Rose & deJong, S.C.

Vigorous, innovative and efficient representation.

At Rose & deJong, S.C., our goal is to avoid "big firm" bureaucracy, and instead provide the highest quality services in a casual but professional atmosphere.

414•274•1400

About Us

Rose & deJong, S.C., located in Milwaukee, WI, was started in 1992, and has grown to eleven attorneys and a full support staff.

The firm's focus is both business and corporate transactional matters, as well as the full range of litigation, including trials in federal and state courts and administrative and other hearings. Each of the partners has been practicing law for over 20 years, and each previously practiced in larger firms. The firm's goal is to avoid "big firm" bureaucracy, and instead to provide the highest quality services in a casual but professional atmosphere.

Satisfied Clients

Our firm does very little in the way of outside advertising, and it is highly unlikely you will see a television advertisement for our legal services. Instead, we rely upon our reputation and expertise for quality, professional referals. Current and satisfied clients, as well as impressed former opponents, refer Rose & deJong the majority of new cases and clients. The positive results we have achieved on behalf of our clients reflect an understanding of what is required to obtain true excellence.

Experience Matters

At Rose & deJong, we take pride in the breadth of expertise and experience of our attorneys and staff. The firm provides full-service representation in order to serve clients throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest. Our litigators routinely try cases throughout Wisconsin in all the Federal courts, as well as in circuit courts across the state. We handle appeals at all levels of the state and federal appellate court systems and have several lawyers who have argued before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Our transactional and corporate attorneys provide sound business advice, planning and implementation to businesses of all sizes to assist our clients in avoiding future legal problems. We also regularly provide expertise to meet a wide range of individual needs - from personal injury litigation to assistance with criminal and domestic matters. In short, our attorneys have the range of knowledge and experience to fulfill all the varied needs of our clients.

Commitment to Clients

We are committed to providing our business, individual and professional clients with vigorous, innovative and efficient representation. We emphasize frequent and open communications with our clients in order to plan and implement each client's personal, business or litigation strategy. In so doing, we encourage frank discussion and mutual agreement with clients on objectives, staffing requirements and billing arrangements, including alternative fee arrangements.

Our Team

161 S. 1st St

Our Legal Team

Each attorney at Rose & deJong contributes to the strong reputation for excellence our firm enjoys from the legal and civic community. The firm's dedication to client service and professionalism is reflected in every client representation. Above all, we are committed to providing the level of knowledge, experience and integrity that our clients expect and deserve.

Please click the photos above for more information.

Doug Rose

Douglas W. Rose

JD

Currently, Douglas's practice is focused on civil litigation with a business and real estate emphasis. During his legal career he has tried well over 100 cases, mostly jury trials.

During Douglas's military career, he was, among other things, a government prosecutor, nonjudicial punishment hearing officer, personnel claims officer, and eventually senior defense counsel at a large Naval Legal Service Office based out of Seattle, Washington. He tried criminal cases from Adak, Alaska to San Diego, California, and at sea onboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, including the successful criminal defense of a sailor who had been charged with negligent homicide following a flight deck fire where two crewmen were killed and numerous aircraft were destroyed.

As a civilian lawyer, Douglas has enjoyed handling a broad variety of cases, with his primary emphasis now centering on more complex business and commercial litigation. More prominent cases have included trials of claims by and against SBC Ameritech in State Court in Wisconsin and in Federal Court in Illinois, medical malpractice cases, wrongful death cases, dental malpractice cases, product liability actions, significant construction claims both for and against contractors and subcontractors, municipal claims, personal injury actions and family law matters.

