Milwaukee Office
Tel: (414) 277-5773
Fax: (414) 978-8773

Jeff Peelen

Partner, Section Chair

Jeff Peelen is a multi-disciplinary attorney dedicated to helping clients by developing efficient processes and systematic solutions for addressing broad regulatory and legal challenges.

Jeff is a past Chair of our firm's Public Finance group (a Midwestern powerhouse) and presently leads our firm's team focused on representing securities dealers. Jeff's emphasis is on serving as disclosure and underwriter's counsel to Municipal Securities Dealers Team — both for individual transactions of all sorts and across broad categories of transactions (e.g., all general obligations or municipal revenue obligations) for an underwriter in one or multiple states.

Jeff's team also provides regulatory advice and represents securities dealers of all sorts in investigations, enforcement actions, arbitrations and litigation. The team has a particular focus on representing brokerage firms in FINRA customer and industry disputes, having recently developed a FINRA arbitration platform and web portal to provide efficient, effective representation in FINRA arbitrations throughout the country.

Jeff is also the founder of our firm's Political Law group. Building on an interest dating back to his days as Editor in Chief of the Georgetown Law Journal, Jeff has developed a 50-state political law compliance program with a national reputation. Jeff helps large organizations, generally with broad political footprints, manage the compliance aspects of their State and federal government affairs programs.

Jeff holds and has held significant leadership positions within our firm, giving him a broad perspective and making him an excellent counselor, strategist and client relationship lawyer.

Jeff serves on our firm's elected Executive Committee, and is one of two national Section Chairs. As Section Chair, Jeff works with our Firm Chair and Firm Managing Partner to manage the strategic direction and performance of half the firm's industry teams and practice groups (in Jeff's case, our transactional practices). Jeff also led our firm's lateral partner recruiting program for three years, helping drive our firm's growth strategy in the aftermath of the Great Recession.

Jeff is a technology enthusiast (with an undergraduate degree in mathematics and computer science) and brings great energy to his work — with clients he truly enjoys. Outside the firm, Jeff is the co-founder of SysSpark LLC, a technology innovation company that works with innovators to transform ideas into early stage software offerings. The son of an accomplished marathon runner, Jeff is also co-owner of Spire Fitness, an indoor cycling, rowing and strength studio located in Milwaukee's Third Ward. If you're brave, ask Jeff about his (not) patented "green juice" blend — which he claims is the secret to his modest training success.

Jeff lives in Franklin, Wisconsin, with his wife Roxanne and their three children: Jack, William and Madeline.

Legal Services

  • Public Finance
  • Automotive Industry

Education and Honors

  • Harvard Law School Executive Education (Leadership in Law Firms Program, 2016)
  • University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business (Certificate of Executive Management, 2013)
  • Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., magna cum laude, 1998)
  • Editor in Chief, The Georgetown Law Journal (1997-98)
  • Marquette University (B.S., 1992)
  • Concentrations: Mathematics / Computer Science; English
  • Phi Beta Kappa

Bar Admissions

  • Wisconsin

Professional and Civic Activities

  • Quarles & Brady (Section Chair, Transactional Practices, 2015-present)
  • Quarles & Brady (Executive Committee, 2014-present)
  • United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County (Board of Directors: 2018-2019)
  • Ward4 Milwaukee (Firm Coordinator)
  • SysSpark LLC (Co-Founder)
  • HubieFit LLC (Advisor)

Professional Recognition

  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® (2010-present: Public Finance / Political Law)

Publications

10/05/18
Supreme Court Holds SEC's Administrative Law Judges are Subject to Constitutional Appointments
Litigation & Dispute Resolution Alert

08/24/17
SEC Action Against Municipal Bond Issuer Underscores the Importance of Due Diligence
Public Finance Update

07/21/16
The Formula for Success at Harvard's Leadership in Law Firms Program
LinkedIn Pulse

01/20/16
"BDA Cybersecurity Webinar: Practical Guidance for Broker Dealers"
Bond Dealers of America

05/14/15
​Prevailing Against FINRA Investor Complaints
Securities Litigation Law Alert

