New Hires, Promotions, Partners

Justin Andrews, Mitchell Hamline 2021, has joined Weld Riley SC, Eau Claire, and practices in business, corporate, civil litigation, and municipal law.

Michael J. Bendel, John Marshall 1994, has been promoted to shareholder at Davis|Kuelthau s.c., Appleton. He is a registered patent attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and focuses on intellectual property matters, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

Lee Greenwood, Marquette 2007, has become director of government affairs for Associa, Boston, Mass., which provides property management services for community associations. He previously served as a legislative attorney for Best Friends Animal Society and before that, as a staff member for a state representative in Massachusetts.

Todd D. Jex, Wayne State 2000, has joined Grady, Hayes & Neary LLC, Waukesha, as a contract partner, focusing on insurance defense litigation and real estate.

Jenny Kumosz, U.W. 2021, has joined the Milwaukee office of Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, a national health-care-focused law firm. Kumosz works in the federal advocacy space, bringing experience in the development and implementation of health policy for a variety of health-care organizations, and advises clients on physician compensation and fraud and abuse issues.

Erica K. López, U.W. 2010, has become a clinical instructor and head of the inaugural Eviction Defense Clinic as part of the Economic Justice Institute at the U.W. Law School, Madison. The clinic, in an eviction diversion and defense partnership with the Tenant Resource Center, Legal Action of Wisconsin Inc., and Community Justice Inc., represents tenants facing eviction in court.

Donnie W. Malchow, U.W. 2020 has joined Hawks Quindel S.C. as an associate in Madison, and practices in worker’s compensation and Social Security disability insurance matters.

Tara Mathison, Marquette 1999, has joined DeWitt LLP as a partner, practicing from the Metro Milwaukee and Madison offices. She is a member of the Trust & Estates and Litigation practice groups and guides individuals, families, and business owners through the preparation of comprehensive estate plans, represents clients in probate and trust administrations, and handles fiduciary litigation matters.

Michael M. Kennedy, Marquette 2019, and Jason R. Meehan, U.W. 2019, have joined O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong & Laing S.C., Milwaukee. Kennedy is with the business law practice group. Drawing upon his experience as in-house counsel for a large construction company, he focuses on contract management and regulation. Meehan is with the litigation practice group and assists clients in a wide variety of litigation matters. Previously, he was with the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s office, where he managed and represented hundreds of clients charged with misdemeanor and felony cases in Milwaukee County.

David M. Davis Jr., Marquette 1978, and Mathias Rekowski, Marquette 2021, have joined Stafford Rosenbaum LLP’s Milwaukee office. Davis, a partner, previously was a partner in Davis & West, Milwaukee, focusing on trusts and estates, real estate law, and business law. Rekowski, an associate, focuses on trusts and estates, business law, and municipal law.

Several lawyers have joined von Briesen & Roper s.c. in the Milwaukee office. Katie L. Bireley, New York Law School 2013, is an associate and focuses on commercial contract disputes and litigation. Previously she was in-house counsel for a New York property management firm and real estate developer. Griffin E. Bliler, Marquette 2020 cum laude, is an associate and focuses on business and corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, business formation, and real estate.

Brandon J. Conway, U.W. 2021, is an associate and focuses on commercial litigation, shareholder disputes, and toxic torts. Jordyn A. Janikowski, Marquette 2020 cum laude, is an associate and focuses on general business, contract negotiation and drafting, business start-ups, mergers and acquisitions, limited liability companies, and succession planning.

Christina M. Lucchesi, Marquette 1990, represents governmental entities and nonprofit and for-profit corporations in taxable and tax-exempt bond issuances to finance and refinance schools, hospitals, manufacturing facilities, senior living, and affordable housing. Audrey R. Merkel, Northwestern 2021, is an associate and represents counties and local governments with contracting, employment, public meetings, and COVID-related issues.

David P. Ruetz, Montana 1990, is of counsel and focuses on corporate, commercial, and industrial law matters regarding environmental due diligence and risk assessment in mergers and acquisitions and real estate transactions. Ruetz’s previous experience includes work as an environmental attorney, president of an environmental consulting-engineering firm, administrative director of a natural resource advisory council, environmental scientist, and aquatic biologist.

Mergers, Relocations, New Offices

Catherine Tang, Concord Law School 2018, has opened Catherine Tang Law, 232 S. Hamilton St., Madison, focusing on wills, trusts, and trademarks.

Authors, Speakers

The following attorneys authored the recently revised Advising the Evolving Family (State Bar of Wis. 2d ed. 2021): Christopher S. Krimmer, U.W. 1997, Forward Legal Services LLC, Madison; Emily Dudak Leiter, Tulane 2005, The Law Center S.C., Madison; Theresa L. Roetter, Marquette 1993, DeWitt LLP, Madison; Meghan M. Teigen, DePaul 2007, Johnson Teigen LLC, Fitchburg; and Amanda Trecartin, U.W. 2020,
Hougum Law Firm LLC, Wausau.

