LINDNER & MARSACK - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Shareholder of Lindner & Marsack, S.C.
Andrew J. Quartaro is a shareholder of Lindner & Marsack, S.C. He focuses his practice on worker's compensation litigation on behalf of employers and insurance carriers throughout Wisconsin. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in Worker's Compensation and he is recognized as their "Lawyer of the Year" in Worker's Compensation Law - Employers (2019, 2017, 2014). He has been listed in Wisconsin Super Lawyers® and was awarded an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating possible.
Job Titles:
- Shareholder of Lindner & Marsack, S.C.
Chelsie D. Springstead is a shareholder of Lindner & Marsack, S.C. Ms. Springstead's current legal practice is focused on defending worker's compensation claims for the insurance industry and self-insured employers, along with handling subrogation and Medicare issues. Prior to joining Lindner & Marsack S.C., Ms. Springstead was an associate at Cermele & Associates, S.C. where she represented law enforcement officers in worker's compensation claims, grievance appeals, citizen complaints, First Amendment issues and claims under the FMLA and FLSA.
Ms. Springstead received her law degree from Marquette University Law School where she also earned a Certificate in Dispute Resolution and her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois where she double majored in English and Speech Communication. While in law school, Ms. Springstead worked as an intern for the Waukesha County Public Defender's Office and the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.
Ms. Springstead is a frequent speaker and lecturer on worker's compensation, labor and employment law, and Medicare-related topics and also provides training to employers and insurance carriers in these areas. She is a member of the Lindner & Marsack worker's compensation defense team which received a ‘first tier' ranking by U.S. News and World Reports. Ms. Springstead is licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin and is admitted to practice in the United States District Courts in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. She is a member of the Wisconsin Bar Association, the American Bar Association (ABA), the Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association (MYLA), the Wisconsin Association of Worker's Compensation Attorneys (WAWCA), the Milwaukee Insurance Adjusters Association (MIAA), the National Worker's Compensation Defense Network (NWCDN) and the National Association for Subrogation Professionals (NASP). She is also currently the Treasurer of the Wisconsin Association of Worker's Compensation Attorneys and Secretary of the Wisconsin Worker's Compensation Forum Board.
Job Titles:
- Shareholder of Lindner & Marsack, S.C.
Daniel J. Finerty is a shareholder of Lindner & Marsack, S.C. Mr. Finerty concentrates his legal practice on representing and counseling clients in labor and employment litigation and compliance matters in front of administrative agencies, federal, state and tribal courts and in labor arbitration. Daniel has represented Wisconsin counties, cities, school districts, Native American tribes, tribally-owned businesses, and private sector employers in senior living, healthcare, manufacturing, food manufacturing, hospitality, retail, transportation, construction, commercial laundry, dry cleaning and other industries. He has handled litigation matters involving Title VII, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the City of Madison Equal Opportunities Ordinance and other federal, state, local law and tribal ordinances.
Daniel has a great deal of experience defending senior living providers from Wisconsin Health Care Worker Protection Act retaliation claims, Wisconsin Fair Employment Act discrimination, retaliation and harassment claims, unreasonable refusal to rehire worker's compensation claims, and other claims that typically follow from a provider client's investigation and termination of an employee due to a violation of their resident rights policies and other misconduct.
Also, Daniel has handled hundreds of employment claims involving Employment Practice Liability Insurance (EPLI) for public-sector, private-sector, non-profit and tribal clients and understands that many employment litigation attorneys can obtain good results; however, what differentiates his aggressive defense on EPLI cases is how his hard work positively reflects the importance of superior claims service to his EPLI carrier partners and achieves the results that the insured clients want.
Recent employment litigation matters filed in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development on which Daniel has worked include:
Successfully defended in the court of appeals a circuit court judgment awarding attorney's fees incurred due to frivolous filing and pursuit of motion to hold liable against senior living provider after creditor was informed that it had garnished the wrong corporate entity.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the State Bar of Wisconsin
David C. Keating is a partner in the law firm of Lindner & Marsack, S.C.
Mr. Keating has a broad range of experience in labor and employment law. He has served as chief spokesperson for Employers in hundreds of negotiations for both initial and successor collective bargaining agreements. He advises Employers as to discipline and discharge, contract interpretation, and day-to-day human resources issues, including reductions in force, mergers and acquisitions, and restrictive covenants. He represents employers in arbitration proceedings, state and federal agency proceedings, and other general labor and employment law matters.
Mr. Keating has served both privately- and publicly-held healthcare organizations as top legal officer. Most recently, he served as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary for Fortis Management Group, LLC, where he provided legal advice and counseling on issues related to resident care, regulatory compliance, reimbursement, fraud and abuse, human resources, labor relations, and other areas affecting client operations. Prior to that, he held several positions, including Vice President, Corporate Counsel-Labor/Employment, over more than a decade with Extendicare Health Services, Inc., eventually serving as that organization's Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary. In addition, Mr. Keating has served in human resources and legal roles for other large organizations, including a position in the hospitality and gaming industry.
