Valders Business Lawyers

Joshua M. Frieser, Esq. is a sports and business lawyer and Principal Attorney at Frieser Legal. His practice is focused on the representation of athletes, agents, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses. While working to solve the unique legal needs that they have, Josh represents athletes in internal disciplinary proceedings and NIL licensing agreements, as well as in related intellectual property and business planning matters. In addition to serving as counsel to college and professional athletes, Josh represents sports agents and sports industry ventures as outside counsel. Josh is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin and an active member of...

Benjamin J. Pliskie is admitted to practice in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, as well as the United States District Courts in the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin and the Northern District of Indiana. Benjamin earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2001. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a double major in Political Science and History from the University of Wisconsin in 1997.

Benjamin currently serves as a member of the Wisconsin Judicial Council; a 21-member body whose principal statutory responsibilities are to study and make recommendations relating to: (1) court pleading, practice...

I'm Bob Caflisch and I am a transaction lawyer in Madison, Wisconsin, practicing real estate law and business law. I work with buyers and sellers of residential real estate, including: buying and selling homes, corporate relocations, condominiums, for sale by owner FSBO, offers to purchase, title review, new construction, and closings. I also handle commercial real estate matters, including: land acquisition and development, construction contracts, condominium developments, bank and insurance company financing transactions, and work with both landlords and tenants on commercial leasing transactions. My business law experience includes working with entrepreneurs, start-ups, entity formation including LLCs and corporations, sale...

Jordyn Janikowski is a member of the Business Practice Group where she focuses on general business, contract negotiation and drafting, business starts-ups, mergers and acquisitions, limited liability companies, and succession planning. With an undergraduate degree in Business Administration, Jordyn is able to speak the language of her clients. She is adept at identifying and predicting issues before they happen and prioritizes efficient and prompt communication. During law school, Jordyn served as a legal volunteer for the Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic where she assisted in providing legal advice on civil cases. In addition, she volunteered with the Domestic Violence Injunctions Pro Bono...

Brian Thill serves as counsel for creditors, debtors, and receivers in civil matters, and has extensive experience representing parties in all aspects of bankruptcy proceedings, including committees and trustees. Mr. Thill has represented nearly a dozen of the top 100 American Fortune 500 companies, as well as numerous local banks and small businesses. His creditors' rights and defense practice routinely includes preference, fraudulent transfer, Chapter 128, foreclosure, replevin, and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Wisconsin Consumer Act actions. In addition to his bankruptcy and insolvency practice, Mr. Thill also has experience in the areas of general...

As a fourth-generation attorney and now, a father of two toddlers, I understand the importance of heritage and proper planning. As an estate planning attorney, my mission is to be a guiding light for families facing complex probate challenges and to provide them with the peace of mind that comes from well drafted documents. I understand that the legal intricacies of estate planning and probate can be daunting, but my passion lies in simplifying these complexities. My goal is to ensure that future generations don’t have to bear the burden of uncertainty and confusion when it comes to their family’s...

PRACTICE AREAS AND CLIENTS

My practice is focused on protecting individuals’ and businesses’ property rights. Whether those rights are affected by disputes arising out of construction projects, real estate transactions, property insurance disputes, or business matters. Most of my clients are homeowners, construction professionals, and small business owners.

WHY I ENJOY BEING A LAWYER

The aspect of being a lawyer that I enjoy the most is that I am constantly learning new things. I strive to immerse myself into the legal and factual issues of a particular case to better serve my clients. This means that I often find myself out in the...

Marc J. Adesso assists businesses through all of their life cycle events, such as LLC formation, tax matters, contracts, ownership-succession planning, and transactions of all sizes, with particular focus on private finance, commercial real estate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and innovative technologies. Marc is fluent in Italian, Portuguese and Spanish, advising international clients in transactional matters as well.

I have been a trial lawyer since graduation from law school. I find the practice of law exciting. It is my calling. I have learned so much about so many different types of businesses and the manner in which business disputes arise. I have also experienced with my clients the devastation that come from personal injuries and challenges that they face which cause them to become involved in the legal system. All of those experiences have given me a strong and I believe unique set of skills in helping people find solutions to their problems. The largest corporate client and...

