Danielle B. Tierney
About
Attorney Danielle Tierney is a partner at Axley and an integral member of the firm’s highly regarded Litigation Practice Group. With a broad and diverse focus, she excels in several areas of civil litigation, including constitutional law, complex commercial litigation, agricultural disputes, contractual and collection matters, municipal litigation, and insurance defense. She is a trusted advocate for municipalities, school districts, and counties, regularly representing them in both state and federal courts. Attorney Tierney has a proven track record of success in defending her clients against a wide range of lawsuits, including those involving constitutional and civil rights violations, employment disputes, contractual disputes, and discrimination claims.
Attorney Tierney’s litigation experience spans cases in both state and federal courts, including jury and bench trials in both forums. She has also drafted and filed numerous briefs and petitions in both the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and the Wisconsin Supreme Court and has successfully argued before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. She has extensive federal district court experience, has argued cases before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals on numerous occasions, and has submitted briefs to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Her excellence in legal practice has been widely recognized. In 2018, Attorney Tierney was named an Up-and-Coming Lawyer by the Wisconsin Law Journal. She has been honored as a Rising Star by Wisconsin Super Lawyers from 2019 to 2024 and was named to The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for commercial litigation in the 2024 and 2025 editions.
Known for her exceptional client service, Attorney Tierney prides herself on providing clear and transparent communication throughout every phase of her clients’ legal matters. Her clients can always rely on her to handle their cases with the utmost care, diligence, and attention to detail, ensuring they remain fully informed and confident throughout the legal process.
Outside of her legal practice, Attorney Tierney enjoys spending quality time with her family, attending classes at Orange Theory, and listening to audiobooks.
Admitted to practice in the State Courts of Wisconsin, United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Education
J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School
B.A., Sociology & Legal Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Involvement & Recognition
Recognition:
- Named a 2018 Up and Coming Lawyer by the Wisconsin Law Journal
- Named to the 2019-2024 Rising Star Lists by Wisconsin Super Lawyers
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America© (2024-2025 Edition) – Commerical Litigation
Client Successes
Prevailed on summary judgment motion and obtained dismissal of student’s claims against school district which stemmed from injuries student received in a welding class. Court rejected plaintiff’s arguments that a “known and compelling danger” existed.
Successfully defended against a challenge to a municipal tax assessment of a “Big Box” retail store before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Obtained summary judgment in state court on behalf of a school district after a staff member had a secret sexual relationship with a student.
Prevailed on summary judgment motion and obtained dismissal of open records mandamus action based on plaintiffs’ procedural deficiency.
Prevailed on summary judgment motion and obtained dismissal of federal discrimination claims by students against a school district and district administrator.
Successfully defended a construction company, member/owner, and employee through a federal jury trial and obtained a defense verdict on all of plaintiff’s claims, including a federal discrimination claim and multiple state law tort claims, which stemmed from the use of a racial slur on construction site.
Prevailed on immunity defense in state court on behalf of school district on slip and fall claim by student.
Obtained Rule 37 dismissal of former inmate’s claims against county jail and deputies stemming from claims regarding treatment of inmate in jail facility.
Obtained summary judgement in state court on behalf of school board member and school district stemming from former administrator’s claim of harassment.
Obtained summary judgement in federal court on behalf of large metropolitan school district stemming from claims that district failed to protect student from peer-to-peer disability-based harassment.
Obtained summary judgment in federal court on behalf of a county sheriff’s department stemming from claims that department should have obtained medical treatment for jail inmate.
Successfully defended a county board of adjustment decision which had denied a CUP application.
Successfully defended OWI verdict challenge by defendant at Wisconsin Court of Appeals.
Obtained summary judgment in state court on behalf of corporate client stemming from claims of improper billing for medical services.
Obtained summary judgment in federal court on behalf of county and deputy stemming from a decedent’s estate’s claim that the deputy utilized excessive force.
Obtained summary judgment in federal court on behalf of numerous municipal defendants stemming from a serial pro se litigator’s claims that the municipal defendants violated his federal constitutional rights. Also obtained court order prohibiting the pro se litigant from continuing to file lawsuits without permission from the court.
Obtained summary judgment in federal court, which was affirmed on appeal by the Seventh Circuit, on behalf of a county stemming from a jail inmate’s claim that a cavity search violated her Fourth Amendment rights.
Obtained summary judgment in federal court, which was affirmed on appeal by the Seventh Circuit, on behalf of a university stemming from a student’s claim that a sexual assault investigation by the university violated Title IX.
Successfully defended a police department and its chief through federal jury trial and obtained a defense verdict against First Amendment claims brought by employee.