Michael Donovan


Attorney Michael J. Donovan graduated with honors from Loras College, 1970 and with distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law, 1973. He is licensed to practice law in both the states of Wisconsin and Iowa having successfully passed the bar examination of both states. Attorney Donovan has been admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Attorney Donovan began his career with the Milwaukee law firm, Borgelt, Powell, Peterson & Frauen, a firm that specialized in litigation defense for insurance companies and other large corporations. In September 1977 Attorney Donovan was recruited by the firm as a trial attorney to represent injured people against insurance companies and others responsible for causing injury. He remains with the firm as a shareholder and its senior trial attorney.

In his 36-year career as a trial lawyer, Attorney Donovan has tried over 100 jury trials and has negotiated thousands of cases on behalf of injured people. His broad base of experience includes handling auto accident, slip and fall, dog bite, sexual assault, products liability, workers compensation and Social Security disability cases.

He has been involved in several key cases that have lead to groundbreaking decisions by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. In Brown v. Maxey he successfully argued for insurance coverage for punitive damages for a severely burned African-American client. He also argued for insurance coverage for a child sexually assaulted in the landmark case, N.N. v.Moraine Mutual. Recently he obtained a large verdict for a construction foreman who was seriously injured by a truck driver whose insurance company denied liability and refused to pay any damages.

Attorney Donovan is certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. His accomplishments have been recognized in Who’ Who In America, Who’s Who in American Executives and Professionals and Who’s Who in American Law.

Attorney Donovan is proud to be an active member in both The American Association For Justice and the Wisconsin Association for Justice. He was elected to serve two terms on the board of directors of Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers. Attorney Donovan has achieved both Advocate and Fellow statuses with the American Association For Justice

His family includes Jean, his wife of 37 years, and two adult children, Jon and Jodi. He has been active in his community, coaching youth sports as well a holding civic positions.

Most recently Attorney Donovan was recognized as the Attorney of the Year by Career Youth Development as well as being chosen by Milwaukee Magazine as a Wisconsin Super Lawyer, 2006 and 2007.