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Full Service Law Firm | Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

Specializing in the Intersection of Business &#038; Government

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Adam is an experienced litigator and business attorney. Clients call upon Adam to resolve their most pressing needs inside and outside of the courtroom. Adam also serves as outside general counsel to businesses, providing a one-stop concierge solution for all their legal needs.

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Adam regularly represents businesses, financial institutions, healthcare clients, and high-net worth individuals on a wide-array of legal matters. Adam has successfully litigated, mediated, <a href="https://insights.michaelbest.com/post/102jakh/how-to-make-arbitration-work-for-you" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arbitrated</a>, and settled matters concerning <a href="https://insights.michaelbest.com/post/102j5ch/understanding-contract-disputes-strategies-for-businesses?_gl=1*vfp8z5*_ga*ODAzNjQzMjg3LjE3MjUzOTI4MjY.*_ga_H30M0JWHW0*MTczMzI0MDE4OS4yMDIuMS4xNzMzMjQwMjUzLjAuMC4w" target="_blank" rel="noopener">breach of contract</a>, breach of warranty, negligence, misappropriation of trade secrets, <a href="https://insights.michaelbest.com/post/102j837/understanding-breach-of-fiduciary-duty-protecting-your-interests" target="_blank" rel="noopener">breach of fiduciary duty</a>, <a href="https://insights.michaelbest.com/post/102jce7/common-signs-your-business-might-be-a-victim-of-tortious-interference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tortious interference with business expectancy</a>, <a href="https://insights.michaelbest.com/post/102jnd1/employment-litigation-the-hidden-landmine-in-your-business" target="_blank" rel="noopener">breach of employment agreement</a>, <a href="https://insights.michaelbest.com/post/102jh9l/navigating-business-litigation-and-shareholder-disputes-a-guide-to-business-divo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shareholder disputes</a>, the Lanham Act, false advertising, fraud, misrepresentation, and <a href="https://insights.michaelbest.com/post/102jltb/conquering-property-conflicts-your-business-real-estate-dispute-roadmap">real estate and land use</a>.&nbsp;

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Adam also counsels and represents financial institutions in complex litigation throughout the country, including defending <a href="https://insights.michaelbest.com/post/102jii0/lender-liability-essential-guidance-for-banks-in-challenging-economic-times" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lender liability claims</a>, prosecuting breach of contract and breach of guaranty claims, and representing financial institutions with respect to workouts, forbearance agreements, receiverships, and <a href="https://insights.michaelbest.com/post/102jknw/exploring-wisconsin-receivership-and-chapter-128-effective-alternatives-to-busin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chapter 128 proceedings</a>.

Adam is extensively involved in Milwaukee’s nonprofit community, serving on the <a href="https://www.milwaukeejewish.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Board of Directors of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation</a>, as the Former Chair of the Board of Directors of <a href="http://www.jfsmilw.org/">Jewish Family Services of Milwaukee</a>, the Former Board President of Operation DREAM, Inc., as a&nbsp;Trustee of the <a href="https://www.milwaukeejewish.org/departments/philanthropy/jcf/">Jewish Community Foundation</a>, and as Co-Chair of the <a href="https://www.milwaukeerep.com/give/donate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Milwaukee Rep’s Spotlight</a> Emerging Leaders Group. Adam was a Spring 2025 participant in <a href="https://forward48.com/">Forward 48</a>, Wisconsin's premier leadership development program. Adam is also a member of <a href="https://www.jewishfederations.org/get-involved/national-young-leadership-cabinet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jewish Federations of North America’s National Young Leadership Cabinet</a>.&nbsp;

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Prevailing in Complex Civil Cases 

Obtained summary judgment on behalf of defendant corporations in the Eastern District of Wisconsin, defeating claims under the Lanham Act, the Wisconsin Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and claims for breach of contract, breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing, tortious interference with contract, and contractual indemnification.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

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Obtained dismissal with prejudice on behalf of corporate officer and director in breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit filed by a corporate shareholder in Waukesha County, Wisconsin.

Obtained summary judgment and a permanent injunction on behalf of property owners in Door County, Wisconsin enforcing restrictive covenants.

Obtained favorable published decision in&nbsp;Nordstrom v. Kane, 2021 WI App 71, 399 Wis. 2d 522, 966 N.W.2d 91 on behalf of property owners in Door County, Wisconsin affirming summary judgment enforcing restrictive covenants and permanent injunctive relief.

