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    Wisconsin Lawyer
    February 01, 2001

    Wisconsin Lawyer February 2001: In the News

    In the News


    New Hires, Promotions, Partners

    Dennis R. Ainger, Illinois 1991, has became a principal in Schwartz, Cooper, Greenberger & Krauss, Chartered, Chicago, where he practices in commercial real estate transactions, development, and finance.

    Carla O. Andres, Villanova 1989, has joined Godfrey & Kahn S.C.'s corporate practice group in the firm's Green Bay office. Andres previously was with Vele & Andres S.C., Evansville, and Andres Law Office LLC, Portage. She also served in the U.S. Air Force.

    David BarnesDavid R. Barnes, California-Davis 1984, has joined von Briesen, Purtell & Roper S.C., in the Racine office. Barnes has practiced law in Racine and Kenosha counties for 16 years, emphasizing corporate and real estate law with a focus on large commer-cial transactions. He is founder and chair of the board of the Bank of Kenosha, and is a real estate developer. He formerly was in practice with Earle Christ.

    Patrick T. Berigan, U.W. 1985, has joined the Milwaukee office of the Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy (WCA) as supervising attorney. He will provide advocacy and legal repre-sentation to people disabled as a result of mental illness. WCA is a nonstock corporation designated by the state of Wisconsin to protect and advocate on behalf of those with disabilities.

    Jeffrey M. Blessinger, U.W. 1996, has become a partner in Cross, Jenks, Mercer & Maffei, Baraboo, continuing in civil litigation, family law, and municipal law.

    Elisabeth BridgeElisabeth Townsend Bridge, Nebraska 1981, has joined Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C., Milwaukee, as a contract shareholder, practicing intellectual property law. Bridge formerly was a shareholder in Jansson, Shupe, Bridge & Munger Ltd., Racine.

    Ernesto L. Chavez, Indiana 1995, has joined Kohler & Hart LLP, Milwaukee, as an associate focusing in criminal trial and appellate practice. He formerly was with the Minnesota attorney general's office.

    Jonathan Cook, U.W. 1997, has joined the New York City Department of Information Technology and Tele-communications as telecommunications and new media counsel. He previously was a member of the Madison Broadband & Telecommunications Regulatory Board and was employed by IBM. Richard Berkley, U.W. 1997, joined the department in 1999, as telecommun-ications and cable franchise counsel. He previously was a commissioner with the Fitchburg Cable Commission.

    Keith B. Daniels Jr., U.W. 1988, has joined Arnstein & Lehr, Chicago, as partner. Daniels focuses his practice in professional liability insurance.

    Amy Bellman Davis, U.W. 1998, has joined Freeborn & Peters, Chicago, as an associate practicing in commercial litigation. She previously was with Lord, Bissell & Brook.

    Thomas Dawson, Howard 1975, assistant attorney general, has returned to the Wisconsin Department of Justice after a three-year leave of absence. During his leave, Dawson directed the Wisconsin Strategic Pesticide Information Project, Madison, which promotes the development of a pesticide use database for the state. Dawson is assigned to the civil litigation unit.

    Elaine Sutton Ekes, Marquette 2000, has joined Hostak Henzl & Bichler S.C., Racine, as an associate. Ekes won the Outstanding Public Interest Law Student Award 2000.

    The following have joined Foley & Lardner's Milwaukee office: Enrique T. Breceda, U.W. 2000, Nicole A. Klemz, U.W. 1999 magna cum laude, Michael P. Kohler, Illinois 2000, Patrick M. Kuhlmann, U.W. 2000, Brian S. McCormac, Iowa 2000, Patrick J. Toft, Harvard 2000, Dustin T. Woehl, Pennsylvania 2000, in the litigation department; Trevor R. Grove, Michigan 2000, Michael J. Koehler, U.W. 2000, and Jeffrey D. Mills, Indiana-Bloomington 2000, in the business law department; L. Elizabeth Beetz, Chicago 2000, and Michael J. Mazza, Marquette 1999 summa cum laude, in the tax and individual planning department; John M. Lazarus, Syracuse 2000 summa cum laude, and Kenneth G. Lemke, Arizona 2000, in the intellectual property department; Todd A. Mahlik, Iowa 2000 with high distinction, in the regulatory department; and Jennifer L. Urban, St. Louis 2000 magna cum laude, in the health law department.

