Heath P. Straka
About
Heath Straka is a partner at Axley Brynelson, LLP and is the Immediate Past President of the Wisconsin Association of Justice (WAJ). WAJ is the state-wide association for trial attorneys and has over 800 professional members. His practice focuses on personal injury actions, general litigation involving employment and construction disputes and also complex litigation and class actions involving product liability claims and wage and hour violations. Heath received his law degree from the UW Law School in 2000. He has extensive litigation experience in the State and Federal Courts of Wisconsin and has practiced in the successful resolution of numerous Civil Rights and Personal Injury cases. He was recently appointed to be the Chair of the Dane County Civil Service Commission. In that role, Heath serves as the presiding attorney regarding employment disputes with Dane County Civil servants. Heath is also an editor and contributor to the Great Lakes Employment Law Letter.
Heath has successfully argued two cases in front of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, both involving medical malpractice; Otto v. PIC and Bubb v. Brusky, et. al. As a member of WAJ, Heath has been the Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and President and is past chair of the Program Committee and New Lawyers Section. Heath is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, Dane County Bar Association and American Association for Justice. Heath has been consistently voted by his peers to be both a Super Lawyer and among the Best Lawyers in America.
He has also been recognized by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and was awarded the Top 40 Under 40 Award by The National Trial Lawyers in 2012. Heath is fluent in Spanish and has volunteered with the Dane County bar for non-English speaking legal services. He also volunteers in the community. He is the Past-President of the Patriots Youth Hockey Association; is a past Board Member with Madison Festivals, Inc. (which runs Taste of Madison, The Madison Marathon, and Rhythm & Booms); and coaches both youth hockey and soccer. Heath is married with three children.
Admitted to practice in the State Courts of Wisconsin, Federal Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin, for the District of Colorado, for the Northern District of Iowa, for the District of Minnesota, for the Northern District of Ohio, for the Northern District of Texas, and for the Southern District of West Virginia, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and United States Court of Federal Claims.
Education
J.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
B.A., Spanish and International Relations, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Involvement & Recognition
Involvement:
- Chair, Dane County Civil Service Commission
- Member, State Bar of Wisconsin
- Member, Dane County Bar Association
- Member, American Association for Justice
- Member, Wisconsin Association for Justice
- President, 2018
- President-Elect, 2017
- Vice President, 2016
- Treasurer, 2015
- Secretary, 2014
- Chair, Legislative Task Force
- Past Chair Program Committee (Co-Chair)
- Membership Committee
- People’s Law School Committee
- Past Chair of New Lawyers Section
- Board of Governors
- Executive Committee, Regional Officer
- Employment Law/Civil rights Committee Member
- Contributing Editor or “The Verdict”
- James E. Doyle American Inn of Court
- Madison Patriots Youth Hockey Association
- Board Member, 2012-2016
- President, 2013-2015
- Madison Festivals, Inc.
- Board Member, 2009-2015
- Editor, Great Lakes Employment Law Letter
Recognition
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© (2019-2024 Edition) – Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© (2016-2024 Edition) – Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
- Named Lawyer of the Year in The Best Lawyers in America© (2022 Edition) – Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
- Named a Top Rated Class Action, Personal Injury, and Mass Torts Attorney on the Wisconsin Super Lawyers List
- Named Nation’s Top 1% by National Association of Distinguished Counsel
- Has a 9.9 Rating on Avvo
- Voted Best Attorney in Cottage Grove in 2019
- Named to the 2006-2012 Wisconsin Rising Stars Lists
- Named to the 2014-2022 Wisconsin Super Lawyers Lists
- Recipient – Wisconsin Association for Justice 2021 President’s Award
- Recipient – 2021-2023 Best of Cottage Grove
Client Successes
$750,000 to a woman severely injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver
$2.2 million to the surviving spouse of a man killed in a head-on collision car crash
$3.75 million to a developmentally disabled man who was rendered a paraplegic in a van / semi accident
Successfully litigated a sexual harassment and sexual discrimination case on behalf of a female carpenter.
Successfully resolved a case involving a severe crash between a semi and a car that resulted in serious injuries to the driver of the car.
Successfully resolved a negligent supervision case that resulted in the death of a young boy.
Litigated and resolved various misrepresentation and misappropriation claims against a business client involved in the non-emergent medical transport industry.
Successfully litigated a motorcycle versus car accident case for a man who suffered a closed head injury.
Successfully litigated a case involving a woman who was bitten by a cat and had to undergo a series of rabies shots.
Successfully litigated a motor vehicle crash case for $500,000 involving an elderly man who suffered injuries to his lungs.
Successfully litigated a bicycle accident case for an individual who was severely injured by a door being opened by a parked car.
Insights
Articles
Endorsements
Heath was incredibly kind, patient, and supportive. This was my first experience with a motor vehicle accident and he & his team (Elaine especially was very helpful) walked me through every step. Having a team like this on my side made an unpleasant experience a whole lot more tolerable. I would not hesitate to recommend him to family or friends if they were to need an attorney.
Heath is deliberate and attentive, and worked hard to obtain a fair settlement. In addition, he is experienced and resourceful. I would recommend him as a personal injury lawyer.
I’m not really one to write reviews online but he did good by me and helped me through a tough time. Heath did a great job. He cared for me and my well being and that stuck with me throughout the entire process. It was clear that is what was first priority to him and that left me with a good feeling. I would definitely go back to him if I need to.
Attorney Heath Straka is the definition of “Professionalism”: competent, experienced, well versed, proficient and an excellent communicator. He handled my case in a very efficient and skillful manner with added compassion for my situation. I would highly recommend him in the future to any of my associates, family or friends. He did an excellent job on my behalf.