Ross W. Townsend

Ross has more than 30 years of experience in representing both large and small employers in the full range of employment-related legal matters, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Descrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the National Labor Relations Act and the Family Medical Leave Act.

He has represented employers in proceedings before the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and numerous state and federal Courts in Wisconsin and across the United States. He has devoted a substantial portion of his practice to providing his clients with proactive advice regarding wage and hour issues, employment policies, employee handbooks, employee discipline and development, and ways to minimize or prevent legal risk while simultaneously achieving business objectives.

Ross has extensive speaking experience regarding employment discrimination, non-compete and confidentiality agreements, family and medical leave, employment agreements, workplace harassment, wage and hour issues and related rules and regulations. He has conducted countless training sessions for clients and their employees and has spoken at numerous meetings and seminars.

The most rewarding part of my practice is when a client and I find a unique and creative solution to a problem that achieves a business goal while simultaneously minimizing legal risk. I do not dictate to my clients. On the contrary, I believe that ‘the legal tail should not wag the business dog.’ By that, my clients understand, as employers, the best path forward may require that they weigh the cost of reducing or eliminating legal risk against the cost of proceeding despite that risk. I see my role as helping clients identify all aspects of those costs and equipping them to make an informed decision.

- Ross W. Townsend

Affiliations & Memberships

• Wisconsin Bar Association
• Brown County Bar Association
• Society for Human Resource Management

Professional & Civic Activities

• Board Member, Foundations Health & Wholeness