Zach Willenbrink is a member of Godfrey & Kahn’s Litigation Practice Group in the firm’s Milwaukee office.
Zach represents clients in many types of litigation and disputes—from pre-filing to pre-trial, trial and appellate phases—primarily those involving complex commercial, intellectual property, insurance trade practices, international law and media and entertainment issues.
Zach enjoys untangling complex legal and factual issues, in order to understand what is truly at issue in a dispute and working toward the best resolution possible. A former member and songwriter in several touring bands, Zach tries to approach disputes creatively, whether in writing briefs, approaching settlement, or thinking strategically about the best way to reach a favorable outcome in a case.
In addition, Zach accepts a variety of pro bono legal matters, including representation of state prisoners in civil rights appeals to the Seventh Circuit and work with the Eviction Defense Project in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.
Prior to joining Godfrey & Kahn, Zach spent more than four years as a law clerk with Judge J.P. Stadtmueller of the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Before that, Zach graduated magna cum laude from Marquette University Law School. At Marquette, Zach was co-president of the Public Interest Law Society and Marquette’s chapter of the American Constitution Society. He served as a research assistant to Senator Russ Feingold and Dean Joseph Kearney, interned with Judge Lynn Adelman of the Eastern District of Wisconsin and volunteered with Marquette’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
Representative Experience
Defeating a motion for an anti-suit injunction filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery.
Prevailing on a motion to dismiss fraud and breach-of-contract claims brought by a purchaser following its acquisition of a large regional business.
Assisting food trade groups in their efforts to prevent registration of certification marks covering various types of cheeses.
Obtaining a temporary restraining order against a departing employee attempting to work at a competitor.
Successfully compelling arbitration in a complex corporate governance dispute between majority and minority shareholders.
Ensuring the return of master tapes of a filmmaker’s documentary, which had been purchased and temporarily lost by a large media distributor.
Admitted To Practice
Wisconsin - 2011
Court 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
Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association
Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association
Seventh Circuit Bar Association
Thomas E. Fairchild American Inn of Court
Activities
Bel Canto Chorus, Board Member
Godfrey & Kahn's Ethics Committe, Member
Godfrey & Kahn’s Summer Associate Committee, Member
Marquette Law School’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition Moot Court teams, Coach
Milwaukee Young Lawyer’s Association, Board Member
Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association’s Charles N. Clevert Mentorship Program, Mentor
Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association, Member
Seventh Circuit Bar Association, Member
Milwaukee’s Thomas E. Fairchild American Inn of Court, Member
Education
Juris Doctor, Marquette University Law School, 2011, magna cum laude
Bachelor of Arts in English, Bellarmine University, 2008, cum laude