Looking to Start Up or Move a Business to the Milwaukee Area?
If you're planning to start a new business, or relocate an existing one to the Milwaukee area, then you will find plenty of help in getting things moving. Here are some of the main local online resources which you may find useful:
Buzgate.org Global Resource Network for Small Business
Free Small Business Help in Wisconsin
Governor’s Business Plan Contest
The mission of the Governor’s Business Plan Contest is to encourage entrepreneurs in the creation, start-up and early-growth stages of high-tech businesses in Wisconsin. Participants have the chance to win seed capital, valuable services that will help them launch their businesses and a Grand Prize worth $50,000. Since its inception in 2004, more than 1,300 entries have been received and nearly $850,000 in cash and in-kind prizes has been awarded.
JSOnline: Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel Business News
Online source of articles on Wisconsin business.
Pitch Then Plan
Business plan development web site. Free resource to develop a Power Point pitch, business plan narrative and 20+ pages of financial documents to support the plan.
For Milwaukee County government, you can find plenty of information and contact details at:
http://county.milwaukee.gov/milwaukeecounty7699.htm
There are also plenty of local advertising opportunities, other Milwaukee businesses, and online platforms where you can advertise your Milwaukee business. Here are a few places to start:
http://www.localfirstmilwaukee.com/directory
http://www.ridemcts.com/doing-business-with-mcts/advertise-with-us
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/about-us/contact
http://www.jsonline.com/advertise
A great online resource, which brings together many different aspects of starting and running a business in Milwaukee, full of useful contacts and information including financing and local tax credit links, is the Milwaukee Business Toolbox, which you can find here:
http://city.milwaukee.gov/BusinessToolbox#.VilEHCvcoUY
You could also go for specialist business advice, guidance and support from a company like Action Coach, which is a local company that specifically helps people grow businesses in Milwaukee:
http://www.actioncoachofelmgrove.com
Don't forget the importance of getting the right legal advice and taking the necessary steps when setting up a business. You may well need sound local advice, which you can find here:
http://www.findmilwaukeelawyers.org
There will, of course, be many things to consider and plan when setting up a business in Milwaukee, but hopefully some of these internet links will be useful starting points to set you off in the right direction. As a vibrant and expanding city, full of opportunity and promise, many entrepreneurs and business owners continue to find great success in Milwaukee. Let's hope you will be next!
Showing posts with label Milwaukee Business Help. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Milwaukee Business Help. Show all posts
Friday, October 30, 2015
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Local Government Assistance for Milwaukee Businesses
Local Government Assistance for Milwaukee Businesses
There are a number of programs set in place by local government agencies to help businesses in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. These programs are run by the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County who work in partnership with other outside agencies, both government-run and privately owned, to help provide Milwaukee businesses with the assistance needed to truly thrive.
Programs offered by these agencies range from financial assistance (including grants, loans, and bonds) to discounts and mentoring programs that help Milwaukee-area businesses be all that they can be. No matter of if you are looking for financial assistance to help renovate your business during hard times or a mentorship program to help your business grow, Milwaukee’s local government agencies can be of great help.
Financial Assistance Programs for Milwaukee Businesses:
When talking specifically about the financial assistance offered by local government agencies for Milwaukee-area businesses, there are several grants, bonds, and loan programs currently available. Here is some information about some specific financial assistance programs offered by Milwaukee’s local government agencies that might be helpful to your business:
Me² – Helping Milwaukee Businesses Finance the Cost of Becoming More Energy Efficient
Me² (which stands for Milwaukee Energy Efficiency) is in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, the Milwaukee Office of Environmental Sustainability, and Focus on Energy to offer financial assistance to Milwaukee-area businesses who wish to become more energy efficient. By partnering with Me², you will be given rebates ranging from 10% and 60% of your total project costs, making your business’s energy efficiency upgrades more affordable.
Maximum incentives are $30,000 for small business projects costing under $50,000 and $300,000 for general business projects costing over $50,000. These incentives are given on a per property basis.
Please contact Timm Heck at (414) 333-2368 or visit the City of Milwaukee’s Me² page at www.city.milwaukee.gov/Me2/Businesses for more information.
