A significant portion of our practice involves the representation of our clients in various business and corporate disputes including issues relating to breach of contract claims, corporate governance, non-competition, non-solicitation, restrictive covenant and trade secret agreements and white collar criminal defense.  In resolving these disputes, our attorneys zealously advocate for and collaborate with a wide variety of clients from individual shareholders, members, owners, managers, directors, officers or employees of a corporation, partnership or other business entity to the corporation, partnership or other business entity itself.

We understand that each of our clients, and each of the legal issues they face, is unique.  Our attorneys pride themselves on understanding all aspects of our clients’ businesses and industries.  This knowledge allows us to take a multi-disciplinary approach to assisting each client in achieving an individualized solution to their legal issues.

Commercial Disputes and Breach of Contract

Our attorneys are renowned for our experience in efficiently resolving a variety of commercial disputes and breach of contract actions in both federal and state courts across the United States.  Our substantive experience includes advising clients on a diverse group of matters such as claims relating to the interpretation of various agreements (including agreements governed by the Uniform Commercial Code), breaches of contract and breaches of warranty, shareholder or partnership disputes, business torts and fiduciary duties, fraud, trade secret and unfair competition, tax disputes, real estate disputes, and employment disputes.

Corporate Governance

Our attorneys routinely counsel corporate boards of directors, board committees, directors, officers and/or other stakeholders on complex disputes relating to the governance of the corporation, and we have a special focus on corporate governance disputes relating to closely held corporations.  We have a lengthy track record of successfully advocating for clients in relation to disputes concerning the interpretation of corporate documents such as shareholder or partnership agreements, by-laws, and/or operating agreements.  In addition, our attorneys have a wealth of experience advising clients concerning the composition and structure of a board (including claims of corporate oppression, or “freeze-outs”) as well as issues relating to the duties and/or obligations of the board or of individual directors and officers (including, but not limited to, fiduciary duties and board policies and procedures).

Enforcement of Non-Compete Agreements

Our attorneys have considerable experience advising and representing employees, executives and companies, both within Wisconsin and nationally, on issues relating to non-competition, non-solicitation, and other restrictive covenants and trade secret agreements.  Our attorneys have an established reputation for utilizing creative strategies to tailor a solution that achieves our clients’ objectives – whether during the drafting and negotiation stage of such agreements or in the evaluation, enforcement and defense of such agreements in state or federal court.

Local Counsel

Meissner Tierney frequently serves as local counsel for businesses and individuals located outside the State of Wisconsin or within the state but outside of the Milwaukee area.  Clients and other law firms choose us to serve as local counsel because of our firm’s premier reputation, knowledge of local practices and procedures, rate structure and longstanding relationships with many, if not all, of the judges before whom the cases are pending.

The firm’s role as local counsel varies with the needs of the client.  Our experienced attorneys often take an active role as local counsel at depositions, hearings, trial and mediation.  However, in other cases, the firm plays a limited role, such as assisting non-Wisconsin counsel with getting admitted pro hac vice.  We are sufficiently flexible to work with the client or referring counsel to make certain that our role serves the client’s interests and comfort level, all within a prescribed budget.

White Collar Criminal Defense

Our attorneys pride themselves on their experience assisting victims in recovering their losses from white collar crimes including conversion, fraud, embezzlement and identity theft.  Our attorneys work closely with white collar crime victims to determine the most efficient method for recovery of losses – including not only civil litigation, but also collaboration with law enforcement authorities.

Not only do our attorneys have significant experience representing victims of white collar crimes, our attorneys have also successfully advocated for clients facing charges of insider trading by the Securities and Exchange Commission by obtaining summary judgment on these charges.  See Securities and Exchange Commission v. Heartland Advisors, Inc., 2006 WL 2547090 (E.D. Wis. Aug. 31, 2006).