New Hires, Promotions, Partners

James J. Carrig, Notre Dame 1994, has been named a partner in Niebler, Pyzyk, Klaver & Wagner LLP, Menomonee Falls, continuing in real estate, civil litigation, and municipal law. Ryan M. Benson, Minnesota 2000, has become an associate with the firm, focusing on employment relations, business law and transactions, and general litigation. He previously was with Anderson, Shannon, O'Brien, Rice & Bertz, Stevens Point.

Boyer

Collins

Thomas G. Boyer, Marquette 1969, has joined The Schroeder Group S.C., Waukesha, focusing on corporate and business law, banking transactions and regulations, securities law, and real estate law. He previously was in private practice in Milwaukee and was general counsel for Bank One, Wisconsin and its predecessor banks.

Susan Collins, U.W. 1995 cum laude, has rejoined Boardman Law Firm LLP, Madison, as an associate, practicing in trusts and estates and real estate law. She previously was with the Madison office of Foley & Lardner and was a legal editor for the State Bar.

Kurt D. Dykstra, Marquette 1998 summa cum laude, has become an associate with the Holland, Mich., office of Warner, Norcross & Judd LLP, practicing in general litigation, including product liability defense, securities litigation, and consumer protection litigation. He previously was with Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C., Milwaukee, and was a law clerk for the Hon. Ann Walsh Bradley on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Michael T. Cyrs, Marquette 1994, has been named a partner in Williams & McCarthy, Rockford, Ill., where he will continue focusing on estate planning and administration, business and corporate law, and real estate law. He also is a certified financial planner.

Cyrs

Deborah S.R. Hoffmann, New England School of Law 1984, has joined Houseman & Feind LLP, Grafton, concentrating in municipal law, real estate, and litigation, with a special emphasis on real estate tax assessment challenges. She previously was with Crivello, Carlson & Mentkowski, Milwaukee, and served as Wauwatosa assistant city attorney and as an adjunct professor of law at Marquette.

Joshua T. Keleske, Marquette 1999 with honors, has joined the Tampa and Lakeland, Fla., offices of GrayHarris, providing estate planning services including estate and trust administration, tax minimization, marital property considerations, charitable gift strategies, and personal consulting. He previously was an associate with Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee.

Jennifer (Deming) Jacobsen, U.W. 1992, has become a partner with Stein & Baydaline LLP, Sacramento, Cal., concentrating in common interest real estate subdivision and community association law. She previously was a shareholder with Weintraub Genshlea Chediak Sproul, Sacramento.

Brent Johnson, William Mitchell 1994, has been elected a shareholder of Lommen, Nelson, Cole & Stageberg P.A., concentrating on litigation, real estate, and business law in the Hudson office.

Tammy W. Levit-Jones, U.W. 1995, has become an associate with Crooks, Law & Connell S.C., Wausau, engaging in general practice with a focus on family and criminal law. She previously was the Marathon County family and judicial court commissioner.

Margaret Watt McKenna, Marquette 1992, has joined Siesennop & Sullivan, Milwaukee, bringing a family law, collaborative divorce, and real estate practice to the firm's established professional liability and employment defense practice.

Christina Plum, U.W. 1995 cum laude, has become Marathon County judicial court commissioner, focusing on family law, small claims, and other matters.

Cindy S. Semrau, U.W. 2001, has joined Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci S.C., Eau Claire, as an associate.

Mergers, Relocations, New Associations

Philip R. O'Brien, Marquette 1984, has established Benefit Plan Legal Services S.C., 700 W. Virginia St., Suite 602, Milwaukee, which focuses on ERISA multiemployer fund collection and contract enforcement matters. Margaret A. Fischbach, Hamline 1997, has joined the firm as an associate. O'Brien also practices general ERISA, business, and real estate law. He and Fischbach were previously with Previant, Goldberg, Uelmen, Gratz, Miller & Brueggeman S.C., Milwaukee, O'Brien as a shareholder and Fischbach as an associate.

