Meet Our Top 2024 Authors: Five Articles and a Series Worth Another Look
Each year, the Communications Committee, which serves as the Editorial Advisory Board for Wisconsin Lawyer magazine, recognizes writing excellence. The Hon. Charles Dunn Author Award is named in honor of Wisconsin’s first supreme court chief justice. On April 30, 1836, President Andrew Jackson commissioned Charles Dunn as chief justice of the Wisconsin Territory. Dunn continued in this office until the territorial courts were superseded by the state courts in 1848. He was a member of the 1848 Wisconsin Constitutional Convention, where he chaired the judiciary committee.
The 2024 Charles Dunn Award goes to Timothy D. Edwards and Hayley Rich-Noble, who coauthored a two-part article, “Discovering & Admitting AI Data in State & Federal Courts” (November and December 2024). The committee also recognized several other authors who went above and beyond to pen excellent articles in 2024, as well as a year-long legal history series on Wisconsin women in the law that began in March. The other articles and the series deserving “special commendation” for writing excellence are also noted.
Best of the Best: 2024 Charles Dunn Award Winners
Article: “Discovering & Admitting AI Data in State & Federal Courts: Parts 1 & 2” (November and December 2024).
Award: Hon. Charles Dunn Author Award
Authors: Timothy D. Edwards & Hayley C. Rich-Noble
Judges’ comments: Artificial intelligence (AI) currently is the most innovative and impactful technology change for lawyers to navigate, and probably the most intriguing in many years. In addition, most lawyers likely don’t understand its impact, how to use it, and how it may affect their practice and their clients. The articles were useful, had broad appeal among our readers, and included discussion about practical innovation. The articles did a nice job pointing out the numerous risks of AI and a reminder to use caution when using the technology. Lawyers have a duty to stay well informed about AI and how to use it as a tool. Many people in our profession do not have the time to dive deep, so it is important to highlight articles, especially articles that are credible, well written, well sourced, and keep our readers more up to date on important advances in technology.
Edwards, Wayne State 1989, is the owner of Edwards ESI LLC, Fitchburg, where he provides e-discovery consulting services and litigates construction, employment, and business disputes. He is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Intellectual Property & Technology Law Section and Labor & Employment Law Section. He is a Fellow of the Wisconsin Law Foundation.
Rich-Noble, U.W. 2024, is an attorney in the litigation practice at Godfrey & Kahn, focusing primarily on complex civil litigation. She is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Young Lawyers Division.
Articles Deserving Special Commendation
Article: “Becoming a Great Negotiator: Six Tips for Lawyers” (January 2024)
Award: Special Commendation
Author: David W. Simon & John Burrows
Judges’ comments: The article was well written, easy to follow, and provided great, well-delivered advice and guidance. The topic also has a broad appeal as it is relevant for lawyers in all practices and of all ages. Discussing negotiation skills is always relevant to our work and bringing this discussion to the forefront of conversation occasionally, especially in such a well-written form, is a great benefit to our readers.
Simon, Berkeley 1994, is a partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, Milwaukee. His practice focuses on helping company management and boards solve complex, high-stakes problems. He recently completed his MBA coursework at the University of Oxford, where Professor Burrows taught him many things about negotiation strategy and tactics.
Burrows is a senior lecturer at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy. He also holds an appointment as an associate fellow at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. He received his MBA and PhD from and taught at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. Burrows is well versed in negotiations, decision-making, strategy, leadership, and organizational psychology. Before moving into academia, Burrows gained valuable experience in the private and public sectors, working as a partner at the consulting firm Accenture and in sales and marketing roles at enterprise software companies including Siebel and Oracle.
Article: “Early Neutral Evaluation and the Value of an Informed Second Opinion” (December 2024)
Award: Special Commendation
Author: Katherine D. Spitz
Judges’ comments: Most lawyers are likely to engage in some form of alternative dispute resolution throughout their career, particularly mediation. This article offers a fresh perspective on a useful form of ADR and touches on some of the most practical considerations that are not often discussed outright, such as cost-saving methods for parties.
