John Daniels Jr. Chairman Quarles & Brady LLP Milwaukee
John Daniels Jr. isn’t afraid of change. And that’s been a good thing for Quarles & Brady LLP, the Milwaukee-based law firm that Daniels has served as chairman since 2007.
Since taking over this position, Daniels has guided the law firm through a major change, transforming it from a traditional law firm into one that boasts a client-focused, business-minded focus.
And not only did Daniels spur this transformation, he did it during the worst economy that the United States has suffered through in decades.
The results, though, have paid off. While many law firms have struggled during these difficult times, Quarles & Brady has grown.
This success comes as no surprise to Daniels’ peers, who recognize him as a top legal mind. Since Daniels took over as chairman of Quarles & Brady, the firm has opened three new offices. No wonder that National Law Journal has named Daniels as one of the 50 most influential diverse attorneys in the United States.
And Daniels hasn’t just made an impact on his firm. He’s also left his mark on the entire Milwaukee region. Daniels, for instance, played important roles in the development of such highly complex projects as the redevelopment of the Delta Center convention center in downtown Milwaukee and the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, home of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks and several other local sports teams.
Daniels’ achievements haven’t gone unnoticed. He is the former national president of the prestigious American College of Real Estate Lawyers and received the 2012 Spirit of Excellence Award from the American Bar Association Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Legal Profession.
In 2011, Daniels received the Legend of the Year award from the Milwaukee Community Journal, while in the same year he earned the Pathfinder Award from the African-American Managing Partners Network.
Daniels also devotes his time to local civic organizations. He has served as the chairman of the board of directors of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and vice chairman of the Greater Milwaukee Committee. He has also devoted his time to the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Ralph Evinrude Foundation and Medical College of Wisconsin.