Façade Grants – Helping Milwaukee Businesses Finance Improvements to Street Faces and Signage
The City of Milwaukee’s Department of City Development is offering grants to businesses to help improve the appearance of commercial areas in Milwaukee. There are two city wide grant programs – one for façade improvements and the other to improve the look of the city’s signage. There is also a Downtown Façade Grant Program available to businesses located in the downtown core.
Both the City Wide Façade Grant Program and the City Wide Signage Grant Program will reimburse up to 50% of eligible improvement costs, with a maximum reimbursement of $2500. The Downtown Façade Grant Program, on the other hand, will reimburse up to 30% of eligible improvement costs, with its maximum grant being $50,000 per building. Improvement projects must cost at least $2000 to be eligible for any of the city’s façade or signage grants.
More information about Milwaukee’s façade and signage grant programs can be obtained by visiting the City of Milwaukee’s website at www.city.milwaukee.gov/facade or by calling the Façade Grant hotline at (414) 286-8201.
Brownfield Site Assessment Matching Grant – Helping Milwaukee Businesses Finance Environmental Site Assessments
The Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in conjunction with the City of Milwaukee and its Redevelopment Authority (RACM) is offering grants to encourage the assessment and redevelopment of Milwaukee’s industrial properties with potential environmental issues.
The grant covers half the costs of a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, with a maximum grant paying out $25,000. To be eligible, your business must already own or have plans to purchase the property and have previously completed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment on the site which is to be redeveloped.
You can visit the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation’s website at www.medconline.com/Other_Assistance_0MQ2.html#Other_Assistance-Enviro for more information about the grant or simply call them at (414) 286-5840.
Industrial Development Revenue Bonds – Helping Milwaukee Businesses Cover the Cost of Construction, Renovations, and Industrial Equipment
The Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) together with the City of Milwaukee and its Redevelopment Authority (RACM) is issuing industrial revenue bonds to help fund building construction and renovations, as well as manufacturing machinery and equipment. Financing for the cost of land, site improvements, and engineering or agricultural studies is also available through the Industrial Development Revenue Bonds Program. These industrial revenue bonds are available at both fixed and variable rates and your total available bond amount will depend on your business’s assets.
For more information about the Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, please visit the MEDC’s website at www.medconline.com/Other_Assistance_0MQ2.html#Industrial or contact the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation directly at (414) 286-5840.
Revolving Loan Program – Helping Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) in Milwaukee Cover Labor and Material Costs
Milwaukee County is offering working-capital loans to the city’s disadvantaged businesses to help cover the costs of labor and materials so they can participate in projects being run by Milwaukee County. These loans are considered short-term and have low interest rates.
You can learn more about Milwaukee County’s Revolving Loan Program by visiting their website at www.county.milwaukee.gov/RevolvingLoanProgram12285.htm or by contacting Mark Phillips at (414) 278-5104.
Milwaukee-area Business Mentoring, Cost-Cutting, and Fairness Programs:
Beyond financial assistance, there are other local government programs and services that businesses in metro Milwaukee can take advantage of. These include a mentoring program for emerging Milwaukee businesses and programs to help businesses cut their overall spending on water and energy. Milwaukee County also helps businesses in the area by promoting fairness through its contract monitoring and enforcement policies. Specific information about how each of these local government programs can help your business is listed below:
Business Capacity Building Program – Helping Milwaukee Businesses Achieve Sustainable Growth and Increased Revenues
The City of Milwaukee and the North End Project are currently running the Business Capacity Building Program (BCBP) to help small businesses in the area achieve sustainable growth and increase their overall business revenues. This program, which runs until May 2013, features one-on-one coaching sessions in an effort to provide businesses in Milwaukee with an in-depth assessment and personalized business plan. The Business Capacity Building Program also provides participants with business-to-business networking opportunities.
Please visit the City of Milwaukee’s website at www.city.milwaukee.gov/bcbp for more information about their Business Capacity Building Program.
