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G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy

Turning Lawyers into Leaders


​Leadership​ development is an investment in a lawyer’s future and pays back the initial training cost ma​ny times over in​​​ improved performance and increased job satisfaction. In addition, leadership skills courses benefit individuals by:​​

  • Clarifying values and promoting a clearly defined career path​
  • Strengthening critical thinking and communicat​ion skills
  • Creating well-rounded employees and enhancing team dynamics
  • Demonstrating that people from all walks of life can be great leaders​
  • Surrounding them with successful people who want to effect change
  • Increasing confidence​
Leadership Academy

To view the full list of Leadership Academy Alumni Participants, click the button below.

View the alum​ni list​
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   2024-25 Leadership Acade​my Application deadline 9/16/24
2024-25 Application Instructions​​​​​​


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Mission of the G. Lane Leadership Academy:

To provide a diverse and inclusive group of lawyers essential​ leadership skills, strategies, and resources neces​sary to ​em​power them to become effective leaders in their careers; their local and state bar associations; their local communities and organizations; and the legal profession.​


The G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy

The Leadership Academy is a comprehensive leadership development-training program created by the State Bar’s Leadership Development Committee. It’s specifically designed to empower participants with the skills, strategies, and resources to become effective leaders in their careers, communities, local and state bar associations, and the profession itself. The presenters are highly regarded national and regional speakers in their respective fields.
 

“Wisconsin lawyers have a strong history of leadership of our profession, our communities, and our public life. This is a bold step to assure that we will identify, train, and embed a new generation of lawyer-leaders.”
                    Ralph Cagle,
          ​          State Bar President 2015-16

“Looking back, I wish I had gotten started in leadership much earlier in my career. My advice is don’t wait. The G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy is a tremendous opportunity to learn valuable communication and organizational skills for leadership positions of all kinds – in State Bar and legal associations, in the community, and even in your own workplace.”
          ​          Fran Deisinger​,
          ​          State Bar President 2016-17

“The Academy will equip our lawyers with essential skills, tools, and resources to effectively lead and inspire others. This program creates a unique opportunity for lawyers to develop diverse, professional networks and personal relationships with their colleagues and to improve their professional confidence and career satisfaction.”
          ​          Renee Nawrocki
          ​          Former Leadership Development Committee Chair

Discover what past participants have to say about the program.  

The course teaches participants how to:
Leadership Academy photo
  • Develop your time management skills to enhance productivity and efficiency
  • Polish your public speaking to build your reputation and win over your audience
  • Deal effectively with conflicts and turn disputes into opportunities for growth and teamwork
  • Build active listening skills that promote straightforward, competent dialogue
  • Use effective written and oral communication to connect with others and build trust and respect within your organization

“Participating in the State Bar's G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy helped me realize that what I see as weaknesses in myself, people around me see as strengths and leadership qualities.”

Cynthia Herber, 2018-19 G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy

 

A group of people standing and smiling at the camera

 The 2023-24 Leadership Academy Class 

Schedule and Deadlines​

2024-25 SCHEDULE:

  • Session 1: November 22 & 23, 2024
  • Session 2: January 17 & 18, 2025
  • Session 3: April 4 & 5, 2025​

2024-25 DEADLINES:

  • ​Mon. September 16, 2024: Applications Due
  • Fri. October 4, 2024: Participants Notified of Acceptance
    • Fri. October 11, 2024: $375 Registration Fee Due
     

    Cost, Location, Scholarships, CLE​

    • ​Cost: ​​​The cost to attend the Leadership Academy is $375. Breakfast and lunch is included. Participants will be responsible for travel and accommodation expenses. Reduced rate lodging is within blocks.
    • Location: All sessions will be held at the State Bar Center, 5302 Eastpark Blvd., Madison
    • Scholarships: A limited number of scholarships provided by the Wisconsin Law Foundation's G. Lane Ware Leadership Fund are available. See application to apply for a scholarship. 
    • CLE: Credits will be applied for after the first session. (Credits will be for the total program and not for each session.)

    Program Agenda and Speakers​

    To Apply for the next seesion of the G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy: 
    I'm sorry, it's too early to apply for the 2025-26 session. Pease check back in a few months when the Application link is uploaded and available below.

    • 2025-26 Application Instructions
      (Please read the instructions before filling out application)

    • 2025-26 Application​ (online fillable form)

    ​Please check back for program information being developed for the 2025-26 Academy. 

    Contact Annette Ashley if you have questions regarding the program.

