Michael J. Fischer
Partner, Quarles & Brady LLP
Mike Fischer counsels employers on a broad range of labor and employment issues involving discipline and discharge, state and federal employment discrimination law (with a focus on disability law, family medical leave, and military leave law), and traditional labor law. He also regularly represents clients before various state and federal courts and agencies (including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, and the Wisconsin Equal Rights Division and Worker’s Compensation Division).
Mike’s most recent experience includes:
- Successful defense of a Milwaukee-based transportation provider in a four-day trial in Milwaukee Co. Circuit Court in a case alleging contractual violations. (2006)
- Successful defense before the Wisconsin Equal Rights Division in a case filed by a manager alleging discrimination on the basis of sex and national origin as well as retaliation. (2005)
- Successful defense before the Wisconsin Labor and Industry Review Commission of a decision denying a claimant’s appeal in a retaliation claim. (2005)
- Obtained summary judgment and successfully defended the same before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in a case alleging a pattern and practice of nation-wide discrimination against supervisors on the basis of race and sex. Dandy v. UPS, 388 F.3d 263 (7th Cir. 2004).
- Obtained summary judgment in a case in which the plaintiff was a member of a national class action of managers alleging discrimination on the basis of race and sex. Manning v. UPS E.D. Wis. Case No. 01-C-1193 (2004).
A former teacher, Mike also gives numerous seminars and training sessions each year, with a focus on the ADA, the FMLA, and military leave law, for clients ranging in size from Fortune 500 companies to small non-profits.
Education and Honors
Harvard University (J.D., 1995)
University of Michigan (M.A., 1987)
Yale University (B.A., 1985)
Bar Admissions
Wisconsin, 1995
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit, 2006
U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 1997
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1996
U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 1996
U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, 1996
Other Distinctions
Board of Directors, Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (current); Milwaukee Choral Artists (2003-06); Early Music Now (1998-2000); Member, American Theatre Critics Association (current); National Book Critics Circle (current); Personnel Committee, Saint Monica’s Congregation (current).
Clerk for Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson, Wisconsin Supreme Court, 1995-96.
Graduated summa cum laude from Yale University and magna cum laude from Harvard Law School; Phi Beta Kappa.
Martindale-Hubbell AV® Peer Review Rated.
Listed in Chambers USA as a leading Wisconsin Employment Lawyer who is “talented name worth mentioning,” and “a phenomenal counselor and educator.” (Employment: Mainly Defendant).
Recipient of on Aegis Award for training video on the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008).
Memberships
Member: American Bar Association (Member, Section on Labor and Employment); State Bar of Wisconsin (Member, Section on Labor and Employment); Milwaukee Bar Association (Member, Labor and Employment Law Section). Contributor to the American Bar Association's treatise Employment Discrimination Law (disability law chapter).
Attorney Articles/Presentations
"The Diverse Faces of Harassment: Recognizing, Preventing, and Investigating Harassment Claims" (June 2007 Presentation Before the EEOC Training Institute).
"The Times They Are A Changin’: Hot Topics in 2007,” (May 2007 Q&B Symposium Presentation).
"Practical Employment Law Basics and Solutions for the Corporate Practitioner" (December 2006 Presentation Before the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Corporate Practice Institute).
"Coping with Leave Laws Without Getting Left Behind" (May 2006 Q&B Symposium Presentation).
"Military Leave: The Final Regulations" (January 2006 Q&B Alert).
"Regulations Clarify Military Leave Law" (January 2005 Corporate Lawyer).