Joseph K. Leibham
Director, Public Affairs
Joseph (Joe) Leibham is a public affairs director at the national law firm of Foley & Lardner LLP. The former state senator manages the public affairs practice in Wisconsin. In that capacity, he represents numerous corporate and nonprofit clients before the legislature, the governor’s office, and state agencies in Wisconsin. His public affairs practice includes legislative lobbying, media relations, grassroots advocacy, rulemaking, and agency procurement.
Joe represented the residents of the 9th Senate District, encompassing parts of Sheboygan, Manitowoc, and Calumet counties from 2003 to 2014. During his tenure in the State Senate, he served as the president pro tempore, republican caucus chairman, and assistant minority leader.
Joe served on the Joint Finance Committee for three legislative sessions. He also served as the chairman of the Senate Committees on Economic Development, Transportation, Veterans and Military Affairs, Information Infrastructure, and the Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules. In addition, he has served on Senate committees focused on the areas of biotechnology, elections, local government, public safety, and workforce readiness.
In 2014, Joe was a candidate in the Republican primary for Wisconsin’s Sixth District for the United States Congress. Prior to serving in the State Senate, he served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and as a member of the Sheboygan City Council.
Joe also worked for Sargento Foods, Inc. and the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce.
Affiliations
- Joe has served as a board member for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and is involved with numerous local organizations.