Randal J. Brotherhood


Shareholder

rjb@mtfn.com

111 East Kilbourn Avenue, 19th Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Rated
Randall J. Brotherhood Super Lawyers

Randal J. Brotherhood has nearly forty years of experience representing businesses and their owners in a wide variety of industries and settings. He also devotes a substantial part of his practice to representing tax-exempt organizations, foundations and trade associations of all types and sizes, ranging from local charitable organizations to large national and international membership associations.

Randy represents business clients both on a day-to-day general counsel basis and as a strategic adviser for particular transactions, including acquisition transactions and joint ventures. Randy regularly functions as a member of his clients’ upper management teams in providing timely and experienced guidance to protect their interests. He also participated in a leadership capacity in the drafting and development of state business statutes and policies.

As reflected by his ranking in The Best Lawyers in America®, the definitive guide to legal excellence in the country, as well as in other ranking venues, such as Wisconsin SuperLawyers®, Randy has earned an outstanding reputation among his clients and his peers in the legal community for his approach to legal issues, his skill in identifying creative, practical and business-oriented solutions, and his legal ethics and integrity.

Mr. Brotherhood is a frequent speaker and writer on a variety of business-related topics in areas such as business and non-stock corporations, cross-species transactions, franchising, association law, securities law, social media law, and intellectual property. . In addition, Randy serves on the firm’s Board of Directors and sits on the Executive Committee.

Honors


  • The Best Lawyers in America® (2011 – Present)
  • Wisconsin Super Lawyers® (2011 – Present)
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
  • Wisconsin Law Journal’s “Leaders in the Law” (2014)

Professional Organizations


  • State Bar of Wisconsin
    • Board of Governors (2022 – Present)
    • Member, Board of Governors Strategic Planning Committee (2022 – Present)
    • Member, Board of Governors Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Committee (2019 – Present)
    • Section Leaders Council, Chair (2022 – Present), Member (2016 – Present)
    • Chair, Business Law Section, (2016 – 2018), Advisor to Board of Directors (2018 – Present)
    • Chair, Corporations Committee (2014 – Present)
    • Planning Committee, establishing State Bar of Wisconsin Real Estate and Business Law Institute (2011 – 2016)
  • American Bar Association
    • Section of Business Law Committee on Venture Capital and Private Equity: Committee on Fund Formation; Subcommittee on Prototype Limited Liability Company Fund Agreements
    • Section of Business Law Subcommittee on Governmental Regulation: Subcommittee on Nonprofit Governance; Subcommittee on the Model Nonprofit Corporation Act; Subcommittee on Current Developments in Nonprofit Corporation Law; Subcommittee on Trade Associations
    • Section of Intellectual Property Law Committee on Federal Trademark Legislation
  • American Society of Association Executives, Past Member
  • Independent Business Association of Wisconsin

