Boardman Law Firm

Steve Zach, Partner

Labor and Employment • Municipal Law

Favorite Quote:  "An infield fly is a fair fly (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort and provided the hit is made before two are out and at a time when first and second bases or all bases are occupied." —National Federation of State High School Association Rules of Baseball, Rule 2-16-19, Article 1.

Steve concentrates his practice in the labor and employment field and in employment-related litigation. He advises private and municipal employers in areas of general employment law, including issues involving wage and hour, Family Medical Leave, and disability laws.

He advises businesses and municipalities in their relations with labor unions under the National Labor Relations Act, the Wisconsin Municipal Employment Relations Act and the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, including the counseling of employers during representation proceedings, the negotiation of labor agreements, the arbitration of labor disputes and the litigating of unfair labor practice charges.

He litigates discrimination claims before municipal, state and federal administrative agencies and in federal and state courts.

He provides training and guidance to employers and supervisors on employment- related topics.

Practice Experience

• Steve Zach litigated insurance defense cases, primarily medical malpractice claims, from 1983 to 1995. He succeeded Paul Hahn, who retired, in handling the firm's labor and employment clients in 1995 and has concentrated his practice in that area ever since.
• 1989 - Present Partner, Boardman, Suhr, Curry and Field Madison, WI
• 1983-1989 Associate, Boardman, Suhr, Curry and Field Madison, WI

Education

• 1980-1983 University of Wisconsin Law School, Madison, WI, Degree: J.D., cum laude
• 1976-1980 St. Norbert College, DePere, WI, Degree: B.A., summa cum laude

Community Involvement

• Oregon School District Board of Education - member (1999 -present)
• Oregon Area Asset Building Initiative - steering committee ( 1999 - 2004)
• Oregon Area Educational Foundation, Inc. (founder, Director and Vice-President) (1996 - 2003)
• Oregon Youth Baseball, Inc. (founder, Director and President) (1990 - 2004)
• Oregon Straw Hat Players, Board of Directors (2008 - present)

Awards

• Madison Magazine Top Attorneys - Labor & Employment
• State Bar of Wisconsin Law Related Education Award (2005)

Writings, Seminars & Contributions

• Employment Law - Instructor - University of Wisconsin - Madison Small Business Development Centers (1999 - present)
• Supervisor Training Sessions (day-long workshops)
• The Role of the Police and Fire Commission - University of Wisconsin Division of Continuing Studies (2002 - 2008)
• MEUW Management Certification Program - Instructor - Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin (2006&2008)
• Sex Harassment Training
• Municipal Labor Law - Instructor - University of Wisconsin Law School (1998 and 2005)
• Formulating a Drug and Alcohol Policy in a Municipal Setting
• Creating the Proper Record in Discipline Cases
• Union Organizing Tactics and Strategies
• Electronic Communication Policies
• Hiring & Firing
• Family and Medical Leave Basics
• Employment Documentation Requirements
• Top 10 Employer Mistakes

Board Member

• St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center, Madison, WI - Advisory Board (1998)
• St. Norbert College National Alumni Board (1990 - 2006), President
• St. Norbert College Board of Trustees (2006 - 2007)

Other Memberships

• American Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section
• State Bar of Wisconsin
• Administrative and Local Government Law Section
• Labor & Employment Section
• Litigation Section
• Dane County Bar Association
• Society of Human Resource Managers (National, Dane and Sauk County)

Hobbies & Interests

• Reading
• Theater
• Running