Davis & Kuelthau | Attorneys at Law

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Municipal Labor Counsel

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As special counsel to more than 125 municipalities throughout the State of Wisconsin, we assist cities, villages, counties and towns with a variety of labor and employment problems. In addition, we provide counsel on issues unique to municipalities like public records, open meetings, and ethics. We work closely with municipal attorneys in a complementary way – one that avoids duplication of legal work while addressing the difficult legal issues that face municipal employers in tough economic times.

Collective Bargaining and Interest Arbitration

  • We understand that collective bargaining is an on-going process, not a one time event. There needs to be ample preparation, firm bargaining and consistent interpretation, all leading back to the next round of negotiations. We are experienced with all aspects of strategic planning and bring a variety of negotiating tactics to the table when serving as chief spokesperson. In addition, we provide ardent defense of the final offer in interest arbitration cases.

Contract Administration and Grievance Arbitration

  • Routinely, we interpret contract language to minimize and avoid grievances as much as possible. As needed, we are fully prepared to zealously defend management rights in grievance arbitration.

Police & Fire Commission Proceedings

  • We counsel police and fire chiefs on the proper level of discipline to impose and defend those decisions in commission hearings.

Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission (WERC) Proceedings

  • Our representation ranges from employee election issues to prohibited practice complaints and identification of mandatory/permissive subjects of bargaining.

Layoffs and Consolidation of Services

  • When staff changes are unavoidable, we advise on the legal and contractual issues related to layoffs, reductions in force, subcontracting, and consolidation of services.

Discrimination and Harassment

  • Our team offers proactive advice on avoiding complaints and, when a situation has already escalated, we assist in the investigation and defend employers before state and federal administrative agencies.

General Employment Issues 

  • The employment relationship is legally complex and always evolving. We are prepared to assist with hiring, discipline and discharge, transfers, promotions, leaves of absence, and wage and hour issues.

Ancillary Issues

  • We give advice on a variety of topics affecting elected officials including compliance with open meetings law, public records law, and the code of ethics for local government officials.

For more information on our experience with Municipalities, please contact James R. Macy at 920.232.4841 or jmacy@dkattorneys.com.

Attorneys' Notable Representations

  • Kalny

    James M. Kalny

    In 1996-2002, Jim organized and assembled County Human Resource Department of Green Bay and Brown County. He drafted all documents needed for the consolidation including the intergovernmental agreements creating the department and oversight commission. He managed the department as its director for five years. During that time, he negotiated three rounds with 34 bargaining units, accomplishing the initiation of insurance contributions by all units, implemented a new class income study for the county; and, helped to consolidate the city and county dispatch departments into one department.

  • Nusslock

    Kathy Nusslock

    Kathy has represented school districts and the individual board members in suits involving allegations of discrimination, wrongful termination and violations of open meetings law.

    In addition, she is counseling a municipality in a multi-million dollar suit involving the condemnation of a parcel of land for the redevelopment of the downtown district.

  • Macy

    James R. Macy

    Jim has completed numerous employment termination grievance arbitrations.

  • Williams

    Edward J. Williams

    Ed has represented the 29 cities comprising the Broward County Florida League of Cities in the negotiation of an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with  Broward County related to two waste-to-energy facilities involving approximately $540,000.000.

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