    Lindsey Canonie Grady, Marquette 2000, has joined Drinka, Levine & Masson S.C., Milwaukee, as an associate in estate planning, real estate, charitable organizations, and business law.

    Janice M. Grant, Marquette 1999, has joined Bank One Trust Company N.A., as a relationship manager/trust officer handling estate settlement in the Milwaukee office. Grant formerly was with Ruder, Ware & Michler, Wausau.

    Jeffrey B. Harding, Marquette 1993 cum laude, was made partner with Beckman Lawson LLP, Fort Wayne, Ind.

    Brenda S. Kasper, U.W. 1997 cum laude, has joined the labor and employment practice group of Godfrey & Kahn S.C., in the Milwaukee office. Kasper previously was with Michael Best & Friedrich LLP.

    Lisa Keyes, U.W. 1992, became a partner with King & Spalding, Atlanta, Ga., where she practices in the corporate group focusing on Internet and technology transactions. She previously was with Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Madison.

    John A. Kramer, Marquette 1988, has joined the litigation firm of Sandfort, Zalewski & Klinner LLP, Wausau, as a partner practicing in insurance defense. He formerly was with American Family Mutual Insurance Company.

    Gregory P. Kult, U.W. 1994, has been elected shareholder in Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman PSC, Indianapolis, Louisville, and Detroit, practicing labor and employment law from the Indianapolis office.

    Barbara A. Kuhl, Marquette 1991 magna cum laude, has been named general counsel at Marshfield Clinic. She previously was the clinic's assistant general counsel and chief compliance officer, and was a shareholder in Hostak Henzl & Bichler S.C., Racine.

    Randall J. Sandfort, U.W. 1974, joined the clinic as litigation counsel. He previously was a partner at Sandfort, Zalewski & Klinner LLP, Wausau.

    The following have joined Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Milwaukee, as associates: John L. Barlament, Duke 1997, Noah A. Fenceroy, U.W. 2000, Amy S. Kiiskila, U.W. 2000 magna cum laude, Roland C. Lara, Illinois 2000 cum laude, Craig J. Loest, Boston 2000, Patricia A. Motta, Marquette 1999, Thomas S. Reynolds II, Chicago-Kent 1997, Raye Lynn Shaeffer, U.W. 2000 cum laude, Donna Thompson-Schneider, Tulsa 1997, Todd M.W. Turall, U.W. 1999, and Glen A. Weitzer, Marquette 2000.
    Loest, Motta, Reynolds, Schaffer, and Weitzer practice intellectual property law. Barlament practices in employee benefits law. Fenceroy will focus on trial litigation. Kiiskila will practice financial planning law. Lara will focus on litigation and immigration law. Thompson-Schneider will focus on civil litigation. Turall focuses on general business law.

    Jorge A. Gomez, U.W. 1986, and Cynthia E. Smith, Marquette 1993, have been made partners in the Milwaukee office. Gomez represents businesses in complex litigation in construction, systems integration, health care, and white collar matters. Smith focuses on environmental law including compliance auditing, remediations of contaminated sites, municipal law issues involved in site remediations and real estate transactions, CERCLA cost recovery, and environmental insurance litigation. She also counsels real estate developers and contractors on environmental issues.

    Thomas D. Bixby, Missouri-Columbia 1999, Sara Dastgheib-Vinarov, Marquette 2000, Jill A. Fahrlander, U.W. 1996, Irene B. Katele, U.W. 1999 cum laude, Tracy K. Kuczenski, U.W. 1999 cum laude, Johanna J. London, U.W. 2000, Robert V. Petershack, U.W. 1994, and Jeffrey D. Peterson, U.W. 2000, have joined the firm's Madison office as associates.
    Bixby is in the firm's business law group, focusing on health care, insurance, and administrative law. Dastgheib-Vinarov and Fahrlander practice intellectual property law, focusing in biotechnology. Katele focuses on all aspects of estate planning. Kuczenski practices in environmental law and worked as a clinical intern with the Wisconsin Department of Justice. London is a CPA and focuses her practice on taxation law. Petershack practices intellectual property law, emphasizing software and licensing agreements. Peterson practices intellectual property law, emphasizing patent applications in chemical, pharma-ceutical, and biotechnological inventions.

    Eric M. McLeod, U.W. 1993 cum laude, has been made partner in the firm's Madison office. He is a litigation attorney experienced in complex business litigation including antitrust and unfair competition, real estate disputes, and contract disputes. He also handles election law matters before the State of Wisconsin Elections Board and state trial and appellate courts.

