Michelle Behnke

Michelle Behnke is a Wisconsin business, real estate law, and estate planning lawyer who advises companies, property owners, investors, individuals, and families. She joined Boardman & Clark LLP in 2024 after spending 26 years as the principal of her own firm. She helps clients address business formation, commercial transactions, property matters, and long-term planning decisions. She brings broad experience to matters that often involve overlapping financial, ownership, and family considerations.

Michelle earned her J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School and her B.A. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Her legal and business education prepared her to evaluate complex transactions, draft detailed agreements, and explain practical options to clients. She applies that background when helping clients organize companies, transfer property, plan estates, and protect personal or commercial interests.

Michelle regularly assists businesses with entity selection and prepares articles of organization, articles of incorporation, bylaws, operating agreements, buy-sell agreements, and employment agreements. She advises clients on legal structures and contractual terms that may affect ownership, management, succession, and daily operations. She also helps clients anticipate potential disputes and create documents suited to their long-term goals.

Michelle handles commercial real estate matters involving purchases, sales, title review, financing, leases, construction contracts, easements, covenants, multi-party use agreements, and Section 1031 exchanges. She helps estate planning clients review financial information, confirm how assets are titled, and decide how property should be distributed. She prepares wills, trusts, financial and healthcare powers of attorney, and marital property agreements based on each client’s circumstances.

Michelle Behnke serves as president of the American Bar Association for 2025–2026 and previously served as president of the State Bar of Wisconsin. She has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for real estate law since 2006 and has appeared on the Wisconsin Super Lawyers list since 2005. She combines decades of legal experience, professional leadership, and practical judgment when guiding clients through business, property, and estate planning matters.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Boardman & Clark LLP
• Member, State Bar of Wisconsin
• Member, American Bar Association
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation
• Member, Dane County Bar Association
• Member, Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers
• Member, American College of Real Estate Lawyers
• Member, American Law Institute

Licensed State

• Wisconsin

Education

• University of Wisconsin Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
•  University of Wisconsin – Madison
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)