Inc. for his intellectual property - entertainment & sports work. He also received the firm's Intellectual Property Department Founder's Award in 2006, recognizing his service to clients, his colleagues and the firm. Mr. Diliberti serves on the firm's national recruiting committee, and leads the intellectual property recruiting efforts for the Milwaukee Office. He also served for several years on the firm's national associate's committee.
A Phi Beta Kappa member, Mr. Diliberti earned his Bachelor of Arts, in English and philosophy, from Marquette University (summa cum laude, 1995) and his J.D., with honors, from the University of Chicago Law School (1998). Admitted in Wisconsin, Mr. Diliberti has presented at several state and local bar conventions on effectively using trademarks and copyrights to support clients' business goals. He is a contributing author for the World Copyright Report, has published in the ABA IPL Newsletter, and has been quoted on Internet domain name issues in The Business Journal.
Publications and Presentations:
· "Colorful Rights: Trademark Protection for Color Schemes," Legal News Alerts: Sports, December 2008
· "IP Protection Menu for Medical Devices," Legal News: Medical Devices, November 2008
· "First Sale Doctrine Protects Sale of 'Promotional Use Only' CDs," World Media Law Report, September 2008
· "Copyright Protection Denied to Digital Models Created for Ad Campaign," World Media Law Report, July 2008
· "Court Rejects RIAA's Popular 'Making Available' Argument," World Media Law Report, July 2008
· "StreamCast Ordered to Filter P2P Software But Escapes Being Shut Down," World Copyright Law Report, November 2007
· "Circuits Finally Agree on Scanned Pages of National Geographic CD - ROM," World Copyright Law Report, July 2007
· "Ninth Circuit Rejects Challenge to Copyright Protection for Orphan Works," World Copyright Law Report, March 2007
· "Flea Market's Theory of Secondary Liability Doesn't Fit, So Court Doesn't Buy," World Copyright Law Report, May 2006
· "Supreme Court Leaves Circuits Divided Over National Geographic CD-Rom," World Copyright Law Report, February 2006
· "Safe Harbour Provides a Generous Haven for Software Copied for Maintenance," World Copyright Law Report, October 2005
· "Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer Studios v. Grokster Ltd.: The Balance Between Copyright and Innovation," July 2005 (Presentation)
· "Appeals Court Asks if FCC Broadcast Flag has 'Crossed the Line'," World Copyright Law Report, April 2005
· "Clash of Industry Giants in Use of Music Games," World Copyright Law Report, July 2004
· "Belated Christmas Present for Fox in Copyright Case," World Copyright Law Report, May 2004
· "Country Singer Gets the Blues Over Allegedly Infringing Photo," World Copyright Law Report, April 2004
· "Developing & Defending Color Marks," June 2003 (Presentation)
· "Copyright Law and Misappropriation Doctrine," State Bar of Wisconsin, March 2001 program on Effectively Advising Your Business Clients and June 2000 Annual Convention (Presentations)
· Napster case summary, IPL Newsletter, Spring 2001
Practice Areas: Trademark, Copyright & Advertising.Email: Mark J. Diliberti
George A. Dionisopoulos (Partner) admitted to bar, 1980, Wisconsin. Education: University of Illinois (B.A., summa cum laude, 1976); Harvard University (J.D., cum laude, 1980) Phi Beta Kappa.
George A. Dionisopoulos, a partner with Foley & Lardner LLP, is the chair of the firm's Estates & Trusts Practice. He is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estates Counsel, a past president of the Milwaukee Estate Counselors Forum, and is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® and the lists of Wisconsin Super Lawyers in the estate planning field.
Mr. Dionisopoulos advises individuals and families regarding appropriate tax and estate planning arrangements to carry out their specific objectives. He regularly provides counsel to corporate and individual fiduciaries regarding all facets of trust and estate administration, including audits with the Internal Revenue Service and state tax authorities. He has extensive experience with the specialized needs of closely held business owners and corporate executives, and has assisted many private clients in successfully transferring family businesses from one generation to the next.
Mr. Dionisopoulos is a frequent speaker on tax and estate planning topics, including recent presentations at the Corporate Practice Institute, the Chicago-Kent Annual Tax Seminar, the Midwest Regional Meeting of the American College of Trust and Estates Counsel, and the Trusts and Estates Section of the National CLE Conference. He is the author of "The Wisconsin Marital Property Law and Its Effect on Estate Planning" and a co-author of the State Bar of Wisconsin's Workbook for Wisconsin Estate Planners. He formerly wrote a regular column on business succession planning for the Milwaukee Journal.
A member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, Mr. Dionisopoulos received his bachelor's degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Illinois in 1976, and his law degree, cum laude, from Harvard University in 1980. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Mr. Dionisopoulos is a current member of the Board of Curators of the Wisconsin Historical Society, and also serves on the boards of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, the Ten Chimneys Foundation, and the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Foundation.
Member: State Bar of Wisconsin.