Born and raised in the Milwaukee area, Robert Levine received his undergraduate and juris doctor degrees from the University of Wisconsin. While earning his J.D., he served on the Student Senate and as a student court judge, and was selected to work as a law clerk for the late Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge John Decker. As an attorney, Mr. Levine has been serving the people of Wisconsin since 1968. Not only has he won cases for countless clients in both civil and criminal court, he has been instrumental in changing laws regarding when pleadings can be amended and real estate...

Ralph Ehlinger is a lawyers' lawyer who brings knowledge and creativity to transactional matters and enjoys the challenge of an uphill battle in court. With a depth of experience in creating and acquiring businesses, drafting shareholder agreements and non-competes, and negotiating and closing business and real estate transactions, he represents individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations not only when things are going well but in times of trouble. He is a skilled litigator at both the trial and appellate levels, with particular emphasis on libel and slander, shareholder disputes and non-competes, open meeting and public records challenges,...

Claire Ann Richman is a partner in the Madison, Wis., office of Richman & Richman LLC, where she concentrates her practice in bankruptcy, real estate, and commercial and claim litigation. Ms. Richman served on ABI’s National Board of Directors, was appointed to the panel of chapter 7 trustees for the Western District of Wisconsin from 2004-2011, and was formerly a member of the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees’ New Trustee Advisory Committee. She is also past chair of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Creditors’ Rights Section and serves as co-chair of its Legislative Committee. Ms. Richman formerly...

As lead litigator at Madrigrano, Aiello & Santarelli, LLC, Thomas M. Santarelli brings the knowledge, skill and experience necessary to effectively represent your litigation needs. Mr. Santarelli utilizes confident, aggressive and efficient techniques to zealously advocate his clients’ positions. Knowing that litigation is often an emotional and intense experience for clients, Mr. Santarelli takes the time to present an objective view throughout the case to his clients so they can make rational, cost-effective decisions. Concentrating his practice in civil litigation, collections, condominium law and business litigation, Mr. Santarelli is a passionate advocate for his clients. With nearly 10 years of successful...

Frank Gilbert Slinkard is an experienced attorney representing Wisconsin clients in the fields of Internet law, intellectual property, and business formation. Slinkard was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with specialization in political theory. He completed his undergraduate thesis on the concept of reflective equilibrium in Rawls’s Theory of Justice. He received a Master of Arts in Government from the College of William and Mary in Virginia, completing his master’s thesis on Grotius’s Introduction to the Jurisprudence of Holland. Slinkard received his law degree from the Cornell Law...

As the principal of William J. Chandek & Associates, LLC, William J. Chandek holds the highest standards of client service and lawyer accessibility. Mr. Chandek has been an active member in a number of local and national business and estate planning organizations including Business Enterprise Institute (BEI), Wealth Counsel LLC, Wealth Counsel Advisors Forum, the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, the Illinois/Wisconsin Forum of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, the National Committee on Planned Giving, and the Planned Giving Council of Eastern Wisconsin. He was a Co-founding Member (and former Chancellor) of the Estate Planning Institute...

Jerome R. Kerkman is a shareholder with the firm. He has a business litigtion practice with an emphasis in commercial financial transactions, business restructuring in court or out-of-court, mergers and acquisitions, personal planning and complex business litigation involving wrongful competition and trade secrets.

Richard Reilly brings the sharp strategic instincts of a litigator to the delicate practice of family law. He balances his practice with a compassion for the client and a willingness to fight on their behalf. “We know the issues surrounding family law can be very sensitive and require a soft touch, however, we also show our clients that we are not afraid to take an aggressive approach if need be,” he notes. Richard honed his instincts while serving five years as a trial lawyer in the United States Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's...

Thomas L. Frenn is a Leading Lawyer in Business Law, Litigation and Estate Planning. He focuses his practice on small business law, real estate, non-profit organizations, wills, trusts, estate planning, and business litigation. He also has extensive experience in residential and commercial real estate transactions, including buying/selling, tax-free exchanges and eminent domain cases.

General counsel and labor and employment lawyer to small and mid-sized businesses.

