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  • InsideTrack
    May 27, 2026
  • May 27, 2026

    Naomi Swain: Pro Bono Work Builds Skills and Changes Lives

    The State Bar of Wisconsin recognizes 221 lawyers as members of the 2025 Pro Bono Honor Society for volunteering 50 hours or more of legal service. Among them is Naomi Swain, the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, who uses her legal skills to help people find practical guidance during some of their most stressful moments.

    By Shannon Green

    Naomi Swain

    May 27, 2026 – For Naomi Swain, pro bono service is both a way to give back and a way to grow as a lawyer. Swain’s work with local legal clinics has deepened her empathy, sharpened her listening skills, and reinforced the difference lawyers can make for people who may otherwise struggle to access help.

    Naomi Swain is senior associate with Hawks Quindel, S.C., in Madison. She is also the recipient of this year’s Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award.

    The award, presented by the State Bar’s Legal Assistance Committee, recognizes dedication to the development and delivery of legal services to low-income individuals or those who develop innovative ways to deliver volunteer legal services.

    Swain is one of 221 Wisconsin lawyers who did 50 hours or more pro bono work in 2025, who are members of the State Bar Pro Bono Honor Society. Members of this year’s Honor Society donated more than 22,323 hours in 2025.

    Swain currently volunteers with the Dane County Bar Association Family Law Assistance Center and the Sunshine Legal Clinic, “where she provides compassionate, practical legal help to individuals facing difficult and often overwhelming circumstances,” said the committee. “She approaches this work with empathy, patience, and a deep respect for the people she serves.”

    Pro Bono

    Swain uses her pro bono work to keep up her skills in areas no longer in her day-to-day practice, and also to gain experience in new areas of the law.

    Swain’s current practice involves the plaintiff side in worker’s compensation, employee benefits, and long-term disability insurance. “Earlier in my career, I also practiced family law for a number of years, which continues to inform how I approach client advocacy today,” Swain said.

    Although she no longer practices in that area, Swain’s pro bono work primarily focuses on family law, “as that’s where the biggest need is. There is a significant need for Spanish-speaking volunteers at local clinics such as the Dane County Family Law Assistance Center (FLAC) and the Sunshine Legal Clinic,” she said.

    FLAC shifts are 2.5 hours, “making them a great way to dedicate a meaningful block of time,” while Sunshine offers more flexibility with 30-minute phone appointments “that allow you to provide assistance in shorter, more manageable increments.”

    Swain recently is also volunteering with the Small Claims Assistance Program in Dane County. This work “has reinforced how easily we can build on our existing legal skills to step into new areas and still make a meaningful difference for others.”

    An Inspiration

    That commitment was shaped early on by a mentor, Marsha Mansfield, who developed and ran the family law clinic at the University of Wisconsin Law School. Swain participated in 2019. “She modeled what it looks like to use legal skills in service of others and had a lasting influence on how I approach this work.

    “As lawyers, we are in a uniquely fortunate position, what may feel routine or straightforward to us can be overwhelming or completely out of reach for someone else. Pro bono work is a reminder not to underestimate how much we can give back, and how meaningful it is to use skills that come relatively easily to us to help others navigate difficult situations,” Swain said.

    Pro Bono Boosts Practice Skills, Makes a Lasting Impact

    Fluent in Spanish, Swain makes a point to use her language skills to make the legal system more accessible to people who might otherwise struggle to be heard or understood.

    Shannon Green Shannon Green is communications writer for the State Bar of Wisconsin, Madison. She can be reached by email or by phone at (608) 250-6135.

    Through her pro bono work, she experiences how vital it is to meet clients where they are, both emotionally and practically. “It has deepened my sense of empathy and improved my ability to listen, which ultimately makes me a more effective advocate in all areas of my practice.”

    Pro bono work is a reminder of the real impact legal services can have on people’s day-to-day lives. “Even a short consultation can provide clarity, confidence, and relief during a stressful time,” Swain said. “It also reinforces how fortunate we are, as attorneys, to have the training and ability to quickly understand the law and apply it in a way that can genuinely help someone.”

    “Giving back in this way is both accessible and deeply meaningful, especially when serving underserved communities,” Swain said. “I strongly encourage other attorneys to find ways to get involved, and if you don’t know where to start, check with your county bar association, or the State Bar!”

    Where to Start Pro Bono

    The State Bar offers members opportunities to provide pro bono legal services. Attorneys may claim up to 6 hours of pro bono CLE credits per reporting period.

    For more information and for ideas on where to start, including a list of qualified pro bono programs across Wisconsin, find available cases on the Pro Bono Paladin Portal. The State Bar also maintains a list of training programs, clinics, and webinars related to pro bono.

    Join Us at the Annual Meeting & Conference in June in Green Bay

    Want to celebrate a friend, family member, or colleague being honored at the Member Recognition Celebration? Join us for this free event from 5:45 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, in La Crosse.

    The celebration takes place at the State Bar Annual Meeting & Conference, June 11-12, 2026. Register now to choose from CLE sessions covering top trends, hot topics, and enduring advice for today’s lawyers.