Discounted Water Rates – Helping to Make Milwaukee’s Water-Intensive Businesses and Research Facilities Less Costly
The City of Milwaukee, through Milwaukee Water Works, hopes to bring new businesses and research facilities to Milwaukee by offering discounted water rates to those requiring large amounts of fresh water to conduct their business. By joining the program, your cost per unit of water goes down as your total water usage increases. To take advantage of these savings, your business must use at least 25,000 gallons of fresh water per month.
More information about Milwaukee’s discounted water rates can be obtained by visiting the City of Milwaukee’s website at www.city.milwaukee.gov/water/business or by calling the Milwaukee Water Works Water Marketing Specialist at (414) 286-2803.
Milwaukee E3 Program – Helping Milwaukee Businesses Cut Costs and Become More Environmentally Sustainable
The City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Office of Environmental Sustainability’s E3 Program (E3 standing for Economy, Energy, and Environment) helps small to medium-sized businesses cut costs by promoting practices and technologies that are cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. The program is aimed at businesses that have between 20 and 500 total employees.
Please visit the City of Milwaukee’s website at www.city.milwaukee.gov/ME3 for additional information about the Milwaukee E3 Program.
Contract Monitoring and Enforcement – Promoting Fairness for All Milwaukee Businesses in Regards to Milwaukee County Procurements
Milwaukee County is actively strengthening the area’s businesses by fostering local economic development. One key area in which they are finding success is through the county’s contract monitoring and enforcement policies. These policies ensure that all area businesses interested in participating in Milwaukee County procurements, including Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms, start on a level playing field.
Please visit the Milwaukee County government website at www.county.milwaukee.gov/ContractMonitoringan12283.htm for more information about their contract monitoring and enforcement policies.
As you can see, there are many programs and services offered by local government agencies to help promote the growth and sustainability of Milwaukee-area businesses. Many of these programs are offered by the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, or as a partnership between the local government and other outside agencies. Regardless of whether a local government agency is providing your business with financial assistance, mentoring, or some cost-cutting incentives, rest assured that they are working with you for the mutual benefit of your business and the city.
There are a number of programs set in place by local government agencies to help businesses in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. These programs are run by the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County who work in partnership with other outside agencies, both government-run and privately owned, to help provide Milwaukee businesses with the assistance needed to truly thrive.
Programs offered by these agencies range from financial assistance (including grants, loans, and bonds) to discounts and mentoring programs that help Milwaukee-area businesses be all that they can be. No matter of if you are looking for financial assistance to help renovate your business during hard times or a mentorship program to help your business grow, Milwaukee’s local government agencies can be of great help.
Financial Assistance Programs for Milwaukee Businesses:
When talking specifically about the financial assistance offered by local government agencies for Milwaukee-area businesses, there are several grants, bonds, and loan programs currently available. Here is some information about some specific financial assistance programs offered by Milwaukee’s local government agencies that might be helpful to your business:
Me² – Helping Milwaukee Businesses Finance the Cost of Becoming More Energy Efficient
Me² (which stands for Milwaukee Energy Efficiency) is in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, the Milwaukee Office of Environmental Sustainability, and Focus on Energy to offer financial assistance to Milwaukee-area businesses who wish to become more energy efficient. By partnering with Me², you will be given rebates ranging from 10% and 60% of your total project costs, making your business’s energy efficiency upgrades more affordable.
Maximum incentives are $30,000 for small business projects costing under $50,000 and $300,000 for general business projects costing over $50,000. These incentives are given on a per property basis.
Please contact Timm Heck at (414) 333-2368 or visit the City of Milwaukee’s Me² page at www.city.milwaukee.gov/Me2/Businesses for more information.
Façade Grants – Helping Milwaukee Businesses Finance Improvements to Street Faces and Signage
The City of Milwaukee’s Department of City Development is offering grants to businesses to help improve the appearance of commercial areas in Milwaukee. There are two city wide grant programs – one for façade improvements and the other to improve the look of the city’s signage. There is also a Downtown Façade Grant Program available to businesses located in the downtown core.
