Quarles & Brady Announces Leadership Changes, New Section Chair
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP has announced the official transition of managing partner, the election of two new members to its executive committee, and the appointment of a new section chair.
As of December 1, the role of managing partner previously held by Fred Lautz transitioned to Dan Radler. Lautz, the first to assume the role after the unexpected passing of Firm Chair Pat Ryan, oversaw the firm’s significant success and growth over the last nine years, including the opening of new offices in Indianapolis, Tampa, and Washington, D.C. Radler, an Intellectual Property attorney and former engineer, has been with Quarles & Brady for 19 years. He has served in leadership roles that include national chair of the Intellectual Property Practice Group and the role of section chair. Rader is a member of the executive committee.
Lautz, Robert Duffy and Don Schott have completed their terms on the executive committee. Newly elected are Mike Aldana and Kevin Long.
Aldana is a Labor & Employment partner who also serves as the firm's employment counsel. Aldana has substantial experience defending employers in employment discrimination cases, wrongful discharge lawsuits, wage and hour claims, and union litigation in federal and state courts and before federal and state agencies. He regularly counsels employers on day-to-day human resources issues and employment-related issues around acquisitions and mergers.
Long is Commercial Litigation partner who also serves as national practice group chair to that group. He previously served as a member of the Executive Committee from 2009 to 2013. Long, an MBA-trained attorney with a civil engineering background, focuses on the construction and real estate industry, where he assists clients in matters concerning lien issues, payment disputes, and defect claims. He is also experienced in Uniform Commercial Code, condemnation, and insurance litigation.
Prior to assuming his role as managing partner, Radler had been serving as section chair, along with Jeff Peelen. This role serves as an extension of the managing partner, working directly with national practice group chairs and industry team leaders to help strengthen planning, execution, and operational practices of these strategic areas of the firm. Peelen continues in this role. Aldana has been appointed to the role vacated by Rader in his transition to managing partner.
Peelen is a member of the firm's Public Finance Practice Group. In his public finance practice, he represents multiple regional and national underwriters in tax-exempt debt and revenue financings across the country. His governmental affairs and political law compliance program has a national reputation, serving multiple Fortune 50 clients and other corporations who regularly interact with state and federal officials.
"Our firm has been and continues to be guided by strong leaders focused on client service," said Kimberly Johnson, firm chair. "I have full confidence in this new slate of leaders who bring the insight, ingenuity and dedication to help our firm continue to grow and serve our clients well."