Michael J. Modl

Attorney Michael Modl is a senior partner at Axley and a member of the firm’s Litigation and Labor and Employment Practice Groups.

Attorney Modl’s litigation practice focuses on federal court litigation, primarily in the areas of intellectual property, commercial disputes, employment, insurance defense, defense of municipalities and schools, and defense of civil rights and constitutional claims. He has appeared as local counsel for various regional, national and international companies in federal court litigation in Wisconsin. He has represented municipalities, including counties, cities and villages, as well as municipal officials and employees in state and federal court civil rights actions. Attorney Modl has successfully defended law enforcement officers and municipalities in claims arising out of police conduct, including claims of use of excessive force, claims arising out of high-speed chases and claims alleging illegal searches, seizures and arrests. He also experienced in class action litigation and electronic discovery matters.

Attorney Modl has successfully represented municipalities and municipal officials in employment related claims, including claims of employment discrimination, claims of workplace harassment, First Amendment speech and association claims, and claims alleging adverse employment actions without due process of law. He has also represented public and private sector employers in claims alleging employment discrimination, workplace harassment and retaliation before federal, state and local agencies, including the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Wisconsin Equal Rights Division and the Madison Equal Opportunities Commission.

Attorney Modl’s litigation practice includes an active federal court practice. He has appeared in over 200 cases before federal court judges in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. Attorney Modl has tried more than 30 cases to the federal court, including patent and trademark infringement cases, federal constitutional and civil rights cases, federal employment discrimination cases, including cases under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and Title VII, defense of prisoner litigation and defense of financial institutions in claims alleging discrimination in making loans.

Attorney Modl’s practice also focuses on advising employers on employment and personnel matters. He assists clients in reviewing and drafting personnel policies and employee handbooks. He provides training, seminars and legal updates to clients on developments in the law, including the areas of workplace harassment prevention and investigation of complaints. He also advises clients on the federal and state Family and Medical Leave Acts and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. Attorney Modl has appeared on behalf of employers before federal, state and local agencies.

Admitted to practice in the state courts of Wisconsin, Federal Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin, for the Central District Court of Illinois, and for the Western District of Washington, United States Courts of Appeal for the Fifth, Seventh, and Tenth Circuits, and United States Supreme Court.