    Ronald S. Stadler, U.W. 1989, has joined the firm as a partner in the employment relations law group of the Milwaukee office, focusing on discrimination issues and unfair competition.

    Randall M. Miedaner, Louisiana State 1987, has become of counsel with the firm in the Milwaukee office. Miedaner is a CPA and certified financial planner. He previously was with Wells Fargo Bank and Arthur Anderson & Company.

    Christopher M. Miller, Baltimore 1997, has joined Vanden Heuvel & Dineen S.C., Slinger, as an associate, in personal injury, criminal defense, and business/contract law.
    Miller served in Company A, 628th Aviation Support Battalion at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., where he earned the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal. Miller is an active member of the Wisconsin National Guard stationed in Madison.

    Paul J. Motivans, U.W. 2000, has been named legal advisor to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Mission in Kosovo. Motivans serves in the Pristina, Kosovo, headquarters as advisor to the temporary media commissioner for Kosovo on implementing a media regulatory authority for the territory.

    James Morrow, U.W. 1986 cum laude, has been named leader of the consumer and industrial products practice group of Foley & Lardner's Washington, D.C., office. He practices in patent prose-cution and litigation, and trademark, copyright, and trade secret counseling. He is a Wisconsin-licensed engineer.

    Ryan Connolly, Marquette 2000, Eryn M. Doherty, Marquette 2000, C. Samuel Facey, Chicago Kent 2000, and Anita O'Neil, Oregon 1997, have joined the National Labor Relations Board, Region 30 - Milwaukee, as field attorneys.

    Patricia Hawpetoss Brzezinski, U.W. 1988, and Nelsen R. Wahlstrom, Maine 1997, have joined the Oneida Law Office, Oneida. Brzezinski will represent the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin in Indian child welfare, intergovernmental agreements, employment, and financial transactions. She previously was with Skenandore & Associates and Hawpetoss Brzezinski Law Offices.

    Wahlstrom will represent the Tribe in Indian child welfare, employment, and utilities law. He previously was with Stellpflug, Janssen, Nell, Hammer, Kirschling & Bartels S.C.

    Rory E. Dilweg, U.W. 1996, has been promoted to interim chief counsel of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, representing and advising the elected government of the Tribe on all legal matters, and administering and managing the operations of the Oneida Law Office. He previously was a staff attorney with the office.

    John Gehringer Angela Campion Patrick McBride
    Gehringer
    Campion
    McBride

    John G. Gehringer, Marquette 1978, has joined O'Neil, Cannon & Hollman S.C., Milwaukee, as a shareholder, focusing in real estate development, construction and financing, commercial leasing, and zoning and land use law. Angela T. Campion, Marquette 1999, and Patrick G. McBride, Marquette 1995, have joined the firm as associates. Campion practices in tax and corporate law and McBride in com-mercial and business litigation, torts, defense litigation, and insurance coverage.

    Jessica A. Palmer-Denig, U.W. 1999 cum laude, has joined Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Minneapolis, as an associate. Palmer-Denig previously served as a law clerk for Justice Mary Muehlen Maring of the North Dakota Supreme Court.

    Donald J. Peterson, U.W. 1988, has joined the Wilson Law Group LLC, Madison, practicing employment law, municipal law, and civil and criminal litigation.

    Todd Podell, Marquette 1983, a supply chain manager for Palm Inc., has moved from the company's Santa Clara, Calif., office to the Arlington Heights, Ill., location. Podell negotiates contracts with Palm's worldwide suppliers.

    Michael Clague, Montana 1995, and Nancy Thome, U.W. 1995, have joined Quale, Hartmann, Pulsfus & Groeneweg S.C., Baraboo, as associates. Clague will focus in municipal law, civil litigation including personal injury, and criminal law. He previously worked for the courts in Montana and as a general litigator, and at Kahler Law Office, Reedsburg.
    Thome will focus in bankruptcy and creditor/debtor rights, estate planning, and business law. She previously was a shareholder with Conway, Seefeld & Varner S.C., Baraboo.

    Allen M. Ratkowski, U.W. 1991 cum laude, has been promoted to partner with Fellows, Piper & Schmidt, Milwaukee. He previously was judicial clerk for the Wisconsin Court of Appeals.

