Andrew P. Beilfuss

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Andrew P. Beilfuss applied to law school after a few years as a business consultant because he “was always interested in the chess match that I thought trial work would be.”

After just five years as a lawyer, he’s already played integral roles on teams that have toppled the opposition’s queen several times in high-stakes litigation.

In 1-800-Radiator of Wisconsin v. 1-800-Radiator Inc., he and his colleagues successfully defended one of the nation’s largest franchisors against allegations of fraud and violations of Wisconsin’s Fair Dealership and Franchise Investment Laws and other consumer protection laws. His client was absolved of liability after a one-week arbitration, which was affirmed in federal court in 2008.

Then in 2009, Beilfuss was part of the team that successfully reversed the trial court in James Cape & Sons Company by Polsky v. Streu Construction Co., et al., a published Wisconsin Court of Appeals decision. The court held that respondeat superior does not apply in suits between employers and employees.

Who is your favorite Supreme Court justice of all time?

Bruce Beilfuss. To the best of my knowledge, we’re the only two Beilfusses who’ve been licensed to practice law in Wisconsin. There aren’t that many Beilfuss families in the state. I’ve tried and tried to find the connection, but sadly, I can’t.

What was your most useful law school course?

All the trial practice courses.

What was your worst law school course?

Trusts and Estates just didn’t capture my interest somehow.

What song is on heavy rotation on your iPod?

All 26 songs from the Phineas & Ferb soundtrack — my kids absolutely love them! They are kind of catchy actually.

What is the first concert you went to?

Roy Orbison with my Dad in West Bend. I was maybe seven or eight.

Where would you like to live?

I’m pretty happy here in Milwaukee. I was born here and never left. But if I had to, it would probably be to some tropical island.

What’s your favorite sports team?

I like a lot of sports and a lot of teams, but I suppose the Packers are my all-time favorite.

What can you spend hours doing that’s not law-related?

Playing with my kids, and my guitar — even though I’m an absolutely terrible guitarist.