Deborah A. Blommer, U.W. 1991, and James M. Peterman, Marquette 1986, have changed the name of their Brookfield firm from Blommer Law Office to Blommer Peterman S.C. They continue to focus on foreclosure, real estate, and creditor bankruptcy. Mark R. Cummisford, Marquette 2001, has joined the firm.

Daniel S. Davis, Kansas 1994, and John J. Gelshenen Jr., Hamline 1997, have formed Davis & Gelshenen LLP, 735 N. Water St., #1440, Milwaukee. Davis, formerly with Michael F. Hupy & Associates, Milwaukee, will continue practicing in civil litigation with an emphasis on plaintiffs' personal injury. Gelshenen, formerly with Hinshaw & Culbertson, Milwaukee, will continue practicing in civil litigation with an emphasis on employment and business disputes. Davis & Gelshenen LLP and Robert B. Corris S.C. are mutually of counsel to each other. Corris, Boalt Hall 1970, concentrates in complex business litigation. The firms are affiliated but are not a partnership.

J.D. Thorne, De Paul 1973, has relocated the Employment Law Managers Law Firm to 225 E. Mason St., Suite 502, Milwaukee, where Thorne will continue to practice management, labor relations, human resources, and employment law representing business interests. He also has written A Concise Guide to Successful Employment Practicesand teaches employment law at the University of Phoenix, Milwaukee campus.

Michael Best & Friedrich LLP has opened an office in the Two Riverwood Place office building, Pewaukee. The 20-attorney staff, which forms the largest law office in Waukesha County, focuses on construction law, corporate and business law, estate and financial planning, intellectual property law, labor and employment law and employee benefits, land and resources law, litigation, and tax law.

The Kenosha office of von Briesen & Roper S.C. has moved to 5027 Green Bay Rd., Suite 120.

Appointments, Elections

The nomination of Steven M. Biskupic, Marquette 1987, as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin has been approved by the U.S. Senate. Biskupic previously was assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District.

Charles S. Blumenfield, U.W. 1974, has been reappointed as temporary reserve municipal judge by the Hon. Kathryn Foster, chief judge of Wisconsin's third judicial district. Blumenfield substitutes in the municipal courts of Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha, Jefferson, and Milwaukee counties. He is a partner in Dowling & Blumenfield LLP, Milwaukee, and was municipal judge for the village of Bayside from 1986 to 2000.

Daniel J. Brink, Georgetown 1979 cum laude, has been elected chair of the Wisconsin chapter of the March of Dimes. He is a shareholder in Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C., where he is chair of the international team and a member of the corporate and securities team, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and financing.

The Door County Bar Association has elected the following officers: president - Jennifer Ament Moeller, Sturgeon Bay; vice president/president-elect - Evan Kjellenberg, Sister Bay; treasurer - Richard A. Hauser, Sturgeon Bay; and secretary - James Downey, Sturgeon Bay.

The U.S. Senate has approved the nomination of William Griesbach, Marquette 1979, as judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Griesbach will serve in a newly created position in Green Bay. He is a Brown County circuit court judge.

Daniel G. Jardine, U.W. 1991, has been reelected president of the John Jardine Scholarship Fund board of directors. Jardine is with Murphy & Desmond S.C., Madison.

Alan M. Levy, Chicago 1965, has been elected national vice president of the board of governors of the University of Chicago Alumni Association. Levy is with Lindner & Marsack S.C., Milwaukee, and is adjunct professor of labor and employment law at U.W.-Milwaukee.

Michael J. Modl, Texas 1987, has been named editor of the monthly Wisconsin Employment Law Letter, produced and distributed by M. Lee Smith Publishers. Modl is a partner with Axley Brynelson LLP, Madison.

R. Nelson

Randy S. Nelson, Marquette 1977, has been promoted to adjunct professor at Marquette University Law School, where he has taught since 1984. He is a partner in the Milwaukee and Delafield law firm of Weiss Berzowski Brady LLP, focusing on estate planning, family business planning, advising service corporations and partnerships, tax planning, trust administration and probate, and also is a certified public accountant.

Claire Ann Resop, U.W. 1993, has been elected to the Downtown Optimists Club's board of directors. Resop is with Murphy & Desmond S.C., Madison.

