William P. O'Connor

I founded our firm in Madison in 1989. It was just me and one legal assistant. We now have three offices in the state with 12 lawyers and 19 great employees. The firm has grown under the premise that we will do our best to help good people in need. Our core values are hard work and honesty, and we are truly do have the most heart and caring for our clients. These values that drive our firm are the same values I learned from my parents growing up in Minot, North Dakota. I want to tell you why ...

Vanessa Wishart is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Environmental Law and Water Law. Vanessa practices law in Madison, Wisconsin Best Lawyers has recognized Vanessa Wishart since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Vanessa Wishart is held by other lawyers.

Vern has substantial expertise representing clients on a wide variety of real estate transactions including purchase and sale of real estate, real estate leases, tax deferred exchanges, real estate development, real estate financing, environmental issues, municipal approvals, formation of real estate owning entities, senior housing and assisted living facilities, and condominium development and conversion. In addition, Vern assists a number of businesses with many of the legal issues which co...

Attorney Bill Morgan represents both public and private employers with a focus on employment and personnel-related matters, including discrimination claims, administrative issues, sexual harassment, and all matters affecting human resources departments such as health care, employee benefits, and employment contracts. Bill's municipal law practice emphasizes open meeting and open record matters, drafting and enforcement of zoning and land use regulations, contract review, litigation, labor rel...

Quentin Shafer is a Shareholder in the firm’s Litigation and Risk Management Practice Group. He focuses his practice on civil litigation, construction litigation, product liability, wrongful death, insurance coverage disputes, and third-party recovery. He has successfully defended hundreds of cases throughout Wisconsin as well as in federal court, including catastrophic bodily injury cases, wrongful death claims, and complex construction defect litigation. Quentin is also experienced in...

Douglas M. Poland is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Environmental, Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy), Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Douglas M. practices law in Madison, Wisconsin Best Lawyers has recognized Douglas M. Poland since 2010. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers i...

Elizabeth A. Erickson is a principal in the Madison, Wisconsin, offices of Jackson Lewis P.C. Elizabeth partners with businesses in a broad range of industries to provide creative and practical solutions to the complex array of workplace disability and health management issues faced by employers today. Elizabeth counsels clients with the goal of helping the business run smoothly while avoiding litigation entirely or improving outcomes before administrative agencies, courts, and juries. Elizab...

Jenifer Kraemer is a Shareholder in the Madison office. Her practice focuses primarily on construction law and litigation, real estate and business law. She represents business owners, architects, contractors, subcontractors, developers, landlords and homeowners on a variety of issues. Her experience includes: Reviewing and negotiating construction contracts for large commercial and multi-family residential projects. Handling public and private construction lien and bond claims. Representing ...

John H. Bradley is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Civil Rights Law and Criminal Defense: General Practice. John H. practices law in Madison, Wisconsin Best Lawyers has recognized John H. Bradley since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which John H. Bradley is held by other lawyers.

David Palay is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Commercial Litigation. David practices law in Madison, Wisconsin Best Lawyers has recognized David Palay since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which David Palay is held by other lawyers.