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Overview

When commercial disputes heat up, Ann works to cool things down so her clients can get back to taking care of business.

An award-winning litigator, Ann calls upon her years of experience to quickly assess the situation and offer workable solutions. Ann understands that litigation is expensive and distracting for clients—whether it involves contract disputes, dealership termination, lease quarrels, contested noncompete agreements or intellectual property issues. She looks to resolve disputes in a practical way to keep the wheels of commerce turning smoothly for her technology, manufacturing and transportation clients.

More than a litigator, Ann also advises general counsel, company presidents and other organizational leaders on a variety of business and legal issues.

Ann serves on the firm’s Executive Board. She also serves as an executive sponsor of HB WE, an Employee Resource Group for the women of the firm.

Industries

Services

Recognition

  • Benchmark Litigation
    • Local Litigation Star, 2019-2025
  • The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Commercial Litigation, 2012-2025
    • Litigation-Real Estate, 2012-2025
  • Chambers USA
    • Litigation: General Commercial, 2009-2013, 2024
  • BizTimes Milwaukee
    • Notable Women in Law, 2020, 2022
  • BTI Consulting Group
    • Client Service All-Star, 2018
  • Wisconsin Law Journal
    • Leaders in the Law Award, 2018
    • Women in the Law Award, 2010 
  • Wisconsin Super Lawyers, 2007-2023
    Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent

Education

  • J.D., Marquette University Law School
    • cum laude
  • B.A., Marquette University

Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Seventh Circuit Bar Association
  • American Bar Association, Litigation and Antitrust Sections
  • Wisconsin Bar Association
  • Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association
Experience
  • Successfully defended commercial tenant, through trial, against claims of breach of lease and breach of personal guarantee.
  • Successfully defended distributor, through trial, against claims of breach of warranty and indemnification arising out of sale of generator sets.
  • Advised wireless tower acquisition company on siting of new communications tower. Representation included obtaining favorable settlement after challenging municipal planning commission in court and negotiating with another wireless carrier to remove existing tower.
  • Litigated enforceability of non compete agreements under Wisconsin and other state laws.
  • Litigated disputes over the enforcement of residential and commercial real estate deed restrictions, including defense of national restaurant chain against claim by neighboring landowner that it was operating in violation of restrictive covenant.
  • Defended international construction equipment manufacturer against claims of wrongful termination of dealer agreement in alleged violation of state franchise laws.
  • Litigated trademark infringement claims against internet reseller using client's trademarks in metatags and sponsored search terms.
  • Defended yacht design firm against artist's claims of copyright infringement.
  • Litigated matters involving misuse of confidential and trade secret information by former employees and representatives of insurance and brokerage firms, medical device manufacturers, equipment manufacturers and chemical companies.
  • Advised clients making changes in dealer, distributor and sales representative relationships and litigated cases arising under state relationship termination laws, including the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law.
  • Litigated breach of contract and trademark infringement claims against client's former Taiwanese sales representative for unlawful registration and use of company's trademarks.
  • Obtained seven-figure jury verdict on behalf of commercial tenant in a lease dispute.
  • Obtained arbitration award and attorneys' fees for client whose sales representative agreement was wrongfully terminated in violation of manufacturer's duty of good faith and fair dealing.
  • Successfully represented a non-family member beneficiary of a trust against claims by estranged family members that the deceased lacked capacity to amend her trust and that the non-family member beneficiary exercised undue influence over the deceased.
Event | December 11, 2019
ACC-Wisconsin CLE: When the Tables Turn
Media Mentions | January 23, 2022
BizTimes: Notable Women in Law: Ann Maher
Media Mentions | October 2020
Best Lawyers® 2021: The Midwest Issue
Community Leadership

“I feel an obligation to the community to help people who are less fortunate,” Ann says of her work with various civic organizations.

  • Ascension Wisconsin, Board Member, 2019-present
  • Clement Manor, Board Member, 2016-present 
  • Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin Foundation, Board Member, 2015-present
  • Feeding ​America Eastern Wisconsin, Board Member, 2009-2018 (Chair 2013-2015)
  • Open Door Cafe, St. John's Cathedral, Volunteer and Husch Blackwell Volunteer Coordinator, 2002-present
  • St. Thomas More Lawyer's Society, 2017-present