Wisconsin Lawyer
Vol. 78, No. 10 October
2005
In the News
New Hires, Promotions, Partners
Ryan M. Benson, Minnesota 2000 with honors, has
joined the Benson Law Office, Siren, where he practices with his father,
George W. Benson, U.W. 1969, and his brother, Adam C. Benson, Marquette
2001. He previously was an associate with Niebler, Pyzyk, Klaver &
Wagner LLP, Menomonee Falls.
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DeVantier
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Melissa R. DeVantier, DePaul 2004, has joined
Epiphany Law LLC, Appleton, where she practices business transactional
law, business formation and development, real estate transactions,
business transfers, and succession planning. She previously was with
Wolf & Wolfe Ltd., Chicago.
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Fritz
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Jonathan Fritz, Hamline 2002, has joined the
intellectual property practice group in the Madison office of Whyte
Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. He litigates intellectual property and patent law
infringement cases in the mechanical, computer, and chemical fields.
Brian W. Guilbeault, Marquette 2003, has joined Menn
Law Firm Ltd., Appleton, where he practices personal injury, insurance
defense, business litigation, securities litigation, and real estate. He
previously was with Gutglass, Erickson, Bonville, Seibel & Falkner
S.C., Milwaukee.
Lee Jones, U.W. 1997, has been promoted to
lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps. He
is assigned to the Milwaukee detachment of Commander Amphibious Group
2.
Len Kachinsky, U.W. 1978, has resumed private
practice in Appleton and his position as Menasha municipal judge after
completing his tour of duty as chief of legal support operations at Camp
Atterbury, Ind.
Coleen Kennedy, U.W. 1978, has been appointed a
Wisconsin Supreme Court commissioner in Madison. She previously was a
district staff attorney for the Wisconsin Court of Appeals.
Sonia Komisar, U.W. 2005, has joined Julian, Musial
& Friedrich S.C., Madison, as an associate, focusing on bankruptcy,
estate planning, probate, and family law.
Keith E. Kopplin, Marquette 2005, has joined the
Milwaukee office of Davis & Kuelthau s.c. as an associate, focusing
in public- and private-sector labor and employment law.
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Leech
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Gordon Leech, Pittsburgh 1990, has joined Samster,
Konkel & Safran LLC, Milwaukee, where he represents plaintiffs in
employment discrimination, wage claim, fair credit reporting, and debt
collection harassment litigation. He previously practiced law in
Florida.
Todd J. Liebman, U.W. 1990, has been promoted to
lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, Judge Advocate General's
Corps, and has become director of legal services and team leader for the
214th Legal Support Organization, Madison. He also is Sauk
County corporation counsel.
Three attorneys have joined the firm now known as Maier McIlnay
Schmitt Button & Maynard Ltd., Grafton. Jim Button,
Indiana 1986 magna cum laude, is a shareholder, focusing on business and
commercial law. John Maynard, (L.L.M.) Harvard 1973, is
a shareholder, focusing on closely held businesses, succession planning,
and trusts and estates. Elizabeth Roat, Marquette 2001
cum laude, is an associate, concentrating on real estate development and
construction law. The firm has relocated to 1150 Washington St.,
Grafton.
Abraham Michelson, Thomas Cooley 2004, has joined
the Michelson Law Office, Racine, as an associate, concentrating in
consumer bankruptcy and fair debt collection violation matters.
Three attorneys have joined the law department of Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Co., Milwaukee. Susan Cerbins, Michigan
1989, is assistant general counsel and assistant secretary on the real
estate investment team. She previously was an associate with the
Milwaukee office of Quarles & Brady LLP. Michael S.
Chick, Marquette 2000, is counsel on the products and
dis-tribution team. He previously was a vice president - attorney for
Robert W. Baird & Co., Milwaukee. John M. Thompson,
Marquette 2000, is counsel on the corporate team. He previously was an
associate with the Milwaukee office of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren
s.c.
Jessica A. Palmer-Denig, U.W. 1999 cum laude, has
become manager of the residential and small business utilities division
of the Minnesota Attorney General's Office. She previously focused on
bankruptcy, probate, and general civil litigation in the Office.
