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  • InsideTrack
    May 20, 2026
  • May 20, 2026

    50 Years in the Law: Celebrating Wisconsin Lawyers Admitted in 1976

    The State Bar celebrates the lawyers admitted to practice in Wisconsin in 1976, honoring a half-century of work across every corner of the profession. Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Jill Karofsky praised their enduring service to clients, courts, communities, and the people of Wisconsin.

    By Shannon Green

    Fifty-year members, from right: Former Justice Anne Walsh Bradley, Gary Hebl, and State Bar Past President Diane Diel. On left is Thomas Hebl, who celebrated 50 years last year.

    May 20, 2026 – In 1976, the United States celebrated its bicentennial. In California, the Apple Computer Company was founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. The Winter Olympics took place in Innsbruck, and the Summer Games in Montreal. Jimmy Carter won the November election. In March, a massive ice storm hit southern Wisconsin, and 21 counties were declared federal disaster areas. Rocky was the top-grossing movie; "Silly Love Songs" by Wings was the top song.

    And the 229 lawyers listed below were among those admitted to practice in Wisconsin. This year, the State Bar of Wisconsin celebrates the lawyers admitted to practice in Wisconsin in 1976, reaching their 50-year milestone as Wisconsin lawyers. Together, we honor their years of practice and many achievements.

    Many of these 50-year members gathered with State Bar leaders and received congratulations from Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Jill Karofsky at a celebration luncheon May 13 in Delafield.

    The past 50 years have seen a lot of change within the practice of law, said Chief Justice Karofsky – just with technology alone. “But through all of that change, the central work of a lawyer has remained the same.”

    Two 50-year members, from left: Hon. James Morrison and Sharon Gallagher.

    “Lawyers help people solve problems. Lawyers give structure to disagreement. Lawyers turn conflict into process. Lawyers stand between the individual and the power of the state. Lawyers protect rights, explain obligations, and help people navigate institutions that can be overwhelming.”

    Their careers involved all aspects of legal practice. “However​ your path unfolded, today is an opportunity to recognize not just longevity, but contribution,” she said, because “50 years in the State Bar is a measure of commitment.”

    “That is certainly worth celebrating.”

    Chief Justice Karofsky also recognized one of these 50-year members, former Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. “Justice Bradley is my mentor, my colleague, and my dear friend. … In her 30 years of service, every minute on the court, she was the conscience of the court.”

    Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Jill Karofsky gives remarks at the celebration event on May 13, 2026.

    “Today is not just a recognition of longevity. It is a celebration of lives spent doing work that matters, in communities across Wisconsin, for people who needed your judgment, your skill, and your steady hand,” the Chief Justice told the 50-year members.

    “Thank you for your service to the courts. Thank you for your service to the profession. Thank you for your service to the people of Wisconsin,” she said.

    More About Our 50-year Members

    Find out more about 50-year members in the InsideTrack article by legal writer Jay Jerde, “50-Year Members: A Half-Century of Wisdom,” and in “Final Thought: Reflecting on 50 Years in Practice” by 50-year member and State Bar Past President Diane Diel, in the May 2026 issue of Wisconsin Lawyer magazine.

    The Hebl family of Sun Prairie gathered to celebrate Gary Hebl’s 50-year milestone.