Areas Of Practice:

  • Commercial and Civil Litigation
  • Construction Law and Litigation
  • Creditors Rights

Litigation Percentage:

  • 90% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions:

Education:

Professional Associations and Memberships:

Past Employment Positions:

Recent Presentations:

  • Fundamentals of Real Estate Law in Wisconsin Real Estate Litigation Lorman Education Systems September 27, 2005
  • Residential Real Estate Disputes Waukesha County Bar, Real Estate Division September 16, 2005
  • Advanced Landlord and Tenant Law in Wisconsin Litigation Aspects Lorman Education Systems April 26, 2005
  • Litigating Common Claims in Real estate Transactions Lorman Education Systems December 7, 2004
  • Real Estate Litigation in Wisconsin Lorman Education Systems October 18, 2001
Rob deJong

Robert J. deJong

JD

Rob is the managing partner of Rose & deJong. His principal areas of practice are mergers and acquisitions, general corporate and business law, and commercial real estate.

Rob graduated from Calvin College in 1983 with a B.A. in philosophy and from the State University of New York with a law degree in 1986. Rob practiced at larger Milwaukee firms until 1993 when he helped form Rose and deJong. Rob typically represents small to mid-market companies in a variety of areas. His clients include many manufacturing and distribution companies in a variety of issues. For many years, Rob has served as general counsel for TriMega Purchasing Association, the largest purchasing co-operative of independent office product companies in the world.

While Rob learned much from his large firm experience, his clients' appreciate his ability to provide strong corporate law skills in an efficient cost structure that a specialty firm allows. With a great team of partners, associates and legal assistants, Rob has a reputation as the "go-to-guy" from his clients when they want a quick turnaround at a fair price. Rob assists his clients in all phases of company existence from early stage acquisitions to sale transactions. But Rob is more than a document producer and his clients rely on his ability to analyze the complex issues and help develop strategic, practical solutions.

Away from the office, Rob is a good cook and an avid skier. He takes particular pride in completing the Saturday New York Times crossword puzzle, even if that only happens once or twice a year.

Areas Of Practice:

  • Business & Corporate Law
  • Commercial Real Estate
  • Mergers & Acquisitions

Bar Admissions:

Education:

Professional Associations and Memberships:

Doug Rose3

Christina L. Ruud

JD

Christina worked as a law clerk for Rose & deJong prior to receiving her law degree from Marquette Law School in May 2006. She is dedicated to providing quality legal services in a wide variety of business matters, including contract review and negotiation, entity organization and commercial transactions.

Areas Of Practice:

  • Business & Corporate Law
  • Commercial & Residential Real Estate
  • Mergers & Acquisitions

Education:

  • Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, J.D., 2006
  • University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, B.A., 2003, Major: Political Science, Minor: Spanish Studies

Bar Admissions:

  • State of Wisconsin, 2006
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2006

Memberships:

  • State Bar of Wisconsin, Young Lawyers Division
Brad Dagen

Bradley J. Dagen

JD

Brad provides legal services in a variety of areas, including business start-ups, mergers and acquisitions, real estate development, construction contracts and employment agreements. His litigation practice includes jury and bench trials in state and federal court, arbitration and mediation.

Areas Of Practice:

  • General Business Practice
  • Complex Business Litigation and Arbitration
  • Construction Contracts and Litigation
  • Real Estate and Development
  • International Business

Education:

  • Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska, J.D., 1983
  • Creighton University Law Review, Assistant Editor, 1981 - 1983
  • University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, B.A., 1980, Major: Political Science with emphasis in Economics and History

Bar Admissions:

  • State of Wisconsin, 1983
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1983
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin 1983
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 2004

Presentations:

  • Brad is a speaker for a variety of Professional and Trade groups. Topics include Business Contracts and Practices, Contract Drafting, Construction Disputes, Arbitration and Business Litigation, 1989 - Present
  • Professional Associations and Memberships:
  • Milwaukee Bar Association
  • Waukesha Bar Association
  • American Judicature Society
  • Metropolitan Builders Association of Greater Milwaukee
  • Construction Arbitration Board Arbitrator and Mediator
  • Contract and Remodeling Contract Committees
Gordon Leech

Gordon R. Leech

JD

Gordon has emphasized his law practice on representing employees and consumers in civil rights type claims in employment, credit reporting disputes and credit report errors, debt collection and debt collector harassment claims. Consistent with that emphasis, Gordon is active in various state and national consumer organizations. Gordon began practicing law as a Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps from 1991 through 1995. Gordon was a Criminal Prosecutor and then a Staff Attorney to the Base Commander advising and defending the Command in labor and employment matters for a civilian workforce of more than 5,000 employees. He entered the private practice of law when discharged from active military service in 1995.