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Senatori
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Megan A. Senatori, U.W. 2001, has joined the adjunct
faculty at Marquette University Law School, where she will teach a
course on animal law. She concentrates on complex litigation in the
Madison office of DeWitt Ross & Stevens S.C.
Angela M. Paulsrud, U.W. 1999, has joined Hill,
Glowacki, Jaeger & Hughes LLP, Madison, as an associate, focusing on
estate planning, estate and trust administration, real estate, and
business.
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Smitsdorff
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Kelly Klick Smitsdorff, Marquette 2002, has joined
the Milwaukee office of Godfrey & Kahn S.C. She counsels employers
on issues including harassment, disability, family and medical leave,
wage and hour law, unemployment compensation, workplace policies, and
discipline and termination.
Michael G. Tobin, U.W. 1987, a colonel with the
Wisconsin Army National Guard, has been mobilized in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom and is assigned to Combined Forces Command -
Afghanistan. He is a Milwaukee assistant city attorney.
Timothy J. Walther, U.W. 2002, has joined Eggert
& Cermele S.C., Milwaukee, as an associate. The firm focuses on
representation of law enforcement unions and officers in employment and
other civil matters.
Several attorneys have been promoted at von Briesen & Roper s.c.
Doris E. Brosnan, U.W. 1998 cum laude, has become a
shareholder in the Milwaukee office. She is with the immigration and
labor and employment sections. Janet L. Crnich,
Illinois 1996 cum laude, has become a shareholder in the Madison office.
She is with the litigation and risk management practice group.
Craig M. Salzer, Marquette 1998, has become a
shareholder in the Milwaukee office. He is with the litigation and risk
management practice group. John G. (Jack) Goller,
Gonzaga 1998, has become a principal associate in the Milwaukee office.
He is with the litigation and risk management practice group and the
school law section. Sara J. MacCarthy, Marquette 1996,
has become a principal associate in the Milwaukee office. She is with
the appellate and litigation and risk management sections.
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Olk
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Hintz
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Jennifer M. Olk, U.W. 2000 cum laude, has joined the
firm's Mequon office as an associate in the estate and trust planning
and administration section. John Edward Hintz,
Marquette 1994, has joined the health care practice group in the
Milwaukee office as of counsel.
David L. Weir, Marquette 1983, has joined
Warshafsky, Rotter, Tarnoff & Bloch S.C., Milwaukee, as an
associate, focusing on worker's compensation and social security
disability claims. He previously was a partner with Zubrensky &
Weir.
Lisa A. Wilson, Northern Illinois 1999, has joined
the U.W.-Madison Office of Administrative Legal Services as associate
university legal counsel, focusing on personnel, employment, medical
malpractice, health law, risk management, human subjects research, and
medical records issues. She previously was an associate with Hill,
Glowacki, Jaeger & Hughes LLP, Madison.
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Wrycha
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Tracy Wrycha, Chicago-Kent 1997, has been promoted
to division vice president - North American legal counsel at Spectrum
Brands Inc. (formerly Rayovac Corp.), Madison.
Carrie L. Dinwiddie, Marquette 2001, has joined
Poulos, Sengstock, Budny & Ludwig, S.C., West Allis, as an
associate, practicing family law, probate and bankruptcy.
Mergers, Relocations, New Associations
Eckert, Kost & Vocke LLP has relocated to 729
Lincoln St., Rhinelander.
Kristine Cervera Garcia, Marquette 1998, has joined
with Earlean A. Laster, U.W. 1997, and Lee
Jones, U.W. 1997, of Laster & Jones LLC, Brookfield, as a
partner concentrating in family law. The firm, now called
Laster, Jones & Garcia LLC, focuses on municipal
finance law, real estate, corporate services, and family law. Garcia
previously was with John T. Fields & Associates.
Lois E. Rentmeester, U.W. 1984, has relocated her
office and can now be contacted at P.O. Box 952, Sun Prairie.
Appointments, Elections
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Ahern
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Joseph A. Ahern, Marquette 1984, has been elected
chair of the board of Advance Capital I Inc., a family of mutual funds
based in Southfield, Mich. He is president of Stark Reagan, Troy,
Mich.