    Celebrate Our 50-year Members

    William A. Abbott, Madison

    Bruce Patrick Anderson, Balsam Lake

    Richard J. Baker, Milwaukee

    John T. Bannen, Milwaukee

    Hon. David Mark Bastianelli, Kenosha

    W. Dan Bell Jr., Carolina Beach, NC

    Hon. Gary L. Bendix, Newton

    Christopher S. Berry, Madison

    Howard J. Bichler, Port Washington

    Michael M. Biehl Jr., Milwaukee

    David Lynn Black, Denver, CO

    Clifford Blackwell, Madison

    Richard J. Bliss, Milwaukee

    Charles H. Bohl, Cedarburg

    Sara Armbruster Bowen, Fayetteville, NC

    Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, Madison

    Patricia A. Brady, Madison

    James M. Brennan, Mellen

    Hon. Howard R. Broadman, Visalia, CA

    Frederic J. Brouner, Madison

    Robert J. Buffin, Half Moon Bay, CA

    Rockne J. Buraglio, Colorado Springs, CO

    Robert W. Burg, La Crosse

    James P. Burnett, New Holstein

    John Arthur Busch, Milwaukee

    Terrence J. Byrne, Fort Myers, FL

    Thomas A. Camilli, Green Bay

    Richard J. Canter, Washington, DC

    Samuel Raymond Cari, Hudson

    John P. Carlson, Milwaukee

    Richard J. Cayo, Milwaukee

    John D. Center, Waunakee

    Jon P. Christiansen, Milwaukee

    John Foster Corey, Menomonee Falls

    Eric Nicholas Dahlstrom, Tempe, AZ

    Hon. J. Mac Davis, Pewaukee

    Thomas James Dawson, Kaneohe, HI

    Darryl Wayne Deets, Ormond Beach, FL

    Diane S. Diel, Milwaukee

    Robert G. Dowling, Ellison Bay

    Patrick O. Dunphy, Brookfield

    Michael E. Ehrsam, La Crosse

    Roger D. Einerson, Alexandria, VA

    Daniel A. Enright, Eau Claire

    Edith L. Ersland, Middleton

    Sandra Lee Esrael, Madison

    Kristine A. Euclide, Madison

    John R. Evans, Madison

    Kathleen A. Felton, Washington, DC

    James H. Fowler, III, Janesville

    Michael R. Fox, Monona

    Andrew H. Frank, Janesville

    Steven J. Franz, Waukesha

    Guy W. Fredel, Mosinee

    Richard A. Frederick, Milwaukee

    Thomas L. Frenn, Wauwatosa

    Roy W. Froemming, Fitchburg

    Richard C. Gad, Milwaukee

    Jeffrey S. Gaines, Ridgefield, CT

    Sharon A. Gallagher, Milwaukee

    Tom Franklin Galloway, De Pere

    Fred Gants, Madison

    Terrence J. Garske, Wausau

    Jennifer A. Garvey, Maputo

    Thomas D. Georgeson, Bayfield

    Carmen Germano, Memphis, TN

    Chad Harwood Gettleman, Evanston, IL

    Karl D. Gleaves, Arnold, MD

    Paul E. Gordon, Milwaukee

    James W. Greer, Jr., Thiensville

    Jeffrey W. Guettinger, Eau Claire

    Charles J. Hahn, Ada, MI

    Jonathan M. Hajny, Stoughton

    Edward A. Hannan, The Villages, FL

    Scott W. Hansen, Milwaukee

    Robert J. Hart, Madison

    Lawrence J. Haskin, Oak Creek

     

