Timothy M. Hansen

Founder


Education

  • University of Iowa College of Law (J.D., with distinction, 2002)
  • University of Iowa (B.A., with honors and with distinction, 1999, Phi Beta Kappa)

Bar Admissions

  • State of Iowa
  • State of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
  • U.S District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S District Court for the Western District of Michigan
  • U.S. Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois
  • Lac du Flambeau Tribal Court

Awards

  • Ranked by Wisconsin Super Lawyers® as one of the Top 25 lawyers in Milwaukee and one of the Top 50 in Wisconsin (2018 – 2024)
  • Recognized in the areas of Commercial Litigation, Patent Litigation, Construction Litigation, Appellate Practice, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Plaintiffs and Native American Law by The Best Lawyers in America© publication (2016 – 2024)
  • Eastern District of Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Roll (2021 – 2022)
  • Recognized by Wisconsin Super Lawyers® as a “Super Lawyer” for business litigation, and “Rising Star” before that, every year since the award’s inception
  • Selected as a Fellow of Litigation Counsel of America
  • Recognized by Benchmark Litigation as a Local Litigation Star (2020 – present)
  • Achieved Martindale Hubbell’s highest rating – AV preeminent

Biography


Tim Hansen is recognized as one of the best business litigators in the country. While he is experienced in litigating and trying all types of complex business cases, clients consistently turn to him for complicated, high-stakes contract, shareholder and fraud cases. By preparing his cases for trial as soon as they walk in the door, Tim can focus on what matters to win and minimize distractions. As one opposing counsel said, “Tim Hansen is incredibly effective in a courtroom. Maintaining a low-key, good-humored demeanor he suddenly thrusts to the heart of an issue in a way that sticks in the mind.”

Tim has defended his clients against multi-million dollar claims and has recovered millions for his clients who have been wronged. Three of his appellate cases were recognized as among the most important Wisconsin cases decided that term. Tim is routinely recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers, including multiple distinctions as one of the Top 50 lawyers in Wisconsin and Top 25 in Milwaukee.

Experience


Lead counsel for partner squeezed out of a multi-million dollar supplement business. Value of the claim exceeds $10,000,000.

Lead counsel in trade secrets case where services company acquired trade secret and propriety information from our client and began using it to develop and expand its operations without compensation. Value of the claim exceeds $10,000,000.

Retained to defend broker in complex, multi-party insurance and broker liability dispute. Property damage coverage demand in excess of $20,000,000.

Retained to defend president, CEO and shareholder in dissolution and receivership action. Fight over control of the business.

Co-counsel in one of the largest shareholder oppression cases in U. S history. Payment of $314 million to three shareholders of Promega Corporation in 2020.

Lead plaintiff counsel in a product liability personal injury case resulting in favorable settlement in 2020.

Co-counsel in Hallick v. Greenpoint Real Estate Development Fund, et al., Dane County Circuit Court Case No. 21CV000304. Obtained $13,625,000 judgment against multiple parties enforcing arbitration award.

Lead counsel for Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and tribal casino in multi-party dispute over $50 million Indian-gaming revenue bonds. Bondholders sought over $94 million in damages. Case involved, among other issues: tribal sovereign immunity, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (“IGRA”) 25 U.S.C. § 2701, et seq., tribal court jurisdiction and exhaustion, federal jurisdiction, 25 U.S.C. § 81, tribal constitutional issues, 144A securities and warranty claims, fraud, and legal malpractice. Case spanned eight years in multiple courts (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, Case Nos. 09-CV-768, 12-CV-255, and 13-CV-372; Lac du Flambeau Tribal Court, Case No. 13-CV-115; Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Case Nos. 10-2069, 14-2150, and 14-2287; and Wisconsin Circuit Court, Waukesha County, Case Nos. 12-CV-187 and 15-CV302). Federal litigation resulted in voiding the bond transaction’s Trust Indenture, one of three key security agreements, as an unapproved management contract under IGRA. After ten-day bench trial in state court, obtained a decision voiding remaining two agreements securing bonds under IGRA. Case subsequently settled favorably for the Tribe before picking the jury in phase two of trial.

