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Lawyer Profile

Image of Charles V. "Buck" Sweeney

Charles V. "Buck" Sweeney

Axley Brynelson, LLP
  • Recognized Since:
    2005
  • Recognized in:
    Litigation - Construction
    Litigation - Environmental
  • Law School:
    University of Wisconsin–Madison
  • Website:
    http://www.axley.com
  • E-mail:
    csweeney@axley.com
  • Location:
    Two East Mifflin Street, Suite 200
    P.O. Box 1767
    Madison, WI 53701-1767
  • LinkedIn
"Buck Sweeney has provided excellent representation for our company regarding contract interpretations and legal counseling. In my opinion, Buck is one of the most knowledgeable attorneys in his field. Buck has always been quick with responses and gotten positive results."
"(Mr. Sweeney) Buck's knowledge of the construction law in Wisconsin was very extensive when he represented us. He is upfront and honest in his workings with our company and he is very approachable and likable. He also is able to talk about the law, speaking in terms that most people can understand, which is helpful when I am trying to educate one of my employees on the situation at hand. Mr. Sweeney has represented my company in a very professional manner. I recommend him when someone in the industry is looking for a good lawyer to represent him or her. "

-Allen Barger (Kilgust Mechanical, Inc.), Madison

Read More Client Comments
  • Lawyer Bio
  • Client Comments
  • Firm Details
  • News & Media
  • Case History

Lawyer Bio

Buck Sweeney is a partner at Wisconsin law firm Axley Brynelson, LLP, practicing in the areas of environmental and construction law, and is co-chair of Axley Brynelson’s Construction and Transportation Focus Group. Mr. Sweeney is former chair and current board member emeritus of the State Bar of Wisconsin Construction and Public Contract Law Section. Mr. Sweeney is experienced in handling matters dealing with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Superfund, air and water issues. His trial experience includes mediation, arbitration and administrative law hearings in environmental and construction law issues.

Mr. Sweeney assists in resolution of construction disputes. He has also testified as an expert witness on behalf of the Aggregate Industry on issues relating to mineral extraction locations. Construction contracting, insurance coverage issues, bid disputes, wetland, OSHA matters, land use matters, siting of gravel pits and other construction law issues make up the balance of his practice. Mr. Sweeney also assists in Wisconsin’s growing frac sand industry and has extensive experience against the Wisconsin Department of Justice. He is also General Counsel for the Aggregate Producers of Wisconsin and represents the aggregate industry in siting, local regulation issues and litigation.

Mr. Sweeney was formerly an engineer at Martin Marietta Aggregate Corporation and previously owned Edgerton Sand & Gravel, Edgerton Ready-Mix Concrete Company and Administrative Services (president of companies involved in sand and gravel mining, ready-mix concrete industry and operation of a landfill). He once served as director of real estate for ABC Supply, overseeing acquisition of properties throughout the United States, including Brownfield properties. He also represented Daniel Ruettiger regarding the movie “Rudy” and was acting in-house counsel for Lunar Corporation and Bone Care International, Inc.

Mr. Sweeney is an avid hunter and has numerous outside interests including Wetland Conservation Club, LLC, Thiebeau Hunt Club, Exclusive Hunt Club, Deer Creek Hunt Club, Best Days A Field Hunt Club, Ducks Unlimited, Lake Koshkonong Wetland Association and golf.

Admitted to practice law in the state courts of Wisconsin (1986) and Indiana (1986), the United States Supreme Court, the United States District Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, the United States Patent and Trademark Office and federal courts in Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan.

Read more on firm website
  • Education
  • Bar Admissions
  • Affiliations
  • Award List
  • Additional Information
  • Lawyer of the Year Badge
  • Lawyer of the Year Badge

Education:

  • University of Notre Dame, BS
  • University of Wisconsin–Madison , J.D.

