Meet Bryan
Bryan is a shareholder in Godfrey & Kahn’s Litigation practice, with a strong focus on utility, energy, and real estate litigation. Bryan advises and represents clients in all phases of litigation, from pre-suit investigation through trial and appeals. In addition to appearing in state and federal trial and appellate courts, Bryan also represents renewable energy developers and utility clients in contested administrative proceedings before the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.
Bryan’s trial practice encompasses a variety of commercial litigation, with a heavy emphasis on eminent domain and land-use disputes, as well as municipal disputes arising from zoning law and land-use ordinance violations.
Before joining the firm, Bryan served as the law clerk to the Honorable David T. Prosser at the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Education
Juris Doctor, University of Wisconsin Law School, 2005, summa cum laude, Order of the Coif
Bachelor's Degree, University of Wisconsin-Madison, philosophy and history
Honors
Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Litigation - Real Estate, 2017 - present; Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, 2023)
Recognized as a Wisconsin Rising Star (2011 - 2012, 2014 - 2019)
Recognized by Benchmark Litigation as a Local Future Star (2018 - present)
Admitted To Practice
WisconsinCourt Admissions
United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
United States District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
Professional Associations
American Bar Association, Dane County Bar Association, International Right of Way Association, State Bar of WisconsinLitigation Experience
JT Properties of Mt. Horeb, LLC v. American Transmission Company LLC., Wisconsin Court of Appeals 2023AP2322 (affirming the trial court’s decision denying a right-to-take challenge on uneconomic remnant and necessity grounds after a three-day bench trial).
Hanson Revocable Trust v. American Transmission Company LLC, Wisconsin Court of Appeals 2023AP1327 (affirming in part trial court’s order granting summary judgment on interpretation and validity of easement).
CCH Investments LLC v. American Transmission Company LLC, Wisconsin Court of Appeals 2023AP896 (affirming jury verdict and judgment arising out of three-day just compensation trial).
Zastrow v. American Transmission Company LLC, Wisconsin Court of Appeals 2017AP1848 (affirming summary judgment decision dismissing claim asserting failure to negotiate in good faith as part of right-to-take challenge).
Garza v. American Transmission Company LLC, Wisconsin Supreme Court 2014AP2278 (reversing appellate court decision, granting summary judgment confirming the electric transmission utility’s easement rights, and dismissing plaintiffs’ trespass and inverse condemnation claims). Read the Wisconsin Supreme Court Opinion.
Larson v. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation, W.D. Wisconsin No. 14CV215 (granting motion to dismiss plaintiff’s putative class action challenging health insurer’s use of copayments for chiropractic care).
Moran v. IOD Incorporated, Massachusetts Superior Court (defended a medical records release-of-information company against a class action alleging overcharging and violations of state deceptive trade practices statute, obtaining a favorable, early settlement on a class-wide basis).
Stolen Farms, Inc. v. American Transmission Company LLC, Wisconsin Court of Appeals 2010AP1427 (affirming the trial court’s summary judgment decision confirming the electric transmission utility’s right to exercise its eminent domain power for purposes of upgrading a high voltage transmission line). Read Court of Appeals Opinion.
Oaks v. Settlers Life Insurance Company, Wisconsin Court of Appeals 2009AP2061, (reversing the trial court’s summary judgment decision and granting the life insurer summary judgment, holding that the life insurance beneficiary could not recover because the policy was void ab initio). Read Court of Appeals Opinion.
Westphal v. Smelser, et al., Wisconsin Court of Appeals 2007AP827 (reversing the trial court’s denial of summary judgment resulting in dismissal of conspiracy and tort claims against executive by former management employee). Read Court of Appeals Opinion.
Singer v. Pneumo-Abex LLC, Wisconsin Court of Appeals 2010AP2614 (January 18, 2012: Reversing trial court's denial of brake lining manufacturer's motion for summary judgment in wrongful death mesothelioma case and vacating $1.5 million jury verdict). Read Court of Appeals Opinion.
Simonson v. Morbark, Inc., Jackson County Circuit Court Case No. 07-CV-96 (alleged defective design of commercial wood chipper in wrongful death products liability case: Defense Verdict on October 8, 2010).
Administrative Experience
Village of Pulaski – PSC Docket No. 4890-CW-102 – The Commission issued the certificate of authority approving the construction of a new water main, pumping station, and related infrastructure to allow the Village to convert its municipal water supply from groundwater to surface water in January 2025.
Wood County Solar Project – PSC Docket No. 9816-CE-100. The Commission issued the certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) approving this 150-MW solar generation project in May 2023.
Onion River Solar – PSC Docket No. 9805-CE-100. The Commission issued the CPCN approving this 150-MW solar generation project in June 2021.
Saratoga Solar Project – PSC Docket No. 9803-CE-100. The Commission issued the CPCN approving this 150-MW solar generation project in March 2021.
Badger State Solar – PSC Docket No. 9800-CE-100. The Commission issued the CPCN approving this 149-MW solar generation project in February 2020.