Bernard J. "Bud" Bobber

Bernard J. "Bud" Bobber


Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Recognized since 2006

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Practice Areas

Employment Law - Management

Labor Law - Management

Litigation - Labor and Employment

Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Labor Law - Management
Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Employment Law - Management
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As a shareholder in the Milwaukee office of Ogletree Deakins, I represent employers before federal and state courts, arbitrators and administrative agencies throughout the country in nearly all areas of employment law, with particular focus in the following:

• Union relations

• Wage and Hour

• Noncompetes and other Restrictive Covenants

• Employee Benefits Litigation

• Employment Discrimination

I pride myself on providing thoughtful analysis and practical application of the legal rights and obligations of employers.

Relevant Experience

• Defending class action cases

• Representing clients in labor arbitrations and in unfair labor practice proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board – tried more than 150 arbitration cases

• Advising organized and union-free employers on employment and labor law/assisting with problem prevention

• Drafting employment agreements and company policies with confidentiality, non-competition and other restrictive covenants

• Counseling employers on reductions and reorganizations, harassment issues, disability accommodation, problematic terminations, collective bargaining strategy

• Conducted or directing internal investigations of serious matters with potential for high liability exposure

Trial Venues

My experience as a trial lawyer includes trying cases before juries and judges in federal courts in Illinois, Wisconsin, New York and Missouri, as well as in state courts in Wisconsin and Illinois. I also have argued appeals before the United States Courts of Appeals for the Second, Third, Fourth, Sixth, Seventh and Tenth Circuits.

Location
  • 1243 North 10th Street, Suite 200
    Milwaukee, WI 53205
Education
  • Northwestern University, J.D., graduated 1989
Bar Admissions
  • Wisconsin, 1989
  • Illinois, 1987
Affiliations
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Milwaukee Bar Association - Member

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Employment Law - Management
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Employment Law - Management, Milwaukee (2024)
  • Labor Law - Management, Milwaukee (2024)
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, Milwaukee (2020)
  • Labor Law - Management, Milwaukee (2018)
  • Employment Law - Management, Milwaukee (2017)
  • Employment Law - Management, Milwaukee (2015)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for work in:
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Labor Law - Management
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Special Focus:
  • Management
Awards:
  • Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year 2015, 2017
  • Chambers USA Tier 1
  • AV preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Who’s Who Legal USA – Management Labour & Employment (2006)
  • Wisconsin Super Lawyers (2005-2015)
  • Order of the Coif
  • Former Board of Directors, Girl Scouts of Milwaukee Area
  • Board of Directors, Guitars for Vets

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Proceed with Caution!


by Bernard J. Bobber

The dangerous intersection of racial bigotry and labor law.

Racial Bigotry

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