Brian C. Spahn

Meet Brian

Brian Spahn is an experienced litigator who focuses on complex commercial litigation, media law, and government/internal investigations. He helps businesses and organizations resolve disputes, often leading investigations that are necessary to gather facts and address issues before efficiently reaching a resolution.

Brian has assisted clients through both complex litigation, internal investigations as well as government enforcement actions. In addition, Brian defends media companies and individual journalists in lawsuits alleging defamation and invasion of privacy. He also advises media clients in pre-publication reviews as well as open meetings and public records issues. 

Brian’s work includes successfully defending against a multimillion-dollar trade secret misappropriation case, a breach of contract claim brought against members of a failed investment vehicle, fraudulent transfer claims related to loans allegedly involved in a Ponzi scheme, as well as successfully defending against many defamation claims brought against both state and national media outlets. 

Additionally, a significant part of Brian’s practice focuses on government investigations and corporate compliance issues. He routinely advises clients with respect to compliance policies including anti-bribery and corruption policies, supplier codes of conduct, and protocols for addressing and responding to government subpoenas and civil investigative demands.

Brian has been involved in numerous internal investigations working for municipalities, nonprofit organizations and corporate boards of directors and audit committees on issues ranging from employment matters to securities and corporate governance issues.

Before joining the firm in 2011, Brian practiced law for more than three years in Washington, D.C. He is licensed in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. He also has a significant background working in Wisconsin government and politics. Prior to law school, Brian worked for U.S. Senator Herb Kohl.