Obtained favorable decision and order in Wisconsin circuit court probate division barring an individual from attempting to establish paternity and inherit a six-figure sum from a decedent on the grounds of claim preclusion.

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Representing Businesses in Employment Litigation

Adam represents businesses in high-stakes employment disputes, including:

Obtained directed verdict during jury trial dismissing former employee’s $475,000 breach of contract claim and $55,000 commissions claim

Defended manufacturer in federal lawsuit brought by former salesman concerning six-figure commission claim.

Defended corporation in Wisconsin state court lawsuit brought by former employee and shareholder for claimed wages owed.

Prosecuted claim on behalf of corporation in seven-figure arbitration concerning breach of contract claim against employee.

Prosecuted claim on behalf of corporation against former employees related to misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duties, and other claims.

One-Stop Concierge General Counsel Services

Adam provides diverse outside general counsel services for businesses and high net worth individuals, acting as their one-stop resource for all their legal needs. Adam’s experience includes:

Outside general counsel for high-net worth family, overseeing all their legal needs, ranging from wealth planning, contract review, real estate, and litigation.

Outside general counsel for manufacturing business, providing employment, transactional, real estate, regulatory, and litigation avoidance advice.

Outside general counsel for service industry business, overseeing and providing transactional, employment, and real estate advice.

Broad-based &amp; Strategic Representation of Financial Institutions

Adam regularly advises and represents financial institutions on a wide array of litigation related matters.

Defended a financial institution in a multimillion dollar lender liability lawsuit

Represented a financial institution concerning a defaulted agricultural borrower and related liquidation and receivership

Represented a financial institution related to forbearance agreements, workouts, and out-of-court resolutions

Represented a large credit union regarding a multimillion dollar investment fraud and federal receivership

Represented a financial institution related to an SEC enforcement investigation

Represented a national bank in a dispute involving the FDIC receiver and a bank holding company over ownership of substantial tax refunds

Represented a financial institution related to a grand jury subpoena

Obtained one of the largest state court judgments in southeast Wisconsin for a national bank in a hotly contested case regarding a breach of commercial note and guaranty

Represented a financial institution related to issues concerning PPP loans

Winning on Both Sides of Injunctive Relief

Adam has extensive experience obtaining and defeating motions for temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and the emergency appointment of receivers.

Obtained a permanent injunction on behalf of a group of property owners in Door County, Wisconsin enforcing restrictive covenants and requiring remedial actions by the violating property owner

Defeated a motion for preliminary injunction in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas on behalf of an inventor and chemical company

Obtained a temporary restraining order in Waukesha County, Wisconsin Circuit Court on behalf of a medical device company

Obtained a favorable extension to a preliminary injunction in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin without the need to post a bond and reached a favorable resolution after the preliminary injunction hearing that resulted in a permanent injunction

Obtained the emergency appointment of a receiver in Illinois state court on behalf of a national bank

Receiverships &amp; Chapter 128 Proceedings

Adam regularly represents creditors in receivership and Chapter 128 proceedings.

Represented secured and unsecured creditors in Chapter 128 proceedings in circuit courts throughout Wisconsin

Represented secured and unsecured creditors in Federal Court receivership proceedings

Represented creditors in receivership sales including sales of businesses, auctions, and other liquidation proceedings

Represented creditors on oversight committees

Milwaukee

APRN Modernization: How Attorneys Can Prepare their Health Care Clients

Amendments to the Uniform Unsworn Declarations Act Permit the Use of Unsworn Declarations in Wisconsin State Courts

Michael Best’s Adam Witkov Named to Notable Leaders in Law List

Ninety-Eight Michael Best Attorneys Earn Recognition in The Best Lawyers in America 2025 List

Michael Best Partner Adam Witkov Recognized as Leader in the Law by Wisconsin Law Journal

Adam E. Witkov

Credentials

Engagement

Insights

What I Actually Do for My Clients — A Week in the Life of Outside General Counsel

What Happens to Your Business When You Can’t Run It?

Think Twice Before Asking ChatGPT Your Legal Questions: What Every Client Needs to Know About AI, Privilege, and Confidentiality

Credentials

Practices

Industries

Education

Admissions

Honors & Recognition

Engagement

Professional

Community

Insights

What I Actually Do for My Clients — A Week in the Life of Outside General Counsel

What Happens to Your Business When You Can’t Run It?

Think Twice Before Asking ChatGPT Your Legal Questions: What Every Client Needs to Know About AI, Privilege, and Confidentiality

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