John J. Laubmeier

Member

Practice Areas

John concentrates his practice on representing clients in litigation and dispute resolution.  He has represented clients in contract disputes, construction litigation, business torts, banking matters, real estate litigation, and insurance defense.  John has represented clients in jury trials, arbitrations, numerous dispositive motion proceedings, and before the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

John relies on his extensive litigation background to assist clients with corporate, business, and real estate matters, helping clients take proactive steps to minimize their potential liability and avoid the need for future litigation.  John is experienced in all aspects of business law, including business formation, contract drafting and negotiation, buying and selling businesses and business assets, and commercial leasing and development.

Practice Experience

  • Successfully represented general contractor in a dispute related to $100 million hotel construction and redevelopment project in a six-week arbitration hearing conducted before a three-member panel and administered by the American Arbitration Association.
  • Prevailed before the Wisconsin Supreme Court on behalf of a financial institution in an insurance coverage dispute related to a $1.3 million fire loss.
  • Obtained dismissal of a putative class action lawsuit against a retailer in which ten causes of action were asserted based on alleged sales tax overcharges.
  • Retained by health care provider after entry of a $1.15 million jury verdict and had the verdict vacated on appeal and the case remanded for a new trial.
  • Defended business client in Milwaukee County against breach of warranty claims to jury verdict of no liability.

Practice Focus

  • Litigation
  • Construction Law
  • Corporate/Business Law
  • Contract Drafting, Negotiation, and Review

Professional Achievements, Honors, and Awards

  • Past President, Dane County Bar Association
  • Appointed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court to its Appointment Selection Committee (2020-2023)
  • Selected by In Business magazine as one of its 40 Under 40 (2019)
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in Construction Law, Construction Litigation, and Commercial Litigation (2016-2024)
  • Named a Wisconsin Super Lawyer in Business Litigation (2021-2023)
  • Named a Wisconsin Rising Star in Business Litigation, Business/Corporate, Construction Litigation (2007-2012, 2015-2020)
  • Named a 2011 “Up and Coming Lawyer” by the Wisconsin Law Journal
  • Rated “Superb” “10.0/10” – by Avvo™

Publications and Speaking Engagements

  • Wisconsin Civil Procedure Before Trial, State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE (Co-Author of Jurisdiction Chapter), June 2015-2022
  • The Problem of Lender Compliance with Tenant-Notice Requirements, Wisconsin Lawyer, August 2009
  • Demystifying Wisconsin’s Economic Loss Doctrine, Wisconsin Law Review, 2005 Wis. L. Rev. 225 (2005) (cited by both state and federal appellate courts, including the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as numerous legal treatises)

Reported Cases and Notable Representations

  • CHS Capital, LLC v. Hellenbrand Farms, LLC, 420 F.Supp.3d 872 (W.D. Wis. 2019)
  • Fontana Builders, Inc. et al. v. Assurance Company of America, 2016 WI 52, 369 Wis.2d 495 882 N.W.2d 398
  • Gunderson, Inc. v. Aspirus Wausau Hosp., Inc., No. 2010AP1178, 2011 WL 309589 (Wis. Ct. App. Feb. 11, 2011) (unpublished)
  • Kleemann v. Emerson, No. 2010AP762, 2010 WL 4652962 (Wis. Ct. App. Nov. 18, 2010) (unpublished)
  • Froedtert Mem’l Lutheran Hosp., Inc. v. National States Ins. Co., 2009 WI 33, 317 Wis. 2d 54, 765 N.W.2d 251

Education

  • University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, 2005; Order of the Coif
  • University of Wisconsin – Madison, B.S., Finance, with distinction, 2002

Admissions

  • Wisconsin
  • United States District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin

Community Involvement and Memberships

  • President, Friends of MSCR (Madison School & Community Recreation) (2020-2024)
  • Veterans Law Center Volunteer
  • Dane County Bar Association
  • State Bar of Wisconsin
  • The James E. Doyle American Inn of Court

Hobbies and Interests

  • Enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, two children, and family dog
  • Avid Badger sports fan