Wisconsin Lawyer: Wisconsin Lawyer August 1998: Personal Mentions:

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August 01, 1998

Wisconsin Lawyer August 1998: Personal Mentions

Personal Mentions

The Association of State Prosecutors recently elected these officers: president - John R. Burr, Madison; vice president - Catharine D. White, Shawano; secretary - Elizabeth M. Blackwood, Racine; and treasurer - Gale G. Shelton, Milwaukee.

Thomas G. Boyer, Marquette 1969, has joined the Schlesinger Agency of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the U.S. as an agent in its downtown Milwaukee office.

The law firm of Brown & La Counte LLP has expanded to meet the needs of its growing client base: Barry LeSieur, U.W. 1996, will practice in business and transactions; Jennifer Wertkin, U.W. 1997, will work on governmental matters and focus on social services issues and the Indian Child Welfare Act; Benjamin S. Casey, U.W. 1998, will concentrate on governmental matters such as code drafting and telecommunications law. The firm focuses primarily on Indian law, working with Tribal governments in the Great Lakes area and around the country.

Barbara J. Cox, U.W. 1982, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at California Western School of Law, San Diego, has been appointed Interim Deputy Director of the Association of American Law Schools. She will be living in Washington, D.C., from July 1998-January 1999. The association is one of two national accrediting associations for law schools and focuses on national issues of concern to law schools and faculties.

The Dane County Bar Association recently elected these officers: president - Paul G. Kent; president-elect - Mary Beth Keppel;secretary - David A. Flesch; and treasurer - Valerie B. Rihn, all of Madison.

New shareholders at the Madison law firm of DeWitt Ross & Stevens law firm include: Brian L. Anderson, U.W. 1980, emphasizing employee benefits, business, and estate planning law; Stephen A. DiTullio, U.W. 1992, emphasizing employment law and general litigation; Troy A. Mayne, Minnesota 1988, emphasizing business and real estate law; and Todd E. Palmer, St. Louis 1992, emphasizing environmental and administrative law. Jennifer L. Dressler, U.W. 1992, has joined the firm as an associate practicing in securities and general business law.

The Eau Claire County Bar Association recently elected these officers: president - Michael F. O'Brien; president-elect - Timothy J. Adler; secretary - Tara J. Bohling;and treasurer - Paul R. Lokken,all of Eau Claire.

Maureen M. Meyer, Marquette 1994, and Richard A. Edwards, Hamline 1981, have formed the general practice law firm of Edwards & Meyer S.C. located at 410 Hawthorn Dr., West Bend. The firm formerly was known as Schowalter & Edwards S.C.

Laurie A. Eggert, U.W. 1976, has renamed her firm Eggert Law Office S.C. Her practice focuses on representing police unions, including the Milwaukee Police Association. Jonathan Cermele, Dayton 1992, has joined the firm. He maintains a general practice with emphasis on civil litigation.

Two family law partners in Foley & Lardner have been elected to the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, which is comprised of 100 of the leading matrimonial trial lawyers in the United States. Joan F. Kessler, Marquette 1968, practices in the Milwaukee office; Allan R. Koritzinsky, U.W. 1966, is a member of the Madison office.

James E. Garvey, Minnesota 1954, was presented by the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, a national trial lawyer organization, with its first ever Member of the Year Award. Garvey was recognized for his 44-year trial lawyer career and for multiple years of service and leadership in the association. He is the senior member of Garvey, Anderson, Johnson, Gabler & Geraci S.C., Eau Claire.

Franklyn M. Gimbel, Marquette 1960, founding partner of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown in Milwaukee, was named the Milwaukee Bar Association's 1998 Lawyer of the Year in recognition of his service to the profession and the community. Gimbel concentrates in criminal law, labor law, and complex civil litigation. D. Michael Guerin, Marquette 1974, a partner in the firm, has been elected vice president of the Milwaukee Bar Association. Guerin practices in personal injury and criminal trials. The firm recently opened an office at Ridgeview Center, N16 W23217 Stone Ridge Dr., Waukesha.

