Home > Our People > Michael J. Lauer > Commercial Real Estate
Michael J. Lauer
Attorney
555 East Wells Street
Suite 1900
Milwaukee, WI 53202-3819
Phone: (414) 978-5558
Fax: (414) 223-5000
vcard


Commercial Real Estate
Michael Lauer is a shareholder in Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.'s Milwaukee office where he leads the Family Law Team. He is also the former chair of the firm's Tax, Estate Planning & Tax Exempt Organizations Practice Group, and was the managing partner of the firm's former Menomonee Falls Office.

For more than 30 years he has represented businesses and individuals in matters involving family law, litigation, real estate, personal injury and business law.

As a Court Commissioner, past president of the Waukesha County Bar Association and member of the Bench Bar Liaison Committee, Mr. Lauer has been instrumental in formulating policy involving the court system, the legal profession and rights of individuals.

As a past chairperson of the Office of Lawyer Regulation and of the State Bar’s Committee on Resolution of Fee Disputes, implemented and interpreted the law and ethical rules protecting both citizens and attorneys.

Education

  • The John Marshall Law School, J.D., 1978
  • University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, B.B.A., 1971
  • Licensed Real Estate Title Agent

Admissions

  • State Bar of Wisconsin

Awards & Distinctions

  • Rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®
  • Named to the Wisconsin Super Lawyers list in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009
  • Appointed Court Commissioner – Waukesha County
  • State Bar of Wisconsin - Past Chairperson, Committee on Fee Disputes
  • Office of Lawyer Regulation - Past Chairperson
  • Selected for Wall of Recognition - Menomonee Falls High School

Representative Work

  • Negotiated and tried numerous family law cases resulting in multi-million dollar judgments
  • Been appointed by judges in a substantial number of cases as a Guardian Ad Litem to protect the rights of children.
  • Been frequently appointed by judges and hired by other counsel to act as mediators in family law disputes.
  • Handled actions involving claims of unjust enrichment or the negotiated return of property.
  • Been involved in complex inter-state custody and placement of inter-state support actions.
  • Drafted cohabitation agreements and separation agreements for unmarried cohabitants and parties in marriage-like relationships.
  • Brought and defended actions for the breach of the duty of good faith in the management and control of marital property.
  • Drafted and defended prenuptial and postnuptial agreements between married or intended spouses.
  • Handled divorce, legal separation, annulment and all related proceedings on issues such as client custody/placement, child support, spousal support, property division and post-judgment modification and enforcement actions.
  • Been certified in collaborative divorce, a conciliatory alternative to "traditional" divorce.
  • Established the rights and responsibilities between unmarried partents in paternity actions.
  • Established third-party visitation actions by defining the rights and responsibilities between a child, his or her parents, and a third party with whom they child has a "parent-like" relationship.
  • Successfully resolved personal injury cases through negotiations and trials resulting in awards of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
  • Argued matters or tried cases for individuals or businesses in more than 12 Wisconsin counties.
  • Represented business entities and corporations in a wide array of legal matters including litigation, employment issues, drafting of contracts and agreements and negotiations.
  • Represented numerous diverse small to medium size businesses involving sales and acquisitions.
  • Advised more than 50 real estate title insurance agents while serving as state counsel for a major insurance company.
  • Advised and represented clients regarding development of commercial real estate.

Professional Associations

  • State Bar of Wisconsin - Member, Fee Arbitration Committee
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Milwaukee Bar Association - Member
  • The Association of Trial Lawyers of America - Member
  • Waukesha County Bar Association - Member and Past President
  • Washington County Bar Association - Member
  • Waukesha County Bench/Bar Liaison Committee - Member
  • State Bar of Wisconsin - Past Chairperson, Committee on Fee Disputes
  • Office of Lawyer Regulation - Past Chairperson

Community Involvement

  • Community Memorial Hospital Foundation – Board Member; Chairperson - Spring Splendor 2012
  • Elmbrook Rotary Club – Charter Member, Past Board Member and Past President
  • Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce – Past Board Member and Past President
  • Tri County YMCA – Board Member and Past Chairperson of Partner of Youth Campaign and Strong Kids Campaign
  • Member of UW-Oshkosh Board of Advisors
  • St. Mary’s Elm Grove – Past President, Home and School, Past Member of Athletic Board, Basketball and Baseball Coach
  • Elmbrook Little League Baseball Coach
  • American Heart Association
  • WHD Heart Walk - Chairperson

Articles and Presentations

  • Chapter on Marital Property, Author, WHD Wisconsin Law Summary (2010-2012)
  • The Law of Frivolous Actions in Family Law Matters, Presenter, State Bar Convention