Both the City Wide Façade Grant Program and the City Wide Signage Grant Program will reimburse up to 50% of eligible improvement costs, with a maximum reimbursement of $2500. The Downtown Façade Grant Program, on the other hand, will reimburse up to 30% of eligible improvement costs, with its maximum grant being $50,000 per building. Improvement projects must cost at least $2000 to be eligible for any of the city’s façade or signage grants.
More information about Milwaukee’s façade and signage grant programs can be obtained by visiting the City of Milwaukee’s website at www.city.milwaukee.gov/facade or by calling the Façade Grant hotline at (414) 286-8201.
Brownfield Site Assessment Matching Grant – Helping Milwaukee Businesses Finance Environmental Site Assessments
The Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in conjunction with the City of Milwaukee and its Redevelopment Authority (RACM) is offering grants to encourage the assessment and redevelopment of Milwaukee’s industrial properties with potential environmental issues.
The grant covers half the costs of a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, with a maximum grant paying out $25,000. To be eligible, your business must already own or have plans to purchase the property and have previously completed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment on the site which is to be redeveloped.
You can visit the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation’s website at www.medconline.com/Other_Assistance_0MQ2.html#Other_Assistance-Enviro for more information about the grant or simply call them at (414) 286-5840.
Industrial Development Revenue Bonds – Helping Milwaukee Businesses Cover the Cost of Construction, Renovations, and Industrial Equipment
The Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) together with the City of Milwaukee and its Redevelopment Authority (RACM) is issuing industrial revenue bonds to help fund building construction and renovations, as well as manufacturing machinery and equipment. Financing for the cost of land, site improvements, and engineering or agricultural studies is also available through the Industrial Development Revenue Bonds Program. These industrial revenue bonds are available at both fixed and variable rates and your total available bond amount will depend on your business’s assets.
For more information about the Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, please visit the MEDC’s website at www.medconline.com/Other_Assistance_0MQ2.html#Industrial or contact the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation directly at (414) 286-5840.
Revolving Loan Program – Helping Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) in Milwaukee Cover Labor and Material Costs
Milwaukee County is offering working-capital loans to the city’s disadvantaged businesses to help cover the costs of labor and materials so they can participate in projects being run by Milwaukee County. These loans are considered short-term and have low interest rates.
You can learn more about Milwaukee County’s Revolving Loan Program by visiting their website at www.county.milwaukee.gov/RevolvingLoanProgram12285.htm or by contacting Mark Phillips at (414) 278-5104.
Milwaukee-area Business Mentoring, Cost-Cutting, and Fairness Programs:
Beyond financial assistance, there are other local government programs and services that businesses in metro Milwaukee can take advantage of. These include a mentoring program for emerging Milwaukee businesses and programs to help businesses cut their overall spending on water and energy. Milwaukee County also helps businesses in the area by promoting fairness through its contract monitoring and enforcement policies. Specific information about how each of these local government programs can help your business is listed below:
Business Capacity Building Program – Helping Milwaukee Businesses Achieve Sustainable Growth and Increased Revenues
The City of Milwaukee and the North End Project are currently running the Business Capacity Building Program (BCBP) to help small businesses in the area achieve sustainable growth and increase their overall business revenues. This program, which runs until May 2013, features one-on-one coaching sessions in an effort to provide businesses in Milwaukee with an in-depth assessment and personalized business plan. The Business Capacity Building Program also provides participants with business-to-business networking opportunities.
Please visit the City of Milwaukee’s website at www.city.milwaukee.gov/bcbp for more information about their Business Capacity Building Program.
Discounted Water Rates – Helping to Make Milwaukee’s Water-Intensive Businesses and Research Facilities Less Costly
The City of Milwaukee, through Milwaukee Water Works, hopes to bring new businesses and research facilities to Milwaukee by offering discounted water rates to those requiring large amounts of fresh water to conduct their business. By joining the program, your cost per unit of water goes down as your total water usage increases. To take advantage of these savings, your business must use at least 25,000 gallons of fresh water per month.
More information about Milwaukee’s discounted water rates can be obtained by visiting the City of Milwaukee’s website at www.city.milwaukee.gov/water/business or by calling the Milwaukee Water Works Water Marketing Specialist at (414) 286-2803.