Virginia E. George is a partner at Steinhilber Swanson, LLP. She has served as a Chapter 7 Panel trustee in the Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District of Wisconsin (Milwaukee Division) since 1999. She has, for 25 years, been peer- rated “AV” at Martindale Hubbell. She has extensive experience in all aspects of consumer and business bankruptcy. She has also represented Creditors, and Debtors in Chapter 11 and 12 cases. For the past 25 years she has concentrated over 95% of her practice in bankruptcy and insolvency matters also serving as receiver in...

Attorney Stefanie Wagner is a partner with CJMM. Attorney Wagner’s practice includes all aspects of family law, including divorce, paternity, adoptions, maintenance, property and debt division, child custody and placement, and child support. She knows that family law issues go beyond the law and affect you at a very personal and emotional level. Attorney Wagner understands that divorce is more than just the end, because it is also the beginning of your new life. She handles all aspects of divorce and family law issues. She takes the time to get to know her clients to appreciate their...

ROGER SAGE

Education
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Degree Received: J.D., 1979

Year of first admission1979
State of Admission Wisconsin

Subsequent Admissions
1979 – US Dist. Ct. – Western Dist Wis.
1980 – US Dist. Ct. – Eastern Dist. Wis.

Additional admissions
1992 U.S. Court of Appeals – Seventh Cir.
2013 U.S. Supreme Court
Member Dane County Bar Assn.
Member Wisconsin State Bar litigation, business law and bankruptcy sections
Member Commercial Law League
30 years commercial and business litigation and account collection experience
Martindale Hubble distinguished rating

Notable Cases
Counsel for Resul and Zinije Adili – In re Clark, United States Supreme Court case no. 2013-299 (whether inherited IRA is an exempt asset in bankruptcy)
Counsel and oral argument for...

Robert Procter is a partner in the firm licensed to practice in the states of Wisconsin and Illinois. He primarily represents businesses in real estate and construction, distribution, and insurance agency law. Attorney Procter is the leader of Axley’s Business Practice Group and also the firm’s Chief Executive Officer.

Real Estate Law
Robert represents developers and contractors in all aspects of real estate and construction law including land use approvals, tax increment financing, construction and permitting. Robert is the outside general counsel for the Wisconsin Builders Association and the Government Affairs Director for the Realtors® Association of South Central Wisconsin. Robert is...

SCOTT N. BURNS graduated from the University of Wisconsin, and from Marquette University Law School. He is a member of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and American Bar Associations. He is admitted to practice in the Wisconsin and U.S. District Court, both Eastern and Western Districts. Scott's practice is devoted to all aspects of real estate and business transactional law. Scott was recognized as a "top attorney" in Milwaukee Magazine Best Lawyers issues (February, 1995, October, 1999, and September, 2003) in the real estate law specialty. He has appeared on both radio and television as a real estate law expert. Scott has also...

Attorney Michael J. Finn has been practicing law in Waukesha County for more than 30 years, and is experienced in all aspects of family law, divorce law, child custody, business and contractual law, and criminal defense. He has reliably assisted hundreds of clients in the Hartland, Waukesha, Delafield, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee and Milwaukee area.

Richard A. Frederick and Associates was formed in 1976 by Mr. Frederick and has operated continuously in its current location. Mr. Frederick has a broad background in business law, concentrating in Real Estate, Taxation and Corporate Law. Mr. Frederick is licensed in and practices in both Wisconsin and Illinois.

Mr. Frederick has a broad background in business law, concentrating in commercial Real Estate, Taxation, and Corporate Law as well as litigation relating to these fields. Mr. Frederick is licensed in and practices in both Wisconsin in Illinois and is admitted to the courts in those jurisdictions. He is also admitted to...

Bankruptcy lawyer and courtroom advocate with over 40 years of experience in national and international bankruptcy cases and out-of-court restructurings in more than 20 states (and Puerto Rico) ranging from corporate and farm debtors, creditors' committees, trustees, individual creditors and interestholders, bondholders, and other parties in interest. Bankruptcy litigation and trial experience spans fraudulent conveyance, preference and all manner of contested matters in chapter 11 cases. Former President of the American Bankruptcy Institute, co-vice chair of ABI's National Ethics Task Force and co-chair of Section 363 Committee of the ABI's Chapter 11 Reform Commission. Also certified and experienced as mediator,...