Studinski

Tomasetti

Jason T. Studinski, U.W. 1998, has been appointed chair-elect of the New Lawyers section of the Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers. He is with Kammer & Studinski Chartered, Portage, where he focuses on nursing home abuse and neglect and personal injury law.

Joe Tomasetti, George Washington 1971, a partner in Italy's largest law firm, Studio Legale Tributario, was recently selected to chair the Ernst & Young worldwide law mergers and acquisitions committee, which includes law practices in 60 countries.

The Western District Bar Association has chosen the following officers: president - Leslie K. Herje, Madison; vice president/president-elect - Todd Smith, Madison; past president - Thomas W. Bertz, Stevens Point; treasurer - James R. Troupis, Madison; and secretary - Michael J. Modl, Madison.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently made the following appointments: Five new members have been chosen for the court's Appointment Selection Committee, a 12-person group that recruits and recommends candidates for service on court-related boards and committees. The new members are: Philip J. Freeburg, U.W. 1981, a partner with Tlusty, Hittner, Kennedy & Freeburg, Schofield, and a Wausau municipal court judge; R.L. McNeely, Marquette 1994, a professor at U.W.-Milwaukee; Mary Lou Munts, U.W. 1976, Madison; Richard D. Weymouth, U.W. 1979, a partner with Nash, Podvin, Tuchscherer, Huttenburg, Weymouth & Kryshak, Wisconsin Rapids; and Richard I. Doolittle, Madison.

Judge Dennis P. Moroney, Marquette 1973, and Frank R. Terschan, U.W. 1975, have been appointed to the Judicial Conduct Advisory Committee. Reserve Judge Arnold K. Schumann, U.W. 1966, has been reappointed to the committee, which helps judges comply with the Code of Judicial Conduct by issuing formal advisory opinions and giving informal advice to judges who request guidance on whether actions they are contemplating would be appropriate.

Moroney is currently in the Civil Division of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court and previously was in private practice. Terschan is president of Terschan Steinle & Ness (previously Terschan & Steinle Ltd.), Milwaukee, focusing on negligence, products liability, personal liability, and professional malpractice actions. Schumann retired in 1995 after spending 13 years on the Jefferson County Circuit Court. He previously was in private practice.

Michael S. Anderson, Washington Univ. 1980, has been appointed to the Preliminary Review Committee, which determines whether investigations into possible lawyer misconduct should move forward. Anderson is a partner with Axley Brynelson, Madison, focusing on insurance coverage disputes and products liability defense, and is a member of the District 9 Professional Responsibility Committee.

Judge Clare L. Fiorenza, Marquette 1983, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation Inc. (WisTAF), which makes grants to Wisconsin groups that provide civil legal services to poor people. Fiorenza currently sits in the felony division of Milwaukee County Circuit Court. Trempeauleau County Circuit Court Judge John A. Damon, Marquette 1983, has been reappointed to the WisTAF board.

Authors, Speakers

Carl W. Gilmore, U.W. 1994, has written Illinois Parentage Law, published by the Illinois State Bar Association. He is a general practitioner with Rupp & Youman, McHenry, Ill., concentrating on family law.

Gruel

Steven F. Gruel, U.W. 1985, lectured at the 24th Annual International Asian Organized Crime Conference, held in Chicago in March. Gruel, a federal prosecutor in San Francisco, lectured on his recent wiretap prosecutions concerning worldwide importation, transportation, and exploitation of women from Malaysia, Korea, and Thailand for prostitution.