Spitz, Notre Dame 2007, owns and operates Spitz Mediation Services LLC in Pewaukee. In addition to traditional mediation of civil claims, she offers early neutral evaluation of civil rights claims, commercial disputes, and condemnation cases. She is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Dispute Resolution, Litigation, and Solo Small Firm & General Practice sections.
Article: “Understanding the New FTC Rule on Non-Compete Clauses and Challenges to It” (July/August 2024)
Award: Special Commendation
Author: Robert B. Corris
Judges’ comments: While non-compete clauses have been used for a long time, the timing of this article provides an informative review about pending rules that have a potentially large impact on a wide range of our readers. The article also outlined the history, applicability, risks, and pitfalls of non-compete agreements, which has a practical application for those who are well versed in non-competes and those who are just learning about them now. This topic is discussed in a well-written, easily digestible way.
Corris, California-Berkeley 1970, is a solo practitioner in the Lake Country law firm of Robert B. Corris S.C. His general area of practice is business litigation, concentrating on disputes relating to restrictive covenants, trade secrets, and duty of loyalty. He is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Labor & Employment Law and Solo Small Firm & General Practice sections and the Senior Lawyers Division.
Series: Wisconsin Women in the Law, Women History Makers and Women to Watch (launched March 2024)
Award: Special Commendation
Authors: A consortium of women lawyers and friends authored the articles to celebrate 150 years of women in the law and the significant contributions women have made to Wisconsin’s legal history.
Judges’ comments: We love the idea of supporting and recognizing incredible women doing great work. Also, as one member pointed out, several years ago this committee recognized Lavinia Goodell with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her impact on the Wisconsin legal profession, so honoring the 150th anniversary of Atty. Goodell is fitting.
Women History Makers biographies: “Lavinia Goodell: 10 Things You Might Not Know about Wisconsin’s First Woman Lawyer” (March 2024); “Gwendolyn Lindsay Cooley: The Power of ‘Yes’” (April 2024); “Judge Ramona Gonzalez: Tending to Democracy” (May 2024); “Kathryn Tierney Argued Landmark Tribal Case” (June 2024); “Tamara B. Packard: When Work is Advocacy” (July/August 2024); “Laurie R. McCallum: Grateful Trailblazer” (September 2024); “The Rise of Wisconsin Women in the Law … But Only After Securing the Right to Vote” (October 2024); “Christy L. Brown: Building Women’s Leadership” (November 2024); and “Involved in Life: Christine Bremer Muggli on a Northwoods Practice” (December 2024).
Women to Watch sidebar biographies: MaiVue Xiong (April 2024); Kate Drury (May 2024); Jo Deen Lowe (June 2024); Jill Mueller (July/August 2024); and Hon. Ashley J. Morse (December 2024).
New Hires, Promotions, Partners
Megan A. Phillips, U.W. 2010, has joined Bell, Moore & Richter S.C., Madison. Phillips focuses on family law and litigation and defense work for licensed professionals in board cases and serves as a mediator in family law cases.
Daniel G. Vliet, Marquette 1980, has joined Resolute Systems LLC, Milwaukee, as a mediator and arbitrator. He was a shareholder at Buelow Vetter Buikema Olson & Vliet until his retirement. Vliet’s practice focused on employment issues, noncompete agreements, and municipal and school law issues.
Mergers, Relocations, New Offices
OVB Law & Consulting S.C., established in 2016 as a boutique law firm serving closely held businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals, has rebranded as AxePoint Law. Ryan L. Woody, Marquette 2004, has joined the firm as a shareholder. Woody joins founding shareholders Emil Ovbiagele, Marquette 2014, and Samantha Huddleston Baker, Marquette 2018, bringing with him an experienced team to lead the firm’s insurance litigation, subrogation, and complex litigation practice areas from its downtown Milwaukee headquarters. Clients will benefit from expanded practice areas that include nationwide insurance subrogation, worker’s compensation subrogation, ERISA and employee benefits litigation, injury and product liability litigation, and fire, explosion, and catastrophic loss litigation. These new offerings complement AxePoint’s established core practice areas in business and real estate law, employment law, and civil litigation.
