New Hires, Promotions, Partners

Shannon Allen, U.W. 1995, has joined the Brookfield office of DeWitt Ross & Stevens S.C., concentrating in business, labor and employment, and litigation. In particular, she advises clients in commercial litigation, employment matters, and employment litigation. She also is president-elect of the Milwaukee Bar Association, a mentor for the Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association, and a volunteer attorney for the Milwaukee Justice Center.

Adam Dassow, U.W. 2016, has joined Carney Thorpe LLC, Janesville, and focuses in civil litigation. He previously worked for Rock County courts as a judicial assistant and bailiff. Dassow is an Iraq war veteran and served with the First Cavalry Division of the United States Army both at Fort Hood and in the Nineveh Province of Iraq.

Stephen C. Dries, U.W. 2001, has been selected as clerk of court of the Eastern District of Wisconsin. He began his legal career as a corporate lawyer with Jenner & Block LLC, Chicago, served one year as law clerk to the Hon. Diane S. Sykes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and nearly 14 years as law clerk to Chief Judge William Griesbach. Dries replaces Jon W. Sanfilippo, Marquette 1988, who is retiring after 10 years of federal service and a lengthy prior career in public service and private practice.

Ann M. Grottveit, U.W. 1992, has been promoted to partner at Kahn, Soares & Conway LLP. She works in the firm’s Sacramento office and her practice areas include agriculture, environmental and business litigation, and administrative law relating to Proposition 65, the Clean Air Act, and the California Environmental Quality Act.

Richard A. Latta, U.W. 1986, has joined Stafford & Rosenbaum LLP, Madison, as a partner and focuses on corporate and partnership mergers, acquisitions, and reorganizations, tax-optimized debt and equity restructurings, financing business acquisitions, representation of banks before federal and state banking authorities, corporate governance matters, tax law, succession planning for closely held businesses, and corporate, partnership, and limited liability company governance matters, including minority equity-holder lawsuits. His previous experience includes being a partner in large Midwestern-based and international law firms.

Melita M. Mullen, U.W. 2012, has joined the State Bar of Wisconsin as an attorney editor. Most recently, she was in private practice as a civil litigator at Corneille Law Group’s Madison office, where she defended medical malpractice and general liability cases.

Garrett W. Nix, Marquette 2012, has been elected a shareholder at Weld Riley S.C., Eau Claire. He is a member of the business section and focuses on business formation, operations, and succession planning and also assists individuals in developing estate plans. He is experienced in farm and business succession planning and serves as municipal counsel for several governmental entities in western Wisconsin.

Robert (Rock) Theine Pledl, John Marshall 1980, has joined McNally Peterson S.C., Milwaukee. He has represented persons with disabilities for more than 30 years and will continue his practice in all aspects of disability and civil rights law and special needs planning, as well as federal and state court litigation.

Joseph P. Putzstuck, St. Thomas 2009, has joined One Law Group S.C. as an associate in the Appleton office. His primary practice areas include family, criminal, business and corporate, and personal injury law.

Joseph Trevino, Marquette 2012, has been promoted to partner at Smith
Amundsen LLC, Milwaukee, and continues to focus in commercial litigation and professional liability defense.

Mergers, Relocations, New Offices

Robert J. Janssen, Marquette 1988, formerly of One Law Group S.C., has opened Janssen Law LLC,Green Bay, concentrating in personal injury, worker’s compensation, and civil litigation. Katie Ver Boort, Hamline 2005, formerly of Stellpflug Law S.C., has joined Janssen Law LLC as an associate.

Lindsey King, Marquette 2005, has opened the Law Offices of Lindsey King, concentrating in all facets of employment law including employment contract advisory services and small-business employment law consulting.

Appointments, Elections

Kevin A. Delorey, U.W. 1986 magna cum laude, has been named national chair of the real estate practice group at Quarles & Brady LLP. Derek T. Neathery, U.W. 2005 magna cum laude, is now vice-chair. Delorey focuses on commercial real estate development, as well as design and construction contract drafting and negotiation. He is based in the Madison office, but splits his time across the Milwaukee, Chicago, and Tampa offices as well. Neathery, with the Chicago office, focuses on joint ventures, acquisitions, leasing, and development in a variety of transactions involving office, senior housing, retail, hotel, and multifamily assets across the country.

Authors, Speakers

Authors of the recently revised Wisconsin Juvenile Law Handbook (State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE, 4th ed. 2017) are the following: Milton Childs, Marquette 2003, State Public Defender’s Office, Wauwatosa; Eileen Fredericks, U.W. 2005, Devon Lee, McGeorge 1998, Gina M. Pruski, U.W. 1992,and Diane Rondini-Harness, U.W. 1987,State Public Defender’s Office, Madison; Margaret Johnson, Marquette 2001, State Public Defender’s Office, Racine; Mackenzie Renner, U.W. 2007, State Public Defender’s Office, Kenosha; and Amanda Skorr, Hamline 2005, State Public Defender’s Office, Appleton.

