Retired Quarles & Brady partner to throw hat into governor’s race

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Matt Flynn, a retired partner at Quarles & Brady and former chairman of the state Democratic Party, will announce plans on Tuesday to enter the already crowded race to secure his party’s nomination to take on Gov. Scott Walker next year.

Flynn will make his announcement at events in Glendale and Madison.

According to Quarles & Brady’s website, Flynn’s legal practice centered on defending people and companies that were the subject of Security and Exchange Commission investigations, people who were in class-action securities cases and news organizations from charges of libel, as well as providing advice in cases involving complex commercial litigation and internal investigations. His clients have included Johnson Controls, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Hyatt Corp. and TV affiliates of the Hearst Corp.

Flynn is not the only lawyer to announce that he’s vying to be the Democratic candidate for governor. Dana Wachs, a lawyer from Eau Claire and member of the state Assembly, is also in the race.

Other Democrats who have announced they are in the race include state superintendent of schools Tony Evers, Milwaukee businessman Andy Gronik, state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout of Alma and political activist Mike McCabe.