Wisconsin Lawyer
Vol. 83, No. 4, April 2010

Howard A. Sweet, Harvard 1970, is the 2009 recipient of the Hon. Charles Dunn Author Award, presented annually by the State Bar Communications Committee.

Sweet is being honored for his article "Understanding Domestic Partnerships in Wisconsin" (Nov. 2009). In selecting the article, the Dunn award subcommittee said: "Not only was the article very timely, but it also included information that practitioners in Wisconsin were not likely to find anywhere else. It was a comprehensive, articulate and broad summary of the legal issues surrounding this very new social, political and legal issue."

Sweet practices with Hurley, Burish & Stanton S.C., Madison, devoting his practice to estate planning, trust and estate administration, and representation of tax-exempt organizations. He is a founding member of the Wisconsin Planned Giving Council and is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He also plays trumpet in a rock band, The Earthling Invasion.

The Dunn award, named after Wisconsin’s first chief justice, recognizes writing excellence in Wisconsin Lawyer articles. The award will be presented at the Volunteer Recognition and Member Networking Celebration, held during the State Bar’s Annual Convention, on May 6, 6:15 – 7:45 p.m., in Madison.

The following attorneys also received certificates of commendation for articles printed in the Wisconsin Lawyer in 2009: Joseph A. Ranney III, Yale 1978, presented an entertaining and enlightening look at Wisconsin’s legal history in a three-part series, "Abraham Lincoln’s Legacy to Wisconsin Law" (Dec. 2008, Feb. 2009, and April 2009). He is a trial lawyer with DeWitt Ross & Stevens S.C., Madison and Brookfield. Renee M. Mehl, Marquette 2006 cum laude, detailed an issue that is broadly relevant to many different practice areas in the very informative "When Nonlawyers ‘Represent’ LLCs" (March 2009). She is a litigator of business and commercial finance matters with Nyhan, Bambrick, Kinzie & Lowry P.C., Chicago. Lucas N. Roe, U.W. 2008 cum laude, wrote a comprehensive summary of a new Wisconsin law in the timely "Homebuying After Below: Navigating the Economic Loss Maze" (April 2009). He is a real estate associate with Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Milwaukee.

Wisconsin Lawyer