Theodore D. Kafkas, Marquette 1990, has authored Economic Crisis & Solutions – Unemployment Bubble, Technology, Federal Reserve and Government, available in print and as an e-book.

Authors of the recently revised Law of Damages in Wisconsin (State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE, 7th ed. 2017) are the following: Allen A. Arntsen, U.W. 1981, and Matthew D. Lee, Alabama 2006, Foley & Lardner LLP, Madison; James R. Clark, U.W. 1971, Carl D. Fortner, U.W. 1986, and Nicholas Kitzman, Duke 2016, Foley & Lardner LLP, Milwaukee; Melinda A. Bialzik, Harvard 1999, and Robert L. Gegios, U.W. 1981, Kohner, Mann & Kailas S.C., Milwaukee; Keith A. Bruett, Marquette 1998, and Patrick S. Nolan, Marquette 1997, Quarles & Brady LLP, Milwaukee; Robert C. Burrell, Iowa 1971, Borgelt, Powell, Peterson & Frauen S.C., Milwaukee; Jessica M. Butler, U.W. 2009, James T. Murray Jr., Marquette 1974, and Randy S. Parlee, Marquette 1983, Peterson, Johnson & Murray S.C., Milwaukee.

Also, Kelly L. Centofanti, Marquette 1990, Centofanti Law S.C., Milwaukee; Andrew J. Clarkowski, U.W. 1995, Axley Brynelson LLP, Madison; Sherry D. Coley, Marquette 2003, Davis & Kuelthau S.C., Green Bay; Gregory B. Conway, Marquette 1970, and Kurt Goehre, U.W. 2009,Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry S.C., Green Bay; Matthew J. Cornetta, Iowa 2001, Ruder Ware L.L.S.C., Eau Claire; Timothy D. Edwards, Wayne State 1989, Edwards Law Group LLP, Madison; Brandon J. Evans, George Mason 2005, Kendricks, Bordeau, Adamini, Greenlee & Keefe P.C., Marquette, Mich.; Stephanie L. Finn, U.W. 1991, and Webster A. Hart, William Mitchell 1967, Herrick & Hart S.C., Eau Claire; Stephen L. Fox, Marquette 1992, and Kent A. Tess-Mattner, Marquette 1980, Schmidt, Rupke, Tess-Mattner & Fox S.C., Brookfield.

Also, J. Ric Gass, Marquette 1970, and David J. Turek, Marquette 2002, Gass Weber Mullins LLC, Milwaukee; Hon. Chad R. Gendreau, U.W. 2003, U.S. Social Security Administration, Milwaukee; Thomas Gonzalez, U.W. 1998, Husch Blackwell LLP, Milwaukee; John W. Hein, New York Univ. 1970, Davis & Kuelthau s.c., Milwaukee; Ann S. Jacobs, U.W. 1992, Jacobs Injury Law S.C., Milwaukee; Sarah F. Kaas, Drake 1996, and Patrick O. Dunphy, Marquette 1976, Cannon & Dunphy S.C., Brookfield; Robert J. Kasieta, Marquette 1983, Kasieta Legal Group LLC, Milwaukee; Paul A. Kinne, U.W. 1993, and Scott B. Thompson, U.W. 2015, Gingras Cates & Luebke, Madison; and Kristin E. Lonergan, U.W. 2007, Crooks, Low & Connell S.C., Wausau.

Also, Thomas J. Lonzo, U.W. 1989, Rose & deJong S.C., Milwaukee, Patrick J. Lubenow, U.W. 1984, Russell M. Ware, Marquette 1971, and Paul C. Werkowski, Thomas M. Cooley 2001, SmithAmundsen LLC, Milwaukee; Theodore V. Lyons Jr., U.W. 1978, Meier, Wickhem, Lyons & Schulz S.C., Janesville; Thomas W. Mackenzie, Marquette 1980, and Jonathan T. Swain, Marquette 1975, Lindner & Marsack S.C, Milwaukee; Barbara A. Neider, U.W. 1980, and Paul Schwarzenbart, U.W. 1981,Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, Madison; Jamae Pennings, Mitchell Hamline 2016, Doar, Drill & Skow S.C., New Richmond; Daniel Peterson,Minnesota 2012, and Mark A. Peterson, Marquette 1975, McNally Peterson S.C., Milwaukee.