Milwaukee E3 Program – Helping Milwaukee Businesses Cut Costs and Become More Environmentally Sustainable
The City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Office of Environmental Sustainability’s E3 Program (E3 standing for Economy, Energy, and Environment) helps small to medium-sized businesses cut costs by promoting practices and technologies that are cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. The program is aimed at businesses that have between 20 and 500 total employees.
Please visit the City of Milwaukee’s website at www.city.milwaukee.gov/ME3 for additional information about the Milwaukee E3 Program.
Contract Monitoring and Enforcement – Promoting Fairness for All Milwaukee Businesses in Regards to Milwaukee County Procurements
Milwaukee County is actively strengthening the area’s businesses by fostering local economic development. One key area in which they are finding success is through the county’s contract monitoring and enforcement policies. These policies ensure that all area businesses interested in participating in Milwaukee County procurements, including Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms, start on a level playing field.
Please visit the Milwaukee County government website at www.county.milwaukee.gov/ContractMonitoringan12283.htm for more information about their contract monitoring and enforcement policies.
As you can see, there are many programs and services offered by local government agencies to help promote the growth and sustainability of Milwaukee-area businesses. Many of these programs are offered by the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, or as a partnership between the local government and other outside agencies. Regardless of whether a local government agency is providing your business with financial assistance, mentoring, or some cost-cutting incentives, rest assured that they are working with you for the mutual benefit of your business and the city.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Law Firms Milwaukee
The Five Largest Law Firms in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Please note that this article is not intended to be, nor should it be interpreted as, legal advice of any kind. Please consult with an attorney regarding your own unique legal situation.
It can be hard to know which law firm to call when you are in need of a time-proven team with a wealth of resources to back them up, but luckily, there are a number of such reputable law firms in the Milwaukee area should the need arise. The following list introduces Milwaukee’s five largest law firms and contains relevant information about each one. Below you will find the location, contact details, and website address for each law firm, as well as a short history of each and their primary areas of practice.
1. Foley & Lardner LLP
Milwaukee offices: 777 E Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202-5306
Phone: (414) 271-2400 Fax: (414) 297-4900
Website: www.foley.com
Foley & Lardner LLP rank in at number one on the list of Milwaukee’s largest law firms by number of lawyers. The international law firm employs a total of 874 lawyers, including 463 partners and 364 associates. It is comprised of 21 offices, 18 of which are located across the United States, with an additional two more Foley & Lardner offices found in Asia and a single office located in Europe. Originally founded in 1842 by Asahel Finch, Jr. and William Pitt Lynde, the firm is recognized for its excellent client service, as well as its equality and diversity in the workplace. The law firm’s current CEO is Jay Rothman and its headquarters are located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The primary areas of practice at the firm include business law, government and public policy, intellectual property, and litigation. Some well-known clients of Foley & Lardner include Allstate, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Citigroup, General Electric, Harley-Davidson, and Nissan. They also represent Major League Baseball and various sporting teams like the Milwaukee Brewers and the Green Bay Packers.
2. Quarles & Brady LLP
Milwaukee offices: 411 E Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2350, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (414) 277-5000 Fax: (414) 271-3552
Website: www.quarles.com
Ranking in at number two on the list of Milwaukee’s largest law firms is Quarles & Brady LLP with 413 total lawyers, including 253 partners and 150 associates. The firm, which has eight offices in the United States and one additional office in Shanghai, China, is known for its extensive legal knowledge and quality council. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and currently led by chairman John W. Daniels Jr., the firm was founded in 1974 following the merger of Quarles Herriott Clemons Teschner & Noelke and Brady Tyrrell Cotter & Cutler. This merger brought together 120 years of law experience, which has allowed them to specialize in a wide range of practice areas.
Of these practice areas, the firm’s featured specialties are China law, class action defense, clean energy, climate change and sustainability, and intellectual property litigation. Some of the more notable clients who have been represented by Quarles & Brady are the Bank of America, Microsoft, MillerCoors, UPS, and Wal-Mart.
3. Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C.
