Overview
Joe is a fourth generation lawyer. His family has a long tradition of practicing law ranging from service in the district attorney's office and in the JAG Corps, to representing tax, corporate, and real estate clients at all levels in the community. Joe has kept that tradition going for more than 25 years.
Clients value Joe’s creativity. They know he will think differently about their issues and find solutions that are outside their realm of experience. He has a background in economics and accounting. His first job out of law school was doing tax accounting at an international professional services firm. The tax perspective and marketing skills he learned at that first job continue to shape his approach to client service today.
Joe advises clients on complex sales and acquisitions of companies, real estate transactions and financings, and sophisticated tax planning. He routinely works with clients in structuring their investment entities and offerings as well as developing or acquiring real estate and business assets. He helps clients develop and finance numerous high profile retail, industrial and multi-family developments in Wisconsin and across the country including zoning and other entitlement issues. He has extensive experience with tax increment financing, new market tax credits, bond financing, historic tax credits, tenancies in common, installment sales, and Section 1031 exchanges.
Joe works with clients in real estate, food and beverage, education, construction, manufacturing, and other general business areas. His clients include investment groups, developers and businesses who add value and jobs to their communities as well as nonprofits devoted to educating and supporting children.
Outside the office Joe is a board member for the Milwaukee Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. He is also a board member of the Milwaukee Torrent, a professional soccer team. Joe is a soccer coach for both kids and adults with more than twenty years of coaching experience. He is also a supporter of the Women's Care Center in Milwaukee as well as Unbound, an international charity that supports children in poverty.
Experience
Membership & Involvement
- Amundsen Davis Executive Committee
- Member: NAIOP; International Council of Shopping Centers; Commercial Association of Realtors
- Wisconsin State Bar: Member, Real Property Probate and Trust Section, Past Chair
Honors
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ rated
- Selected to The Best Lawyers in America® in Tax Law: 2024, 2025
- Selected to The Best Lawyers in America® in Corporate Law: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Selected to The Best Lawyers in America® in Real Estate Law: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Selected to The Best Lawyers in America® in Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships): 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Listed in Chambers USA as a leader in Real Estate Law: 2022, 2023, 2024
- Selected to the Wisconsin Super Lawyers list: 2013, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
- Selected to Wisconsin Law Journal Leader in the Law: 2018
- Listed as M Magazine Best Lawyers: 2013
- Listed as American Lawyer Media and Martindale Hubbell's Top Rated Lawyer in Banking & Finance Law: 2013
- Selected to the Wisconsin Super Lawyers "Rising Stars" list: 2007
Resources & Insights
In the Media
Alerts
Speaking Engagements
Blog Posts
Firm News
- 108 Amundsen Davis Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® in 2025 in America108 Amundsen Davis Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® in 2025 in America
We are proud to congratulate 108 of our attorneys on being recognized by Best Lawyers® in 2025 in America.
- Chambers USA Recognizes Two Amundsen Davis Service Groups and Two Attorneys for 2024Chambers USA Recognizes Two Amundsen Davis Service Groups and Two Attorneys for 2024
Congratulations to Joe Tierney, Brian Randall, our Real Estate group, and our Intellectual Property group on the recognitions!
- Amundsen Davis Attorneys Included in 2023 Wisconsin Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists!Amundsen Davis Attorneys Included in 2023 Wisconsin Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists!
We are pleased to announce the inclusion of 10 attorneys on the 2023 Wisconsin Super Lawyers® list and 6 attorneys on the 2023 Wisconsin Rising StarsSM list.
- 88 Amundsen Davis Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® in 2024 in America88 Amundsen Davis Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® in 2024 in America
We are extremely excited to congratulate 88 of our attorneys on being recognized by Best Lawyers® in 2024 in America.
Services
Education
University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., 1995
Marquette University, B.S., 1992, with honors
Admissions
- Wisconsin