Mr. Keating is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin. He received his Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Delaware. He earned a Master of Labor and Industrial Relations degree from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Labor and Industrial Relations and Political Science from the Pennsylvania State University.
Job Titles:
- Partner With Lindner & Marsack, S.C.
David C. McKone is a partner with Lindner & Marsack, S.C. He concentrates his legal practice on defending worker's compensation claims for the insurance industry and self-insured employers. Prior to joining Lindner & Marsack, S.C., Mr. McKone was associated with the in-house counsel legal departments of two major insurance corporations. His law practice included all aspects of insurance litigation, including health law, personal injury law, property damage and subrogation, with a primary emphasis on worker's compensation.
Mr. McKone frequently lectures and speaks on labor and employment law, including worker's compensation topics, throughout Wisconsin.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Shareholder
Douglas M. Feldman is a shareholder and member of the Board of Directors with the law firm of Lindner & Marsack, S.C. He currently focuses his law practice on representing insurance companies and large self-insured employers in the defense of worker's compensation claims and other related work-injury defense claims.
Mr. Feldman assists clients with worker's compensation matters and represents management in different types of employment and labor relations matters. He frequently counsels employers on best practices in dealing with light duty, return to work and other related labor and employment law issues in the workplace. He also handles wrongful termination matters and defends employers in unreasonable refusal to hire claims under the Worker's Compensation Act, as well as claims alleging disability discrimination and failure to accommodate under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act (WFEA).
As a worker's compensation specialist, Mr. Feldman is a frequent speaker on a variety of worker's compensation and related employment topics both in Wisconsin and nationally. He has been elected a fellow in the College of Worker's Compensation Lawyers; he has been named in Best Lawyers in America for worker's compensation for 2010, 2011 and 2012; and he has been named a Wisconsin Super Lawyer since 2008.
Job Titles:
- Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors
Gary A. Marsack is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors and a Partner in the Milwaukee-based law firm of Lindner & Marsack, S.C. Mr. Marsack has dedicated his career to the practice of labor and employment law.
Mr. Marsack has served as a valued consultant and lawyer to clients, both nationally and regionally, during his distinguished career as a labor and employment lawyer. In this capacity, he has provided legal advice and critical strategies and tactics in general labor matters; contract administration, arbitration and grievance handling; collective bargaining; plant closures, work transfers and relocations; subcontracting; strike planning and picket line control, federal and state court injunction proceedings; and successorship law and the labor law and labor relations aspects of mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Marsack handled two of the longest strikes in the history of the State of Iowa and was recognized for his work in the publication Industry Week in the article, "Divorce Union Style."
Law firms, accounting firms, private equity and venture capital groups have sought out Mr. Marsack's counsel to assist their clients in securing their business objectives in matters concerning the implementation of entrepreneurial decisions. These groups have deferred to his expertise and experience in dealing with the host of complex labor and employment law issues which evolve from such decisions.
Mr. Marsack represents clients in the litigation of complex labor law issues in arbitration and before the National Labor Relations Board and in state and federal courts, including Circuit Courts of Appeals. He is equally skilled in securing the objectives of his clients at the collective bargaining table.
Mr. Marsack writes and lectures extensively on labor law issues, including conducting courses through the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's School of Continuing Education, and is frequently sought out by the media to provide his comments and perspectives on current labor law and labor relations issues.
Mr. Marsack's preeminence in labor law is represented by his inclusion in various national publications which depict a lawyer's professional excellence. He has been designated a "Best Lawyer in America" for over 20 years. Chambers USA, a leading national publication, has referred to Mr. Marsack variously as: "One of the deans of the Wisconsin Bar;" "Widely viewed as a leader in his field;" "A fountain of knowledge, a real go-to guy on traditional labor law matters;" "One of the 25 best lawyers in Wisconsin;" and "Excellent abilities at finding the optimal solutions for clients with complex issues." In addition, since its inception, Mr. Marsack has been designated as a "Super Lawyer" by Milwaukee Magazine/Law & Politics. He has maintained a Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating for most of his career.
Job Titles:
- Associate at Lindner & Marsack, S.C.
James E. Panther is an associate at Lindner & Marsack, S.C. He represents insurers and self-insured employers in the defense of worker's compensation claims throughout Wisconsin.
Mr. Panther received his law degree from Marquette University Law School and his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During law school, Mr. Panther served on the Moot Court Board, interned at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and was a research assistant in Marquette's nationally-recognized Legal Analysis, Writing & Research Program.
He is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Association of Worker's Compensation Attorneys.
