Colleen E. Fielkow is a shareholder in the firm's Litigation Practice and also manages the Product Liability group. Colleen counsels and defends a wide range of corporate clients on product liability and mass tort proceedings in Wisconsin and nationwide. She has a deep and nuanced understanding of the challenges facing medical device manufacturers and distributors, and she also represents nursing homes, heavy and light equipment manufacturers, the print industry and recreational and sporting goods companies. In addition, she defends corporate clients involved in intellectual property, banking, contract and other commercial disputes.
In addition to her skill as a knowledgeable and persuasive advocate in trial proceedings, Colleen uses her practical understanding of product liability litigation to help business clients design and develop policies and procedures that reduce and manage product liability risk for the long term. Working with in-house counsel, product development teams and outside consultants, Colleen is able to conduct product warning audits and analyses. She is also adept at coordinating the process of developing product literature and policies that address and manage many aspects associated with the manufacture and distribution of a variety of products and services. Her experience in the public relations industry prior to practicing law helps Colleen understand big picture communications concerns that surround product development and marketplace promotion.
An enthusiastic speaker, Colleen speaks to business audiences on various litigation topics such as deposition strategy and indemnification and exculpatory clauses, including solutions to manage product liability risks through contract.
In addition to her professional practice, Colleen is one of the founding members of the Reinhart Women's Forum, a female attorney affinity group at the firm. Colleen also co-chairs the firm's pro bono programs and manages the firm's Domestic Abuse Injunction Project, a Reinhart team pro bono effort in partnership with Legal Action of Wisconsin to provide free legal representation to low-income persons seeking court-ordered injunctions in domestic abuse cases. Outside the firm, Colleen serves on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund and St. Catherine's Residence for Women.
She was also editor of the DePaul Law Review while in law school.
Representative Matters and Experience
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Winning a complete victory in a product liability case against a medical device distributor through summary judgment and appeal, avoiding costly damages and trial costs
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With a view toward avoiding costly claims, counseling international print equipment and medical device manufacturers on product safety protocols, including areas of emerging law, notably post-sale duty to warn
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Working with regional nursing homes facing negligence claims to minimize financial liability and limit costly public relations fall-out
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Under a special program to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office, she acquired a valuable, multidimensional trial background
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Counsels clients on new product legislation, including the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and CPSC guidelines
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Conducted successful trial for banking client
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Obtained summary judgment ruling in complex contract case, which was affirmed on appeal and resulted in total victory for client in federal action
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Secured dismissal of suit against financial institution in federal action
Accolades
Affiliations/Memberships
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Milwaukee Bar Association
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Seventh Circuit Bar Association
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American Bar Association
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Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association
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Association of Women Lawyers
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Defense Research Institute
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Served as a judicial law clerk to Judge Paul E. Plunkett of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Education
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J.D., with honors, DePaul University College of Law; Order of the Coif
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B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison (Journalism)