Dennis M. Grzezinski, Yale 1975, has concluded nine continuous years of service, the maximum allowed by law, as a commissioner of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District . He served as commission chair, vice chair, and chair of the Policy, Finance & Personnel Committee. He recently joined the Board of Directors of the Riverside Urban Environmental Center, where he was elected vice president. Grzezinski continues to practice environmental law and litigation as a sole practitioner in Milwaukee.

Michael J. Happe, Creighton 1989, has joined Kelly & Ryberg S.C., Eau Claire, concentrating in civil litigation, including insurance defense. He formerly was a partner in Miller, Stratvert & Torgerson P.A., Albuquerque, N.M., where he was admitted to practice before the tribal courts of the Navajo Nation.

Richard A. Heinemann, U.W. 1998, has become an associate with Boardman, Suhr, Curry & Field LLP, Madison. He will practice in municipal and utility law, estate planning, litigation, and general business.

The law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson, headquartered in Chicago, has launched its Web site.

Wendy A. Hocking, U.W. 1989, has been promoted to chief counsel, ethics, for the U.S. Postal Service, and now manages the Postal Service's nationwide ethics program. Hocking has been with the USPS Law Department in Washington D.C. since 1989.

The Jefferson County Bar Association recently elected these officers: president - Bennett J. Brantmeier, Jefferson; president-elect - John R. Fiske, Madison; and secretary/treasurer - Lori J. Luckey, Lake Mills.

Prof. Spencer L. Kimball, Oxford 1949, recently received the Medal of Honour of the Association Internationale du Droit des Assurances AIDA, (International Association of Insurance Law) for his highly valuable scientific activity performed in the field of insurance law and for his outstanding contribution in realizing the ideas of AIDA. The award was presented at the 10th Quadrennial Congress of the organization in Marrakech, Morocco.

The Kohn Law Firm, Milwaukee, has received a Byron Kilbourn Award from the Greater Milwaukee Education Trust Association. The Byron Kilbourn Awards recognize and honor those businesses that have helped make a significant difference in the education of today's youth. Robert W. Kohn, U.W. 1959, and Robert E. Potrzebowski Jr., U.W. 1991,are committed to continuing their participation with Wisconsin's School to Work Initiatives.

Thomas J. Laitsch, U.W. 1980, has joined Stafford, Rosenbaum, Rieser & Hansen, with offices in Madison and Sun Prairie, as an associate practicing in family law.

The League of Wisconsin Municipalities - Municipal Attorneys recently elected these officers: president - Hector de la Mora, Elm Grove; and secretary - Grant F. Langley, Milwaukee.

W. Scott Leedom, Marquette 1998 cum laude, has joined Davis & Kuelthau S.C., as an associate in the environmental and business corporate sections. He previously was an environmental engineer and an environmental biologist. He is a registered professional engineer in Wisconsin.

Samuel J. Leib, Southwestern 1977, formerly the principal of Leib & Associates, and William J. Katt, Marquette 1979, formerly a shareholder in Kasdorf, Lewis & Swietlik S.C., have formed Leib & Katt S.C. with offices in downtown Milwaukee. Kevin A. Christensen, U.W. 1990, and Cecilia M. McCormack, Marquette 1993, formerly of Kasdorf, Lewis & Swietlik S.C., and Douglas S. Knott, Iowa 1990, Ava M. Bortin, Case Western Reserve 1985, and Rosalie Leib, Akron 1977, formerly of Leib & Associates, have become associated with the firm. The new firm will concentrate on representing and defending business, industry, and the professions in civil litigation.

Stephen Lesavich, U.W. 1995, has earned inclusion in the Tenth Edition of Who's Who in American Law 1998-1999. Dr. Lesavich is an intellectual property attorney and litigator at McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff in Chicago. He practices in protecting complex computer-related intellectual property.

Linda L. Lilledahl, U.W. 1987, has returned to the Madison office of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP as a partner practicing in employment relations, pensions, and benefits law. She most recently was assistant vice president and associate general counsel for CUNA Mutual Group.