Areas Of Practice:

  • Credit Report Disputes
  • Credit Report Error Claims
  • Unlawful Debt Collection Tactics and Harassment
  • Employment Discrimination
  • Unpaid Wage or Overtime Pay Claims
  • Workers Compensation Claims
  • Other Consumer Matters

Education:

  • University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D., 1990
  • Pennsylvania State University, B.S., 1986, Major: Marketing, Minor: Economics
  • The Naval Justice School
  • Judge Advocates Course, 1991
  • United States Marine Corps
  • Platoon Leaders Course, 1987
  • The Basic School, 1991

Bar Admissions:

  • The United States Supreme Court, year
  • State of Wisconsin, year
  • State of Florida, year
  • State of Pennsylvania, admitted 1990-1995 (no longer licensed in Pennsylvania)
  • The U.S. Court of Appeals Seventh Circuit, year
  • The U.S. Court of Appeals Eleventh Circuit, year
  • The U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, year
  • The U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin, year
  • The U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida, year
  • General Courts Martial of the Armed Forces of the United States, admitted 1991

Professional Associations and Memberships:

  • National Association of Consumer Advocates
  • Wisconsin Employment Lawyers Association
  • National Employment Lawyers Association
  • Florida Chapter, National Employment Lawyers Association
    • Immediate Past President 2005-2006
    • President 2004-2005
    • President-Elect 2003-2004
    • Vice President 2002-2003
    • Southern District Area Representative 2001-2002
  • Wisconsin Association for Justice
  • Wisconsin Association of Workers Compensation Attorneys
  • National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives (NOSSCR)
  • The Palm Beach County Bar Association (not a current member)
    • 1997-98 Chair, Employment Law Continuing Legal Education Committee
    • 1996-97 Co-Chair, Employment Law Continuing Legal Education Committee
  • Milwaukee Bar Association

Presentations & Media Appearances

Gordon is an active speaker in the community, making presentations and media appearances relating to Consumer and Employment Law matters. Topics include: Civil Rights at Work and Workplace Injuries; Unlawful Debt Collection Tactics and Harassment; Employment, Fair Credit and Debt Collection Harassment Law; The Impact of the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act on Employment; Ex Parte Contacts with Current & Former Employees; Covenants Not To Compete; Basic Wage & Hour Law; Liability for Sexual Harassment Outside the Workplace; Management, Personnel Law; Retaliation and Whistleblower Protection Laws; Background Checks and Hiring Practices; and ADA & Workers Compensation.
Victor Plantinga

Victor E. Plantinga

JD

Victor focuses his practice in civil and criminal litigation. With diverse litigation experience, Victor has argued several cases in the Federal Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He has tried more than 60 cases, most of them jury trials in both State and Federal Courts. These trials involved, among other legal issues: employment agreements, wage claims, medical negligence, commercial banking law, discrimination law, arbitration agreements, telecommunications fraud, business disputes, real estate fraud, construction, auto dealership law, paternity, personal injury and lemon law.

Victor’s criminal jury trial experience includes representing individuals charged with the following types of crimes: first degree intentional homicide, attempted first degree intentional homicide, first degree sexual assault, child neglect resulting in death, homicide by intoxicated use of motor vehicle, public official accepting bribes, burglary, federal drug and gun cases, and sexual predator law.

In addition to jury trials, Victor has extensive experience in representing clients in administrative hearings. These hearings typically involve claims of employment discrimination. He has represented employers and employees in claims relating to race discrimination, religious discrimination, sex discrimination and disability discrimination.