The following authors contributed to the 2002 edition of the State Bar's Annual Survey of Wisconsin Law: Susan E. Alesia, U.W. 1991, assistant state public defender in the Madison Appellate Office; Paul Bargren, U.W. 1994, Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee; Linda H. Bochert, U.W. 1974, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Madison; James M. Caragher, Illinois 1987, Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee; Kimberly J. Churchill, U.W. 1996, Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C., Milwaukee; Sarah E. Coyne, U.W. 1995, Quarles & Brady LLP, Madison; Bradley I. Dallet, Case Western Reserve 1994, Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C., Milwaukee; Shannon L. Day, U.W. 1999, Lathrop & Clark, Madison; Carl D. Fortner, U.W. 1986, Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee; Kristin P. Fredrick, Marquette 1999, Schott, Bublitz & Engel S.C., Brookfield; Fred Gants, Univ. of Chicago 1976, Quarles & Brady LLP, Madison; Michelle L. Atkins Head, Harvard 1999, Quarles & Brady LLP, Milwaukee; Patricia M. Heim, Marquette 1974, Parke O'Flaherty Ltd., La Crosse; Jordan J. Hemaidan, U.W. 1996, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Madison; Eileen A. Hirsch, Virginia 1977, assistant state public defender in the Madison Appellate Office; Christopher B. Hughes, Indiana 1993, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, Madison; James L. Huston, Chicago 1984, Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee; James A. Jaeger, Georgetown 1975, Hill, Glowacki, Jaeger & Hughes LLP, Madison; Nancy B. Johnson, U.W. 1994, Brennan, Steil, Basting & MacDougall S.C., Janesville; Amanda J. Kaiser, U.W. 1984, Boardman, Suhr, Curry & Field LLP, Madison; Alyce C. Katayama, Maryland 1984, Quarles & Brady LLP, Milwaukee; Carl R. Kugler, U.W. 1998, Foley & Lardner, Madison; Dean P. Laing, Marquette 1983, O'Neil, Cannon & Hollman S.C., Milwaukee; Zhu (Julie) Lee, Northwestern 1998, Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee; Patrick G. McBride, Marquette 1995, O'Neil, Cannon & Hollman S.C., Milwaukee; Maureen A. McGinnity, U.W. 1982, Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee; Meggin McNamara, Marquette 1998, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Madison; Lauri D. Morris, U.W. 1982, Quarles & Brady LLP, Madison; Brian R. Mudd, U.W. 1971, Nelson & Schmeling, Green Bay; Richard K. Nordeng, U.W. 1974, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, Madison; Charles B. Palmer, Marquette 1990, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Waukesha; Alexander T. (Sandie) Pendleton, Minnesota 1987, Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee; Erik J. Pless, U.W. 1993, Everson, Whitney, Everson & Brehm S.C., Green Bay; Edward J. Pronley, U.W. 1965, Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C., Milwaukee; Joseph A. Ranney, Yale 1978, DeWitt Ross & Stevens S.C., Madison; David E. Rohrer, U.W. 1977, Lathrop & Clark, Madison; Sharren B. Rose, U.W. 1979, Nelson & Schmeling, Green Bay; Catherine M. Rottier, U.W. 1986, Boardman, Suhr, Curry, & Field LLP, Madison; Patrick J. Schott, 1988, Schott, Bublitz & Engel S.C., Brookfield; Marti L. Schreier, U.W. 1997, Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee; Carl R. Schwartz, Harvard 1978, Quarles & Brady LLP, Milwaukee; Raymond P. Taffora, U.W. 1986, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Madison; Marilyn Townsend, Potomac 1979, Marilyn Townsend Law Office, Madison; Timothy L. Voigtman, U.W. 1998, Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee; Adam J. Wiensch, Georgetown 1991, Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee; Joseph P. Wright, U.W. 1988, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, Madison.

Awards, Degrees, Honors

Christie A. Linskens Christie, Marquette 1987 cum laude, has earned an M.A. in mass communication from U.W.-Milwaukee. She is a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee Inc. in the guardian ad litem division and an associate adjunct professor at Marquette Law School.

John W. Daniels Jr., Harvard 1974, received the 2002 Special Recognition Award from the Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers for his long-standing commitment and service to the African-American community. He also has been inducted as a fellow of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys. Daniels is with Quarles & Brady LLP, Milwaukee, concentrating in transactional real estate, corporate law, and commercial finance.

Florsheim

Richard S. Florsheim, Marquette 1974, has contributed to Inside the Minds: Leading Intellectual Property Lawyers, published by Aspatore Books, and has been selected by the Aspatore editorial board as one of the world's leading intellectual property lawyers. He is a partner in the Milwaukee office of Foley & Lardner, focusing on litigation of patent infringement cases and intellectual asset management, and is national chair of the firm's intellectual property department.