Speeches & Publications


  • Speaker, Raising Outside Capital: A Guide for the Next Phase of Your Company’s Growth, BizTimes Media Family & Closely Held Business Summit (June, 2023)
  • Speaker, Business Entities – Statutory Updates and Litigation Issues, Civil Law Seminar (presentation to conference of Wisconsin circuit court judges) (December, 2022)
  • Wisconsin’s New Business Entity Law, presentation to State Bar of Wisconsin Annual Meeting and Conference CLE (together with Thomas J. Nichols, Adam J. Tutaj and Prof. Nadelle Grossman) (June 16, 2022)
  • Wisconsin’s New Business Entity Law, presentation to State Bar of Wisconsin CLE (together with Thomas J. Nichols and Adam J. Tutaj) (April 26, 2022)
  • Navigating New Uniform Laws: Partnership, Corporate Changes, article in Wisconsin Lawyer, June 2022 (Vol. 95, No. 6) (co-author with Thomas J . Nichols)
  • The European Union’s New General Data Protection Regulation: Implications for U.S. Businesses, article in September 18, 2018 edition of State Bar of Wisconsin Business Law Blog
  • Essential Trademark Concepts for Business Lawyers, Presentation to State Bar of Wisconsin Annual Meeting and Convention (June 21, 2018)
  • A Primer on Hotel and Meeting Agreements–Selected Issues, Presentation to association management industry executives (March 3, 2017)
  • Securities Law Considerations in Closely-Held Business Transactions, Presentation to StartupMKE (November 1, 2016)
  • What Every Business Needs to Know About Intellectual Property, Presentation to StartupMKE (November 1, 2016)
  • Program Chair and Presenter, What Every Business Lawyer Needs to Know in Advising Clients About Social Media Law, State Bar of Wisconsin CLE (October, 2015)
  • Initial Considerations for Nonprofit Organizations Contemplating a Merger, Joint Venture or Strategic Alliance, National Business Institute (October, 2014)
  • Key Issues for Nonprofit Organizations in Evaluating and Negotiation a Merger, Joint Venture or Strategic Alliance, National Business Institute (October, 2014)
  • Licensing Issues For Finders in Securities Offerings, Solicitors for Investment Advisers and Others Paid in Securities-Related Transactions: A Dialogue With the Wisconsin Securities Administrator, State Bar of Wisconsin Business and Real Estate Law Institute (June, 2013) (with Patricia D. Struck, Administrator, Division of Securities, WI Department of Financial Institutions)
  • Social Media and the Law for Businesses: Developing Issues and Legal Trends, State Bar of Wisconsin Business and Real Estate Law Institute (June, 2012)
  • Securities Law Considerations for Owners of Closely-Held Businesses, State Bar of Wisconsin Business and Real Estate Law Institute (June, 2011) (with Patricia D. Struck, Administrator, Division of Securities, WI Department of Financial Institutions)
  • What Every Business Needs to Know About Intellectual Property, State Bar of Wisconsin (June, July and September, 2010)
  • Choice of Entity for Wisconsin: New and Old Considerations in Light of Recent and Pending Developments, State Bar of Wisconsin 33rd Annual Corporate Practice Institute (November, 2009)
  • Selected Issues in Regulation of Non-Profit Organization Activities, National Business Institute (2006)
  • Boards of Directors of Tax-Exempt Organizations, National Business Institute (2005)
  • Overview of Critical Association Law Issues, Private client presentation delivered to numerous trade association clients (2009)
  • Securities Law Considerations in Formation of Start-Ups and Venture Capital Transactions(presentation delivered periodically to Marquette University graduate school business students)
  • Introduction to Law of Tax-Exempt Organizations,National Business Institute (2006)
  • Ethical Considerations Pertaining to Representation of Non-Profit Organizations, National Business Institute (2004)
  • Intellectual Property Law Aspects of Franchises,National Business Institute (2003)
  • Forms to be Familiar With in Starting a Franchise,National Business Institute (2003)
  • Location Selection in Starting a Franchise, National Business Institute (2003)
  • Introduction to Intellectual Property for IT Professionals,State Bar of Wisconsin (1999)
  • Legal Issues Presented by the Internet and E-Mail,International Association of Association Management Companies (1998)
  • Doing Business in Wisconsin: Recent Trends, Historical Perspectives and a Look to the Future,MTFN Symposium (1998)
  • A Practitioner’s Guide to Intellectual Property Issues on the Internet, State Bar of Wisconsin (1998)
  • Developments in Investment Adviser Regulation, State Bar of Wisconsin (1998)
  • Knowing Your Rights in Computer Software, State Bar of Wisconsin (1996)
  • Recent Developments in Intellectual Property Pertaining to the Internet,State Bar of Wisconsin (1996)
  • The Wisconsin Fair Dealership Act, Milwaukee Minority Business Development Center (1993)
  • Legal Aspects of Franchising, National Business Institute (1993)
  • What Business and Investors Can Expect Under the Clinton Administration, Robert W. Baird & Co./MTFN Symposium (1993)
  • The Impact of Asbestos on Real Estate Transactions and Ownership, State Bar of Wisconsin (1991)
  • Gain from Sale or Exchange of Residence, Private client presentation (1990)