Milwaukee offices: 1000 N Water Street, Suite 1700, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (800) 553-6215 or (414) 298-1000 Fax: (414) 298-8097
Website: www.reinhartlaw.com
The third largest law firm in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C. which employs a total of 202 lawyers, including 125 partners and 65 associates. The firm currently operates out of seven offices located across the United States, with their primary headquarters located in downtown Milwaukee. Originally founded back in 1894 by William Kaumheimer, the law firm’s current CEO is Jerome M. Janzer.
Known for the wide range of services they provide, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren’s primary areas of practice include business law, employee benefits, health care, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, and tax law among others. Some well-known clients who have been represented by the firm are the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Real Estate Foundation, Sargento Foods, and Steiner & Associates, the re-developer of Bayshore Town Center.
4. Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Milwaukee offices: 100 E Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 3300, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (414) 271-6560 Fax: (414) 277-0656
Website: www.michaelbest.com
Milwaukee’s fourth largest law firm by number of lawyers is Michael Best & Friedrich LLP with 196 total lawyers on staff, including 131 partners and 59 associates. The firm was originally founded in 1848 by Edward G. Ryan (who later went on to become Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court) and is known for its superior client service. Michael Best & Friedrich currently operates out of four offices in Wisconsin (including their Milwaukee headquarters) and one additional office located in Chicago, Illinois.
Though they are recognized for their exceptional service in intellectual property law and labor and employment relations, they offer a complete range of practice areas including, but not limited to, banking and financial services, corporate finance and securities, environmental law, real estate, and taxation. Michael Best & Friedrich are also the only Wisconsin law firm that is affiliated with Lex Mundi, the Employment Law Alliance, and the American Property Tax Counsel.
5. Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
Milwaukee offices: 780 N Water Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202-3590
Phone: (414) 273-3500 Fax: (414) 273-5198
Website: www.gklaw.com
With a total of 172 lawyers, including 90 partners and 70 associates, Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. ranks in at number five on the list of Milwaukee’s largest law firms. They are known for their wide range of business-related services and their focus on client success. Clients served by the firm range from individuals and small businesses to governmental entities and international corporations. Originally founded by Dudley Godfrey and Jerry Kahn back in 1957, the firm currently operates out of five offices in Wisconsin and one additional office located in Washington, DC. The five Wisconsin offices include their headquarters located in Milwaukee.
Godfrey & Kahn’s primary areas of practice revolve around two themes – business (which includes banking, commercial, and corporate law) and litigation (which includes trust, antitrust, and securities). Major clients of the firm are Magna, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Apple, and the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.
* Figures for each law firm’s total number of lawyers, including the partner and associate numbers are listed as found in the NLJ 350 - the National Law Journal's list of the 350 largest law firms in the United States, 2012 edition. The current number of lawyers employed at each of the various law firms may have changed since the original publication of this list.
Please note that this article is not intended to be, nor should it be interpreted as, legal advice of any kind. Please consult with an attorney regarding your own unique legal situation.
It can be hard to know which law firm to call when you are in need of a time-proven team with a wealth of resources to back them up, but luckily, there are a number of such reputable law firms in the Milwaukee area should the need arise. The following list introduces Milwaukee’s five largest law firms and contains relevant information about each one. Below you will find the location, contact details, and website address for each law firm, as well as a short history of each and their primary areas of practice.
1. Foley & Lardner LLP
Milwaukee offices: 777 E Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202-5306
Phone: (414) 271-2400 Fax: (414) 297-4900
Website: www.foley.com
Foley & Lardner LLP rank in at number one on the list of Milwaukee’s largest law firms by number of lawyers. The international law firm employs a total of 874 lawyers, including 463 partners and 364 associates. It is comprised of 21 offices, 18 of which are located across the United States, with an additional two more Foley & Lardner offices found in Asia and a single office located in Europe. Originally founded in 1842 by Asahel Finch, Jr. and William Pitt Lynde, the firm is recognized for its excellent client service, as well as its equality and diversity in the workplace. The law firm’s current CEO is Jay Rothman and its headquarters are located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The primary areas of practice at the firm include business law, government and public policy, intellectual property, and litigation. Some well-known clients of Foley & Lardner include Allstate, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Citigroup, General Electric, Harley-Davidson, and Nissan. They also represent Major League Baseball and various sporting teams like the Milwaukee Brewers and the Green Bay Packers.
