Milwaukee Office
Tel: (414) 277-5359
Fax: (414) 978-8959

Michael J. Gonring

Retired Partner

Mike Gonring spent much of his time counseling to prevent or minimize litigation. The bulk of Mr. Gonring's practice wasin product liability and includedthe following:

  • Servedas product liability counsel for a major Wisconsin company, where he wasa member of the Product Safety Committee and advises on a variety of products-related issues.
  • Representation on issues involving the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
  • Trials in 14 states and representation of clients in 41 states.

Mr. Gonring also served as the firm's pro bono coordinator.

Education and Honors

  • Marquette University Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1982)
  • Marquette Law Review (Member, 1981–1982)
  • Marquette University (A.B., magna cum laude, 1969)
  • Alpha Sigma Nu
  • Kappa Tau Alpha

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona
  • Wisconsin

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois, 2003
  • U.S. District Court, Colorado, 2002
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 2001
  • U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 1996
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, 1994
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit, 1992
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1991
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit, 1989
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1982
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 1982

Professional and Civic Activities

  • American Bar Association (Member)
  • Defense Research Institute (Member)
  • Seventh Circuit Bar Association (Member)
  • Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission (former member and former Chairman of Delivery of Legal Services Committee)
  • State Bar of Wisconsin (Member)
  • Milwaukee Bar Association (Member)
  • MBA Legal Assistance to the Indigent Committee (Member)
  • State Bar of Arizona (Member)
  • Board of Trustees, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee (Chairman)

Professional Recognition

  • Named Alumnus of the Year by The Father Danihy Alumni Club of Sigma Alpha Nu, the National Jesuit Honor Society
  • Pro Bono Award, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (2015)
  • Nathan A. Fishbach Founder's Award, Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association (2015)
  • State Bar of Wisconsin – Wisconsin Legal Innovator (2014)
  • State Bar of Wisconsin – Pro Bono Honor Society (2013, 2015)
  • Lifetime Achievement Award, State Bar of Wisconsin, 2012
  • Named the Best Lawyers' 2012, 2018 Milwaukee Product Liability Litigation – DefendantsLaw Lawyer of the Year
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® (2003–present: Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants;Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
  • Selected for inclusion in the 2005 & 2007–2014Wisconsin Super Lawyers® lists (Personal Injury Defense: Products)
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Peer Review Rated
  • Milwaukee Bar Association Distinguished Service Award (2012)
  • Legal Services Corporation Exceptional Service Award (2010)
  • Milwaukee Bar Association Lawyer of the Year (2007)
  • Wisconsin Law Journal Leader of the Law (2007)
  • Legal Action of Wisconsin Career Achievement Award (2005)
  • Partner for Survival Pro Bono Award (1999)
  • Western District of Wisconsin Pro Bono Award (1997)
  • Legal Action of Wisconsin Pro Bono Award (1984)

Publications

06/20/14
"Everybody wins with client-firm pro bono partnerships"
Inside Counsel

12/20/10
Public Database of Product Complaints Will Require Action by Manufacturers
Product Liability Law Update