von Briesen & Roper, S.C. News

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Preserving lien rights can be important in any type of economy, but is even more important when the economy is uncertain. Taking the following important steps can protect your lien rights on projects located in Wisconsin.

Step 1 – Give Your Initial Lien Notice. On wholly residential projects involving up to four family living units, contractors who have a contract directly with the owner (i.e., prime contractors) who will contract with any subcontractors or suppliers for labor or materials…
Continue Reading Contractors – Know Your Lien Rights

von Briesen & Roper, s.c., announced today that Payton L. Rahn and Mackenzie L. Retzlaff have joined the Milwaukee office.
Rahn is an Associate in the Labor & Employment, Government and School Law Sections. She assists both private employers and governmental entities on a wide range of employment matters. Rahn is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Bar Association, Association for Women Lawyers (AWL) and Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association (MYLA). She received a J.D., cum laude,…
Continue Reading von Briesen Welcomes Payton Rahn and Mackenzie Retzlaff

von Briesen & Roper, s.c., announced today that Andrew P. Brusky has joined the Milwaukee office, Jack G. Lemkuil has joined the Madison & Green Bay offices, and Jarrod J. Papendorf joined the Neenah office.
Brusky is a Shareholder in the Trusts and Estates Section. He focuses his practice on elder and special needs law, estate planning, probate and trust administration. He is recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in Elder Law (2007-2025) and Wisconsin Super Lawyers® (2007-2024).
Continue Reading von Briesen Welcomes Three Attorneys Around the State

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL), released updated guidance regarding the use of electronic recording, video monitoring, and filming equipment (collectively, “Monitoring Devices”) in assisted living settings. The goal of this guidance is to balance the use of emerging technologies with residents’ rights to privacy in their homes. This guidance applies to Wisconsin Adult Family Homes (AFHs), Community-Based Residential Facilities (CBRFs), and Residential Care Apartment Complexes (RCACs).

Key…
Continue Reading Wisconsin DHS Issues Updated Guidance on Use of Electronic Monitoring in Assisted Living Facilities

von Briesen & Roper, s.c. is proud to announce that 103 attorneys are included in the 32nd Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Among the accolades von Briesen received: four attorneys were named “Lawyer of the Year”, nine lawyers are listed for the first time and 19 attorneys are listed as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.
“Lawyer of the Year” Awards: Madison, WI

  • Michael P. Crooks – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
  • Jenifer L. Kraemer – Construction

…
Continue Reading 103 von Briesen Attorneys Named to the Best Lawyers in America® 2026

von Briesen & Roper, s.c., today announced that Tristan A. Dollinger has joined the firm’s Milwaukee office as a Shareholder. Dollinger will practice in both the Health Law and Business and Corporate Law Sections. He has significant experience representing long-term care, assisted living, physical and occupational therapy, dental, chiropractic and surgical practices in mergers and acquisitions, transactions, regulatory compliance and corporate governance for clients.
Dollinger is recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America in Corporate Governance and…
Continue Reading von Briesen Welcomes Tristan Dollinger

Within the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, is the new “No Tax on Overtime” rule that may positively impact many hourly workers as it relates to their payment of federal taxes starting in 2025. However, this change in the law also presents new challenges for employers and ambiguities that will need to be addressed.

For starters, the new overtime provision is limited to overtime wages paid by employers to employees qualifying for…
Continue Reading Issues Related to the “No Tax On Overtime” Provision

When estate and gift tax exemptions are high, clients may feel it’s time to take their foot off the gas when it comes to their estate planning. In fact, these are perfect times to turn your attention to the non-tax portions of your planning to ensure that special assets and unique family circumstances are planned for properly. Business interests, family cabins or farms are just a few of the assets that require specific planning. It’s also important for clients…
Continue Reading Time to Turn Off the Cruise Control: Advanced Planning Considerations When Exemptions Are High

von Briesen & Roper, s.c., today announced the promotion of Erik M. Gustafson to Shareholder. Gustafson is a Shareholder in the Litigation and Risk Management Section. He focuses his practice on first- and third-party insurance coverage analysis, counseling on bad faith claims, and appellate advocacy. Gustafson is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Bar Association, Wisconsin Defense Counsel and Federalist Society. He received a J.D., magna cum laude, and a Certificate in Litigation Practice from Marquette…
Continue Reading Erik Gustafson Promoted to Shareholder

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of thousands of human-made chemicals used across a number of industries. Their durability makes them ideal for various uses like stain protection in textiles, machine lubricants, and fire suppression. That same durability has led to their more common name, forever chemicals, as they do not break down easily in the environment and can persist in the human body for long periods. PFAS have been associated with an increased risk of certain…
Continue Reading The Shifting Nature of the PFAS Regulatory Landscape

On June 5, 2025, the United States Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision regarding a reverse discrimination case. The case involved a heterosexual female alleging she was discriminated against by being denied a promotion, which was given to a lesbian woman and further for later being demoted and her prior position was then filled by a gay man. The Supreme Court held that a claimant in a majority employment class (i.e. heterosexual) does not have a higher burden of…
Continue Reading The Supreme Court Issues Decision in Ames v. Ohio Youth Services

This article first appeared in On Balance, the membership magazine of the Wisconsin Institute of CPAs, and is used with their permission.

In early January, the incoming U.S. presidential administration loudly signaled that businesses should expect changes in trade policies in 2025. Although no specific policies had yet been promulgated, then President-elect Trump stated in social media outlets that broad sweeping import tariffs may be imposed on goods from Mexico, Canada and China. As of May 15, many new…
Continue Reading Taking Stock of Trade Issues

von Briesen & Roper, s.c., announced today the expansion of their Trusts and Estate Section with attorneys Reilly C. Kulas and Alexis J. Witte and Tax Specialist/Paralegal Ashley E. Ferus.
Reilly C. Kulas is an Associate in the Neenah office. She focuses her practice on estate planning and advising fiduciaries in trust and probate administrations. Kulas is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin. She received a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin and a B.A., magna…
Continue Reading von Briesen Expands Estate Planning Group

von Briesen & Roper, s.c., announced today that attorneys Nicholas S. Cerwin and Taylor A. Van Zeeland have joined the firm’s Milwaukee office.
Nicholas S. Cerwin is a Shareholder in the Government Law Group and Real Estate Section. Cerwin focuses his practice on governance issues, municipal licensing, public policy, and a wide range of law enforcement matters. Prior to joining von Briesen, he served as Deputy City Attorney for the City of West Allis and as Assistant District Attorney for…
Continue Reading von Briesen Welcomes Nicholas Cerwin and Taylor Van Zeeland

Shot of a group of unrecognisable businesspeople having a meeting in a modern office
Planning the way to profit

Numerous school referenda were approved in the 2025 Spring election this week, and construction is now on the horizon. Let’s consider the contracts that will become the foundation of these building projects.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) provides a comprehensive suite of contracts designed to streamline the creation and management of construction agreements. While these forms are expertly crafted to anticipate challenges in construction projects, they are primarily tailored for commercial use rather than for governmental entities such…
Continue Reading Why School Districts Should Consult With Legal Counsel Before Signing a Standard AIA Contract

As promised in his campaign for the presidency of the United States, on January 21, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14172 “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.” (Emphasis added).

The President’s Executive Order states that illegal diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI”) policies violate the text and spirit of federal civil-rights laws.

Accordingly, the President ordered all federal agencies to enforce civil rights laws and to “combat illegal private-sector DEI preferences, mandates, policies, programs, and activities.” The President…
Continue Reading It’s the End of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Programs as We Know It?