Member of litigation team in federal administrative proceeding brought against Bank President and CEO by Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Led by Hansen Reynolds partner Andrew Kramer, the team prepared the case for hearing before the Administrative Law Judge. The case settled on the eve of trial on terms favorable to our client.

Headed litigation team that obtained dismissal on the pleadings of a lawsuit brought by a corporate plaintiff against its former employee alleging violations of the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961 et seq. Centec, LLC v. Plutshack, Case No. 15-C-1401, 2016 WL 3645184 (E.D. Wis. June 30, 2016).

Member of litigation team that successfully defended one of the Unnamed Movants in the State’s John Doe II Investigation, which was halted and declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Wisconsin; the arguments advanced by that team, in particular James Barton, were subsequently codified by the Wisconsin Legislature. State ex rel. Two Unnamed Petitioners v. Peterson, 2015 WI 85, cert. denied, 137 S. Ct. 77 (2016).

Headed litigation team that obtained dismissal of complaint for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and promissory estoppel claims. G2 Equities v. Reco Cement Products, LLC (N.D. Ill. 2015).

Member of trial team that obtained defense verdict at trial. MSC Waterworks Company, Inc., f/k/a Mainline Supply of Florida, LLC v. Masci Corporation, et al., Case No. 2012-31274-CICI (Volusia County Circuit Court).

Co-chaired trial team that obtained multi-million dollar arbitration award on behalf of minority shareholder after four-day evidentiary arbitration.

Member of trial team in Milwaukee Cty. v. Mercer Human Resource Consulting, 06-CV-372, which settled during trial for $45M – the largest settlement ever paid by an actuary.

Lead counsel for MLB all-star Ryan Braun, defending claims of defamation, breach of contract and fraud. Mr. Hansen secured dismissal of all claims against his client prior to his client being deposed. The case is on appeal. Ralph Sasson v. Ryan Braun et al., Milwaukee County Circuit Court Case No. 2013-CV-7014.​

Lead counsel for family members alleging professional negligence, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion and other claims against former lawyer, family officer manager, and trustee over millions in losses. Andrea G Mayerson et al. v. Sarah Laux et al., Milwaukee County Circuit Court Case No. 2013-CV-2724.

Lead Counsel for former CEO, defending claims of breach of fiduciary duty, defamation, and other business torts. The case settled and Mr. Hansen’s client paid nothing. James L Prange v. Orion Energy Systems Inc. et al., Sheboygan County Circuit Court Case No. 2012-CV-333.

Lead counsel for large grain milling operation at trial in UCC case involving commodities futures. We obtained a defense verdict and dismissal of plaintiffs’ claims. Scott Alsum et al. v. Didion Inc., Columbia County Circuit Court Case No. 2012-CV-197.

Litigated contentious trade secret, non-compete and fiduciary duty lawsuit on behalf of former employee and new employer. The case was settled on terms favorable to the clients. Caledonia Direct Inc. v. Jeffrey J Fakler et al., Milwaukee County Circuit Court Case No. 2009-CV-17630.

Won summary judgment defeating $1.5M damages claim in complex U.C.C. case in Michigan state court.

Worked extensively on an insurance company client’s appeal of a $100M verdict in the Miller Park crane collapse case (“Big Blue”), which subsequently settled on confidential terms.

First chaired a patent infringement jury trial.

Has argued before Wisconsin Supreme Court and Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Lead counsel for partner squeezed out of a multi-million dollar supplement business. Value of the claim exceeds $10,000,000.

Lead counsel in trade secrets case where services company acquired trade secret and propriety information from our client and began using it to develop and expand its operations without compensation. Value of the claim exceeds $10,000,000.

Retained to defend broker in complex, multi-party insurance and broker liability dispute. Property damage coverage demand in excess of $20,000,000.

Retained to defend president, CEO and shareholder in dissolution and receivership action. Fight over control of the business.