Justin H. Lessner

Attorney Justin H. Lessner is a partner at Axley and a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. He maintains a broad litigation practice, representing clients in health care liability, eminent domain, construction, and commercial disputes. Attorney Lessner has significant experience handling land use and eminent domain matters for utilities, municipalities, and private clients throughout Wisconsin. He also regularly counsels and represents hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers on regulatory, operational, and litigation-related issues.

Attorney Lessner has litigated matters from inception through trial, arbitration, and appeal in state and federal courts across the country, including in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Georgia, and New York. He has first-chaired jury trials in multiple Wisconsin counties and argued appeals before the Seventh Circuit. In addition to trial work, he is experienced in developing and executing successful motion strategy to efficiently resolve disputes.

Drawing on his litigation experience, Attorney Lessner advises clients on risk management, contract development, and dispute avoidance, helping them proactively address potential legal issues before they escalate.

Before joining Axley, Attorney Lessner practiced at a prominent litigation firm in Chicago. He remains licensed in Illinois and continues to represent clients in Illinois-based matters. A Madison native, Attorney Lessner is proud to serve clients throughout Wisconsin while remaining active in the local community. Outside of his practice, Attorney Lessner enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, playing hockey and golf, and attending Packers games.

Representative matters include:

• Represented electrical transmission line utility in multiple eminent domain jury trials.
• Defended health care provider in high-exposure liability claim at jury trial resulting in defense verdict.
• Successfully first-chaired jury trial on behalf of large Wisconsin Dells resort in personal injury matter resulting in defense verdict.
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of water park operator in Wisconsin Dells in large exposure case based on plaintiff’s failure to obtain expert testimony.

Admitted to practice in the State Courts of Wisconsin and Illinois, Federal Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin, for the Northern and Southern Districts of Illinois, and for the Northern District of Iowa, United States Appeals Courts for the Sixth and Seventh Circuits, and United States Supreme Court.