Linda S. Schmidt

Linda is a commercial litigator who regularly helps clients resolve their most difficult disputes, particularly in the areas of insurance and constitutional law. Since joining the firm, Linda has successfully represented clients in a variety of venues, including before the state and federal courts of Wisconsin and courts in Arizona, Illinois, New York, North Dakota, Utah, Washington, D.C. and elsewhere.

Linda represents a variety of insurers, including in complex coverage matters involving significant bodily injury, construction defect, environmental contamination, employee benefits liability, employment practices liability, directors and officers liability, and professional liability claims. She also represents insurance companies in cases alleging bad faith or improper industry- or company-wide claims handling practices. Linda has submitted briefs and argued before state and federal appellate courts in precedent setting insurance cases, and she has reviewed and advised insurance clients on proposed legislation before the Wisconsin legislature.

In recent years, Linda has successfully defended a commercial liability insurer against claims for breach of contract and bad faith after it declined to defend a fast-food restaurant franchise owner in six New York based class actions alleging that the owner underpaid delivery drivers and withheld tips. She obtained a no coverage decision for claims arising out of an insured manufacturer’s provision of faulty component parts for a power plant’s ductwork; and she successfully argued before the Wisconsin Supreme Court on behalf of the Wisconsin Insurance Alliance, as amicus curiae, that an insured’s hosting of an underage drinking party, at which one attendee assaulted another, was not an “occurrence” or accident for purposes of liability coverage.  

Linda has represented and advised religious institutions throughout the state, particularly with respect to their rights under the Wisconsin and U.S. Constitutions and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.   

Linda is committed to pro bono service. She helped draft Godfrey & Kahn’s pro bono policy and recently served as a trustee on the Dane County Bar Association’s Pro Bono Trust Fund, including five years as chair. Linda has also represented several clients pro bono, including in a ground-breaking case before the Wisconsin Court of Appeals that established what procedures a state court should follow and what interests to weigh when evaluating a petition by the State to force feed a prisoner.  

Prior to joining the firm, Linda worked in the government affairs practice group of a Washington, D.C. based firm. She spent a summer during law school in Azerbaijan researching barriers to and advocating for freedom of association rights. She also lived several years in Germany and is fluent in German.