Meet Bryan
Bryan is a shareholder in Godfrey & Kahn’s Litigation Practice Group in the firm’s Madison office. 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 utility clients in contested proceedings before the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.
Bryan’s trial practice encompasses a variety of commercial litigation, including eminent domain and land-use disputes, products liability defense, invasion of privacy torts, insurance sales practices challenges, deceptive trade practices and consumer fraud claims, and class action defense. He also advises and represents clients in 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 District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
United States District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
Professional Associations
American Bar Association, Dane County Bar Association, State Bar of WisconsinGarza 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).