Job Titles:
- Member of the State Bar of Wisconsin
- Shareholder of Lindner & Marsack, S.C.
James W. Goonan is a shareholder of Lindner & Marsack, S.C. Mr. Goonan focuses his practice on defending workers' compensation claims for the insurance industry and self-insured employers.
Mr. Goonan has successfully tried a case before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He is a frequent presenter on Wisconsin worker's compensation issues and was recognized as a Rising Star by Wisconsin Super Lawyers® in Worker's Compensation for 2006 - 2008, 2010. Wisconsin attorneys chosen as "Rising Stars" undergo an extensive peer review process and constitute the top 2.5% of attorneys in the state under the age of 40.
Mr. Goonan is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Association of Worker's Compensation Attorneys. In addition, he currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Association of Worker's Compensation Attorneys (WAWCA).
Job Titles:
- Senior Attorney for Lindner & Marsack, S.C.
Jonathan T. Swain is a senior attorney for Lindner & Marsack, S.C. Mr. Swain devotes his legal practice to representing management in labor and employment law issues in both the public and private sector. He consults with clients concerning all aspects of labor management relations including union related strategies, contract negotiations and contract administration, including acting as chief spokesperson at the bargaining table. As a business litigation lawyer, he represents employers in the area of individual rights and responsibilities in the workplace with particular emphasis on employment discrimination, including sex discrimination, sexual harassment, ADA, FMLA and ADEA matters.
Mr. Swain has taught courses at the college level in the area of personnel management and labor law. He is a frequent speaker on the law of collective bargaining, the Americans with Disabilities Act, discrimination in the workplace, and other labor and employment law trends. He is a regular course lecturer at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Extension School of Management.
Mr. Swain is contributing author to "Law of Damages" and "Wisconsin Employment Law," both publications of Wisconsin Bar Association. He was a member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Judicial Selection for the State of Wisconsin from 1987 to 2001, having been appointed to that Council by Governor Tommy Thompson in January, 1987. In 1991, he was appointed by Senator Robert Kasten to the Federal Merit Section Commission for the United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin. In 1994, Mr. Swain was appointed by Governor Thompson to the Wisconsin Labor and Management Council and has served as the Management Co-Chair.
Job Titles:
- Associate at Lindner & Marsack, S.C.
Joseph D. Birdsall is an associate at Lindner & Marsack, S.C. whose practice is dedicated to zealously defending worker's compensation claims against self-insured employer and insurance industry clients. Mr. Birdsall has a wide range of industry experience, having represented municipalities, insurance companies, and corporations large and small. He is an experienced writer and presenter on the latest developments in Wisconsin worker's compensation law.
Mr. Birdsall received his Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School with certificates in Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Human Resources from the Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. While in law school, Mr. Birdsall served on the Moot Court Executive Board, received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Negotiations, and interned for The Honorable Kitty K. Brennan, Wisconsin Court of Appeals District I.
Mr. Birdsall is licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin. He is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, the American Bar Association, and the Wisconsin Association of Worker's Compensation Attorneys (WAWCA).
Job Titles:
- Shareholder and Member of Lindner & Marsack, S.C.'S Board of Directors
Laurie A. Petersen is a shareholder and member of Lindner & Marsack, S.C.'s Board of Directors. Her labor and employment law experience covers a broad spectrum of matters for diverse business organizations in a range of industries. Her partnership with a variety of organizations involving a range of issues has prepared her to understand and support her client's business by counseling a strategy that fits the client's goals and philosophy.
While Ms. Petersen has extensive experience litigating before various courts and federal and state agencies, when possible she prefers to engage the client proactively in identifying business litigation risks and developing prevention processes to avoid costly litigation. While litigation is sometimes unavoidable, it should never be viewed as a business strategy. Ms. Petersen has developed employee and supervisor training programs for her clients related to issues challenging most employers in the areas of talent management; family and medical leave; dealing lawfully with difficult employees; and best practices for workforce management. As a labor and employment law specialist, she frequently lectures on these topics for various human resource and training organizations. Ms. Petersen holds an adjunct faculty position
at Marquette University Law School where she teaches employment discrimination law. She also has presented live seminars and webinars on business immigration; health and safety; employment discrimination and affirmative action.
Job Titles:
- Shareholder of Lindner & Marsack, S.C.
Melissa M. Stone is a shareholder of Lindner & Marsack, S.C. Ms. Stone's practice is solely dedicated to defending workers' compensation claims for the insurance industry and self-insured employers, including § 102.29 Wis. Stats. subrogation cases. Ms. Stone is a frequent lecturer and presenter on worker's compensation law topics in Wisconsin.
