Andrea L. Murdock

Practice Areas and Clients

I have been practicing law for fifteen years, focusing on real estate, construction,  insurance coverage, and business matters.  Most of my clients are homeowners, construction professionals, and small business owners. I always knew I wanted to spend time in the courtroom, so I started my career in litigation and appeals, but over the years I have added complementary transactional work to my practice to meet my clients’ needs.

Why I Enjoy Being a Lawyer

I love the problem-solving aspect of law and being able to maneuver through a difficult legal situation by using the rules or the law to my client’s advantage. We often say at our firm that “we can do hard things.” To me this means that I welcome the challenging case, the obstinate opponent, and the client who feels like they have no options left. I strive to always give honest and sound legal advice and to make sure that I keep in contact with my client to ensure that my case strategy aligns with my client’s goals.

Why Clients Ask Me for Help

My clients  tend to first reach out to me when they need help resolving a dispute or want me to represent them in a lawsuit, which work often leads to additional  legal services focused on preventing future problems. This  may mean that while I am working to move a lawsuit toward resolution, I am also redrafting a construction contract, helping to put together a better-crafted  real estate deal, or creating employment contracts and employee handbooks for business owners. I call this the silver lining of litigation — the litigation process draws out flaws in  the documents or contractual  relationships, highlighting the changes necessary to prevent future problems. In this way, I get to help my clients both inside and outside the courtroom.

Types of Cases I Handle

I have represented individuals and businesses in matters involving non-compete agreements, stock-buyout agreements, shareholder disputes, zoning issues, short-term rental restrictions, construction delay, theft by contractor, misrepresentation, breach of contract, negligent construction, and homeowners and commercial general liability insurance coverage. I have helped my clients negotiate favorable settlements prior to trial, but I do not shy away from trial, having  tried numerous cases to judges, juries, and arbitrators in several jurisdictions. My clients have praised my polished and persuasive legal writing, my poise and tenacity at trial and in court, and my skill in drafting effective legal contracts.

What I Did Before Murdock Law, S.C.

I spent ten years working as a litigation/appeals attorney at a small firm in downtown Milwaukee, where I was a named shareholder, before making the decision to start my own firm with Anthony Murdock. Before working as an attorney in private practice, I had the privilege of serving as a law clerk for the Honorable Patricia D. McMahon (retired) in the Milwaukee County Circuit Court Civil Division, where I honed my  research and writing  skills and gained valuable insight in presenting winning arguments to judges.  I also spent years in the trenches as a legal assistant/paralegal before I attended law school, which made me truly appreciate the role these professionals play in a law firm setting.

Community Activities

I am deeply involved in supporting my community. I previously served as a board member (former President) of the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation, where I actively chaired and participated in many favorite community events, including the 4^th of July Celebration and the Great Pumpkin Festival. I have also spent many years volunteering as a coach for Girls on the Run of Southeastern Wisconsin, and you will often find me running  at local 5k, half-marathon, and marathon races. When not serving my clients or my community, I have two young children who keep me busy finding lost toys and reading stories to them.

Coffee is my constant companion.