Jacob J. Curtis

Jake’s practice focuses on advising Wisconsin counties in utilizing the tools provided by Act 10, along the way changing the way local governments do business. He has played an active role in briefing various issues on behalf of Wisconsin counties as amici in MTI v. Walker, currently being appealed before District IV of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. He has also been an active member of the team which filed a declaratory judgment action before the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission on behalf of several dozen counties. Finally, he has led the effort to assist counties in accurately classifying employees to the Employee Trust Fund for purposes of participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System.

Prior to joining Phillips Borowski, Jake spent almost four years at one of Wisconsin’s largest business law firms. There, as a member of the firm’s litigation and government affairs departments, he focused his practice on financial services litigation and litigation involving government entities. He had the opportunity to work with a team of attorneys in defending a large international insurer against breach of contract claims (see Evangelical Benefit Trust v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London, 2010 WL 2927404 (N.D. Ill. 2010)), contributed to numerous cases defending the Milwaukee County Pension Board against claims by employees to additional retirement benefits, and successfully defended a large bank against claims of improper mortgage rescission, which included a lengthy mediation and the arguing of cross-summary judgment motions.

Jake also participated in some of Wisconsin’s most high profile public interest litigation. He played a key role in the representation of Justice David Prosser in the recount which was demanded following his 2011 victory. Jake represented Justice Prosser before the Waukesha and Milwaukee County Board of Canvassers. The recount confirmed Justice Prosser’s state-wide victory. Jake also was a member of the litigation team which represented the Government Accountability Board in the redistricting litigation before a federal three-judge panel. The state’s once-a-decade redistricting was upheld, with the exception of two seats out of a total of 132 legislative districts.

Jake’s past involvement in Wisconsin politics has put him in a unique position to assist clients in navigating the often complex web of government agencies. Jake previously worked for the U.S. Senate campaign of Tim Michels and the Republican Party of Wisconsin, along the way making important connections with policy makers throughout the state. During law school he worked for Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, gaining valuable insight to the intersection of law and public policy.

Jake’s pro bono efforts have included serving as a Public Service Special Prosecutor in the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office, where he worked in the violent crimes unit, trying several jury trials and successfully arguing numerous motions to suppress. He has also been recognized by the state bar for his efforts on behalf of victims of domestic violence, which included a successful appeal to Milwaukee County Circuit Court for a wrongly denied petition.

Jake was recently selected for inclusion in Wisconsin Super Lawyers – Rising Stars Edition 2012.