The Hon. Ann Walsh Bradley, U.W. 1976, was sworn in
to her second term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in August in a
ceremony at the state capitol.
Gerald Fellows, Marquette 1992, has been named
managing partner of the Milwaukee office of Michael Best & Friedrich
LLC. He focuses on intellectual property law.
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Hildebrand
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Daniel W. Hildebrand, U.W. 1964, has been appointed
chair of the ABA Board of Governors operations and communications
committee and has become a member of the board's executive committee. He
is a senior member of the litigation practice group at DeWitt Ross &
Stevens S.C., Madison, where he focuses on appeals, business litigation,
and ethics.
The Jefferson County Bar Association has elected the following
officers: president - Theresa A. Beck, Jefferson; vice
president - Jennifer L. Weber, Johnson Creek; and
secretary/treasurer - Tamara S. Kiewit, Johnson
Creek.
The La Crosse County Bar Association has elected the following
officers: president - Michael C. Ablan; president-elect
- David B. Russell; and secretary/treasurer -
Edward S. Rue, all of La Crosse.
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Peshek
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Peter Peshek, U.W. 1968, has been elected to the
board of trustees of the Wisconsin chapter of The Nature Conservancy. He
is with DeWitt Ross & Stevens S.C., Madison, where he focuses on
environmental law.
The Sauk County Bar Association has elected the following officers:
president - Franklin R. Kirk, Prairie du Sac; secretary
- Natalie T. Bussan, Baraboo; and treasurer -
Jeffrey M. Blessinger, Baraboo.
The Society of Family Lawyers has elected the following officers:
president - Julie A. O'Halloran, Milwaukee;
president-elect - Mary E. Leonard, South Milwaukee;
secretary - Judith M. Budny, West Allis; and treasurer
- Thomas D. Klein, Milwaukee.
The Winnebago County Bar Association has elected the following
officers: president - Colleen Bradley, Oshkosh;
president-elect - Thomas P. Chalchoff, Menasha; and
secretary/treasurer - Brenda Bann, Appleton.
Authors, Speakers
Paul E. Conrad, U.W. 1981, was a seminar convenor,
presenter, and panelist at the National Bar Association Annual
Convention in Orlando in August. He spoke about "Servicing the
Servicemember." He is an associate general counsel for the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, Washington, D.C.
Awards, Degrees, Honors
Christine Bakeis Esser, Drake 1994, has been
certified as a civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial
Advocacy. The credential is reserved for lawyers who possess an enhanced
level of skill and expertise in trial advocacy and have demonstrated
integrity and dedication to their clients. She is a partner with the
Sheboygan office of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C.
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Fischbach
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Charles P. Fischbach, U.W. 1967, was inducted as a
Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers at the ABA Annual
Meeting in Chicago in August. He is an arbitrator in Chicago.
Foley & Lardner has received its fourth CIO-100
award from CIO magazine, in recognition of exemplifying
leadership in business or organizational excellence by effectively
integrating technology and processes to improve efficiency and cost
effectiveness.
Fifty-one attorneys from the Wisconsin offices of Foley & Lardner
are included in the 2006 edition of The Best Lawyers in America
in recognition of their work in specific practice areas. The "10"
designation indicates an attorney has been included for at least 10
consecutive years, and "20" indicates an attorney has been included for
at least 20 consecutive years. Alternative Dispute Resolution:
Allan R. Koritzinsky (20) (also Family Law); Antitrust
Law: James T. McKeown, Maurice J.
McSweeney (10) (also Commercial Litigation and Corporate Law);
Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law: Richard H.
Casper (10), Mark F. Foley (10),
Thomas L. Shriner Jr. (10) (also Commercial
Litigation), Michael B. Van Sicklen (10), David
G. Walsh (10) (also Corporate Law); Commercial Litigation:
Michael A. Bowen (10), Jon P.
Christiansen (10), James R. Clark (10),
Nancy J. Sennett; Corporate Law: William J.
Abraham Jr. (10), Ralf-Reinhard Boer (also
International and Trade and Finance Law), Benjamin F. Garmer
III (10), Joseph P. Hilde-brandt (10),
Blaine R. Renfert, Jay O. Rothman,
Luke E. Sims; Employee Benefits Law:
Christopher S. Berry (10), Lloyd J.