Bar Admissions:

  • Wisconsin, State Bar of Wisconsin
  • Indiana, Indiana State Bar Association
  • Michigan, State Bar of Michigan

Affiliations:

  • Aggregate Producers of Wisconsin - Member and Legal Advisor / Former Associate Board Member
  • Environmental Auditing Roundtable - Former Co-Chair
  • Madison Area Builders Association - Member
  • Rock-Koshkonong Lake District - Former Commissioner
  • Rudy Foundation - Former Board Member
  • State Bar Construction and Public Contract Law Section - Current Board Member Emeritus / Former Chair
  • United States Patent Bar - Member
  • United States Supreme Court Bar - Member
  • Waukesha County State Bar Association - Member
  • Wisconsin Bar Association - Member
  • Wisconsin Builders Association - Member
  • Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association - Member / Former Associate Board Member
  • Wisconsin Transportation Builders Environment and Safety Legislative Committees - Member

Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers for:

  • Litigation - Construction, Madison (2020)
  • Litigation - Construction, Madison (2018)
 

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in:

  • Litigation - Construction
  • Litigation - Environmental
 

Awards:

  • Named a top Litigation – Construction and Litigation – Environmental attorney in The Best Lawyers in America©
  • Named to the 2005 – 2013 Wisconsin Super Lawyers Lists (Primary Areas of Practice: Construction/Surety Law and Land Use and Zoning)
  • Named to the Wisconsin Super Lawyers list by Super Lawyers – Business Edition (Primary Area of Practice: Construction/Surety Law)
  • Named as one of Madison’s top Environmental Law attorneys by Madison Magazine
  • AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
  • Indiana Professional Engineer
  • Wisconsin Professional Engineer

Special Focus:

  • Commercial Development
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction Disputes
  • Contract Review and Negotiation
  • Land Use
  • OSHA
  • Residential Development
  • Surety
 

Additional Information:

Expertise
  • Aggregate Permitting
  • Bid Disputes & Protests
  • Bond & Insurance Claims
  • Construction
  • Construction Defect
  • Construction Mediation & Arbitration
  • Contract Negotiation & Drafting
  • Environmental
  • Environmental Management Issues
  • Environmental Regulation & Disputes
  • Frac Sand Mining
  • Lien Claims
  • OSHA/MSHA
  • Permitting & Licensing
  • Trucking & Transportation
  • Water Law
  • Wisconsin DOT
 

Lawyer Client Comments

"Buck Sweeney has provided excellent representation for our company regarding contract interpretations and legal counseling. In my opinion, Buck is one of the most knowledgeable attorneys in his field. Buck has always been quick with responses and gotten positive results."

"(Mr. Sweeney) Buck's knowledge of the construction law in Wisconsin was very extensive when he represented us. He is upfront and honest in his workings with our company and he is very approachable and likable. He also is able to talk about the law, speaking in terms that most people can understand, which is helpful when I am trying to educate one of my employees on the situation at hand. Mr. Sweeney has represented my company in a very professional manner. I recommend him when someone in the industry is looking for a good lawyer to represent him or her. "

Allen Barger, Kilgust Mechanical, Inc., Madison

"Mr. Sweeney has an excellent understanding of the construction industry. He combines that knowledge with extensive real-world experience. This combination of skills allows him to be a valuable advisor for our business."

Jeffrey Parisi, Parisi Construction Co., Inc., Verona

"Over the years I've known Buck Sweeney, I have observed that he is totally dedicated to his clients. When I needed his expertise, I got it without reservation. He took care of my problem quickly and followed up later to make sure everything was going well!! He always seems to know what to do and when!! Thanks, Buck."

Mike Erickson, Erickson Quarries Inc., Elroy

"I have worked with Mr. Sweeney on a number of cases related to the municipal/engineering field. Mr. Sweeney is extremely knowledgeable. Mr. Sweeney's engineering degree (he is a registered professional engineer in Wisconsin), brings an added dimension to these types of cases."