Foley & Lardner has been recognized by Intellectual Property Today magazine as a top national patent firm; it increased the number of patents secured in 2001 by 30 percent over the previous year and ranked fifth in the volume of patents secured overall.

Kevin L. Ferguson, Marquette 1996, has been certified as a civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is with American Family Mutual Insurance Co., Schofield.

Frinzi

Dominic H. Frinzi, Marquette 1951, has been appointed Cavaliere All'Ordina del Merito della Republica Italiana - Knight of the Order of Merit - by the Republic of Italy. Frinzi is a liaison between Milwaukee's Italian community and the Italian consul general in Chicago. In August, Frinzi will be presented with the "Vision for Milwaukee" award by the Milwaukee Ethnic Council. Frinzi is with Dominic H. Frinzi Law Office, Milwaukee, and is a Milwaukee County circuit court commissioner.

Joan Kessler, Marquette 1968, and colleagues at Foley & Lardner have decorated a "Beastie," one of 58 sculptures displayed in downtown Milwaukee. As a sponsor, Foley contributed a beastie to the "Beastie Beat," a fundraiser for the educational programs of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and MSO League. Kessler's design was chosen from several submitted by Foley staff, and is displayed on Wisconsin Avenue in front of the firm's Milwaukee offices.

Mayne

Troy A. Mayne, Minnesota 1988, received the Dane County Bar Association's 2002 Distinguished Service Award. Mayne, a shareholder with DeWitt Ross & Stevens, Madison, was honored for his volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity, including drafting documents for and conducting closings on all 57 properties built by the organization in Dane County since 1990. He also serves as Habitat's legal counsel.

James N. Graham, U.W. 1995, has received the 2002 James C. Graaskamp Scholarship from the U.W. Business School's department of real estate and urban development, where he is studying for a master's degree. He practices real estate law and construction litigation with Kay & Andersen S.C., Madison.

Eric J. Van Vugt, Marquette 1976, has been inducted as a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is a partner with Quarles & Brady LLP, focusing on business litigation and professional liability cases involving insurance brokers, actuaries, and attorneys.

Kathleen Bray, Minnesota 1991, and John Kelly, Minnesota 1974, have been recognized as among the top 5 percent of Minnesota lawyers by Minnesota Law & Politicsmagazine, based on the votes of attorneys statewide. Bray and Kelly are with Hanft Fride, Duluth.

G. Nelson

U.W.-Madison's newly renamed Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies honors former governor and three-term U.S. senator Gaylord Nelson, U.W. 1942. Nelson was the founder of Earth Day. During his time in state and national government, he called attention to land protection, wildlife habitat, and environmental protection issues and championed laws including the Wilderness Act, the National Trails Act, and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. In 1995 he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

In Memoriam

Lee N. Burns, Marquette 1952, Jan. 12, 1928 - Jan. 20, 2002.

Richard K. Dubin, U.W. 1957, Milwaukee, June 19, 1933 - Oct. 28, 2001.

Erwin F. Karow, Marquette 1945, Milwaukee, Oct. 6, 1915 - Apr. 11, 2000.

Thomas J. Kay, Marquette 1960, Brookfield, Nov. 11, 1934 - Nov. 26, 2001.

John N. Kramer, U.W. 1937, Fennimore, Sept. 8, 1912 - Dec. 18, 2001.

John W. Pence, Marquette 1964, Oshkosh, March 18, 1936 - April 26, 2002.

James C. Sarafiny, U.W. 1960, Hartford, Jan. 26, 1931 - Dec. 21, 2001.

Bernard Soref, U.W. 1931, Milwaukee, Sept. 30, 1908 - Dec. 14, 2001.

Robert O. Uehling, U.W. 1941, Madison, Apr. 23, 1915 - Nov. 29, 2001.

Robert Veenendaal, Marquette 1940, Milwaukee, Feb. 20, 1915 - Dec. 30, 2001.

Wisconsin Lawyer