The Lincoln County Bar Association recently elected these officers: president - Donald J. Dunphy; president-elect - James G. Godlewski; and secretary/treasurer - Wright C. Laufenberg, all of Merrill.

Gregory S. Mager, Marquette 1997, has joined the Glendale-based law firm of Podell & Podell. He also has been appointed court commissioner by the Hon. Diane S. Sykes. Mager is a mediator for Milwaukee County Family Court Counseling Services and a member of the Society of Family Lawyers.

The Manitowoc County Bar Association recently elected its officers: president - William R. Wick; president-elect - Robert L. McCracken; and secretary/treasurer - Steven R. Olson, all of Manitowoc.

The Marathon County Bar Association recently elected these officers: president - Colin D. Pietz; president-elect - Thomas F. Mallery; and secretary/treasurer - Carolie Balder Kuehn, all of Wausau.

The Marinette County Bar Association recently elected these officers: president - Charles K. Kenyon Jr., Marinette; president-elect - Nancy J. Kallgren, Marinette; and secretary/treasurer - Joseph J. Klumb, Menominee, Mich.

The Task Force on Family Violence of Milwaukee has awarded Maureen A. McGinnity, U.W. 1982, a partner in Foley & Lardner's Milwaukee office, its first-ever Maureen A. McGinnity Award in recognition of her "extraordinary commitment and achievement" on behalf of the organization. McGinnity has long been active in the Task Force, including serving on its Board of Directors and as president. In the future, the award will be given periodically to other volunteers demonstrating McGinnity's level of service and dedication.

The Milwaukee Bar Association recently elected its officers: president - Gregg M. Herman; president-elect - Hannah C. Dugan; vice president - D. Michael Guerin; secretary - Kathy L. Nusslock; treasurer - Carol L. Kracht, all of Milwaukee.

Attorneys Henry Paul, Mary Leonard, Michael Rosenberg and Julie Darnieder, and the law firm of von Briesen, Purtell & Roper S.C. were recognized recently by the Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association and Legal Action of Wisconsin Inc. Volunteer Lawyers Project for outstanding pro bono participation with the program during 1997.

The Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association recently elected these officers: president - Elizabeth L. Wolf; president-elect - Karene S. Marchan; secretary - Bradley I. Dallet; treasurer - Patricia A. Hintz, all of Milwaukee.

James W. Mohr Jr., Harvard 1972, of Mohr & Anderson S.C., Hartford, recently became board certified in civil trial law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

Kenneth Munson, U.W. 1987, recently chaired a panel at the University of London conference "Lessons on Federalism: What Europe Might Learn from America" held in London, England. Munson currently is deputy director of the City of Milwaukee Department of Administration.

James J. Natwick, U.W. 1974, formerly with Bosshard & Associates, La Crosse, has joined Steve Chiquoine and Eric Molberg to form Chiquoine, Molberg & Natwick S.C. in Reedsburg. Natwick practices in litigation and family law.

Patricia J. Nelson, Marquette 1974, Ruth J. Irvings, Stanford 1975, and Alexandra L. Waeffler, U.W. 1974, have formed the law firm of Nelson, Irvings and Waeffler S.C. They will continue to concentrate in lifetime and estate planning, probate, guardianship and family law, and on issues of concern to elderly and disabled individuals. The office is located at 2401 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa.

Stephen J. Nording, U.W. 1980, has joined the Madison law firm of Solheim Billing & Grimmer S.C., practicing in corporate, finance, real estate law, taxation, and estate planning.

Harvey W. Pogoriler, Minnesota 1977, was honored recently by Northwestern Mutual Life as the company's "Most Exceptional Volunteer" for his more than 10 years' volunteer work with the Center for Deaf-Blind Persons. In recognition of Pogoriler's efforts, Northwestern Mutual Life will donate $10,000 to the Center for Deaf-Blind Persons. Mark W. Smith, U.W. 1974, an attorney in Northwestern Mutual's law department, was named "Outstanding Volunteer." In honor of Smith's achievement, the Northwestern Mutual Life Foundation will contribute $5,000 to the AFS Foundation of Greater Milwaukee. This is the third year that Northwestern Mutual has sponsored the "Employee Community Service Award."