    Jennifer R. D'Amato, U.W. 1989, Michael A. Dodge, Marquette 1999, Michael T. Geiger, Minnesota 2000 cum laude, Eric P. Hagemeier, U.W. 2000, Ian M. Kees, Creighton 1998, and William P. Schultz, U.W. 2000 cum laude, have joined Reinhart, Boerner, Van Deuren, Norris & Rieselbach S.C., Milwaukee, as associates. D'Amato returns to the firm after working with Sachnoff & Weaver Ltd., Chicago. She is an associate in the trusts and estates department. Dodge is in the firm's environmental department, Geiger is in the real estate department, Hagemeier is in the business organizations department, and Kees is in the tax department. Kees previously was with Arthur Andersen.

    Robert Tad Seder, U.W. 1984, has joined the civil division of the Snohomish County prosecutor's office in Everett, Wash., handling tort matters. He previously was a shareholder with Thorsrud, Cane & Paulich in Seattle.

    Giesele Sutherland, Georgetown 1985, has joined M&I Trust Company, Madison, as vice president and employee benefits counsel, working with employers on the design, implementation, and administration of their company retirement and cafeteria plans. She previously was a partner in the employee benefits practice group at Foley & Lardner.

    Neil L. Wojtal, Marquette 1979, has been promoted to the position of Director - Franchise Center by Manpower Inc., where he will oversee Manpower's franchise relations. He was previously assistant general counsel.

    Rose M. Yanke, U.W. 1986, has joined Krekeler Law Office S.C., Madison, as an associate practicing in criminal defense, worker's compensation, debtor/creditor, and civil litigation. Yanke spent 10 years as an assistant district attorney in Columbia County before going into private practice.

    Curtis Swanson Joy O'Grosky
    Swanson
    O'Grosky

    Curtis C. Swanson, Michigan 1974, and Joy L. O'Grosky, U.W. 1987, joined von Briesen, Purtell & Roper S.C., Milwaukee, as share-holders in a new office at 10 E. Doty St., Madison. Swanson and O'Grosky, Madison trial lawyers, bring extensive experience in health care law and medical malpractice defense to the firm.

    Mergers, Relocations, New Associations

    Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund Inc. (ATG) has relocated to 599 D'Onofrio Dr., Madison. ATG is a lawyer-based service organization that provides residential real estate and trust services through a network of 3,500 members in the U.S. and Canada.

    Gregory J. Cook, Marquette 1976, a shareholder in Kasdorf, Lewis & Swietlik S.C., has relocated to the firm's Wausau office, not the Green Bay office as previously reported.

    Jerome G. Grzeca S.C., Marquette 1988, has changed the firm name to Grzeca Law Group S.C. and relocated to 1434 W. State Street, Milwaukee. The firm practices corporate immigration law.

    Davis & Kuelthau S.C., Milwaukee, Madison, Oshkosh, Green Bay, and Sheboygan, has opened an office at 850 Elm Grove Rd., Elm Grove. Gerard J. Flood, Chicago-Kent 1973, will staff the office and be a member of the firm's corporate section, focusing his practice in estate planning, trusts, probate, guardianship, succession planning, and real estate. Flood previously was a sole practitioner in Elm Grove for 28 years.
    This brings the firm total to 75 attorneys.

    Anthony Bourget
    Bourget

    Anthony J. Bourget, U.W. 1991, has formed bourgetlaw.com, located at 1119 Regis Court, Suite 1B, Eau Claire, and at www.bourgetlaw.com. Bourget practices in patent, trademark, copyright, and computer law. He previously was a partner with Misfeldt, Richie, Wickstrom & Wachs, Eau Claire.

    Bouressa & Patteson S.C. has expanded and relocated to 414 E. Walnut St., Suite 200, Green Bay.

    Haus, Resnick and Roman LLP has changed its name to Haus, Roman & Banks LLP. The firm will still be located at 148 E. Wilson St., Madison. The firm focuses on union/labor and employment law, family law, corporate/business law, and litigation.

    Elizabeth R. Koepcke, Pace 1986, has opened a solo practice at 21 Greenhaven Circle, Madison, serving artists and nonprofit arts organizations (www.erklaw.com). She also serves as managing director of Opera for the Young and is a member of the coordinating council for the Wisconsin Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts project.

    Lisa J. Le Barron, U.W. 1987, and Bradley D. Lawrence, Thomas M. Cooley 1991, have formed Le Barron & Lawrence LLC, 616 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire. Le Barron practices in commercial and residential real estate, title insurance and abstracting, divorce and family law, collections and creditor's rights, wills, estate planning, and probate law. Lawrence practices in divorce and family law, general civil litigation, criminal law, collections, landlord-tenant, appellate, and personal injury law.