12/20/11
Post-Issuance Compliance Policy for Tax-Exempt and Tax-Advantaged Obligations
Public Finance Law Update

12/01/11
New Law Changes Time Requirement For Filing Referendum Questions
Public Finance Law Update

08/17/11
Material Event Filings for Certain Pre-Refunded Rated Obligations That Have Been Downgraded
Public Finance Law Update

02/01/11
Tax Credit Bond Programs Under the Stimulus Act - Summary

12/01/10
Tax Law Changes for 2011 Affect Municipal Bonds
Public Finance Law Update

06/01/10
Frequently Asked Questions: Qualified School Construction Bonds (Direct Payment)

05/27/10
Rule 15c2-12: Amendments to Rule 15c2-12 Expand Municipal Issuers' Disclosure Duties
Public Finance Update

02/23/10
Build America Bonds: IRS Sends Out Questionnaire to Issuers of Build America Bonds Regarding Post Issuance Compliance
Public Finance Law Update

02/02/10
Recovery Zone Facility Bonds: Waiver and Reallocation of Allocations; Counties Permitted to Issue Industrial Revenue Bonds Under WI 2009 Senate Bill 440
Public Finance Update

01/22/10
U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Bans on Corporate Political Spending
Government Affairs Compliance Law Update

09/03/09
Illinois Governor Quinn Rejects Campaign Finance Bill But Signs Lobbying Reforms Into Law
Government Affairs Compliance Update

08/06/09
Federal Government Expands Its Prohibition Against Recovery Act Lobbying to Apply All to Persons, Not Just Lobbyists
Government Affairs Compliance Alert

08/06/09
Federal Government Expands Its Prohibition Against Recovery Act Lobbying to Apply to All Persons, Not Just Lobbyists
Financial Services Task Force

07/01/09
Frequently Asked Questions: Build America Bonds (Direct Payment)

06/25/09
Treasury Issues Notice of Applications for Tribal Economic Development Bonds
Indian Law Update

06/23/09
Guidance and Allocations Released for ARRA Recovery Bonds
Public Finance Update

06/19/09
Midwestern Disaster Area Bonds Provide Tax-Exempt Financing Opportunities for Private Businesses
Public Finance Update

05/18/09
MSRB Webinars for EMMA Continuing Disclosure Submission Process; Changes to Small Issuer Continuing Disclosure Exception
Public Finance Update

05/13/09
Recent Developments in Project Financing under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Real Estate Update

05/01/09
Frequently Asked Questions: Qualified School Construction Bonds (General)

04/30/09
Midwestern Disaster Area Bonds Provide Tax-Exempt Financing Opportunities for Private Businesses
Public Finance Update

04/29/09
Federal Government Issues Restrictions on Lobbyist Communications
Financial Services Task Force Update

04/29/09
Federal Government Issues Restrictions on Lobbyist Communications
Government Affairs Compliance Alert

04/22/09
Campaign Practices
Public Finance Update

04/17/09
Government Accountability Board Looks to Change Campaign Landscape With Regulation of Issue Ads
Government Affairs Compliance Alert

04/15/09
Stimulus Bond Programs At A Glance: Build America Bonds, Tax Credit Bonds and Others Compared
Public Finance Update

04/14/09
Treasury Guidance Regarding ARRA Bond Provisions
Public Finance Update

03/23/09
Public Finance Provisions included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Information for Bond Issuers
Public Finance Update

03/20/09
Public Finance Provisions included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Information for Wisconsin Bond Issuers
Public Finance Update

03/10/09
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Bonding Opportunity Knocks for Indian Country
Indian Law Update

02/18/09
Public Finance Stimulus Legislation Changes: New "Bank Qualified" Limits and Changes to AMT Treatment
Public Finance Update

02/13/09
Stimulus Compromise Reached - Quarles & Brady Stimulus Task Force Ready To Assist Clients
Addressing the Economic Crisis Update

02/04/09
U. S. Treasury Announces Rules to Limit Influence of Lobbyists on Emergency Economic Stabilization Act Funds
Financial Services Task Force Update