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“Jake is adept at handling complex legal issues, whether big or small. His pragmatic but thorough approach to analyzing both legal and business issues is refreshing. He does not ‘over-lawyer’ a problem, and is quick to formulate a strategy and execute on it with great results.”

Angela Frye, Verizon, Managing Associate General Counsel

Overview

Jake is a land use, development, and transactional attorney with a particular focus on the technology and communications sectors.

He has extensive experience representing telecommunications infrastructure companies, wireless providers, and data center operators in all aspects of facility development, siting, and operations. As co-leader of the firm’s data center practice, Jake is at the forefront of advising clients on the complex legal and regulatory challenges unique to this rapidly evolving industry.

Jake’s practice centers on guiding clients through every stage of land use and zoning matters, from site identification and due diligence to securing entitlements, variances, and special use permits. He regularly appears before local planning boards, zoning commissions, and governmental authorities to advocate for project approvals, negotiate development agreements, and address community concerns. His experience extends to complex matters involving rights of way, easements, and permitting for critical infrastructure and large-scale developments.

In addition to his transactional and development work, Jake represents clients in disputes related to installations, land use, and permitting, appearing before state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as regulatory bodies. He is recognized for his pragmatic approach to dispute resolution, consistently achieving favorable outcomes while minimizing delay and expense.

Jake also provides general corporate and real estate counsel to technology and communications clients, drawing on his experience as former corporate counsel to a publicly traded global manufacturing company. This in-house perspective enables Jake to deliver legal solutions that are informed by a deep understanding of clients’ business objectives and operational realities.

Jake’s goal is to provide clients with actionable, business-oriented legal advice that supports their growth and innovation in a dynamic marketplace. Clients value his industry knowledge, strategic insight, and commitment to delivering practical results.

“Jake is adept at handling complex legal issues, whether big or small. His pragmatic but thorough approach to analyzing both legal and business issues is refreshing. He does not ‘over-lawyer’ a problem, and is quick to formulate a strategy and execute on it with great results.”

Angela Frye, Verizon, Managing Associate General Counsel

Industries

Services

Recognition

  • The Legal 500 United States
    • Real estate: Land use/zoning, Recommended lawyer, 2025

Education

  • J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School
  • B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Admissions

  • Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, District of North Dakota
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • American Bar Association
  • Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association
  • Federal Communications Bar Association
  • Illinois Wireless Association
  • Wisconsin Wireless Association
2024 Pro Bono Contributor
Featured Experience

Cell Site Developer, Verizon Win Permit for New Wireless Communications Tower

Central States Tower III LLC, a builder and manager of cell towers, turned to Husch Blackwell after the planning commission for Eau Claire, Wisconsin, rejected its application for a conditional use permit because a cell tower already stood on the site. Our team challenged the commission’s determination, arguing that its decision violated state law, and worked with the client’s carrier partner, Verizon, to remove the existing Sprint (now T-Mobile) tower. The ensuing settlement benefited all parties by allowing construction of a tower that can accommodate multiple carriers to serve the immediate community while minimizing the number of towers in the vicinity.

Read more


Additional Experience
  • Obtained summary judgment on behalf of commercial HVAC client and its surety company defeating a lower tier supplier's claim. Court found in favor of our client, that claimant notice obligations had not been met under Wisconsin law.
  • Successfully recovered several design defect claims on behalf of medical clinic under $4M+ contract with design firm for hospital and cancer center in Wisconsin, increasing initial offered settlement by nearly 400 percent.
  • Counseled technology, data and communications companies on nationwide implementation of next-generation technologies, including distributed antenna system, 5G and small cell.
  • Represented NYSE and Nasdaq telecommunications companies in complex administrative, regulatory, legislative, commercial and litigation matters.
  • Advised telecommunications and technology companies on successful solutions to handle difficult government regulations, resulting in development of infrastructures supporting emerging technologies.
  • Represented Lendlease in obtaining favorable settlement in lawsuit against the Village of Cary, Illinois. The victory paves the way for the construction of the first privately-permitted wireless tower in the Village.
  • Successfully obtained then strategically defended telecommunication infrastructure approvals for our continental U.S. tower company client after competitor sued to challenge the approvals. Judicial oral decision rejected all arguments in the lawsuit and affirmed our client's wireless development approvals.
  • Oversaw and managed outside counsel in almost all geographic regions of the globe for publicly traded manufacturer, including the U.K., European Union, Eastern Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Middle East.
  • Directed legal management of all core business matters for select divisions of global manufacturing company, including multiple affiliates and vendors.
  • Led legal strategies for geographical unique considerations, such as sanctions, etc.
  • Held full fiscal responsibility for assigned divisions of global manufacturing company, including review/authorization of all outside counsel legal bills; analyzed and ensured correction of any billing/service discrepancies.
  • Obtained zoning approval for Greywolf Partners to add a nursing school to Honey Creek Corporate Center in Milwaukee, requiring a zoning change opposed by various municipal policymakers.
  • Secured victory on behalf of Tillman Infrastructure, defending previously-awarded permits to construct a new telecommunications tower to house needed wireless communications infrastructure. Decision affirmed on appeal.
Case Studies
Microsoft Corporation

Our team assisted Microsoft in the construction of a $1 billion data center on a 315-acre parcel of land in Wisconsin.

Outside the Office

The bulk of Jake’s leisure time is spent with his wife and three young children.

He participates in the annual 50-kilometer American Birkebeiner, billed as the largest cross-country ski race in the country, in northwest Wisconsin. He also enjoys running, downhill skiing and mountain biking and never misses an opportunity to spend time at his family’s cabin in northern Wisconsin or at his in-laws’ place near the beach in South Carolina.

In-House Counsel Experience
  • Corporate Counsel, Snap-on Incorporated, 2021-2022