Lauren A. Triebenbach

Lauren Triebenbach is the leader of Michael Best’s Construction Law Section and a Partner in the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group. With over fifteen years of experience, Lauren provides strategic guidance to clients in the construction industry, including contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and owners, among others. Specifically, she delivers pragmatic advice and representation through matters involving:

• Complex construction disputes in arbitration or litigation, including those involving design and construction defects, change order requests, and scheduling delays;

• Guiding clients through risk avoidance procedures and strategies;

• Advising construction industry professionals on methods and tactics for collection of unpaid costs and fees, including perfecting lien claims; and

• Drafting and negotiating construction contracts for general contractors, subcontractors, construction managers, architects, engineers, consultants, and other professionals.

Lauren also assists the firm’s real estate developer clients with quiet title actions and restrictive covenant litigation, including injunctions and temporary restraining orders.

Member, American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law

Former Chair, State Bar of Wisconsin, Construction and Public Law Section (2023-2024)

Former Vice Chair, State Bar of Wisconsin, Construction and Public Law Section (2022-2023)

Former Secretary, State Bar of Wisconsin, Construction and Public Law Section (2021-2022, 2024-2025)

Member, State Bar of Wisconsin

Member, American Bar Association

Participant, Women in Commercial Real Estate Wisconsin (WCREW)

Participant, Commercial Association of Realtors Wisconsin (CARW)

Participant, National Association for Women Lawyers in Construction (NAWIC)

Participant, Association for Women Lawyers (AWL)

Participant, Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association (WUCA)

Recovered over $2,000,000 in an American Arbitration Association proceeding involving a payment dispute between a material supplier and an installer.

Achieved pre-trial settlement totaling over $1,000,000 on behalf of a farm owner for the repair of defects in the design and construction of a waste storage pond.

Obtained a nearly $700,000 pre-trial settlement on behalf of the City of Ashland for the repair of certain engineering and construction defects in the newly-constructed 6th Street West project.

On behalf of a general contractor, successfully recovered nearly $1,000,000 in damages and fees required to repair damaged radiant heating system in two multifamily complexes.

Successfully defended a mechanical subcontractor from a $2,000,000 delay damages claim by an electrical subcontractor on the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences (published as Mech., Inc. v. Venture Elec. Contrs., Inc., 2020 WI App 23).

Drafted and negotiated architect and general contractor agreements for Ascendium Education Group’s new $34,000,000 headquarters facility.

Drafted and negotiated architect and general contractor agreements for two new dormitories on Lakeland University’s Plymouth, WI campus.

Drafted and negotiated general contractor agreement for Milwaukee Tool’s $32,000,000 headquarters expansion in Brookfield, WI.

Drafted and negotiated general contractor agreement for Milwaukee Tool’s Chicago office located in the Old Post Office Building.

Achieved a pre-trial settlement in the high seven-figures on behalf of a Wisconsin farm in a construction defect claim.

Represented a German multinational glass company specializing in the manufacture of glass and glass-ceramics in contract negotiations for the design and construction of a new Wilson, North Carolina manufacturing facility.

Recovered nearly $3,000,000 for a specialty contractor that provides fire protection, mechanical, and pipe fabrication services in a dispute with a supplier over defective pipe coatings.

Represented a Wisconsin-based mutual insurance company in a construction defect dispute with the general contractor who constructed a new facility on the insurer’s home campus.

Represented a commercial general contractor located in Raleigh, North Carolina in contract negotiations with Lenovo for the design and construction of a new server manufacturing facility in Whitsett, North Carolina.

Successfully defended a commercial siding subcontractor against a $2,000,000 claim by a large national general contractor who alleged defective construction by the subcontractor.

Marquette University Law School

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

2007

Washington University in St. Louis

Bachelors of Arts (B.A.)

2004