Daniel G. Vliet

Daniel G. Vliet

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Dan represents employers on a variety of labor and employment issues including labor negotiations, contract interpretation, grievance arbitration, wage and hour issues, discrimination and harassment, employment contracts and non-compete clauses, discipline and discharge, personnel policies and employee handbooks, medical leaves and reasonable accommodation, and other sensitive employment issues. Dan takes a proactive approach with employers to minimize liability in the areas of discipline and discharge and employee discrimination and harassment. Dan represents a wide variety of employers, including software companies, restaurant chains, manufacturers, school districts and municipalities.

A major focus area for his practice involves federal and state wage/hour compliance and litigation. Dan has served as an author and editor of a number of publications, including the BNA treatises on the FMLA and FLSA. He is the co-author of the Wisconsin chapter in Wage and Hour Laws: A State-by-State Survey by BNA and is a member of the Wage and Hour Defense Institute.

Accomplishments

  • JD, Marquette University Law School
  • MSIR, University of Wisconsin—Madison
  • BA, Wheaton College
  • Member, State Bar of Wisconsin
  • Member, College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
  • Past Management Co-Chair, Membership Development Committee Labor and Employment Section, ABA
  • Past Management Co-Chair, Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee, Labor and Employment Section, ABA
  • Past President and Board Member, Wisconsin School Attorneys Association
  • Former Board Member, Milwaukee Community Sailing Center
  • President, Milwaukee Rotary Club (2015-2016)
  • AV Preeminent rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Named to Best Lawyers in America® for 2010 – 2020
  • Wisconsin Super Lawyers for 2005-2008; 2012-2020
  • Named the Milwaukee area’s “Lawyer of the Year” in the area of Municipal Law by Best Lawyers in America® for 2014

Up Close & Personal

Q: What is your favorite movie about lawyers and why?

A: My Cousin Vinnie, because the lawyer reflects the hidden side of my personality.


Q: What was your very first job?

A: Paperboy for the Chicago Tribune


Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Every day is a different challenge. Even after many years of practice, there is always something new and different to work on.


Q: Do you have a pet? What kind and what is its name?

A: We have a standard poodle named Augie and a Main Coon cat named Walter.


Q: What do you like to do outside of work?

A: While I don't claim to be a very good sailor, I do enjoy sailing our Hobie 16 on Lake Michigan and sailing with my son, Connor, whenever I can.


Q: Do you have children? Tell us about them.

A: Sally works for United Way. She really enjoys the opportunity she has to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties. Connor is a student at the University of San Francisco. He enjoys sailing in San Francisco Bay, which is quite a bit different than Lake Michigan.


Q: If you could take six-month sabbatical, what would you do?

A: I would go to Chile to learn Spanish and then visit Argentina to learn how to tango.


Q: What is your greatest personal accomplishment?

A: On good days, my children


Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?

A: Fountain Point on Lake Leelanau, near Traverse City, Michigan


Q: What do you do for fun?

A: My wife and I love to travel; there may not be enough time to visit everywhere we would like to go.