    Markuson & Kalb has been reorganized as Markuson & Neufeld LLC, and Paul R. Bristow, U.W. 1996, has joined the firm as an associate in the Illinois office.

    Awards, Degrees, Honors

    Sen. Brian Burke, Georgetown 1981, received the Voices of Courage in Public Policy award from the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

    J. Michael End, Marquette 1973, received the Robert L. Habush Trial Lawyer of the Year Award from the Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers (WATL) for his compassion and commitment to injured consumers. End is a partner with Gray & End, Milwaukee, practicing in personal injury.

    John H. Heide, U.W. 1987, a shareholder with Everson, Whitney, Everson & Brehm S.C., has achieved board certification as a family law trial advocate through the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA). Heide also is court commissioner for Brown County Circuit Court, Branch VI. Certification requires passing a credentials screening for compliance with board standards and the completion of a day-long examination.

    Jennifer Sleik Dewberry, Marquette 1996, passed the California Bar Exam and is working as a contractor with Bergen Brunswig, Orange, Calif., in the legal department.

    Eric M. McLeod, U.W. 1993 cum laude, a partner with Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Madison, was the only attorney in Madison Magazine's "50 Worth Watching." McLeod is a litigation attorney with experience in business litigation including antitrust and unfair competition, real estate disputes, and contract disputes. He also is experienced in elections law including campaign financing disputes.

    The following Michael Best & Friedrich LLP attorneys are distinguished for excellence in practice in the 2001-2002 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, published by Woodward/White Inc.: Jerome H. Kringel, Yale 1966, Tod B. Linstroth, U.W. 1973, John K. MacIver, U.W. 1955, and Frank J. Pelisek, U.W. 1958, in corporate law; David J. Cannon, Marquette 1960, in criminal defense; Marshall R. Berkoff, Harvard 1962, David W. Croysdale, Michigan 1966, Thomas E. Obenerger, Marquette 1967, John R. Sapp, Duke 1969, and Thomas W. Scrivner, U.W. 1977, in labor and employment law; Linda H. Bochert, U.W. 1974, and Raymond R. Krueger, U.W. 1972, in environmental law; Robert A. Schnur, Harvard 1963, Timothy G. Schally, U.W. 1985, and Bret A. Roge, Marquette 1984, in tax law; Richard Z. Kabaker, Michigan 1959, F. William Haberman, Harvard 1965, Richard J. Langer, U.W. 1974, and J. Lewis Perlson, U.W. 1969, in trusts and estates; Richard J. Canter, Hofstra 1976, David J. Hanson, U.W. 1968, and Robyn S. Shapiro, Harvard 1977, in health care law; David B. Smith, Texas 1973, Joseph A. Gemignani, Michigan 1958, David R. Price, Michigan 1983, and Michael E. Husmann, Wake Forest 1976, in intellectual property; Paul J. Dombrowski, Iowa 1991, and William F. White, Antioch 1976, in real estate law; John A. Busch, Duke 1976, in business litigation; and Scott H. Engroff, Michigan 1967, in employee benefits law.

