Nonresident Lawyers Division present the Founders’ Award
formerly the Dick O’Melia Award to
Benton C. Strauss
Northbroook, Ill.
The Nonresident Lawyers Division (NRLD) Founders’ Award,
formerly the Richard O’Melia Award, recognizes a nonresident
member who has brought positive change to the division and has actively
participated in State Bar activities for many years.
As the fourth recipient of the NRLD Founders Award, Ben Strauss
joins the other NRLD Founders Award recipients, Dick O’Melia,
Jerris Leonard, and Nicholas “Chip” Retson. The first three
of these recipients worked together to help bring the Nonresident
Lawyers Division into existence and prominence in the 1980s. Their early
work and Ben’s work over the past 14 years have enhanced the
interests of several thousand nonresident State Bar members.
“Ben has been an active contributor and division leader who
consistently blends hard work with talent, mentorship, advice, wisdom,
camaraderie, and the highest ethical and personal behavior,” says
NRLD President Steven Schuster, Washington, D.C. “His selfless
devotion to the State Bar of Wisconsin and the legal profession in
general should be admired and respected by his peers. Ben’s
reputation within the State Bar is exemplified by the fact that he has
been appointed as the first nonresident lawyer to the Bar’s
Finance Committee, where he has served for the past three years. Those
who know Ben believe that his significant legal accomplishments and
years of distinguished service to the State Bar of Wisconsin are matched
by his example of devotion to his wife Sandy, their three children and
granddaughter. The Nonresident Lawyers Division is honored and
privileged to present the 2009 Founders Award to Division leader,
mentor, colleague and friend, Ben Strauss.”
Benton Strauss has served the NRLD as: director (1997 - 98 and 2004
- 06), secretary (1998 - 2001), president-elect (2001 - 02), president
(2002 - 03) and past president (2003 - 04). His other State Bar of
Wisconsin services includes the Board of Governors (2001 - 04),
Executive Committee (2002 - 03), Leadership Development Committee (2003
- 06), and Finance Committee (2006 - present).
Strauss practices with Strauss & Malk LLP in Northbrook, Ill.,
concentrating his practice in estate planning, trusts, taxation, and
family business planning. He is a fellow of the American College of
Trust and Estate Counsel. He is also co-author of two books on estate
and trust matters: Estate & Gift Planning for the Business Owner,
and Post Mortem Tax Planning, both published by Thompson
Companies. Strauss attended the University of Illinois, 1968; Loyola
University Law School, 1972. He was admitted to the State Bar of
Wisconsin in 1987.