    In addition, featured plenary speakers, the Legal Expo, networking luncheons, and the Presidential Swearing-in Ceremony will help you connect, learn, and relax.

    Reserve your spot today!

    AMC 2026 logo

    About the Pro Bono Honor Society

    The Pro Bono Honor Society recognizes Wisconsin lawyers who volunteer at least 50 hours of their time annually to help expand access to justice for low-income Wisconsin residents.

    If you donate more than 50 hours of pro bono services in 2026, the State Bar of Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society would like to recognize your service and inspire more lawyers to follow your example.

    Join the Honor Society by completing the certification form on the Pro Bono Honor Society webpage on WisBar.org at the end of the year, and sending it to the State Bar no later than March 1, 2027.

    Eligible pro bono legal services for this program means the direct provision of legal services without fee or expectation of fee, or at a substantially reduced fee, to:

    • persons of limited means;

    • organizations in matters that are designed primarily to address the needs of persons of limited means; or

    • charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental, and educational organizations in matters that are designed primarily to address the needs of persons of limited means.

    To find out more information about your practice and pro bono, read the full Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule, SCR Chapter 20, on voluntary pro bono publico service.

    Thank You, Pro Bono Lawyers

    Congratulations to these 221 Wisconsin lawyers, listed here with their Wisconsin county or as members of our Nonresident Lawyers Division (NRLD), recognized as 2025 Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society members:

    Kameron Adams, Milwaukee

    Claire Afable, Milwaukee

    Lazaro Aguiar, Milwaukee

    McKenzie Ahmet, Dane

    Elliot Ambort, Dane

    Ellen Anderson, Milwaukee

    Sam Anderson, Dane

    Kelsey Annen, Dane

    Michael Ashton, Milwaukee

    Ruba Assaf, Milwaukee

    Timothy Bascom, Milwaukee

    Karen Bauer, Milwaukee

    Christopher Beglinger, Milwaukee

    Kelly Beglinger, Milwaukee

    Brett Bellmore, Milwaukee

    Jack Bennett, Milwaukee

    Allison Bickford, Milwaukee

    Melita Biese, Milwaukee

    Lindsey Birch, Milwaukee

    Abigail Bogli, Milwaukee

    Robert Boisvert, NRLD

    Evan Bondoc, Dane

    Ann Bowe, Milwaukee

    David Britton, Milwaukee

    Margaret Brzakala, Milwaukee

    Abby Buchanan, Milwaukee

    Douglas Buck, Dane

    David Bunde, NRLD

    Kara Burgos, La Crosse

    Michael Burton, Milwaukee

    Anna Busse, Milwaukee

    Dawn Caldart, Milwaukee

    Jack Carroll, Dane

    Stephanie Cash, Milwaukee

    James Cauley, Milwaukee

    Max Chester, Milwaukee

    Iris Christenson, Dane

    Megan Christopher, Milwaukee

    Lisamarie Collins, Milwaukee

    John Conley, Milwaukee

    Nicholas Covek, Milwaukee

    Collin Dahl, Door

    Sanchez David, Milwaukee

    Carmen Decot, Milwaukee

    Shane Delsman, Milwaukee

    Stephanie Derks, Milwaukee

    Joseph Diedrich, Milwaukee

    Janet Dorr, NRLD

    Bob Duffy, Milwaukee

    Zachary Eastburn, NRLD

    Suzanne Edwards, Dodge

    Erik Eisenmann, Milwaukee

    Navid Fanaeian, Dane

    Emily Feinstein, Dane

    Angela Feliciano, Milwaukee

    Jack Fitzgerald, Milwaukee

    Blaine Fix, Milwaukee

    Mel Flanagan, Door

    Candace Flatley, Milwaukee

    Victor Forberger, Dane

    Dominique Fortune, Milwaukee

    Mario Fregoso, Milwaukee

    Luke Gallion, Dane

    Michael Gonring, Milwaukee

    Jim Gramling, Milwaukee

    Andrew Gresik, Dane

    Chris Guthrie, Dane

    Mackenzie Gutner, Milwaukee

    Kenya Hagans, Milwaukee

    Kristine Havlik, Milwaukee

    Lily Hayles, Dane

    Reid Hazelton, Milwaukee

    Nolan Heck, Milwaukee

    Thomas Hutchison, Milwaukee

    Jack Iwrey, Milwaukee

     