Authors, Speakers
Authors of the recently revised Advising Older Clients and Their Families Volume II (State Bar of Wis. 6th ed. 2025) are the following: Andrew J. Adams, U.W. 2018, Shana Dunn, Marquette 2009, Sean P. Griffin, U.W. 2023, and Travis James West, U.W. 2006, West & Dunn LLC, Baraboo & Waunakee; Maren Beermann, U.W. 2008, Fitchburg; Sarah Davis, U.W. 2002, Center for Patient Partnerships, Madison; Margaret Wrenn Hickey, U.W. 1986, and Dayna J. Lefebvre, Marquette 2013, Becker, Hickey & Poster S.C., Milwaukee; Ann S. Jacobs, U.W. 1992, Jacobs Injury Law S.C., Milwaukee; Robert J. Lightfoot, Hamline 1995, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Madison; Avery J. Mayne, Marquette 2015, von Briesen & Roper S.C., Milwaukee; Anna F.C. Muñoz, Marquette 2005, Brookdale Senior Living Inc., Milwaukee; Amy M. Risseeuw, U.W. 2005, Peterson, Berk & Cross S.C., Appleton; and Carol J. Wessels, U.W. 1988, Wessels & Liebau LLC, Mequon.
Authors of the newly released Standards of Appellate Review in Wisconsin (State Bar of Wis. 2025) are Hon. Thomas Hruz, Marquette 2002, Wisconsin Court of Appeals District III, Wausau, and Nathan Petrashek, Marquette 2009, Wisconsin Court of Appeals District II, Waukesha.
Peter J. Block, DePaul 2002, authored the recently revised Wisconsin Public Records and Open Meetings Handbook (State Bar of Wis. 8th ed. 2025). He is a Milwaukee assistant city attorney.
In Memoriam
Narciso L. Aleman, U.W. 1983, Milwaukee, Nov. 25, 1946 – March 16, 2025.
Timothy J. Carmichael, U.W. 1990, Sun Prairie, May 1, 1964 – Jan. 1, 2025.
Ruthanne K. DeWolfe, DePaul 1976, Evanston, Ill., Aug. 14, 1933 – Jan. 25, 2025.
Harry L. Garwood, U.W. 1962, Sister Bay, June 17, 1932 – Feb. 7, 2025.
Randall M. Holtz, Western Michigan Univ. Cooley Law School 1984, Baraboo, Nov. 19, 1956 – March 1, 2025.
Harvey A. Kurtz, Chicago 1975, Milwaukee, July 9, 1950 – Feb. 3, 2025.
Jeramiah Maynard, U.W. 2013, Elkhorn, June 27, 1977 – March 4, 2025.
Michael T. Meyers, Touro 1984, Milwaukee, May 13, 1955 – April 27, 2024.
James T. Murray Jr., Marquette 1974, July 3, 1949 – Sept. 2024.
Dennis L. Ohl, Iowa 1980, Sheboygan Falls, Feb. 5, 1955 – July 7, 2024.
Jack F. Olson, U.W. 1965, Greenville, S.C., June 9, 1940 – Feb. 21, 2025.
Michael L. Quirk, Marquette 1971, Wauwatosa, July 3, 1946 – Feb. 21, 2025.
Timothy David Sterling, Marquette 1994, Kenosha, Aug. 4, 1969 – Sept. 3, 2024.
Lowell E. Sweet, U.W. 1955, Elkhorn, Aug. 10, 1931 – March 9, 2025.
Ronald W. Ziwisky, U.W. 1972, Watertown, Aug. 22, 1939 – July 17, 2024.
How to Place your Announcement
If you have moved, become a partner or an associate, or received a promotion or an award, let us know! Email announcements to: MembersOnly@wisbar.org. Notices about State Bar members in good standing are printed as space is available, and subject to editing. Writing guidelines are available here. Questions? Email us or call (608) 250-6127.
Photo placement: Submit a professional-quality photo. If the photo is used, the State Bar will issue an invoice ($35 each). Group photos are not accepted. High-resolution electronic photos are preferred.
Deadline: The first of the month preceding publication. For example, to place an announcement in the May issue, it must be received before April 1.
Ineligible announcements: Talks, speeches (unless they are of national stature), honors from other publications, and political announcements are not accepted.
» Cite this article: 98 Wis. Law. 59-61 (May 2025).
