Madison, Wisconsin attorney Leon Erwin Isaksen was born Leon Erwin Isaacson in Pierce County, Wisconsin on December 13, 1903. Many years later he went to court to legally revert to the original spelling of the family name. Isaksen spent his youth in Spring Valley, Wisconsin and after 1921 resided in Madison. He attended the University of Wisconsin Law School and was a member of Phi Alpha Delta fraternity. Upon his graduation in 1930 he commenced a career in Madison which ultimately spanned 50 years. Isaksen began his legal career with the firm of Stevens, Slettland and Sutherland. He left that firm in 1934 to join John S. Cavanaugh in forming Isaacson & Cavanaugh. From 1935 to 1937 he was an assistant attorney general. In 1942 he became a partner in Thomas, Orr & Isaksen. At the time of his death Isaksen was a senior partner of Isaksen, Lathrop, Esch, Hart & Clark and was widely recognized for his specialization in real estate, estate planning, and antitrust cases.
Always active in civic affairs, in 1964 Isaksen was appointed to the Madison Equal Opportunities Commission. During the 1970's he served on the Goals for Madison Commission as chairman of the design committee. Isaksen was a president of the Blackhawk Country Club, an active member of Christ Presbyterian Church, head of the local Phi Alpha Delta alumni chapter, and president of Gyro International.
Isaksen died at his home on February 11, 1979. He was survived by his wife, Edith K. Isaksen, and three children.