    The following Quarles and Brady attorneys are distinguished for excellence in practice in the 2001-2002 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, published by Woodward/White Inc.: Anthony W. Asmuth III, Harvard 1967, Quinn W. Martin, Michigan 1973, John S. Robison, Illinois 1978, and Michael J. Spector, Harvard 1965, in corporate law; Wayne E. Babler Jr., U.W. 1967, Richard C. Ninneman, Marquette 1961, W. Stuart Parsons, Harvard 1967, and Donald K. Schott, Harvard 1980, in business litigation; John T. Bannen, Marquette 1976, Kathleen A. Gray, Marquette 1982, David L. Kinnamon, U.W. 1966, Henry J. Loos, Harvard 1965, Sally C. Merrell, Virginia 1980, and Paul J. Tilleman, U.W. 1978, in trusts and estates; Andrew M. Barnes, U.W. 1975, and Roy L. Prange Jr., U.W. 1975, in bankruptcy law; Jeffrey B. Bartell, U.W. 1968, Conrad G. Goodkind, U.W. 1969, and Patrick M. Ryan, Marquette 1969, in banking and corporate law; Michael J. Conlan, Harvard 1974, and David D. Wilmoth, Marquette 1981, in tax law; Gerald E. Connolly, Virginia 1972, John W. Daniels Jr., Harvard 1974, Kevin A. Delorey, U.W. 1986, and Lawrence J. Jost, U.W. 1969, in real estate law; Frank J. Daily, Marquette 1968, in personal injury and civil litigation; Robert H. Diaz Jr., Harvard 1966, and Larry J. Martin, Iowa 1968, in public utility law; Robert H. Duffy, Marquette 1984, Fred G. Groiss, Cornell 1961, David B. Kern, Michigan 1979, Ely A. Leichtling, Virginia 1979, and George K. Whyte Jr., U.W. 1965, in labor and employment law; Anthony S. Earl, Chicago 1961, Michael S. McCauley, Iowa 1977, Thomas P. McElligott, Marquette 1983, Nancy K. Peterson, U.W. 1983, Dennis P. Reis, Minnesota 1981, and Arthur A. Vogel Jr., Notre Dame 1979, in environmental law; Thomas W. Ehrmann, U.W. 1960, John D. Franzini, U.W. 1983, Barry E. Sammons, Michigan 1969, Carl R. Schwartz, Harvard 1978, and Nicholas J. Seay, George Washington 1977, in intellectual property; James D. Friedman, Notre Dame 1972, and Kenneth V. Hallett, Harvard 1980, in banking law; Arthur B. Harris, Northwestern 1965, in employee benefits; John A. Hazelwood, Michigan 1963, in corporate and tax; Alyce C. Katayama, Maryland 1974, in health care and immigration; and Ralph V. Topinka, U.W. 1980, and Michael S. Weiden, U.W. 1969, in health care.

    Lt. Col. Robert A. Schroeder, U.W. 1984, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, has been selected for a six-month assignment to the Pentagon by Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, in a position created for the presidential election year transition in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Schroeder will take a leave of absence from his position as assistant state public defender in the Spooner Trial Office. Schroeder is a Marine reserve judge advocate with active duty command experience in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Bosnia, Macedonia, and Haiti. He is a former assistant U.S. attorney, Western District of Texas.

    John J. Slein, Hamline 1984, a partner in Hale & Wagner S.C., Milwaukee, has achieved board certification as a civil trial advocate through the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Slein practices in real estate and insurance agents' errors and omissions defense, trucking and automobile liability, premises liability, fire loss, and insurance coverage.

    Margaret Stafford, U.W. 1972, John D. Neal, U.W. 1972, Gregory Meyer, U.W. 1972, and Helen L. Schott, U.W. 1976, all of Stafford & Neal S.C., Madison, have been included in the 2001-2002 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, published by Woodward/White Inc. They are distinguished for excellence in worker's compensation practice.

    Robert P. VanDeHey, U.W. 1985, circuit court judge, Branch 1, Grant County, completed the two-week "general jurisdiction" course at the National Judicial College at the University of Nevada, Reno. His attendance was supported by a scholarship provided by the State Justice Institute, a nonprofit organization established by federal law.

    Kim Marie Wacek, Hamline 1987, has been granted a mini-pupillage in the chambers of Lord Thomas of Gresford, Queens Counsel, Temple, London, England. Wacek, a sole practitioner in Green Bay, is studying to be a barrister.

    Appointments, Elections

    The Wisconsin Supreme Court has appointed the following to the Board of Bar Examiners (BBE): Robert J. Janssen, Marquette 1988, De Pere; John O. Olson, U.W. 1963, Lake Geneva; and Catherine M. Rottier, U.W. 1986, Madison, were appointed to serve the remainders of terms that had been filled by interim appointees. Their terms expire Dec. 31, 2002, or upon order of the court. Kevin M. Kelly, U.W. 1991, assistant dean for Curricular Affairs at U.W. Law School, was appointed to a three-year term to fill a vacancy.
    The BBE is an agency of the court that manages admission to the practice of law in the state, monitors Wisconsin-licensed attorneys' compliance with continuing legal education (CLE) requirements, and approves credit for CLE courses. BBE also conducts character and fitness investigations for all candidates seeking bar admission by diploma privilege.

    Oscar C. Boldt, chair of The Boldt Group Inc., has been appointed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court as a nonlawyer member of the State Bar Board of Governors. The Board of Governors manages and directs the affairs of the State Bar.

    Brian G. Figy, Western New England 1991, has been appointed Judicial Court Commissioner of Outagamie County. He previously was assistant state public defender in Appleton.