Dickinson (10), Gregg H. Dooge, Harvey
A. Kurtz, Greg W. Renz (10); Energy Law:
Bradley D. Jackson (10), Allen W. Williams
Jr. (10) (also Environmental Law); Environmental Law:
Linda E. Benfield (10), Douglas B.
Clark, Mark A. Thimke (10); Health Care Law:
Michael M. Biehl (10), James P.
Connelly (10); Intellectual Property Law: Russell J.
Barron, John C. Cooper III (10), Harry
C. Engstrom (10), Richard S. Florsheim; Labor
and Employment Law: Michael A. Auen (10),
Bernard J. Bobber, George D.
Cunningham (10), Stanley S. Jaspan (10); Real
Estate Law: Benjamin J. Abrohams (20), Michael
W. Hatch (10); Tax Law: Carl D. Fortner,
Timothy C. Frautschi (10), Richard S.
Gallagher (20) (also Trusts and Estates); Trusts and Estates:
John F. Callan, Keith A. Christiansen
(10), George A. Dionisopoulos (10), Wayne R.
Lueders (10), Gregory F. Monday, David
W. Reinecke (10), Adam J. Wiensch.
David B. Karp, Marquette 1982, is included in the
2005-06 edition of Who's Who in American Law. He is with Karp,
Karp & Zirgibel S.C., Milwaukee.
John P. Macy, Marquette 1980, has been elected a
Fellow in the American Bar Foundation. He is with Arenz, Molter, Macy
& Riffle S.C., Waukesha.
Carlton D. Stansbury, Iowa 1990 with distinction,
was honored by the ABA Family Law Section for "meritorious service
exceeding what is expected of our leadership" during the ABA Annual
Meeting in Chicago in August. He is a shareholder with Burbach &
Stansbury S.C., Milwaukee, and practices family law, collaborative law,
mediation, and appellate work.
Thomas K. Zander, U.W. 1977 cum laude, earned a
doctorate in psychology from the Illinois School of Professional
Psychology, Chicago. He practices in Mequon.
Pro Bono, Public
Service
Michael F. Hupy, Marquette 1972, and Michael
F. Hupy & Associates S.C., Milwaukee, donated $10,000 to
the NAACP Convention held in Milwaukee in July.
Four attorneys from Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
participated in the 13th Annual Scenic Shore 150 Bike Tour in July to
raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Team Michael Best
raised more than $2,800.
In Memoriam
George A. Borden, U.W. 1954, Shorewood, Aug. 28,
1926 - April 22, 2005.
Gilbert E. Brach Jr., U.W. 1951, New Berlin, April
14, 1926 - Oct. 3, 2004.
Ernest E. Bruns, U.W. 1942, Madison, Nov. 16, 1918 -
Feb. 1, 2005.
Ronald P. Dales, U.W. 1965, Sheboygan, Jan. 4, 1938
- June 29, 2004.
Erwin E. Fritz, Marquette 1934, Wauwatosa, Jan. 25,
1908 - Aug. 20, 2004.
Robert R. Johnson, U.W. 1948, Port Edwards, June 1,
1919 - Aug. 25, 2004.
Jerome Hendrickson, U.W. 1942, Charlottesville,
Vir., July 25, 1918 - Dec. 20, 2004.
John T. Kelly, U.W. 1947, Stanley, May 2, 1922 -
Nov. 12, 2004.
Patrick Kinney, U.W. 1946, Lancaster, Oct. 29, 1917
- June 29, 2004.
William O. Kupfer, U.W. 1954, Kenosha, Oct. 13, 1929
- March 28, 2005.
Prentice H. Marshall Sr., Illinois 1951, Markesan,
Aug. 7, 1926 - May 24, 2004.
Jeanette Mett, Marquette 1942, Milwaukee, Nov. 14,
1917 - Dec. 1, 2004.
Allan L. Mueller, Marquette 1954, Mequon, Aug. 23,
1930 - Feb. 18, 2005.
Leo Shinken, Marquette 1952, Wauwatosa, June 6, 1926
- June 27, 2004.
Wisconsin
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