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“Jake is adept at handling complex legal issues, whether big or small. His pragmatic but thorough approach to analyzing both legal and business issues is refreshing. He does not ‘over-lawyer’ a problem, and is quick to formulate a strategy and execute on it with great results.”

Angela Frye, Verizon, Managing Associate General Counsel

Overview

Jake handles complex legal issues for clients in the real estate and telecommunications industries, offering a pragmatic approach that fits clients’ business needs.

Jake represents technology and communications companies, strategizing with and advising them on the construction and implementation of their facilities. Clients respect Jake’s persuasive skills and his ability to find common ground when working with municipalities and citizen groups on issues such as rights of way, facilities leasing, siting and easements.

When disputes arise over installations and other land use matters, Jake represents clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts and before state and federal regulatory agencies. He has developed a reputation for resolving disputes with minimal delay and expense to clients.

Jake also provides general corporate and corporate real estate support. Prior to rejoining the firm in 2022, Jake served as corporate counsel to a publicly-traded global manufacturing company with multiple affiliates. Jake acted as in-house counsel and the first point of legal contact for a number of the company’s affiliates, reviewing contracts, non-disclosure agreements and licensing agreements; advising on human resource matters; and offering general legal advice on a variety of business questions.

His time in-house gave Jake an insider’s perspective on how outside counsel can be most helpful to clients, and he fully understands how deeply entwined legal issues are with business considerations. Jake knows firsthand how imperative it is for outside counsel to be aware of the business implications of their legal advice, and he understands that offering the best legal solutions requires a deep dive into a client’s business and industry. His goal is to ensure that clients feel confident that he has the business knowledge necessary to provide the most appropriate counsel possible.

“Jake is adept at handling complex legal issues, whether big or small. His pragmatic but thorough approach to analyzing both legal and business issues is refreshing. He does not ‘over-lawyer’ a problem, and is quick to formulate a strategy and execute on it with great results.”

Angela Frye, Verizon, Managing Associate General Counsel

Industries

Services

Education

  • J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School
  • B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Admissions

  • Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, District of North Dakota
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • American Bar Association
  • Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association
  • Federal Communications Bar Association
  • Illinois Wireless Association
  • Wisconsin Wireless Association
2024 Pro Bono Contributor
Featured Experience

Cell Site Developer, Verizon Win Permit for New Wireless Communications Tower

Central States Tower III LLC, a builder and manager of cell towers, turned to Husch Blackwell after the planning commission for Eau Claire, Wisconsin, rejected its application for a conditional use permit because a cell tower already stood on the site. Our team challenged the commission’s determination, arguing that its decision violated state law, and worked with the client’s carrier partner, Verizon, to remove the existing Sprint (now T-Mobile) tower. The ensuing settlement benefited all parties by allowing construction of a tower that can accommodate multiple carriers to serve the immediate community while minimizing the number of towers in the vicinity.

Read more


Additional Experience
  • Obtained summary judgment on behalf of commercial HVAC client and its surety company defeating a lower tier supplier's claim. Court found in favor of our client, that claimant notice obligations had not been met under Wisconsin law.
  • Successfully recovered several design defect claims on behalf of medical clinic under $4M+ contract with design firm for hospital and cancer center in Wisconsin, increasing initial offered settlement by nearly 400 percent.
  • Counseled technology, data and communications companies on nationwide implementation of next-generation technologies, including distributed antenna system, 5G and small cell.
  • Represented NYSE and Nasdaq telecommunications companies in complex administrative, regulatory, legislative, commercial and litigation matters.
  • Advised telecommunications and technology companies on successful solutions to handle difficult government regulations, resulting in development of infrastructures supporting emerging technologies.
  • Represented Lendlease in obtaining favorable settlement in lawsuit against the Village of Cary, Illinois. The victory paves the way for the construction of the first privately-permitted wireless tower in the Village.
  • Successfully obtained then strategically defended telecommunication infrastructure approvals for our continental U.S. tower company client after competitor sued to challenge the approvals. Judicial oral decision rejected all arguments in the lawsuit and affirmed our client's wireless development approvals.
  • Oversaw and managed outside counsel in almost all geographic regions of the globe for publicly traded manufacturer, including the U.K., European Union, Eastern Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Middle East.
  • Directed legal management of all core business matters for select divisions of global manufacturing company, including multiple affiliates and vendors.
  • Led legal strategies for geographical unique considerations, such as sanctions, etc.
  • Held full fiscal responsibility for assigned divisions of global manufacturing company, including review/authorization of all outside counsel legal bills; analyzed and ensured correction of any billing/service discrepancies.
  • Obtained zoning approval for Greywolf Partners to add a nursing school to Honey Creek Corporate Center in Milwaukee, requiring a zoning change opposed by various municipal policymakers.
  • Secured victory on behalf of Tillman Infrastructure, defending previously-awarded permits to construct a new telecommunications tower to house needed wireless communications infrastructure. Decision affirmed on appeal.
Case Studies
Microsoft Corporation

Our team assisted Microsoft in the construction of a $1 billion data center on a 315-acre parcel of land in Wisconsin.

News Releases | October 02, 2024
Husch Blackwell Elects 30 to 2025 New Partner Class
News Releases | April 21, 2022
Husch Blackwell Earns Appellate Victory in Wisconsin Land Use Case

Husch Blackwell prevailed for a plaintiff landowner in the Wisconsin Court of Appeals against the City of Brookfield in a closely-watched land use case.

Outside the Office

The bulk of Jake’s leisure time is spent with his wife and three young children.

He participates in the annual 50-kilometer American Birkebeiner, billed as the largest cross-country ski race in the country, in northwest Wisconsin. He also enjoys running, downhill skiing and mountain biking and never misses an opportunity to spend time at his family’s cabin in northern Wisconsin or at his in-laws’ place near the beach in South Carolina.

In-House Counsel Experience
  • Corporate Counsel, Snap-on Incorporated, 2021-2022