    Can't Make the 2024-25 Leadership Academy Dates?

    • Here's the tentative 2025-26 Leadership Academy Dates:
      • Session 1: November 14 & 15​, 2025
      • Session 2: January 16 & 17, 2026​
      • Session 3: April 24 & 25​, 2026

    Contact Annette Ashley if you have questions regarding the program.

    If you are a young lawyer interested in greater engagement in the State Bar,
    you may be interested in attending the Leadership Summit to learn more
    about the organization and help you find your niche.
    For more details, please go to: State Bar of Wisconsin Leadership Summit


    If you would like to learn more about the State Bar of Wisconsin's Leadership Academy Program,
    Ready.Set.Practice Mentoring Program, 
    or the Leadership Summit Program: 
    State Bar of Wisconsin Leadership Programs.


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    Leadership Academy Alumni by Class Year

    Class of 2024-2025

    Atty. Melynda L. Benjamin

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Sarah B. Bondar

    Waukesha

    Atty. Carolyn Eboni Carson

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Heather L. Curnutt

    Madison

    Atty. Abigail Hean

    Madison

    Atty. Mark A. Herman

    Madison

    Atty. Katrina Hochholzer

    Appleton

    Atty. Hannah R. Jahn

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Aleah Marlene Loll

    Waukesha

    Atty. Brittany D. Schoenick

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Rose Ida Simon-Silva

    Kaukauna

    Atty. Colin Stroud

    Madison

    Atty. Nicole A. Swails

    Verona

    Atty. Ashley Wychules

    Hartland

    Class of 2023-2024

    Atty. Jesica Ann Ballenger

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Aaron P. Benz

    Brookfield

    Atty. T.R. Edwards

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Riad Thomas El-Azem

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Jourdan D. Glenn

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Jessica Haskell

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Paige Patricia Juel

    Wausau

    Atty. Michael C. Jurkash

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Bridget Anne Kinderman

    Fall Creek

    Atty. Barbra Klug

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Kathryn Clare Llaurado Scheidt

