Kenneth B. Axe received his B.A. magna cum laude from Drew University in 1976 and his J.D. cum laude from the University of Wisconsin in 1979, where he was a member of the Wisconsin Law Review.
Before entering private practice, he was a law clerk for the Honorable Paul C. Gartzke in District IV of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals.
Ken has been practicing law for over 30 years. He has successfully litigated cases and appeals in both state and federal courts, including a $1 million judgment in an action involving a patent license.
In addition, Ken also has litigated Wisconsin fair dealership cases, real estate and construction disputes, auto dealer "add point" cases, and engaged in general civil litigation (both plaintiff and defendant). Ken has also served as local counsel in the United States District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Wisconsin in numerous patent infringement and other cases.
Ken's clients have included local, regional, and national businesses, individuals, religious institutions and orders, insurers, shopping centers, developers, manufacturers and automobile dealerships.
Community Involvement
· Downtown Madison, Inc., Board of Directors
· Member, Downtown Madison Rotary Club
· Member, United Way of Dane County, Safe Communities/Strong Neighborhoods; Community Solution Team
· Past President and Chair, Madison Jaycees (1987-89)
· Board Member, Wisconsin's Environmental Decade
Professional Association Involvement
· American Bar Association
· State Bar of Wisconsin
· Western District of Wisconsin Bar Association (Practice and Procedures Chair)
· Dane County Bar Association
· Wisconsin Intellectual Property Law Association
Professional Achievements, Honors and Distinctions
· 2011 Best Lawyers in America - Commercial Litigation
· 2008-2011 Superlawyer - General Litigation (Law & Policy)
· 2009 "Top Lawyer" (Appeals, General Litigation) Madison Magazine
· Supplemental Court Commissioner (Honorable Maryann Sumi), Dane County Circuit Court, Branch 2
· Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review AV Rating
· Partnership Chair, Lathrop & Clark LLP (2005-2007)
Published Articles
· "Dealing with the Dealers: Scope of the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law," Wisconsin Bar Bulletin (August 1981).
· "Penetrating the Iron Curtain: Representing Secured Creditors in Chapter 11 Reorganization Proceedings," 67 Marq. L. Rev. 42 (1984).
· "Creation, Perfection and Enforcement of Security Interests in Intellectual Property Under Revised Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code," 119 Bkg. L. Jrnl. 62 (Jan. 2002).
· Chapter 8, "Relationship Between Manufacturers And Distributors: Fair Dealership Act And Related Contracts," Business Organizations (Vol. 7) (WI State Bar, 2008).
· Chapter 12, "Performance, Breach, and Excused Nonperformance," Contract Law in Wisconsin, (WI State Bar, 2008).
Presentations/Lectures
· Lorman Education Services - Contract Litigation From A to Z in Wisconsin (2006)
· Lorman Education Services - Foreclosure and Repossession in Wisconsin (1990)
· National Business Institute - Creditors Rights and Protection of Security Interests in Bankruptcy (1987)
· University of Wisconsin Law School - UCC Review (1990)
Personal Interests/Interesting Facts
· Ken enjoys spending time sailing, biking and playing guitar