Milwaukee Office
Tel: (414) 277-5411
Fax: (414) 978-8996
Keith A. Bruett
Partner / Milwaukee Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group Office Chair
Keith Bruett litigates commercial and business cases, with an emphasis on professional liability, policyholder insurance, and trust matters. As a trusted advisor to his clients, Keith collaborates closely with them to understand their goals in order to resolve matters efficiently. While Keith chairs the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice group in the firm's Milwaukee office, he has litigated cases throughout the country. Recent experience includes
· Secured a complete defense jury verdict in a $15 million actuarial malpractice lawsuit.
· Plaintiff’s jury verdict awarding title in a land dispute.
· Defense jury verdict in a $25 million insurance broker malpractice lawsuit.
· Defense arbitration decision in a $10 million dollar insurance broker malpractice case.
· Represented the insured in Plastics Engineering Co. v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., 2009 WI 13, in which the Wisconsin Supreme Court adopted “all sums” allocation.
· Represented the insured in Johnson Controls, Inc. v. Employers Insurance of Wausau, in which the Wisconsin Supreme Court overruled its 1994 City of Edgerton v. General Casualty environmental insurance coverage decision.
Legal Services
· Professional Liability
· Energy, Environment & Natural Resources
o Insurance − Policy Negotiation and Claims Litigation
· Insurance Coverage Litigation
· Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Education and Honors
· University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business (Certificate of Executive Management, 2013)
· Marquette University Law School (J.D., summa cum laude, 1998)
o Marquette Law Review (Lead Articles Editor, 1997–1998)
· University of Minnesota (B.A., 1994)
Bar Admissions
· Wisconsin
Court Admissions
· U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
· U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
· U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
· U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
· U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit
Professional and Civic Activities
· State Bar of Wisconsin (Member)
· Milwaukee Bar Association (Member)
· American Bar Association (Member)
· Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association (Member)
· Quarles & Brady Diversity Committee (Representative)
· Quarles & Brady Law School Recruiting Committee (Past Chair)
· Quarles & Brady's Professional Liability Litigation Practice (Past Chair)
· ABA's Professional Liability Litigation Committee (Member of leadership team)
· Quarles & Brady's Insurance Recovery Practice (Past Chair)
· Insurance Committee of the Professional Liability Defense Federation (Past Chair)
Professional Recognition
· Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® (2013–present: Commercial Litigation)
· Selected for inclusion in Wisconsin Super Lawyers®–Rising Stars Editions 2007–2011 (Insurance Coverage; Professional Liability: Defense)
Publications and Presentations
02/14/18
2017 Wisconsin Insurance Law Year in Review
Insurance Coverage Litigation Law Alert
11/07/17
More in the Aftermath of Irma: Key Insurance Considerations
Insurance Coverage Litigation Law Alert
02/07/17
Wisconsin Insurance Law Year in Review
Insurance Coverage Litigation Law Alert
02/05/16
Wisconsin Insurance Law Year in Review
Insurance Coverage Litigation Law Alert
02/17/15
Wisconsin Insurance Law Year in Review
Insurance Coverage Litigation Law Alert
05/16/14
"Paved with Good Intentions: Letters of Intent in M&A Transactions"
Wisconsin Association of Corporate Counsel Seminar
02/14/14
Wisconsin Insurance Law Year in Review
Insurance Coverage Litigation Update
01/01/14
The Law of Damages in Wisconsin, Chapter 25 - Liquidated Damages
State Bar of Wisconsin
11/22/13
“Wis. Continues Pro-Insured Trend With Toxic Torts
Law360
11/07/13
Court of Appeals Bolsters Insured’s Right to Control Coverage
Commercial Litigation Law Update
06/01/13
“Data Breaches Are on the Rise: How to Protect Your Assets,
Quarles & Brady In-House Counsel CLE
05/01/13
"Coping with the Impacts of Superstorm Sandy"
Aspatore Special Report
02/01/13
"Common Types of Commercial Insurance Coverages"
State Bar of Wisconsin
02/01/13
"Wisconsin Insurance Law in Review"
State Bar of Wisconsin
01/31/13
Wisconsin Insurance Law Year in Review
Insurance Coverage Litigation Law Update
01/01/13
"Pollution Insurance"
Construction Insurance: A Guide for Attorneys and Other Professionals (ABA)
12/01/12
"The Great Duty to Defend Debate, Selected Current Issues on the Insurer's Duty to Defend"
Wisconsin Defense Counsel Winter Conference
11/01/12
Key Coverage Considerations in the Wake of Superstorm Sandy
Insurance Coverage Litigation Law Alert
06/19/12
Recent Decisions Underscore Importance of Communication With Carriers
Insurance Coverage Litigation Law Update
03/01/12
"Insurance Coverage Litigation"
Law Review CLE
06/22/10
Ruling in Fox River Cleanup Case Allows Insureds to Maximize Insurance Coverage
Insurance Coverage Litigation Update
01/30/09
Wisconsin Supreme Court Delivers Victory for Insureds
Insurance Coverage Litigation Update
07/01/98
"Can Wisconsin Businesses Safely Rely upon Exculpatory Contracts to Limit Their Liability"
80 Marquette Law Review 1081 (Summer 1998)