Lawyer Overview

A Wisconsin practitioner since 1977 and a shareholder in Murphy Desmond S.C., Mr. Bechler's practice emphasizes municipal, probate and property tax law.  Mr. Bechler currently serves as co-chair of the firm's Municipal Law Practice Group.

He has substantial experience in representing both municipal governments and citizens in their relationship with governments in such areas as land use, subdivision, zoning and economic development law.

Mr. Bechler has a solid background in all aspects of estate planning and probate, as well as real estate development. In addition, he has considerable experience in civil and appellate litigation.

Mr. Bechler is recognized as a Wisconsin Super Lawyer, one of the Best Lawyers in America as well as in Who's Who in American Law and Who's Who in America.

Areas of Practice

• Estate Planning and Probate
• Municipal Law
• Real Estate, Land Use & Construction

Representative Cases

• Bloomer Housing LP v. City of Bloomer, 2002 WI App. 252, 257 Wis. 2d 883, 653 N.W. 2d 309 (Wis. Ct. of Appeals 2003)
• VOSS v. City of Middleton, 162 Wis 2d 737, 470 N.W. 2d 625 (WI Supreme Court 1991)
• KW Holdings v. Town of Windsor, 2003 WI App. 9, 259 Wis 2d 357, 656 N.W. 2d 752 (Wis. Ct. of Appeals 2003)

West Practice Categories

Administrative Law, Estate Planning, Litigation & Appeals, Probate & Estate Administration, Real Estate Law, Land Use & Zoning, State, Local & Municipal Law, Taxation Law

Bar Admissions

• Wisconsin, 1977
• U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin, 1977
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1979
• U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1979
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1997

Professional Associations and Memberships

• American Bar Association (Member)
• State Bar of Wisconsin (Member, Convention and Entertainment Committee, 1979-1983)
• State Bar of Wisconsin, Board of Directors, Administrative & Local Government Law Section (2003 -; Vice President 2006 - 2007; President 2007 - 2008)
• State Bar of Wisconsin (Section Leaders Council, 2007 -)
• Dane County Bar Association (Member)
• American Judicature Society (Member)
• League of Wisconsin Municipalities - Attorneys Section (Member)
• International Municipal Lawyers Association (Member)
• Madison Solid Waste Advisory Committee, 1992 - 1993 (Member)
• Wisconsin Joint Legislative Council, 2002 - 2003 (Member, Special Committee on Recodification of Town Highway Law)
• Madison Board of Water Commissioners (Member 1983 - 1999; Vice President 1986 - 1992; President 1992 - 1999)
• Madison Repertory Theatre (Board of Directors, 2008 - Present)

Honors and Awards

• Recognized by, The Best Lawyers in America
• Recognized by, Who's Who in America

Classes and Seminars

• Instructor, Real Estate Law and Probate Law, General Practice Course, University of Wisconsin Law, 1989
• Lecturer: "Property Tax Law in Wisconsin", National Business Institute, 1995 - 1996
• Lecturer: "Property Tax Law in Wisconsin", National Business Institute, 1999 - 2003
• Lecturer: "New Developments in Wisconsin Impact Fee Law", State Bar of Wisconsin (2007) and League of Wisconsin Municipalities (2007)

Education

• University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 1977
  J.D.
• The Ohio State University, 1974
  M.A.
• The Ohio State University, 1972
  B.A.
  Honors: With Distinction

Fraternities/Sororities

• Kappa Kappa Psi

Published Works

• "Property Tax Law in Wisconsin", National Business Institute, 1995-1996; 1999-2003
• "The Importance of the Recent Recodification of Town Highway Law", Administrative & Local Government News No. 58 (October 2004)
• "2005 Wis. Act 81 and Elimination of Nonconforming Uses", Administrative & Local Government News No. 61 (April 2006)
• "Supreme Court Defines Special Assessment Standards", Administrative and Local Government News No. 62 (December 2006)

Address

33 East Main Street
Suite 500
Madison, WI 53703

Phones

(608) 268-5601

Faxes

(608) 257-4333

Emails

Contact Us

Websites

http://www.murphydesmond.com