Also, David J. Pliner, U.W. 1989, Corneille Law Group LLC, Madison; Elizabeth D. Reeths, U.W. 2011, Klinner Kramer Shull LLP, Wausau; David G. Ress, Marquette 2011, Bell, Moore & Richter S.C., Madison; Andrea H. Roschke, U.W. 1982, von Briesen & Roper s.c., Milwaukee; Steven J. Schooler, Michigan 1981, Porchlight Inc., Madison; Gary S. Stanislawski, Marquette 1997, and Robert H. Zilske, U.W. 1973, Zilske Law Firm S.C., Brookfield; Michael I. Tarnoff, Marquette 1963, Warshafsky, Rotter, Tarnoff & Bloch S.C., Milwaukee; and Susan R. Tyndall, Marquette 1985, Habush, Habush & Rottier S.C., Waukesha.

Dirk Vanover, Marquette 2008, has authored Comics Startup 101: Key Legal and Business Issues for Comic Book Creators. Vanover is the founder of Vanover Legal LLC, Waukesha, where he practices entertainment, intellectual property, and business law, and he also blogs about legal issues affecting the comic book and entertainment industries at ComicsLawyer.com.

Awards, Degrees, Honors

Kimberly A. Hurtado, Marquette 1987, has been elected a founding Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America, an international association of the world’s top construction trial lawyers. Hurtado is the managing shareholder of Hurtado Zimmerman SC, Wauwatosa, focusing her practice in construction, real property development, and public bond finance matters.

Melissa Kampmann, U.W. 2003, has become a Fellow with the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. She chairs the trusts and estates practice group at Ruder Ware L.L.S.C., Wausau. As a seasoned estate planner and Certified Financial Planner, she counsels individuals and families on creating a plan for the transfer and preservation of their assets during their lifetime and at death.

Anne Berleman Kearney, Harvard 1990, has been inducted into the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. She focuses on civil appellate litigation as principal of the Appellate Consulting Group, Milwaukee.

Kathryn A. Keppel, Marquette 1986, received the Bishop John Paul Distinguished Alumnus Award from Aquinas Catholic Schools at the Founders’ Day ceremony in La Crosse. This award is presented annually to a graduate of Aquinas who actively practices the Catholic faith and has distinguished himself or herself in the community, made significant achievement in his or her chosen field, and demonstrated support for Aquinas Catholic Schools.

Keppel is a partner at Gimbel Reilly Guerin & Brown LLP, Milwaukee, and the firm’s lead appellate attorney. She has briefed winning appeals in matters including contract interpretation, spousal support, criminal, and civil rights cases and procedural matters and handles a large percentage of the firm’s pretrial litigation obligations, including product liability defense and a variety of civil and criminal matters.

Thomas Kyle, Hamline 1996, has been named a Diplomate in the National College of Advocacy by the American Association for Justice. He is a graduate of the college’s Advanced Studies in Trial Advocacy program and one of only 24 attorneys in the United States who have achieved this distinction. He concentrates on representing plaintiffs in complex personal injury matters in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa at Hupy and Abraham S.C., Milwaukee.

The Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association honored several lawyers at its annual meeting in April. The Hon. Charles N. Clevert Jr., Georgetown 1972, retired from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, received the Myron L. Gordon Lifetime Achievement Award. Milwaukee mayor Thomas M. Barrett, U.W. 1980, received the Judge Robert W. Warren Public Service Award. Mary B. Grossman, Loyola-Chicago 1997, a Chapter 13 trustee, received the Judge Dale E. Ihlenfeldt Bankruptcy Award. Jon W. Sanfilippo, Marquette 1988, retired as clerk for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, received the Nathan A. Fishbach Founder’s Award. The Quarles & Brady Pro Bono Program received the Outstanding Service Award.

In Memoriam

David E. Fons Sr., Marquette 1948, Milwaukee, Oct. 3, 1923 – Oct. 30, 2016.

Robert M. Jones, U.W. 1983, Nov. 15, 1928 – May 6, 2017.

Michael P. Kohler, Illinois 2000, Wauwatosa, Sept. 22, 1974 – April 9, 2017.

Paul D. Lawent, Marquette 1967, Illinois, March 16, 1943 – April 10, 2017.

Robert W. Muren, Marquette 1973, Brookfield, Nov. 21, 1947 – March 27, 2017.

Karl I. Salzberg, George Washington 1958, Beloit, Sept. 5, 1930 – Feb. 15, 2017.

Herman D. Schacht, U.W. 1962, Beaver Dam, May 29, 1932 – Nov. 16, 2016.

Edward Schneiderman, U.W. 1952, Mequon, June 12, 1928 – March 28, 2017.

Robert L. Waldo, U.W. 1951, Madison, Sept. 1, 1923 – Aug. 30, 2016.

How to Place your Announcement

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