The following attorneys authored the recently revised Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and the Law (State Bar of Wis. 2d ed. 2021): Christopher S. Krimmer, U.W. 1997, Forward Legal Services LLC, Madison; Matthew W. Bell, Michigan State 2005, Brian P. Goodman, U.W. 2016, JoAnn M. Hart (retired), U.W. 1985, and M. Tess O’Brien-Heinzen, U.W. 1993, Boardman & Clark LLP, Madison; Katherine L. Charlton, Vermont Law School 1983, Hawks Quindel S.C., Milwaukee; Abigail L. Churchill, U.W. 2015, CUNA Mutual Group, Madison; Eric D. Défort, U.W. 2002, Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Hearings & Appeals, Milwaukee; Nicholas E. Fairweather, Case Western Reserve 2000, Hawks Quindel S.C., Madison; J. Daniel Guinn, Valparaiso 2002, and Miri Pogoriler, Harvard 2010, Vivent Health, Madison; and Rebekah Kopec-Farrell, Marquette 2006, Milwaukee.

Awards, Degrees, Honors

Michael Hupy, Marquette 1972, is a recipient of the 2021 National Board of Trial Advocacy President’s Award. Hupy, founder of Hupy and Abraham s.c., a personal-injury firm with offices statewide, was honored for his work in the community as a local activist, president of the nonprofit local organization Milwaukee Crime Stoppers, and board member of the Children’s Outing Association.

The Wisconsin Association for Justice (WAJ) has announced the recipients of its 2021 awards: Trial Lawyer of the Year: Benjamin S. Wagner, U.W. 2003, is a shareholder at Habush Habush & Rottier SC, Milwaukee, and represents victims and their loved ones in nursing home abuse and neglect, auto accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, and more. He served on the Milwaukee County civil court reopening committee and tried one of the first civil cases taking place in Milwaukee after the court reopened and serves on Governor Evers’ Judicial Advisory Commission.

Outstanding Young Trial Lawyer: Michelle M. Hockers, Marquette 2015, is a shareholder at Murphy & Practhauser S.C., where she practices exclusively personal injury law and concentrates in motor vehicle accidents, product defects, and unsafe premises. She is on the WAJ board, was chair for the New Lawyers Section in 2019, and will be vice chair for the Women’s Caucus for 2022.

Paralegal of the Year: Hannah C. Heil, Bremer & Trollop Law Offices S.C., Wausau, works as a claims manager, litigation paralegal, investigator, and researcher and prepares medical summaries and pre-suit demands.

2021 President’s Award: Heath P. Straka, U.W. 2000, is a partner at Axley Brynelson LLP, Madison, and focuses on personal injury cases, general litigation involving employment and construction disputes, and complex litigation and class actions involving products-liability claims and wage and hour violations. Straka is chair of the WAJ’s Legislative Task Force and has been the WAJ’s secretary, treasurer, vice president, and president, and chair of the Program Committee and the New Lawyers Section.

2021 Ruth Bader Ginsburg Notorious Servant Award Winner: Ann S. Jacobs, U.W. 1992, Jacobs Injury Law SC, Milwaukee, has been president of the WAJ’s Women’s Caucus since 2015. Her record of service continues statewide as a member of the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

In Memoriam

John Edward Clair, DePaul 1961, Delavan, Jan. 1, 1936 – Oct. 23, 2021.

Hon. Richard A. Congdon, Marquette 1974, Waukesha, May 3, 1949 – Jan. 1, 2021.

Michael W. Fleming, Marquette 1966, Milwaukee, July 29, 1941 – Sept. 19, 2021.

Robert J. Hyndman, Marquette 1977, Phoenix, Ariz., Nov. 27, 1952 – Oct. 11, 2021.

Jeffrey D. Kohl, U.W. 1976, Monroe, May 1, 1951 – Oct. 17, 2021.

David R. Winter, U.W. 1982, Shawano, Oct. 17, 1951 – Sept. 26, 2021.

How to Place your Announcement

If you have moved, become a partner or an associate, or received a promotion or an award, let us know! Email announcements to: MembersOnly@wisbar.org. Notices about State Bar members in good standing are printed as space is available, and subject to editing. Writing guidelines are available here. Questions? Email us or call (608) 250-6139.

Photo placement: Submit a professional-quality photo. If the photo is used, the State Bar will issue an invoice ($35 each). Group photos are not accepted. High-resolution electronic photos are preferred.

Deadline: The first of the month preceding publication. For example, to place an announcement in the May issue, it must be received before April 1.

Ineligible announcements: Talks, speeches (unless they are of national stature), honors from other publications, and political announcements are not accepted.