January/February 2025 Issue

Also in this issue: Cell Tower Leases: What to Do When You Get “The Letter”     |     Wisconsin's Open Meetings Law: Three Cautions

Attorneys Brian P. Goodman and Jared Walker Smith Named Partners

01.23.25

We are proud to announce that Brian P. Goodman and Jared Walker Smith have both been named partners as of January 1, 2025. Brian first joined the firm 10 years ago, initially working as a law clerk for the firm while completing law school and then joining the firm as an associate. He is a member of the firm’s Municipal Law, School Law, and Labor & Employment Law Practice Groups. Jared joined the firm 7 years ago after having previously worked in private practice and public interest law for 5 years. He is a member of the firm’s Municipal Law, Municipal Utility Law, and Real Estate Practice Groups.

Brian P. Goodman

Brian’s practice includes advising public and private sector employers in various challenging legal situations. In his municipal practice, Brian represents municipalities, including municipal utilities, in areas such as employee performance issues, employee leaves of absence and accommodations, FMLA compliance, separation agreements, and employment handbooks.

Brian uses his prior experience as a teacher to assist his clients and frequently gives presentations, trainings, and in-services to clients and professional organizations. He is a sought-after speaker due to his engaging and practical style. In 2023, Brian was named one of In Business Magazine’s 40 under 40, and Brian was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2025 Edition of the Best Lawyers in America©, Ones to Watch, in Education Law.*

Brian graduated magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School and was named to the Order of the Coif. He also has a master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern Illinois University and a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Jazz Studies from DePaul University.

Outside of the office, Brian enjoys spending his time cooking and watching cooking shows with his wife and child. He also loves going to musicals and playing his saxophone.

Jared Walker Smith

Jared’s practice includes assisting municipal utilities, municipalities, public inland protection and rehabilitation districts, individuals, and businesses with a wide variety of legal matters — including representation before the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin; drafting and negotiating contracts, intergovernmental agreements, easements, ordinances, and other documents; counseling municipalities and their utilities on regulatory and legal compliance issues; and advising local governments on land use and development matters. Jared routinely writes and presents on issues impacting his local government clients.

In addition, Jared serves as legal counsel and lobbyist for the Municipal Environmental Group – Water Division, a coalition of Wisconsin municipal water systems that lobby on water supply legislation and regulation.

Jared is the past chair and current secretary of the Public Utilities Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin, is an active committee member of the Wisconsin Section of the American Water Works Association, and has a long history of serving on and leading non-profit boards. In 2024, Jared was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2025 Edition of the Best Lawyers in America©, Ones to Watch, in Municipal Law.*

Outside of the office, Jared enjoys spending time with his family outdoors in all of Wisconsin’s many seasons or huddled around a table playing board and card games. Jared received his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School, with honors in its real estate law concentration, and his B.A., magna cum laude, in Biology and Environmental Studies from St. Olaf College.