2. Quarles & Brady LLP
Milwaukee offices: 411 E Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2350, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (414) 277-5000 Fax: (414) 271-3552
Website: www.quarles.com
Ranking in at number two on the list of Milwaukee’s largest law firms is Quarles & Brady LLP with 413 total lawyers, including 253 partners and 150 associates. The firm, which has eight offices in the United States and one additional office in Shanghai, China, is known for its extensive legal knowledge and quality council. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and currently led by chairman John W. Daniels Jr., the firm was founded in 1974 following the merger of Quarles Herriott Clemons Teschner & Noelke and Brady Tyrrell Cotter & Cutler. This merger brought together 120 years of law experience, which has allowed them to specialize in a wide range of practice areas.
Of these practice areas, the firm’s featured specialties are China law, class action defense, clean energy, climate change and sustainability, and intellectual property litigation. Some of the more notable clients who have been represented by Quarles & Brady are the Bank of America, Microsoft, MillerCoors, UPS, and Wal-Mart.
3. Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C.
Milwaukee offices: 1000 N Water Street, Suite 1700, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (800) 553-6215 or (414) 298-1000 Fax: (414) 298-8097
Website: www.reinhartlaw.com
The third largest law firm in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C. which employs a total of 202 lawyers, including 125 partners and 65 associates. The firm currently operates out of seven offices located across the United States, with their primary headquarters located in downtown Milwaukee. Originally founded back in 1894 by William Kaumheimer, the law firm’s current CEO is Jerome M. Janzer.
Known for the wide range of services they provide, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren’s primary areas of practice include business law, employee benefits, health care, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, and tax law among others. Some well-known clients who have been represented by the firm are the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Real Estate Foundation, Sargento Foods, and Steiner & Associates, the re-developer of Bayshore Town Center.
4. Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Milwaukee offices: 100 E Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 3300, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (414) 271-6560 Fax: (414) 277-0656
Website: www.michaelbest.com
Milwaukee’s fourth largest law firm by number of lawyers is Michael Best & Friedrich LLP with 196 total lawyers on staff, including 131 partners and 59 associates. The firm was originally founded in 1848 by Edward G. Ryan (who later went on to become Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court) and is known for its superior client service. Michael Best & Friedrich currently operates out of four offices in Wisconsin (including their Milwaukee headquarters) and one additional office located in Chicago, Illinois.
Though they are recognized for their exceptional service in intellectual property law and labor and employment relations, they offer a complete range of practice areas including, but not limited to, banking and financial services, corporate finance and securities, environmental law, real estate, and taxation. Michael Best & Friedrich are also the only Wisconsin law firm that is affiliated with Lex Mundi, the Employment Law Alliance, and the American Property Tax Counsel.
5. Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
Milwaukee offices: 780 N Water Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202-3590
Phone: (414) 273-3500 Fax: (414) 273-5198
Website: www.gklaw.com
With a total of 172 lawyers, including 90 partners and 70 associates, Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. ranks in at number five on the list of Milwaukee’s largest law firms. They are known for their wide range of business-related services and their focus on client success. Clients served by the firm range from individuals and small businesses to governmental entities and international corporations. Originally founded by Dudley Godfrey and Jerry Kahn back in 1957, the firm currently operates out of five offices in Wisconsin and one additional office located in Washington, DC. The five Wisconsin offices include their headquarters located in Milwaukee.
Godfrey & Kahn’s primary areas of practice revolve around two themes – business (which includes banking, commercial, and corporate law) and litigation (which includes trust, antitrust, and securities). Major clients of the firm are Magna, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Apple, and the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.
* Figures for each law firm’s total number of lawyers, including the partner and associate numbers are listed as found in the NLJ 350 - the National Law Journal's list of the 350 largest law firms in the United States, 2012 edition. The current number of lawyers employed at each of the various law firms may have changed since the original publication of this list.
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