J. Nels Bjorkquist
Law Practice
J. Nels Bjorkquist focuses his practice on assisting entrepreneurs and businesses address their employment law opportunities and challenges. Nels aggressively steps in when current or former employees file formal complaints over wages, hours, working conditions, scheduling, discipline, or discharge. Nels’ broad experience in employment law also includes drafting and revising employee handbooks, workplace policies, employment contracts, and covenants not to compete.
In addition to employment law, Nels represents businesses and their owners in a wide variety of litigation matters. From real estate boundary contests and complex contract disputes to unfair trade practice suits and tax challenges, Nels has a proven record for tough, focused litigation.
Nels also stands ready to direct and execute the winning strategy for his clients on appeal. As both an experienced appellate advocate and a former law clerk for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Nels brings to each of his cases unmatched insight into the appellate courts' internal procedures and decisionmaking processes. Nels' clients also benefit from his exemplary research and writing skills.
Nels Bjorkquist On Employment Law
I will plan ahead with you to avoid crises that can distract you from your goal: doing what you do well to make your business thrive. When employee-related distractions do arise, however, I will find and implement the most efficient and effective solution so that you can get back to building your business.
Practice Areas
- Labor and Employment
- Commercial Litigation
- Appellate Advocacy
- Administrative Rulemaking
- Administrative Litigation
Professional Highlights
- Bar Admissions: State Bars of Wisconsin and Florida
- US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (Chicago, Ill.)
- US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (Atlanta, Ga.)
- US District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
- US District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
- US District Court, Northern District of Florida
- US District Court, Middle District of Florida
- US District Court, Southern District of Florida
Education
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.S., 1996
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, J.D., 2001
Beyond the Firm
Raised near the shores of Pewaukee Lake, Nels is the firm's resident sailor who can be seen on summer early evenings sneaking down to McKinley Marina with his sailing gear when the Lake Michigan breezes are up. He spent his early practice years in Sarasota and Tallahassee, Florida, where he is still licensed, but family ties drew him and his wife to move back to Milwaukee’s East Side. When he’s not on the water or practicing his short golf game at Lake Park in preparation for the firm’s golf outings, Nels enjoys exploring Milwaukee’s historical sites, attending cultural events, and reading with his wife and their rescued pets.
Defining Legal Moment
Several years ago, I prevailed on all issues in a hard-fought business tax case that taught me three lessons applicable to every case I have handled since:
(1) Winning battles is good, but winning without fighting is better.Early consultation with my clients to avoid trouble is more rewarding than having to fight and win an unnecessary battle.
(2) Preparation pays off.Once it became clear that our victory would come only through aggressive litigation, I mastered the law applicable to the dispute and that expertise and confidence showed in my briefs and oral argument.
(3) Simple and focused presentations work best.I boiled the legal issues down to their very essence, framed the debate on issues that played to my client's strengths, and filed succinct briefs that got right to the point. The government sabotaged its only chance to beat us when it wandered from the straight and narrow path that I laid for the court to follow.
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