Ms. Stone received her law degree from Marquette University Law School and her undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, from Carroll University, where she doubled majored in Criminal Justice and Sociology, with minors in Social Work, Human Services and Accounting. Ms. Stone interned for the State of Wisconsin Office of Public Defender, and during law school, was employed at Anderson Group, S.C. as a law clerk focusing on workers' compensation and liability defense.
Ms. Stone is licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin and is admitted to practice in the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. She is a member of the Wisconsin Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Wisconsin Association of Workers' Compensation Attorneys (WAWCA), Milwaukee Insurance Adjusters Association (MIAA), and the National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP).
Job Titles:
- Association - Former Treasurer
"I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end." - Abraham Lincoln
Professional experience
Sally Piefer is a shareholder and a member of the Board of Directors of Lindner & Marsack, S.C. Ms. Piefer has extensive experience representing employers in a variety of employment matters, with special emphasis in employment litigation, employment counseling and compliance issues and employee/supervisor training. Sally's litigation practice has involved representing and defending employers in employment discrimination, wage & hour, FMLA, ADA, OSHA and unemployment compensation claims.
Job Titles:
- Associate Attorney at Lindner & Marsack S.C.
Samantha J. Wood is an associate attorney at Lindner & Marsack S.C. Her practice covers a broad spectrum of labor and employment issues, including wage and hour, employment discrimination defense, unemployment compensation, immigration, family and medical leave, workplace health and safety, restrictive covenant agreements, collective bargaining, and labor arbitration. Coming from a family of small business owners, Ms. Wood understands the stresses employment law and litigation can have on a business. As a result, Ms. Wood strives to provide excellence in employment litigation and advice so employers can focus on other aspects of their business operations.
Prior to joining Lindner & Marsack S.C., Ms. Wood focused primarily on labor and employment and general litigation matters. She represented clients regarding discrimination complaints, restrictive covenant enforceability, partnership and contract disputes, and workers' compensation and unemployment compensation matters.
Thomas Ryan Boyd focuses his practice on defending insurance companies and self-insured companies throughout Illinois and Wisconsin in Workers' Compensation matters.
Mr. Boyd has extensive trial experience, including proceedings before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, in Illinois Circuit Court, the Criminal Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and in Illinois Appellate Court. Mr. Boyd stresses a collaborative approach with his clients, clearly laying out fiscal and legal options to facilitate decision-making as a collective unit. By stressing communication, Mr. Boyd embodies the matter-of-fact approach that is needed to serve as an adept negotiator and litigator. As a result, he is able to mitigate exposure to his clients on a regular basis by negotiating unassailable settlements and obtaining favorable trial results.
Before joining Lindner & Marsack, Mr. Boyd practiced law in Chicagoland for 7 years in Workers' Compensation and in Labor and Employment Law.
Mr. Boyd received his J.D. in 2013 from Pepperdine Law School in California with a certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication Science and Theory from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 2010. While in law school, Mr. Boyd served on the Moot Court Executive Board, was a member of the Labor and Employment Law Society, and served as Vice President of the Animal Welfare Society.
Mr. Boyd is licensed to practice law in both Illinois and Wisconsin. He is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois Workers' Compensation Lawyer Association, and the American Bar Association.
Job Titles:
- of Counsel for the Law Firm of Lindner & Marsack, S.C
Mr. Mackenzie has extensive experience in both labor and employment law. For unionized clients, he has served as chief spokesman in contract negotiations; assisted in day-to-day contract administration and grievance handling; handled a broad spectrum of arbitration cases from discharge to contract interpretation; and consulted to devise and assist in the successful implementation of strategies for outsourcing, work transfer, team building, gainsharing and novel approaches to other tough issues in collective bargaining and arbitration. For non-union and union clients, he provides ongoing advice in maintaining employment policies, practices and decision making - whether it be a discipline issue or a large reduction in force - which minimizes the risk relative to discrimination and employment laws.
Mr. Mackenzie is recognized as a leader in the area of labor and employment law by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business; is distinguished in the areas of management labor law as well as labor and employment litigation by The Best Lawyers in America; and, is recognized as a Wisconsin Super Lawyer. Mr. Mackenzie has lectured in the area of personnel management and labor law in management workshops as well as conducted "in-house" supervisory training. In addition, he conducts a variety of collective bargaining seminars for management personnel from across the country through the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's School of Continuing Education.
Job Titles:
- Associate at Lindner & Marsack, S.C.
Tyler J. Hall is an associate at Lindner & Marsack, S.C. His current legal practice includes defending worker's compensation claims for the insurance industry and self-insured employers, and representing employers in general labor and employment matters. Prior to joining Lindner & Marsack in November of 2015, Mr. Hall was a law clerk at a firm that focused on plaintiff side employment discrimination. In addition to his legal practice, Tyler currently serves on the Board of Directors for Adaptive Community Approach Program (ACAP) of Waukesha.