Attorney
Eileen A. Brownlee
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(608) 822-3251
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Assistant
Sabrina Hagen
(608) 822-3251
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Eileen has over 35 years of experience in the areas of municipal law, school law, and public sector employment law. Her clients include school districts, cities, villages, and other governmental entities throughout Wisconsin. Eileen has a wide practice that includes policy and ordinance drafting and implementation, drafting governmental agreements, labor negotiations, grievance arbitration, employee misconduct investigations, advice on employee improvement plans and performance evaluations, and analysis of and application of all major federal and state labor and employment statutes, including FMLA, ADA, ADEA, and other discrimination laws.
Admitted to Practice
- Wisconsin State Courts
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
- United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
Honors & Recognition
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®
- “Women in Law” list, 2017
- Education Law, 2017-Present
- Municipal Law, 2019-Present
- Employment Law, Management, 2021-Present
- George Tipler Award for Distinguished Service in School Law, Wisconsin School Attorneys Association, 2012
- Elected Fellow, Wisconsin Bar Foundation, 2012
See our disclaimer regarding third-party awards.
Presentations, Publications, & Contributions
- Speaker, numerous conferences in areas of school, public sector labor and municipal law:
- “Public Records, Open Meetings and Technology,” League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Clerks, Treasurers & Financial Officers Institute, 2000
- “The Federal and State Family and Medical Leave Acts: Putting the Puzzle Together,” Wisconsin Association of School Boards-Wisconsin School Attorneys Association, School Law Seminar, 2000
- “E-business for Municipalities,” League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Clerks, Treasurers & Financial Officers Institute, 2001
- “The Federal and State Family and Medical Leave Acts,” Wisconsin Association of School Boards-Wisconsin School Attorneys Association, School Law Seminar, 2007
- “Pupil and Law Enforcement Records, Wisconsin Association of School Boards-Wisconsin School Attorneys Association,” School Law Seminar, 2010
- “The School District Annual Meeting, Wisconsin Association of School Boards-Wisconsin School Attorneys Association,” School Law Seminar, 2011
- “When Extra-Curriculars become Extra-Complicated: Managing Costs and Legal Risks,” Wisconsin Association of School Boards-Wisconsin School Attorneys Association,” School Law Seminar, 2013
- “Top Ten Employment Issues Every Municipal Lawyer Should Recognize,” League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Municipal Attorneys Institute, 2018
Community Involvement & Board Memberships
- State Bar of Wisconsin, Fee Arbitration Panelist, 2003-Present
- Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Foundation, Scholarships and Awards Night Sponsor, 2004-2015
- Supreme Court of Wisconsin – Office of Lawyer Regulation
- Special Investigator, 2002-2017
- District Twelve Investigative Committee Member,1992-2000
- Wisconsin School Attorneys Association, President, 1998-1999
- Family Advocates, Inc., Board Member, 1989-1998
- Boscobel High School Mock Trial, Attorney Coach, 1988-2010
Professional Memberships
- Wisconsin School Attorneys Association
- Grant County Bar Association
- State Bar of Wisconsin
- Labor & Employment Section
- Government Attorneys Section
Education
- J.D., cum laude, Marquette University Law School, 1984
- B.A., Psychology & Spanish, cum laude, Marquette University, 1978
- Minor, Secondary Education
Representative Work
- Drafting contracts, developer's agreements, ordinances and resolutions
- Developing and reviewing employment documents including handbooks, agreements and policies
- Analysis of and application of all major federal and statement labor and employment statutes, including FMLA, ADA, ADEA and other discrimination laws
Eileen’s Latest Writing & Presentations
WIAA Loses Case Regarding Wrestler Ineligibility
School Law FYI | 04.15.24
The Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruled against the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) in a recent case, Halter v. WIAA (Feb. 28, 2024).