Richard L. Olson, U.W. 1958, joined LaFollette & Sinykin as of counsel. He will continue his practice in public utility, municipal, real estate law, and estate planning.

The Oneida-Vilas-Forest County Bar Association recently elected these officers: president - Lawrence J. Wiesneske, Rhinelander; president-elect - Clark G. Paulson, Rhinelander; secretary - Alexander E. Brown, Eagle River; and treasurer - John J. Hogan, Rhinelander.

The Outagamie County Bar Association recently elected these officers: president - Nila J. Robinson, Appleton; president-elect - Richard J. Carlson, Appleton; secretary - Stephen C. Dozer, Kaukauna; and treasurer - Robert T. Kemps, Appleton.

Briane F. Pagel Jr., U.W. 1998, has opened Pagel Law Office in Madison.

Diane Pedulla, U.W. 1990, has transferred to the U.S. Department of Labor's office in San Francisco where she will litigate civil cases under ERISA. Previously she worked for the department in Washington, D.C., concentrating on employee benefits and health-care reform.

David A. Piehler, U.W, 1980, and Jeffrey J. Strande, Marquette 1986, have formed Piehler & Strande S.C. with offices at 401 Fifth St., Suite 443, Wausau. Both attorneys are former shareholders of Terwilliger, Wakeen, Piehler & Conway S.C., Wausau. Angela L. Sheldon, Marquette 1997, has joined the firm as an associate. Sheldon formerly was an associate at Terwilliger, Wakeen, Piehler & Conway S.C., Wausau. The new firm practices in worker's compensation, insurance defense, general civil litigation, family, personal injury, and construction law.

Daniel J. Polglaze, U.W. 1994 cum laude, has joined Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth P.A., Minneapolis, Minn., as an associate practicing in electrical and computer-related patent law. He previously was with Moore & Hansen, Minneapolis.

Marcus J. Sengstock, Oklahoma City 1997, and Nicole J. Poulos, Marquette 1998, have joined Poulos, Sengstock & Budny S.C., West Allis and Waukesha, as associates.

The Racine County Bar Association recently elected these officers: president - Jeffrey L. Leavell; president-elect - Faye M. Flancher; secretary - Giulio Fornary; and treasurer - John G. Schulz, all of Racine.

Martin R. Sances, U.W. 1994, has joined Vogl & Meredith in San Francisco, Calif., as an associate. He formerly was with Curotto Law Offices in Oakland, Calif.

Randall J. Sandfort, U.W. 1974, Richard W. Zalewski, U.W. 1981, and Mark A. Klinner, U.W. 1985, have formed the litigation law firm of Sandfort, Zalewski & Klinner LLP. The firm concentrates in representing individuals and companies in civil litigation, including professional and medical negligence, motor vehicle liability, premises liability, products liability, insurance coverage disputes, family law, business litigation, appellate practice, alternative dispute resolution, and other related areas. The firm is located at 1500 Merrill Ave., Wausau.

The Sauk County Bar Association recently elected these officers: president - Joseph L. Viney, Baraboo; president-elect - Steven A. Roy, Sauk City; vice president - Dale A. Carlson, Prairie du Sac; secretary - Ryan D. Burke, Baraboo; and treasurer - Jean M. Wilson, Baraboo.

Kurt G. Schermacher, Marquette 1998, has joined Beck Law Office S.C., Hartford, practicing in real estate transactions and development, estate planning, civil litigation, elder law, and family matters. He is a former police officer for the City of West Bend.

Thomas G. Kreul, Marquette 1982, and John H. Shore, U.W. 1987, have become shareholders in Schober & Radtke S.C., a full-service firm located in New Berlin. Kreul will continue to practice personal injury and real estate law. Shore practices in all phases of corporate and business law. Thomas W. Druck, U.W. 1976, has joined the firm, practicing in personal injury litigation. He formerly practiced at Druck and Swartzberg S.C.