Areas Of Practice:

  • Civil and Criminal Litigation
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Commercial Banking Law
  • Telecommunications Fraud
  • Contract Law
  • Real Estate Fraud
  • Construction
  • Auto Dealership Law
  • Paternity
  • Personal Injury
  • Lemon Law

Education:

  • Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, J.D., 1986
  • Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI, B.A., 1983 Major: History

Bar Admissions:

  • State of Wisconsin, 1986
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1986
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2000
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1998
Jennifer Geller Baumann

Jennifer Geller Baumann

JD

Jennifer focuses her practice on representing businesses and individuals in litigation matters in the areas of personal injury, collections, real estate fraud, business and construction law.

Prior to starting her legal career, Jennifer was a City of Milwaukee police officer for five years, where she was a patrol officer in District Three and was later assigned to the Street Crimes Unit of the Special Operations Division.

Areas Of Practice:

  • Contracts
  • Construction Law
  • Business Litigation
  • Insurance Law
  • Legal Malpractice
  • Litigation & Appeals
  • Personal Injury -- Plaintiff

Education:

  • Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, J.D., 2002
  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, B.S., 1995 Major: Criminal Justice
  • Milwaukee Police Academy, 1996

Bar Admissions:

  • State of Wisconsin, 2002
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2004
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin, 2004
  • Professional Associations and Memberships:
  • Metropolitan Builders Association of Greater Milwaukee
  • Construction Arbitration Board Arbitrator
  • Remodelor's Contract Committee
Mary A. Tollander

Mary A. Tollander

JD

Mary’s practice is focused solely on Family Law matters. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mary was a Special Education teacher in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Rockford, Illinois. In addition, she worked as a Legal Assistant for Marcus Corporation. Mary currently volunteers for the Lighthouse of Brookfield - Alzheimer’s memory care facility and Women’s Center of Waukesha.

Areas Of Practice:

Family Law

Education:

  • Marquette University Law School, J.D., 1988
  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, B.S., 1979, Exceptional Education, magna cum laude

Bar Admissions:

  • State of Wisconsin, 1988
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1988

Memberships:

  • State Bar of Wisconsin, Family Law Section
  • Association for Women Lawyers
  • Society of Family Lawyers, Children and the Law Section
  • Women’s Center of Waukesha
  • A.S.P.C.A.
  • Humane Society of America
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
Dan Brink

Daniel J. Brink

JD

Dan Brink focuses his legal practice in Business Law, Government Relations and International Practice Areas. has worked with a variety of companies in many industries and is viewed by his clients as much more than a lawyer.

Dan's extensive financial background and decades of international business experience have enabled him to act as a trusted advisor to his clients in capacities far beyond providing traditional legal services. His practice focuses primarily on privately owned companies to which he provides value-added services through all the phases of a company's growth including start up, growth capital, acquisitions, going public transactions and sale transactions.

Together with his talented and experienced team, Dan provides a broad range of services to companies and individuals in the United States and abroad. These services include global supply chain management, employment matters, banking arrangements and strategic and succession planning. Dan's legal and financial acumen has led to his service on a number of Boards of Directors, including Boards in China and Japan. He has extensive experience enabling his clients to do business in the Pacific Rim and in Europe, and he is highly conversant with foreign trade regulations and other features of foreign economic landscapes that affect business opportunities for his American clients. He has also been highly successful in helping foreign companies do business in North America. In addition, he is known for his creative joint venture solutions which enable financially challenged American manufacturers to partner with foreign companies in mutually profitable labor and technology arrangements.

Dan spent a year practicing at the London office of the world's largest law firm, Linklaters & Paines. As a result, he is able to bring significant international contacts to bear on any transaction. Dan's clients benefit from his practical knowledge of European Union law and business practices, gained from practicing within the EU and from doing business in western and eastern Europe.

Dan's professional philosophy is to be team oriented and to add value to a company or transaction beyond traditional lawyering. Working closely with internal executives, he strives to assist companies in all areas of growth, both domestic and international, by making it a priority to learn about each client's business, industry and the goals of its managers and owners. He forms teams or becomes part of existing teams in order to maximize efficiency, drawing on both his domestic and international contacts and resources to bring the highest value-added services and people to any business transaction.