    Grace Flynn, Marquette 1992, has been appointed supplement court commissioner to Judge Kitty Brennan, Branch 6, Milwaukee County Circuit Court. Flynn practices criminal and traffic defense at Alex Flynn & Associates S.C., Milwaukee.

    Jeong-kee Kim, Marquette 2000, a director of Korea Negotiation Institute (KNI), has been appointed president and law professor of Korea Cyber University, Seoul, Korea. He teaches ADR.

    Mark S. Poker, Marquette 1988, a partner in Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Milwaukee, has been appointed a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). Attorneys are selected based on professional reputation and ability in trusts and estates and on contributions to these fields through lecturing, writing, teaching, and bar activities. Poker practices in family wealth transfers, wealth preservation, and succession planning.

    Thomas D. Sykes, Ohio State 1979, has been elected to a three-year term on the Board of Governors of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association. Sykes, a former assistant U.S. attorney and district attorney in Wisconsin, is a partner in Scribner, Hall & Thompson LLP, Washington, D.C., where he practices in federal tax controversies.

    Authors, Speakers

    David Patrick Eich, Columbia 1992, recently presented "Examining Different Types of Private Equity" to the Euromoney Legal Training Executive Forums Conference on Essential Legal Issues in Private Equity and Venture Capital, London, England.

    Alyce Katayama, Maryland 1974, spoke at the Japanese Society of Mammalian Ova Research, Tokyo, Japan. She presented on legal and ethical issues relating to egg donation.

    Robert W. Kohn, U.W. 1959, president of Kohn Law Firm S.C., Milwaukee, co-chaired the national conference of the National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys (NARCA), in Chicago. The conference was attended by collection firms, creditors, and banking personnel. Kohn is a member of the board of directors of NARCA.

    In Memoriam

    Carol E. Kraima, Marquette 1999, Wauwatosa, March 27, 1954 – Sept. 4, 2000.

    Stevens L. Riley, U.W. 1956, Eau Claire, Sept. 24, 1932 – Aug. 21, 2000.

    Victor T. Wahl, U.W. 1951, Eau Claire, Aug. 26, 1925 – Nov. 30, 2000.

    Supreme Court appoints OLR investigative panel

    The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently has appointed the following to the Office of Lawyer Regulation's Special Investigative Panel: Suzanne E. Kitto, U.W. 1972, Kitto Law Offices S.C., Beloit; Myron E. LaRowe, U.W. 1965, LaRowe, Gerlach & Roy S.C., Reedsburg; Francis H. LoCoco, U.W. 1986, Quarles & Brady, Milwaukee; William Retert, U.W. 1969, first assistant state public defender for the Fond du Lac Region; and Ronald R. Smith, U.W. 1978, of Verona, a real estate developer.

    The panel investigates any allegations of misconduct against the OLR director, lawyer members of the OLR staff, retained counsel, lawyer members of a district investigative committee, referees, and lawyer members of the Preliminary Review Committee or Board of Administrative Oversight.

    Laverdure helps advance technology in Indian Country

    Donald Laverdure
    Laverdure

    Donald E. Laverdure, U.W. 1999, of von Briesen, Purtell & Roper S.C., Milwaukee, participated in the White House Initiative on Tribal Colleges & Universities, a part of President Clinton's technology effort. The initiative explored national solutions to the "digital divide" faced by American Indians throughout the country.

    Laverdure was selected as one of approximately 103 participants in "The Circle of Prosperity: Tribal College Technology Prosperity Game," in San Francisco, the first phase of the initiative that crafted a national framework for technological advancement among American Indian tribal colleges and tribes. Laverdure then was selected to participate in the smaller group that continued the process in Albuquerque. The final recommendations will be presented to the Bush administration for approval.

    "The new policy will allow tribal colleges and Indian tribes to make decisions at the local level, based on their particular needs, and will likely include advanced technology such as telemedicine and distance learning," Laverdure said.

    There are approximately 33 tribal colleges and universities in the U.S., and two are in Wisconsin: the Tribal College of the Menomonee Nation, Keshena; and Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College, Hayward.

    Laverdure practices Indian law and focuses in transactional matters for Indian tribes. He is secretary-treasurer of the State Bar's Indian Law Section and the American Indian liaison to the Board of Governors for 2000-01. He is an enrolled member of the Crow Tribe, and has an affiliation with the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians, both of Montana.


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