April 16, 2014 – The Member Recognition Celebration at the 2014 State Bar Annual Meeting & Conference is brimming with awards and is free to all conference attendees. The celebration, which recognizes attorneys, judges, law firms, organizations, and law students who have made outstanding pro bono, public service, or public education contributions, will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., on Thursday, June 26, at Lake Geneva.
Lawyer Hotline Firm of the Year
Stafford Rosenbaum attorneys Bruce Huibregtse and Jordan Corning are the recipients of the Hotline Firm of the Year Award. The Lawyer Hotline program is a public service component of the Lawyer Referral and Information Service. Hotline attorney volunteers answer simple legal questions over the phone, allowing callers to better assess whether they wish to hire a lawyer or use the resource information provided to them.
This award is presented by the Lawyer Referral and Information Service.
Nonresident Lawyers Division Founder’s Award
Daniel F. Rinzel, Arlington, Va., is the recipient of the Nonresident Lawyers Division Founder’s Award. Rinzel is recognized for his efforts to bring positive change to the division and through his active participation in State Bar activities for many years.
This award is presented by the Nonresident Lawyers Division.
Pro Bono Awards
Michael C. Leuder will receive the Pro Bono Award for an Individual Attorney. The Veterans Law Center will receive the Pro Bono Award Organization Award. These awards recognize efforts that provide legal services to low- and moderate-income people, explore new ways to increase the accessibility of legal services, provide encouragement and assistance to others in improving legal services delivery, or promote pro bono service for Wisconsin lawyers.
These awards are presented by the Legal Assistance Committee.
Public Interest Law Awards
Patricia Risser is the recipient of the Dan Tuchscherer Outstanding Public Interest Law Attorney for a selfless, lifetime commitment to working in the public interest, both inside and outside the field of law.
Elise Cassidente is the recipient of the inaugural Ryan Klesh Public Interest Legal Worker Award. This award is for an individual that captures the essence of Ryan's selflessness, work ethic, and humor in working to seek justice for our low-income neighbors, family, or friends. This new award is named after Ryan Klesh, an administrative staff person for SeniorLAW at Legal Action of Wisconsin's Milwaukee office from 2001 until his death in 2006. Ryan set the standard for being "selfless to a fault." He gave everything – his intellect, spot-on humor, time, attention, empathy, kindness, stories, authenticity, music and band recommendations, zest for life, and advice and world observations – to everyone and he did so regardless of any cost to himself.
Mindy Nolan Marquette University, and Andrew Brooks University of Wisconsin, are the Outstanding Public Interest Law Students of the Year award recipients.
These awards are presented by the Public Interest Law Section.
Senior Lawyers Leonard L. Loeb Award
Joseph A. Melli, Melli S.C., Madison, is the recipient of the Senior Lawyers Division Leonard L. Loeb Award. Melli is recognized as a senior lawyer who has improved the legal system and shown leadership in advancing the quality of justice for all.
This award is presented by the Senior Lawyers Division.
Wisconsin Lawyer Author Award
Mark R. Hinkston is the recipient of the Charles Dunn Wisconsin Lawyer™ Author Award. Hinkston is recognized for “Home Safe Home: Wisconsin’s Castle Doctrine and Trespasser Liability Laws,” published in the June 2013 issue. This award, named after Wisconsin’s first chief justice, recognizes writing excellence in Wisconsin Lawyer articles.
This award is presented by the Communications Committee.
Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Volunteer of the Year
Bruce Deadman is the Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) Volunteer of the Year. Deadman is recognized for providing confidential, meaningful assistance through the WisLAP program in coping with alcoholism or other addictions, depression, acute and chronic anxiety, and other problems related to the stress of practicing law.
This award is presented by WisLAP.
Wisconsin Law Foundation Award
Kenneth A. Knudson is the recipient of the Gordon Sinykin Award of Excellence. The award recognizes a lawyer or organization for work on an individual law-related education or public service project.
This award is presented by the Wisconsin Law Foundation.
Join the Celebration
The awards will be presented during the State Bar 2014 Annual Meeting & Conference in Lake Geneva on June 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event is free and all State Bar members and their friends and families are invited to celebrate these individuals. Registration is not required.
For more information about the Annual Meeting & Conference.
