Douglas P. Dehler

Douglas P. Dehler joined SFMS in 2005. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Wisconsin, as well as numerous federal courts, including the United States District Courts for Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. In addition to these courts and jurisdictions, Doug has worked on cases with local and co-counsel nationwide and internationally.

Doug focuses his practice on representing business clients, consumers and policyholders in complex and class action matters in Wisconsin and throughout the country. In addition, Doug's practice includes representing clients in bad faith claims and coverage lawsuits involving health and disability insurance policies. Finally, Doug has substantial experience handling a number of commercial, employee benefit and personal injury disputes and lawsuits.

Doug received his undergraduate degree from Washington University (B.S.B.A cum laude 1987) in St. Louis, Missouri, and his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School (J.D. cum laude 1991) in Madison, Wisconsin. Upon graduating from law school, Doug joined the law firm of Michael, Best & Friedrich, LLP, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he concentrated his practice on commercial and insurance litigation. In 1998, Doug became a Partner with Michael, Best & Friedrich, LLP, and served as the Chair of the firm's Insurance and Risk Management Focus Group. In 2002, Doug left Michael, Best & Friedrich, LLP to take an in-house counsel position with Fortis Insurance Company, a national health insurance company with its corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While at Fortis Insurance Company, Doug was Vice President - Legal Risk Management, and was responsible for supervising a staff of in-house attorneys, paralegals and local attorneys around the country. In addition to his litigation responsibilities, Doug advised senior management regarding risk management and operational issues arising in the claims and underwriting units of the company. In 2004, Doug left Fortis Insurance Company to return to private practice and started his own firm. Shortly after starting his own firm, Doug began working as co-counsel with SFMS and thereafter joined the firm.

Doug is a member of the American Association for Justice, the State Bar of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Bar Association. He makes his home in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where he lives with his family and is active in community and political affairs.

Publications

To view Douglas's publications, please click here.

Admissions

Wisconsin
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin and Western District of Wisconsin

Education

Washington University, Bachelor of Science, 1987
University of Wisconsin School of Law, Juris Doctor, 1991