Police officers and firefighters dedicate their careers to serving their communities, often putting their own safety on the line. In return, they earn important employment protections and retirement benefits that help provide security for themselves and their families.
When those rights are challenged, experienced legal representation matters.
Attorney Chris MacGillis has spent his career representing Wisconsin’s first responders-not only in labor and employment matters, disciplinary proceedings, and critical incidents, but also in cases that shape the law itself.
One such case reached the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Representing the Milwaukee Professional Fire Fighters Association, Chris argued before the state’s highest court in Milwaukee Police Association v. City of Milwaukee, a case involving the governance of Milwaukee’s Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) and the statutory rights of police officers and firefighters.
At issue was whether changes affecting the composition of the ERS Annuity and Pension Board complied with Wisconsin law governing the retirement system. The outcome carried significant implications for the voice police officers and firefighters have in overseeing the pension system they help fund throughout their careers.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of the employee organizations, reversing the Court of Appeals and reaffirming the statutory protections established for members of Milwaukee’s retirement system.
While the case centered on complex questions of statutory interpretation and municipal governance, its impact was straightforward: protecting the rights and benefits earned by the men and women who serve our communities.
For Chris, that work reflects the broader mission of his First Responder practice.
Representing first responders means far more than responding when a crisis occurs. It means advocating for clients throughout their careers-from employment and labor matters to administrative proceedings, critical incidents, officer-involved shootings, and appellate litigation that can shape the future for thousands of public safety professionals.
Cases before the Wisconsin Supreme Court require meticulous preparation, deep knowledge of the law, and the ability to clearly present complex legal issues before the state’s highest judicial authority. Chris’s experience arguing at that level reflects the depth of advocacy he brings to every client he represents.
Whether defending constitutional rights during a critical incident or protecting the retirement benefits first responders have spent decades earning, the goal remains the same: providing trusted legal counsel and unwavering advocacy when it matters most.
At MacGillis Law Group and Wisconsin First Responder Lawyers, that commitment continues every day on behalf of the police officers, firefighters, paramedics, correctional officers, and other public safety professionals who dedicate their lives to protecting ours.