Dick Schneider, Schneider Consultants Inc., Rothschild

"The trait I like most about Mr. Sweeney is that he gets things done and always makes himself available. I can reach him via cell phone, e-mail, trio, direct office line, etc. Mr. Sweeney also gets on any matter right away without delay. He will often do a conference call on the first phone call to quickly solve the issue. Most attorneys we have dealt with the in the past seem to drag on a case in order to milk the client for more money. Mr. Sweeney does not do this. He looks for quick solutions with the interest of the client in mind. With over 900 units in several different developments, we need an Attorney who can just get it done and be available, and Mr. Sweeney has always been that type of an Attorney. "

Thomas Larson, Teronomy Builders, Inc., East Troy

"I have worked with Buck (Mr. Sweeney) on a number of projects. On several of the projects, we sat across the table from each other representing different parties and other times we represented the same party. The context of our relationship has been to work through land development and property rights issues. Whether we worked together or across the table from each other, Buck conducted himself in the same way. His confidence gained from his experience allows Buck to be prepared to factually debate the circumstances. I appreciate his no-nonsense approach to resolving a problem. He sticks to his guns and almost always, if not always, has been determined to be correct. Even in controversial projects, Buck will do his research, determine a position, and represent the client consistently. I enjoy working with Buck. His knowledge, experience, and methods for getting things done certainly warrant recognition as an excellent attorney. "

Rod Zubella, Vierbicher Associates, Inc., Madison

""Buck" has been an excellent business partner for us. He is tireless in his efforts and very responsive to issues that pop up daily. His knowledge of municipal laws and processes help our business stay on top of current issues and regulations. Not only is he knowledgeable, he is a pleasure to talk to."

Mike Bakken, Northwestern Stone LLC, Middleton

"Buck has been very good to work with. He has extensive knowledge of the industry because of his first-hand experiences in the family sand and gravel and solid waste businesses. He is fearless in his pursuit of what is right and wrong, and making sure that the clients' wishes are met when dealing with government entities that want to stop the proliferation of sand and gravel pits and solid waste sites. "

Firm Details

Image for Axley Brynelson, LLP View Firm Profile
Axley Brynelson, LLP
http://www.axley.com
 
Headquarters
Two East Mifflin Street, Suite 200
P.O. Box 1767
Madison, WI 53701-1767
(608) 257.5661
2 Office Locations
in 1 Country

United States

United States

Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Waukesha, WI

N-20 W-22961 Watertown Road

Waukesha, WI 53186

United States

(262) 524.8500

Get Directions

News & Media

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Lawyer Case History

Representation of Frac Sand Companies

Represented frac sand companies in acquisition, permitting, WDNR issues, and dispute resolutions.

Representation of Trade Associations

Represented several trade associations with amicus briefs.

Defense of Wetland Association

Defended Lake Koshkonong Wetland Association against Lake District attempts to raise water level and flood out Thiebeau Hunting Club marsh.

Representation of Subcontractor - DOT Claims

Represented subcontractor on DOT claims and facilitated settlement with DOT, General Contractor, and other subcontractors.

Environmental and Construction Issues

Handled numerous cases with Department of Justice involving environmental and construction issues.

Representation of Large Developer

Involved with a large developer in taking a potential lawsuit by a disgruntled neighbor and working closely with the neighbor. The result was that the lawsuit was never filed and the developer was able to purchase the farm from the neighbor, who is now excited about the homes constructed on “his farm.”

Siting Issue

Represented several frac sand operations on siting issue.

Hotel Expansion

Represented large hotel with expansion through a condominium development, purchase of golf courses and annexation into city. The annexation included large acreage of Wisconsin DNR lands.

Limestone Expansion

Represented a small limestone quarry in an expansion onto adjoining property. This expansion resulted in numerous meetings at the town and county level, as well as meetings with opposition groups. To complicate the matter further, the site was located next to a superfund site with contaminated groundwater issues to address. The town board and county voted unanimously to approve the expansion.

Development of Man-Made Lake

Represented a large developer and worked with numerous engineers regarding the development and feasibility of a man-made lake as part of the focal point of a development. Mr. Sweeney’s combination of engineering and business experience helped to spearhead the project.

Representation of Aggregate Producers

Represented several aggregate producers on siting new locations.

Water and Wetland Issues

Handled numerous cases with Department of Justice involving water and wetland issues -- most settled at mediation.

 
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