    Kadie Jelenchick, Milwaukee

    David Jennings, Milwaukee

    Audrey Johnson, Milwaukee

    Sarah Johnson, Door

    Stephen Johnson, Dane

    Emily Jones, Milwaukee

    Emily Juneau, Milwaukee

    Emmaline Jurgena, Milwaukee

    Arata Kaku-McGowan, Dane

    Daniel Kaplan, Milwaukee

    Alexander Karnopp, Dane

    David Karpe, Waukesha

    Timothy Kay, Milwaukee

    Amanda Kerr, Milwaukee

    Gerald Kerska, Milwaukee

    Bruce Keyes, Milwaukee

    Nicholas Kitzman, Dane

    Jodi Klagos, Milwaukee

    Margaret Krei, Oconto

    Aaron Krzewinski, Dane

    Eric Lauria-Banta, Milwaukee

    Justin Lauria-Banta, Dane

    Alyssa LeRoy, Milwaukee

    Michael Levey, Marathon

    Miranda Lezcano, Milwaukee

    Cody Linday, Milwaukee

    Chal Little, Milwaukee

    Kevin Long, Dane

    Jack Longert, Dane

    Kass Longie, Milwaukee

    Eric Maassen,

    Kevin Magee, Milwaukee

    Abbey Magnuson, Milwaukee

    Kevin Malaney, Milwaukee

    Michael Malone, Milwaukee

    Mont Martin, Milwaukee

    Ellen Matheson, Milwaukee

    Kristina Matic, NRLD

    Thomas McDonell, Milwaukee

    Richard McKenna, Milwaukee

    Cayla McNeil, Dane

    James McParland, Milwaukee

    Katie Mertz, Dane

    Bryan Mette, Milwaukee

    Jonathan Meulemans, Dane

    Marta Meyers, Milwaukee

    Owen Miklos, Milwaukee

    Heidi Miller, NRLD

    Jay Miller, Milwaukee

    Lillian Mobley, Milwaukee

    JJ Moore, Milwaukee

    Michelle Moran, Milwaukee

    Isaac Morris, Milwaukee

    John Movroydis, Milwaukee

    Lily Muelrath, Milwaukee

    Ahmad Murrar, Pierce

    Max Neuhaus, Milwaukee

    Abrielle Newman, Milwaukee

    Maame Yaa Norman, Dane

    David Northcutt, Milwaukee

    Gregory Oberland, Milwaukee

    Kristin Occhetti, St. Croix

    Kristina Ogland, Milwaukee

    Danae Oldenburg, Waukesha

    Alan Olson, Milwaukee

    William Olson, Milwaukee

    Mary Joy O'Meara, NRLD

    Michael Ostermeyer, Milwaukee

    Ryan Parsons, Milwaukee

    Timothy Patterson, Dane

    Aude Peden, Dane

    Sophia Pfander, Milwaukee

    Arthur Phillips, Milwaukee

    Paul Piaskoski, Milwaukee

     

    Joseph Pickart, Dane

    Natalie Pike, Milwaukee

    Elisabeth Platt, Dane

    Ryan Poe-Gavlinski, Jackson

    Matthew Prior, NRLD

    Jennifer Pusch, NRLD

    Mehak Qureshi, Dane

    James Radwill, Dane

    Kasim Rana, Dane

    Kris Rasmussen, Dane

    Jack Reed, Dane

    David Reinecke, Marathon

    Beth Ann Richlen, Milwaukee

    Sarah Rieger, Milwaukee

    Benjamin Rikkers, Dane

    Samuel Robertson, Milwaukee

    Sheree Robertson, Dane

    Marta Rocha, Milwaukee

    Lauren Rosso, Outagamie

    Ashley Roth, Milwaukee

    Samantha Roth, Milwaukee

    Tyler Roth, Dane

    Kyle Rule, Milwaukee

    Robert Sanders, Waukesha

    James Santelle, Milwaukee

    James Schacht, Milwaukee

    Deborah Scheid, Calumet

    Kristen Scheuerman, Dane

    Melissa Scholz, Milwaukee

    Thomas Schrimpf, Milwaukee

    Angela Schultz, Milwaukee

    Gerald M. Schwartz, Dane

    Brad Schweiger, Dane

    Jakob Seidler, Milwaukee

    Elizabeth Shirreff, Kenosha

    Jason Smathers, Dane

    Anita Sorenson, Milwaukee

    Paige Sprink, Dane

    Gerald Sternberg, Milwaukee

    Grace Stewart, NRLD

    Grace Stippich, Milwaukee

    Ellen Stojak, Milwaukee

    Connor Strait, Dane

    Davis Sullivan, Dane

    Naomi Swain, Dane

    Erin Swinstead, NRLD

    Evan Tenebruso, Milwaukee

    David Tibbals, NRLD

    McKenzie Tibbetts, Milwaukee

    Ben Tozer, Dane

    Khang-Christopher Truong, Dane

    Naikang Tsao, Milwaukee

    Brook Tylka, Dane

    William Ulrich, Milwaukee

    Ann Van Hout, Milwaukee

    Meghan Villalpando, Dane

    James Vitrano, Marathon

    Thomas Walz, Milwaukee

    Tom Wendt, Dane

    David Wenthold, Milwaukee

    Josephine Wergin, Milwaukee

    Parker White III, Dane

    Tyler Wied, Dane

    Trevor Wilkinson, Dane

    Katelynn Williams, Dane

    Edwin Willig, Dane

    Jonathan Wittman, Milwaukee

    Alexander Witz, Dane

    Victoria Worcester, Brown

    Jonathon Young, Milwaukee

    Amy Zellner, Dane

    Megan Ziesmann, Ozaukee


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