Practice Areas: Estates & Trusts.Email: George A. Dionisopoulos
Gregg H. Dooge (Partner) admitted to bar, 1984, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Education: University of Wisconsin (B.B.A., 1981); Stanford University (J.D., 1984). Beta Gamma Sigma. Practice Areas: Employee Benefits Law; Transportation; Corporate Tax Planning.Email: Gregg H. Dooge
Rodney H. Dow (Partner) admitted to bar, 1973, Wisconsin. Education: Williams College (B.A., 1970); Cornell University (J.D., 1973). Member, Board of Editors, Cornell Law Review, 1972-1973. Contributing Author: Bank Holding Companies: A Practical Guide to Bank Acquisitions and Mergers. Trustee, Village of Shorewood, Wisconsin, 1993. Member: State Bar of Wisconsin. Practice Areas: Finance; Information Technology; Energy; Financial Institutions; Commercial Transactions; E-Commerce; Securities; Mergers and Acquisitions.Email: Rodney H. Dow
Robert A. DuPuy (Partner) admitted to bar, 1973, Wisconsin. Education: Dartmouth College (A.B., 1968); Cornell University (J.D., 1973). Phi Kappa Phi; Order of the Coif. Editor-in-Chief, Cornell Law Review, 1972-1973. Adjunct Professor, Northwestern University School of Law, Marquette University Law School, University of Wisconsin School of Law. Currently serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer for Major League Baseball. Member: State Bar of Wisconsin. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Litigation.Email: Robert A. DuPuy
Peter D. Fetzer (Partner) admitted to bar, 1997, Wisconsin. Education: University of Utah (B.A., summa cum laude, 1993); University of Wisconsin, Madison (J.D., cum laude, 1997). Phi Beta Kappa. Wisconsin Law Review, 1995-1997. Member: State Bar of Wisconsin; American Bar Association. Languages: Serbo - Croatian, Russian. Practice Areas: Commercial Transactions; Securities; Mergers and Acquisitions; Corporate Finance; Energy; Business Law; Finance; Investment Regulation.Email: Peter D. Fetzer
Kevin G. Fitzgerald (Partner) admitted to bar, 1987, Wisconsin; 1994, Florida. Education: Marquette University (B.S., magna cum laude, 1984); University of Wisconsin Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1987).
Kevin G. Fitzgerald is a partner with Foley & Lardner LLP. He chairs the firm's Insurance Industry Team and is a member of the Finance & Financial Institutions; Transactional & Securities; and Privacy, Security & Information Management Practices, as well as the Health Care Industry Team. His practice is concentrated in the fields of corporate and regulatory insurance law, premium taxation, privacy legislation, captive insurance matters, agent and agency licensing and reinsurance transactions.
Mr. Fitzgerald is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1987) and Marquette University (B.S., magna cum laude, 1984). He was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar in 1987 and The Florida Bar in 1994.
Mr. Fitzgerald is a member of the American Bar Association (Business Law Section, Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice Section, and Tort & Insurance Practice Section), the State Bar of Wisconsin, the Florida Bar and the Federation of Regulatory Counsel. He is also listed in the current edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.
Publications:
· "Essex v. Zota: Florida Surplus Lines Exemption Under Attack," Florida Underwriters, November 2008; Insurance Legal News, Fall 2008
· "National Trends Affecting Producer Licensing," FORC Quarterly Journal of Insurance Law and Regulation, Vol. 19, Ed. 2, Summer 2008
· The Death, by Taxes, of the Pure Captive," Advisen Front Page News, November 2007
· "Non-Profit Health Care Systems Captives: Is Your Captive an 'Insurance Company' and Do You Want It To Be?" Law Watch, Vol. 07-2, February 2007
· "Massachusetts Health Care Reform," BlueCross BlueShield Association's Legal Affairs Bulletin, Issue 968, September 2006
· "Regulatory Issues, Common Challenges, and Succeeding Despite All of Them," Winning Legal Strategies for Insurance Law, Aspatore Books, 2006
· "Florida Begins Licensing and Registering Insurance Agencies," FORC Quarterly Journal of Insurance Law and Regulation, Vol. XVII, Edition II, June 2006
· "Treasury Department Releases Final Rules Applying US Patriot Act to Certain Insurance Companies," Insurance Law Update, November 2005; Journal of Payment Systems Law, November/December 2005
· "The Fair Credit Reporting Act: Recent (And Pending) Developments," FORC Quarterly Journal, second quarter, 2004
· "Federal Court's Interpretation of 'Adverse Action' under FCRA Could Reduce Notice Requirements for Insurers," Insurance Law Update, September 2003
· "Joint FCC/FTC Do-Not-Call Registry Established Under FCC's Final Rule Implementing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991," Insurance Law Update, August 2003
· "Anti-Money Laundering and the USA Patriot Act of 2001, America's War Against Terrorism Spreads to the Insurance Industry," Vol. IX, Ed. II, FORC Quarterly Journal of Insurance Law and Regulation, June 2002
· "Safeguarding the Privacy of Nonpublic Personal Information Under Gramm-Leach-Bliley: Another Train Is Leaving the Station," Insurance Law Update, March 2002
· "Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act," Insurance Law Update, J