About our Team
Sam Wayne
Attorney Sam Wayne is the owner of Wayne Law S.C., a small Madison-based law firm focusing on business and probate litigation as well as business counseling. He has a passion for helping startups and small businesses to navigate their difficult legal issues, and to win and settle their most complex disputes.
Sam has represented people and businesses as part of small and mid-size Madison firms; helped start, represent, and manage an educational games company; and interned for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Unit, and a large law firm in New York City. He is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Board of Governors, and the Chair of its Policy Committee.
Originally from New York, Sam is a Badger twice-over and is proud to have called Madison home since 2003. In his spare time, you can find him on his yoga mat, on an airplane, or enjoying time with his wife and two young children.
Admissions
- All Courts of the State of Wisconsin
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern & Western Districts of Wisconsin
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern & Western Districts of Wisconsin
- All Courts of the State of Illinois
Education
- JD // University of Wisconsin Law School
- MPA // University of Wisconsin
- BS // Cornell University
Articles
- “The Economic Loss Doctrine in Wisconsin.” Business Law Blog, State Bar of Wisconsin Business Law Section, November 21, 2024
- “How to Negotiate a Commercial Contract for Your Client,” Business Law Blog, State Bar of Wisconsin Business Law Section, September 18, 2024
- “Update on the Corporate Transparency Act of 2020,” On Balance, Vol. 19, No. 1, January/February 2023. (coauthored with Joseph W. Boucher)
- “Corporate Transparency Act of 2020,” On Balance, Vol. 18, No. 2, March/April 2022. (coauthored with Joseph W. Boucher)
- “How to Add Fair Credit Reporting Act Cases to Your Practice,” Wisconsin Lawyer, Vol. 97, No. 10, January 1, 2016.
Distinctions
- 2024 – 2025 // Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation
- 2018 – 2021 // Wisconsin SuperLawyers Rising Stars
- 2018 // Wisconsin Law Foundation Fellow
- 2017 – 2021, 2024 // State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors
- 2012 // InBusiness Magazine 40 Under 40
- 2011 // State Bar of Wisconsin Young Lawyers Division Professional Achievement Award
- 2010 // Wisconsin Law School Dean’s Fellow
Presentations
- “The Effects of the Corporate Transparency Act on the Wisconsin Lawyer.” State Bar of Wisconsin Solo/Small Firm Conference, October 17, 2024. (1.5 CLE)
- “Business Lawyer Starter Kit Series: Commercial Contracts.” State Bar of Wisconsin Business Law Section, October 10, 2024. (1.0 CLE)
- “Your Guide to the Corporate Transparency Act 2023.” State Bar of Wisconsin PinnaCLE, November 9, 2023. (1.5 CLE)
- “One Year Later: Effects of the New Uniform LLC Law.” State Bar of Wisconsin Solo/Small Firm Conference, October 19, 2023. (1.0 CLE)
- “Complex Commercial Contracts 2023.” State Bar of Wisconsin PinnaCLE, January 13, 2023. (1.0 CLE)
Brandon J. Conway
Attorney Brandon Conway is an associate at Wayne Law S.C., focusing on business litigation, professional liability, probate litigation, and construction litigation. Brandon strives to assist individuals and small businesses with complex legal matters in order to achieve a positive resolution for his clients.
Prior to joining Wayne Law S.C., Brandon represented businesses in complex litigation matters at a large firm in Milwaukee. Prior to that he interned for Wayne Law S.C.
Brandon is originally from Southern Illinois but moved to Wisconsin for law school. After spending just a few months in Wisconsin, Brandon decided he was going to call Wisconsin home for his legal career. In his free time, you will find Brandon watching basketball with his wife, daughter, and three cats. Go Bucks!
Admissions
- All Courts of the State of Wisconsin
- United States District Court for the Eastern & Western Districts of Wisconsin
Education
- JD // University of Wisconsin Law School
- BA // Saint Louis University
Nicole Swails
Attorney Nicole Swails is a part-time associate at Wayne Law S.C. In addition to Wayne Law S.C., Nicole works as in-house counsel for a Wisconsin-based pharmaceutical manufacturing company and runs her own small law practice focused on estate planning.
Nicole is originally from Sauk City, Wisconsin, just outside of Madison. Despite traveling across the country with her family as a child, Nicole determined Wisconsin would always be home, returning to Madison after graduating from UW-La Crosse.
In her free time, you can find Nicole reading a good book, kayaking on the lakes in Minocqua, or relaxing with her husband, dog, and three cats.
Admissions
- All Courts of the State of Wisconsin
Education
- JD // Mitchell Hamline School of Law
- BA // University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
Serving Wisconsin
Located in Madison, Wisconsin, the Firm serves clients throughout Wisconsin, including Dane, Iowa, Sauk, Columbia, Dodge, Jefferson, Green, Rock, Lafayette, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Green Lake, Sheboygan, La Crosse, Eau Claire, Racine, Kenosha, Grant, Marathon, Walworth, Fond du Lac, Ozaukee, St. Croix, Winnebago, Outagamie, Brown, and Washington counties, and throughout Illinois, including Kane, DuPage, Cook, Lake, Winnebago, Kendall, DeKalb, La Salle, Carroll, Whiteside, Henry, Bureau, Putnam, Stark, Grundy, Will, Kankakee, Iroquois, Ford, Livingston, Woodford, Marshall, Peoria, Lee, Ogle, Boone, McHenry, Stephenson, Rock Island, and Jo Daviess counties.