Areas Of Practice:

  • Family Law
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Business Law
  • International
  • Government Relations

Education:

  • Georgetown University, J.D., cum laude,
  • Marquette University, B.A., summa cum laude,

Bar Admissions:

  • State of Wisconsin
Michele Babicky

Michele Babicky

Jennifer VanWormer

Jennifer VanWormer

Mark Styles

Mark Styles

JD

Mark G. Styles is a business attorney with over 22 years of experience in a variety of transactional practice areas. Mark works with a wide array of businesses in a variety of industries and the development of his basic philosophy of providing practical, economical advice that is in the best interest of his clients’ long term success.

Mark’s experience in corporate law covers a broad range of areas, including, start-up, acquisitions and sales, management buyouts, growth financing and venture investments, buy-sells, business succession and exit strategies, workouts and restructurings, and the structure of business financing.

Mark regularly consults with his clients on legal and business matters, banking and financing, customer and supplier relationships, manufacturing and distribution matters, employee and executive relationships, and strategic planning. He serves on the board of directors of several small closely-held companies.

Mark regularly represents financial institutions in loan documentation, receiverships, and pre-litigation workouts, and has a broad range of experience in transactional real estate matters including the development of residential and commercial properties, construction and permanent financing, and the acquisition, sale and leasing of real estate.

Education:

  • Juris Doctor, University of Wisconsin (1987)
  • Bachelor’s Degree, University of Wisconsin (Psychology, 1984)
Carlin Ryg

Carlin Ryg

Cate May

Cate L. May

JD

As a recent graduate (J.D. 2010) of Marquette University Law School, where she participated in Moot Court (Ruby R. Vale Corporate Competition) and was on Dean’s list, Cate is a new addition to the Rose & deJong team of attorneys. Cate was previously a law clerk for Rose & deJong before making the transition into an associate. While working towards her law degree, Cate also obtained her Masters of Business Administration through Marquette’s JD-MBA program. Prior to law school, Cate earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UW-Lacrosse in 2007, where she was a collegiate gymnast and part of two National Championship teams.

Areas Of Practice:

  • Complex Business Litigation
  • Commercial & Residential Real Estate
  • Construction Law

Education:

  • Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, J.D., 2010
  • Marquette University College of Business Administration, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, M.B.A., 2010
  • University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, B.S., 2007, Major: Political Science, Minor: Criminal Justice

Bar Admissions:

State of Wisconsin, 2010

Pamela Bardales

Pamela Bardales

Dagmar Vetta

Dagmar Vetta

Paul Mogilka

Paul Mogilka

JD

  • Attorneys

    Daniel J.

    Brink
  •  

    Bradley J.

    Dagan
  •  

    Robert J.

    deJong
  •  

    Jennifer

    Geller Baumann
  •  

    Gordon R.

    Leech
  •  

    Cate

    May
  •  

    Victor E.

    Plantinga
  •  

    Douglas W.

    Rose
  •  

    Christina L.

    Ruud
  •  

    Mark

    Styles
  •  

    Mary A.

    Tollander
  • Support

    Michele

    Babicky
  •  

    Pamela

    Bardales
  •  

    Paul

    Mogilka
  •  

    Carlin

    Ryg
  •  

    Jennifer

    VanWormer
  •  

    Dagmar

    Vetta

Areas of Practice

Rose & deJong is a team of attorneys who enjoy a reputation that is based on the strength and depth of their legal talent. The representation we provide is based on a thorough understanding of our clients' business and personal concerns. Our experience enables us to represent a diverse clientele, ranging from individuals to established companies throughout the state and across the Midwest. Clients depend on us to provide practical advice, strong advocacy and cost-effective results.

Contact Us

To discuss your needs, contact our office.

Rose & deJong, S.C.
161 S. 1st St. Suite 400
Milwaukee, WI 53204
customer.service@rosedejong.com

Phone: 414•274•1400
Fax: 414•274•1401

Please inquire about meeting at our Brookfield and Mequon offices.


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