Peter A. Shively, U.W. 1992, has joined LaFollette & Sinykin as an associate practicing in general business law. He previously worked as assistant city attorney in College Station, Texas.

Scott E. Slattery, San Diego 1993, an associate at von Briesen, Purtell & Roper S.C., has been appointed to the State of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Committee to develop recommended rule revisions to ATCP 125, Mobile Home Parks Rule. Slattery is a member of the firm's real estate and banking and bankruptcy practice groups.

Steven C. Spear, Marquette 1994, has joined Soffa & Devitt, Whitewater, as an associate practicing in civil litigation, family law, and worker's compensation.

C. Thomas Sylke, U.W. 1985, an intellectual property partner in Foley & Lardner's Milwaukee office, has been elected to the board of directors of The Blood Center of Southeastern Wisconsin Inc.

Mary C. Theisen, U.W. 1993, is serving for one year as the Central and East European Law Initiative (CEELI) liaison in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. CEELI is an ABA public service project. Theisen, a former program officer addressing foreign policy issues for the Stanley Foundation, is developing legal training workshops and roundtable discussions. CEELI advances the rule of law in the world by supporting legal reform in Central and Eastern Europe and the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union.

Nancy A. Thome, U.W. 1995, has become a shareholder in the law firm of Conway, Seefeld & Varner S.C., Baraboo. She has been with the firm since August 1995 and practices in family law, bankruptcy, real estate, and estate planning and probate.

Michael T. Tierney, Minnesota 1982 cum laude, has joined the Duluth, Minn., law firm of Clure, Eaton, Butler. He will practice in general litigation, personal injury, and worker's compensation. He previously practiced with Marquard & Associates, Duluth.

Luis A. Torres, U.W. 1994, has joined the office of U.S. Congressman José E. Serrano (Dem.-NY) as legal counsel working primarily out of the district office in the Bronx. Torres formerly was an attorney for the National Voting Rights Institute in Boston and a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice-Civil Rights Division.

T. Christopher Tuck, Marquette 1996, has joined Ness, Motley, Loadholt, Richardson & Poole in the Charleston, S.C., office as an associate practicing complex product liability litigation. He formerly was an associate at Hubush, Habush, Davis & Rottier S.C., Milwaukee.

von Briesen, Purtell & Roper S.C., Milwaukee, has received the Volunteer Lawyers Project Outstanding Pro Bono Law Firm Participation Award from Legal Action of Wisconsin Inc. The project provides pro bono legal assistance on a variety of legal issues to low income clients. Several attorneys from the firm have been recognized for their volunteer efforts, including Jon Armour, Christy Brooks, Catherine Conway, Scott Farrow, Michael McDonagh, Ronald Mohorek and Brian Pierson.

The Waukesha County Bar Association recently elected these officers: president - Jennifer M. Wall; president-elect - James L. Dunlap; and secretary/treasurer - Samuel W. Benedict, all of Waukesha.

The Waupaca County Bar Association recently elected these officers: president - Raymond S. Huber, Clintonville; president-elect - James H. Fassbender, New London; and secretary/treasurer - David L. Forsythe, Iola.

John E. Donahue, U.W. 1975, and Randy S. Nelson, Marquette 1977, both partners with Weiss, Berzowski, Brady & Donahue LLP, have earned inclusion in Who's Who in American Law, 1998-1999.

The Western District Bar Association recently elected these officers: president - Mark A. Cameli; president-elect - Catherine M. Rottier; secretary - Paul L. Barnett; and treasurer - Stephen J. Eisenberg, all of Madison.

Gregory A. Wheeler, Marquette 1989, has joined Natural Resource Group Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., as general counsel.

The Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers recently elected these officers: president - Ellen M. Thorn, Sparta; president-elect - Mark F. Neilsen, Racine; vice president - Edward J. Hunt, Milwaukee; and treasurer - Ann T. Bowe, Milwaukee.

Patrick M. Zabrowski, U.W. 1983 magna cum laude, a real estate partner in Foley & Lardner's Milwaukee office, has been elected to membership in the American College of Real Estate Lawyers.