April Rockstead Barker

I handle commercial, civil and open records litigation in Wisconsin and Illinois state and federal courts. I have extensive experience in complex litigation and insurance coverage matters. In addition, I have represented clients both as local counsel and in conjunction with out-of-state counsel who were admitted pro hac vice.

Since graduating from Harvard Law School in 1995, I have successfully prosecuted and defended commercial contract and business tort claims; class actions; professional malpractice actions; defamation, slander and libel cases; real property and municipal disputes; and trust disputes. I frequently assist individuals and commercial clients with insurance coverage disputes and coverage denials and represent individuals and organizations pursuing open records requests. I also represent clients in administrative proceedings, and I am an experienced appellate advocate.

Early in my career, I also served as a staff attorney for a nonprofit law firm dedicated to serving indigent clients. In private practice, I have counseled and represented numerous animal welfare and animal rescue organizations in Wisconsin. I am also an active board member of Patches Animal Rescue, Inc., a non-profit companion-animal rescue organization based in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

I have written articles covering legal topics, including several that appeared in the Wisconsin Law Journal. I am a fellow in Litigation Counsel of America, an honorary trial and appellate lawyer society. Fellows are selected based on excellence and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, as well as superior ethical reputation.