Washington University, J.D., 1981, Senior Editor, Washington University Law Quarterly
Marquette University, B.A., 1978, cum laude


  • Wisconsin
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

  • American Heart Association, Wisconsin Affiliate, Executive Board of Directors (1993-2002); Chairman (2000-2001)
  • Wauwatosa Public Library, Board of Trustees (1997-2004); Chairman (2001)
  • Marian Catholic Home, Inc., Board of Directors (1988-1995); Chairman (1992-1995)
  • Kindcare Inc., Board of Directors (1993-1999); President (1995-1998)
  • Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Inc., Board of Directors, Milwaukee Regional Board (1993-1997)
  • City of Wauwatosa Citizen’s Advisory Capital Improvements Committee (1993-2004)
  • Washington University, Alumni Board of Governors (1987-1993)
  • Washington University Alumni Association, Wisconsin Chair (1987-2000)

Articles & Videos


11 MTFN Attorneys Selected for 2023 Wisconsin Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Super Lawyers, an esteemed division of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service for outstanding attorneys across the nation, using peer...
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MTFN BizCast Episode 21

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The 2024 Edition of Best Lawyers in America® Recognizes 11 MTFN Attorneys

Best Lawyers in America recognizes seven Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. shareholders and one associate attorney in their 2024...
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Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. Sponsor the 2023 BizTimes Media Family and Closely Held Business Summit

We were delighted to once again sponsor the 2023 BizTimes Media Family and Closely Held Business Summit. Our breakout session,...
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MTFN BizCast Episode 7

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MTFN BizCast Episode 5

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MTFN BizCast Episode 2

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10 MTFN Attorneys Selected for 2022 Wisconsin Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers, from more than 70 practice areas, who have...
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The 2023 Edition of “Best Lawyers in America” Recognizes 13 MTFN Attorneys

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Governor Evers Signs Wisconsin Act 258

  On Friday, April 15th, 2022, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed the new Wisconsin Business Entity Package, 2021 Wisconsin Act...
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Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. Attorneys Named to 2021 Wisconsin Super Lawyers/Rising Stars

Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. is proud to announce that seven shareholders, including Joseph E. Tierney III, Thomas J....
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The 2022 Edition of “Best Lawyers in America” Recognizes 13 MTFN Attorneys

Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. is proud to announce that nine of its shareholders were recently selected for recognition...
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2021 Data Privacy Trends That You Should Know

More Privacy Laws Are Coming  In November of 2020, California voters approved updates to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)....
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Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. Attorneys Named to 2020 Wisconsin Super Lawyers/Rising Stars

Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. is proud to announce that seven shareholders, including Joseph E. Tierney III, Thomas J....
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Updating Force Majeure Clauses in Conference and Meeting Agreements in Light of Coronavirus

The COVID-19 pandemic and related governmental shutdown and travel restriction orders have seriously disrupted the way many commercial enterprises operate. ...
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Nine Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols Attorneys Selected as 2021 Best Lawyers

Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. is proud to announce that nine of its Shareholders were recently selected by their...
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Understanding the Key Provisions made in the New Sick Pay Legislation

In light of the disruption caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, lawmakers passed legislation containing provisions pertaining to paid leave and corresponding...
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Paycheck Protection Program – § 7(a)(36) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a))

The “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (“CARES Act”) establishes a new loan under section 7(a) of the Small...
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Shareholders Thomas Nichols, Randal Brotherhood and Adam Tutaj testified before the Wisconsin State Assembly’s Judiciary Committee in support of Assembly Bill 854

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Nine Meissner Tierney Attorneys Selected as 2019 Wisconsin Super Lawyers

Meissner Tierney is proud to announce that seven of its active shareholders, including Joseph Tierney III, Thomas Nichols, Randal Brotherhood,...
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