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  • October 16, 2019

    45 New Fellows Inducted into the Wisconsin Law Foundation

    With a night of celebration honoring leaders in the profession, the Wisconsin Law Foundation celebrates 45 new Fellows, members of the legal profession who show a commitment to the profession and community service. Congratulations!

    Shannon Green

    2019 Fellows of the Wisconsin Law Foundation

    Congratulations to the Class of 2019 Fellows of the Wisconsin Law Foundation. See more photos of the event on the State Bar of Wisconsin Facebook page.

    Oct. 16, 2019 – The night encompassed a recognition of leaders of all ages – from high school students just starting their mock trial experience, to those leading in the profession for over the past half-century. It encompassed laughter and tears, standing ovations, and moving remarks by those recognized for their leadership in the profession.

    Forty-five new Fellows were inducted Oct. 10, 2019, into the Fellows of the Wisconsin Law Foundation in Madison. The Fellows are lawyers who join by invitation as a result of their service to the profession, to their communities, and to justice.

    “These Fellows are recognized not only for their outstanding contributions to their profession,” said Kathleen Grant, president of the Fellows of the Wisconsin Law Foundation. “We have also served the public, given back to our communities, and made efforts to improve our system of justice.”

    “These ideals are what we are passing on to our younger peers and members of our community,” Grant said. “This service spans all the way from representing those who are under-represented, to those serving on judicial commissions.”

    “As Fellows,” Foundation President Kevin Lonergan said, “you’re the leaders who are making a good name for lawyers in our state. I’m honored to be here with you.”

    More than 200 attended the event, including representatives of the next generation of leaders – members of Milwaukee’s Golda Meir High School Mock Trial team. The mock trial students attended on invitation to honor Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Carl Ashley, a recipient of the Foundation's Charles A. Goldberg Award of Excellence.

    Kathleen Grant

    Longtime Foundation board member and supporter Cheryl Furstace Daniels speaks at the podium. She was honored for her 26 years of service to the Wisconsin Law Foundation.

    The Fellows of the Wisconsin Law Foundation

    The Fellows program recognizes members of the profession who are known by their peers for high professional achievements and outstanding contributions to the advancement and improvement of the administration of justice in Wisconsin. New Fellows are elected by the Fellows Board of Trustees.

    Shannon Green is communications writer for the State Bar of Wisconsin, Madison. She can be reached by email or by phone at (608) 250-6135.

    The program supports the mission of the Wisconsin Law Foundation, the charitable arm of the State Bar of Wisconsin. The Foundation promotes public understanding of the law, improvement of the administration of justice, and other law-related public service by funding innovative and creative programs that improve the vision of the American justice system.

    The Foundation in 2019 funded more than $52,000 in grants to programs, projects, and services across Wisconsin that assist public understanding of the law and improve access to justice. And, with strong support from the Fellows and donations from State Bar members, the Foundation in 2020 will give its highest amount– more than $55,000.

    “Thanks to the generosity of our Fellows and donors, we’ve been able to expand support for these worthy programs,” said Kevin Lonergan, Foundation president.

    Recipients of its grant money include Wisconsin’s High School Mock Trial Program, programs providing for teen and peer courts, education programs helping low-income individuals better navigate the health care system, and programs to educate pro se litigants about the family court process.

    Members of Milwaukee's Golda Meir High School Mock Trial Team

    Members of Milwaukee's Golda Meir High School Mock Trial Team attended the event, with their coaches, attorney Kori Ashley (back row, second from left) and Yara Rosario (back row, second from right).

    Honoring a Leader

    Lonergan took a few moments during the dinner to thank longtime Foundation board member and supporter Cheryl Furstace Daniels.

    Daniels first joined the board in 1993 and served for 26 years in various capacities, including two separate terms as Foundation president. “She has also chaired, at least once, almost every committee within the Foundation,” Lonergan said.

    Daniels said she is proud to have assisted, over the years, the growth of the Foundation – so that it can support “more and more worthy programs.”

    “The longer I’ve been involved, the more people we have brought into this organization – allowing it to have as broad an effect as possible,” Daniels said. “I’m really very happy that this is a part of the legacy I am leaving.”

    New Fellow Hon. Mary M. Kuhnmuench with her husband

    New Fellow Hon. Mary M. Kuhnmuench, Milwaukee, with her husband, John Kuhnmuench.

    Welcome new Fellows of the Wisconsin Law Foundation

    Jason F. Abraham, Milwaukee

    Hon. Patricia A. Barrett, Sauk City

    Robert G. Barrington, Juneau

    Lauren A. Blumenthal, Milwaukee

    Steven T. Botzau, Racine

    Douglas Scott Buck, Madison

    Lawrence J. Burnett, Milwaukee

    Daniel E. Conley, Milwaukee

    Erin M. (Maggie) Cook, Milwaukee

    Kelly O'Connor Dancy, Milwaukee

    James B. Egle, Madison

    Stewart L. Etten, Wausau

    Daniel T. Flaherty, Appleton

    Thomas L. Frenn, Milwaukee

    Kurt A. Goehre, Green Bay

    Timothy S. Jacobson, La Crosse

    Mary Pat Jacoby, Colgate

    Timothy T. Kay, Brookfield

    Rebecca A. Kiefer, Wauwatosa

    Laurna Anne Kinnel, Milwaukee

    J David Krekeler, Madison

    Steven J. Krueger, Green Bay

    Hon. Mary M. Kuhnmuench, Milwaukee

     

    Daniel J. La Rocque, Madison

    Laura J. Lavey, Milwaukee

    Donald W. Layden Jr., Milwaukee

    David P. Leibowitz, Chicago

    Jeffrey A. Mandell, Madison

    Patrick G. McBride, Milwaukee

    Elizabeth Kerstin Miles, Milwaukee

    Anna Frances Coyer Munoz, Milwaukee

    Kristen N. Nelson, Milwaukee

    Randy S. Nelson, Milwaukee

    Viet-Hanh Song-Thi Nguyen Winchell, Lake Elmo, Minnesota

    Barbara A. O'Brien, Milwaukee

    Elizabeth Ruthmansdorfer, Milwaukee

    Todd R. Seelman, Denver, Colorado

    Samantha C. Skenandore, Madison

    Susan Balzer Spoerk, Hales Corners

    Craig R. Steger, La Crosse

    William F. Sulton, Waukesha

    John R. Sweeney, Madison

    Kelli Sue Thompson, Madison

    Edward John Vopal, Green Bay

    Julie P. Wilson, Milwaukee

    Learn more about the 2019 recipients of the Foundation's Charles A. Goldberg Award of Excellence, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Carl Ashley and Madison litigator Earl Munson​, who received their awards at the event.


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