    Gary A. Hebl, Sun Prairie

    Gary L. Heiber, South Beloit, IL

    Richard J. Heitman, Sparta

    Steven Craig Helland, Madison

    William Joseph Heller, Phoenix, AZ

    Harry R. Hertel, Eau Claire

    Jacqueline D. Huber, Minneapolis, MN

    Scott M. Huiras, Oshkosh

    Richard D. Humphrey, Fort Atkinson

    Sheri Moore Humphrey, Fort Atkinson

    Stephen P. Hurley, Madison

    Jeffrey L. Huttenburg, Middleton

    Robert J. Ibler, Maple Plain, MN

    Robert D. Irvin, Castle Rock, CO

    Mary Pat Jacoby, Colgate

    Jeffrey A. Jaeger, Germantown

    Michael P. Jakus, Brookfield

    John W. Jokela, Altoona

    Michael J. Julka, Madison

    Robert A. Kagen, Milwaukee

    John A. Kaiser, Eau Claire

    Randall R. Kaiser, Sanibel, FL

    Ivars Kalnins, Lancaster

    Stephen A. Kase, Sturgeon Bay

    B. K. Kempinen, Madison

    Kevin J. Kennedy, Madison

    Hon. James R. Kieffer, Milwaukee

    Timothy J. Kiley, Orlando, FL

    Kris Michael Klovers, Milwaukee

    James A. Kluge, Cave Creek, AZ

    Hon. Daniel L. Konkol, Franklin

    Robert F. Konkol, Stevens Point

    Ralph W. Koopman, Long Lake

    Steven P. Krause, Appleton

    Joe E. Kremkoski, Racine

    Bruce E. Krueger, Madison

    Thomas W. LaFave, Hartford

    Lawrence J. Lasee, De Pere

    Burt Thomas Lau, Honolulu, HI

    Ronald Paul LeFever, Brookfield

    Edward E. Leineweber, Lone Rock

    Jonathan B. Levine, Milwaukee

    Robert Leo Loberg, Ellsworth

    Ted Salvatore Machi, Arlington, TX

    Earl Michael Maltz, Bryn Mawr, PA

    Dennis J. Mank, Pewaukee

    Douglas F. Mann, Wauwatosa

    Hon. Edward S. Marion, Madison

    Hon. James M. Mason, Nekoosa

    Peter McAvoy, Shorewood

    Bernard T. McCartan, Oconomowoc

    Patrick Kevin McDonald, Janesville

    David McFarlane, Madison

    Keith W. McGlamery, Charlottesville, VA

    Timothy B. McKinley, Dodgeville

    Curt R. Meitz, Waukesha

    James C. Mentkowski, Milwaukee

    Jerome P. Mercer, Baraboo

    Kathleen Ortman Miller, River Hills

    William J. Molitor, Whitefish Bay

    Hon. James A. Morrison, Marinette

    Stephen Kenneth Mueller, Lake Mills

    Stuart S. Mukamal, Milwaukee

    Robert W. Mulcahy, Milwaukee

    Paul M. Murphy, West Allis

    Michael A. Nametz, New Braunfels, TX

    Weldon Nelson, Monona

    Homer G. Nordling, River Falls

    Eldon E. Nygaard, Viborg, SD

    Diane K. O'Connor, Milwaukee

    Kevin J. O'Connor, Madison

    James Thomas O'Malley, Madison

    Jeff Scott Olson, Waunakee

    Mark L. Olson, Waukesha

    Roger D. Olson, New York, NY

    Luis F. Padilla, Angier, NC

    Gregory R. Parr, Milwaukee

     

    Loren R. Paulson, Madison

    Lee Peckarsky, Rockville, MD

    Paul J. Polaski, Brookfield

    Harry Boone Porter III, Center Sandwich, NH

    Paula Radcliffe Possin, Fitchburg

    Kathleen Jo Quinlan, Madison

    Richard P. Rasmussen, Walworth

    Jane Williams Reed, Columbus, OH

    Robert F. Rice, Hustisford

    Peter Bruce Ritz, Madison

    Milton D. Rosenberg, Madison

    Robert A. Ross, Sturgeon Bay

    David A. Rotter, Mequon

    Nancy M. Rottier, Madison

    Sandra S. Ruffalo, Mukwonago

    Michael J. Rynes, Madison

    Robert C. Salzer, Brookfield

    Roy L. Sass, McFarland

    Thomas F. Scheer, Milwaukee

    William A. Schembera, Menomonie

    Kathleen Hyland Schluter, Milwaukee

    Timothy Edgar Schmidt, Dousman

    Charles Schneider, Fond du Lac

    John U. Schneider, Racine

    Mark W. Schneider, Osterville, MA

    Howard A. Schoenfeld, Santa Rosa, CA

    Rodney D. Seefeld, Baraboo

    Hon. Gary R. Sharpe, Fond du Lac

    Kevin G. Shea, Brooklyn

    Patrick J. Sheehan, Franklin

    Henry Allen Sibbing, Lake Geneva

    Luke E. Sims, Milwaukee

    Stephen J. Smith, Racine

    Thomas P. Solheim, Madison

    Robert E. Sorenson, Hortonville

    Sheryl A. St Ores, Milwaukee

    John A. St Peter, Lake Geneva

    Susan R. Steingass, Madison

    Hon. Roland J. Steinle III, Phoenix, AZ

    Daniel W. Stolper, Middleton

    Peter J. Stone, Mequon

    Kathleen J. Strasbaugh, Juneau, AK

    Hon. Maryann Sumi, Middleton

    Mart W. Swenson, Scottsdale, AZ

    Bruce A. Tammi, Oconomowoc

    Frank R. Terschan, Cave Creek, AZ

    William D. Thielmann, Madison

    Terrence C. Thom, Milwaukee

    John M. Thompson, Green Bay

    William H. Thorie, Hudson

    James D. Thorne, Milwaukee

    Phillip Paul Todryk, Minneapolis, MN

    Steven Louis Toney, New London

    Ronald M. Trachtenberg, Middleton

    Rodney John Uphoff, Columbia, MO

    Harry Elijah Van Camp, Madison

    Eric J. Van Vugt, Milwaukee

    Anthony R. Varda, Madison

    Katherine K. Vessenes, Excelsior, MN

    Denis R. Vogel, Madison

    John E. Voorhees, Hazelhurst

    Gregory W. Wagner, Madison

    James A. Walt, Wauwatosa

    David A. Weber, Milwaukee

    Frederick L. Wesner, Janesville

    Terry A. Wex, Reedsburg

    Carol L. White, Milwaukee

    Collins P. Whitfield, Savannah, GA

    Michael D. Willis, Venice, FL

    William A. Woodrow, Oshkosh

    Timothy R. Young, Oshkosh

    John C. Zacherl, Fond du Lac

    Samuel Zelpe, Sheboygan

    Dean B. Zemel, Madison

    Moses J. Zimmermann, Mequon


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