    Waukesha

    Atty. Lesley Rickard McKinney

    Madison

    Atty. Michael K. Moran

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Nathan Oesch

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Molly Pappenheim

    Madison

    Atty. Jessica L. Puetz

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Lauren Elaine Raupp

    Elm Grove

    Atty. Jordan Schettle

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Clare Kathleen Schum

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Michael Shull

    Madison

    Atty. Taviss K. Smith

    Franklin

    Atty. Robert Stoiber

    Jefferson

    Atty. Shannon Strombom

    Milwaukee

    Class of 2022-2023

    Atty. Alicia Bernards

    Mequon

    Atty. Calvin Fermin

    Sussex

    Atty. Leslie Anne Freehill

    Madison

    Atty. Katherine Hampel

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Austin J. Heimann

    Columbus

    Atty. Steven Hughes

    Waukesha

    Atty. Jean K. Lynch

    Lake Mills

    Atty. Gabriel Manzano Nieves

    Madison

    Atty. Yolanda Yvette McGowan

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Amber R. McReynolds

    Madison

    Atty. Molly Meichadesh

    Madison

    Atty. Annalisa Pusick

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Kaylyn Raymaker

    Green Bay

    Atty. Benjamin A. Rydecki

    Palm Coast

    Atty. Francesca E. Voci

    Milwaukee

    Class of 2021-2022

    Atty. James V. Block

    Wausau

    Atty. Kelsey Brown

    Stafford

    Atty. Peter J. Carman

    Appleton

    Atty. Kathryn Elizabeth Galarowicz

    Madison

    Atty. William A. Harris

    Chicago

    Atty. Rene Fabricio Jovel

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Russell J. Karnes

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Anna M. Kees

    Waukesha

    Atty. May Y. Lee

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Megan E. Lee

    Wausau

    Atty. Scott Edward Mickelson

    Madison

    Atty. Brittani M. Miller

    Raleigh

    Comm. Kyla N. Motz

    Glendale

    Atty. Jill E. Mueller

    Monona

    Atty. Timothy C. Samuelson

    Madison

    Atty. Brandon T. Schwebler

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Morgan Kathleen Stippel

    Madison

    Atty. Aiden Tharp

    Hudson

    Atty. Emily Rae Turzinski

    Waukesha

    Atty. Walter E. Zimmerman

    Hartland

    Class of 2019-2020

    Comm. Marco R. Bichanich

    Greendale

    Atty. Catarina Anne Colón

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Brayton Marie Deprey

    Chicago

    Atty. Nicholas P. DeSiato

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Nathan W. Eckley

    West Allis

    Atty. Brent Eisberner

    Sun Prairie

    Atty. Mary Lynn Ferwerda

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Mark Joel Goldstein

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Marthina Greer

    Lomira

    Atty. Amy K. Greske

    Hudson

    Atty. Jacob A. Haller

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Renee Jones

    Washington

    Atty. Faun Michelle Moses

    Madison

    Atty. Mollie Ambrose Newcomb

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Skye Parr

    San Clemente

    Atty. Gabriela Parra

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Asia J. Patterson

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Randy J. Pflum

    Madison

    Atty. Ryan F. Poe-Gavlinski

    Madison

    Atty. Anthony J. Procaccio

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Davis Runde

    Wausau

    Atty. Jaclyn R. Shelton

    Madison

    Atty. Tatiana Tamae Soares Shirasaki

    Juneau

    Atty. Julie Marie Spoke

    Madison

    Atty. Martin D. Stein

    Glendale

    Atty. Travis J. Stieren

    Madison

    Atty. Scott B. Thompson

    Madison

    Atty. April Toy

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Choua L. Vang

    Green Bay

    Atty. Benjamin Paul Wehmeier

    Oconomowoc

    Atty. Erin A. West

    Madison

    Atty. Sarah Slice Yacoub

    Hudson

    Class of 2018-2019

    Atty. Lisa M. Bergersen

    Pewaukee

    Atty. Kristin A. Degeneffe

    Madison

    Atty. Eileen I. Dorfman

    Madison

    Atty. Saveon DuBois Grenell

    Waukesha

    Atty. Claire Elizabeth Hartley

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Cynthia Herber

    San Diego

    Atty. Asma Kadri Keeler

    Lakewood

    Atty. Jonathan H. Klock

    Onalaska

    Atty. Dawn N. Klockow

    West Bend

    Hon. Peggy L. Miller

    Marinette

    Atty. Jessica Skemp

    La Crosse

    Atty. Melissa Ann Spindler

    Hartland

    Atty. Michael Seung-Hyock Yang

    Middleton

    Class of 2017-2018

    Atty. Matthew Ackmann

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Rachel Ann Breger

    McFarland

    Atty. Caleb R. Cooper

    Urbandale

    Atty. K Bartlett Durand, Jr.

    Middleton

    Atty. Whitney Ann Ederer

    Wonewoc

    Atty. Erin K. Fay

    Waukesha

    Atty. Rhonda Kay Frank-Loron

    Verona

    Atty. Andrew Lawrence Franklin

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Jennifer L. Johnson

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Yu Ha Kim

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Nathan P. Kirschner

    Wauwatosa

    Atty. Vincent S. Kurta

    Racine

    Atty. Chad Allen Lanning

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Anita Maureen Lawrence

    Wausau

    Atty. Lance Leonhard

    Wausau

    Atty. Odalo J. Ohiku

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Renee Ann Read

    Neenah

    Atty. Elizabeth Ruthmansdorfer

    South Milwaukee

    Atty. Polly Shoemaker

    Madison

    Class of 2017-2018

    Atty. Christopher P. August

    Milwaukee

    Class of 2016-2017

    Atty. Stacy Ann Alexejun

    Madison

    Atty. Katherine L. Charlton

    Oconomowoc

    Atty. Lindsay Fedler

    Madison

    Atty. Makda Fessahaye

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Renae Nicole Flowers

    Austin

    Atty. Elizabeth R. Gebert

    Wisconsin Rapids

    Atty. Patrick G. Gould

    Ladysmith

    Atty. Kristen D. Hardy

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Lindsay Healless

    Janesville

    Atty. Michelle M. Hockers

    Waukesha

    Atty. Mark Todd Johnson

    Fitchburg

    Atty. Gabe Johnson-Karp

    Madison

    Atty. Erin E. Kastberg

    Waunakee

    Hon. Katie Beth Kegel

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Vanessa Klemish

    Eau Claire

    Atty. Trevor C. Lippman

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Heather L. Nett

    Kiel

    Atty. Stephanie A. Propsom

    Sturgeon Bay

    Hon. Amber Lane Raffeet August

    Glendale

    Atty. Marisa L. Roubik

    Racine

    Atty. Clyde Tinnen

    Brookfield

    Atty. David J. Turek

    Milwaukee

    Atty. Annabelle Vang

    Madison