Christopher J. Jaekels

Partner
Christopher Jaekels, Amundsen Davis LLC Photo

Overview

Chris always puts his clients’ interests first. He is experienced in real estate, land use, eminent domain, property tax, municipal law and development, zoning, construction, corporate regulatory, and environmental law. He understands how to approach the goals and challenges of businesses and institutions in ways that overcome those challenges and meet those goals in a cost effective manner.

Chris also assists public (both municipal and utility) and private (both commercial and nonprofit) clients in all aspects of land regulation, real estate and corporate transactions, eminent domain, finance, governance, contracting, and infrastructure.

Experience

Took the lead in multi-million-dollar remediation and redevelopment projects statewide

Represented multiple municipal public works and parks departments utilities including sewer utilities, storm water utilities, water utilities, and parking utilities in all matters of eminent domain, land use and environmental regulation

Negotiated construction contracts and development agreements worth several hundred million dollars for public and private developments

Represented landowners and businesses in eminent domain issues regarding right to take and value of award from fee simple to leasehold including relocation and lost business

Represented municipalities on sewer issues, including a coalition of municipalities before the state Supreme Court and Public Service Commission in a $100 million dispute over rates

Represented local sewerage district and joint sewerage commission regarding environmental permitting and disputes

Represented utilities and landowners in eminent domain and leasing of telecommunication

Represented municipalities and property owners regarding property tax disputes

Membership & Involvement

  • Trustee: Wisconsin Policy Forum
  • Panelist: Milwaukee Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Sewers
  • Village Attorney: Villages of Whitefish Bay and Bayside
  • Former President, Current Vice President: Heiliger Huegel Ski Club, Inc.
  • Former President and Board Member: State Bar of Wisconsin Environmental Law Section; River Revitalization Foundation, Inc.;  Rotary Club Milwaukee
  • Former Board Member: Milwaukee Shakespeare; Wisconsin Green Building Alliance; Marble Arch Society
  • Member: Environmental Law Institute; International Municipal Lawyers Association; Wisconsin Association of Assessing Officers

Honors

  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ rated
  • Listed as Top Rated Lawyer in Environmental, Construction Law and Energy, Commercial Litigation, and Natural Resources by American Lawyer Media
  • Selected to the Wisconsin Super Lawyers list: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
  • Selected to Best Lawyers® in Litigation - Municipal "Lawyer of the Year" in Milwaukee: 2024
  • Selected to Best Lawyers® in Environmental Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Milwaukee: 2023
  • Selected to Best Lawyers® in Municipal Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Milwaukee: 2013, 2016, 2019, 2022
  • Selected to The Best Lawyers in America® in Environmental Law: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
  • Selected to The Best Lawyers in America® in Litigation - Municipal: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
  • Selected to The Best Lawyers in America® in Municipal Law: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

Resources & Insights

Alerts

Speaking Engagements

Blog Posts

Firm News

Education

University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D.

University of St. Thomas, B.A.

Admissions

  • Wisconsin
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