New Hires, Promotions, Partners

Peter A. Bazianos, U.W. 2022, has joined Murphy Desmond S.C., Madison, in the business and real estate practice groups. Bazianos represents clients in business and real estate matters with a focus on contracts and transactional work.

Emma Campion, U.W. 2023, has joined Nelson Defense Group, Hudson, and focuses exclusively on criminal defense. Campion handles misdemeanor cases and provides litigation support.

Brendan P. Dailey, U.W. 2023, has joined Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Howarth S.C., Elkhorn, as an associate and focuses on litigation and real estate.

Kevin Govern, Marquette 1987, L.L.M. Judge Advocate General’s School 1995, L.L.M. Notre Dame 2004, has become associate dean of academic affairs for Ave Maria School of Law, Naples, Fla. Govern began his legal career as an Army Judge Advocate, served as an assistant professor of law at the United States Military Academy, and taught at PennWest California University of Pennsylvania and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. His areas of expertise include international and comparative law, national security and homeland security, cybersecurity and cyber defense, military operations, law and religion, and professional ethics.

Cedric Kostelyna, U.W. 2022 cum laude, has joined The Law Center S.C., Madison, as an associate. Kostelyna’s previous role at a nationwide family law firm provided him with the skills to guide families toward collaborative solutions and, when necessary, to litigate aggressively.

Edward E. Leineweber, U.W. 1976, has associated with Fuhrman & Dodge S.C., Middleton, on an of-counsel basis. His practice is focused on aviation-related legal matters and alternative dispute resolution, especially mediation; civil litigation; business law; estate planning; and real estate.

Anders McLeod, Marquette 2023, has joined Lindner & Marsack S.C., Milwaukee, a management-side labor and employment law firm. McLeod defends worker’s compensation claims for insurance industry clients and self-insured employers.

James C. Severson, U.W. 2012, has joined Stafford Rosenbaum LLP’s Madison office as a partner. Severson practices family law and alternative dispute resolution and litigation relating to family law.

Christopher E. Avallone, U.W. 2016 cum laude, has been promoted to shareholder at von Briesen & Roper s.c., Milwaukee. Avallone, who is co-chair of the firm’s Appellate Section and a member of the Commercial and Business Litigation Section, focuses on representing clients in complex civil litigation, with an emphasis on disputes between shareholders or members of privately held companies, breach-of-contract actions, and class-action defense.

Jonathan J. Feldbruegge, Marquette 2012, has joined von Briesen & Roper as a shareholder in the Litigation and Risk Management Practice. Feldbruegge focuses on construction litigation, fire and explosion litigation, insurance coverage, and fiduciary litigation.

Mergers, Relocations, New Associations

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. has added a PFAS practice group. The multidisciplinary team consists of corporate, product liability, litigation, environmental, and real estate attorneys who assist manufacturers, property owners, and distributors with regulatory compliance, potential litigation, and the costs surrounding the presence and use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The team includes Steven Bogart, U.W. 1984, Elizabeth Elving, Marquette 2020, Patrick Hodan, Marquette 1990, James Law, Marquette 2012, Danielle Marocchi, Marquette 2018, Allen Schlinsog Jr., Univ. of Illinois-Chicago 1991, Guy Temple, Northwestern 2006, and John Van Lieshout, Marquette 1981.

Appointments, Elections

Governor Tony Evers has appointed the Hon. Pedro Colόn, U.W. 1994, to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals District I. The appointment fills the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Timothy G. Dugan, Marquette 1978. Colόn has served on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in Branch 18 since 2010 and has presided over rotations with the children’s court, the small claims court, the general felony division, and the civil division.

Liz Dillon, U.W. 2004, has been elected to the executive committee at Lathrop GPM LLP. Dillon, a partner in the firm’s Minneapolis office, leads the Franchise & Distribution Practice Group and primarily counsels growing and experienced franchisors to expand and maintain their operations.

Robert Lightfoot, Hamline 1995, has been named chair of the Health Care Practice at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. Lightfoot, also a licensed registered nurse, represents owners and operators of nursing homes and assisted living facilities on operational, regulatory, and employment matters, including buying, selling, and licensing these entities, survey and certification, audits, risk management, and HIPAA compliance; advises clients on personal licensing issues before the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services; and serves as legal counsel to the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association and LeadingAge Wisconsin. He also is chair of Reinhart’s Long-Term Care, Assisted Living and Senior Independent Housing Services Group.

Governor Tony Evers has appointed Ian Mickelson, Marquette 2019, to serve as Grant County district attorney. The appointment fills a vacancy created by Lisa A. Riniker’s election to the Grant County Circuit Court. Mickelson will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term that ends January 2025. Mickelson previously was an assistant state public defender, with a caseload including felony and misdemeanor cases, juvenile cases, child protection cases, involuntary commitments, and revocations. He is on the OWI and drug treatment court teams in Grant and Iowa counties.

Emil Ovbiagele, Marquette 2014, was sworn in as president of the Milwaukee Bar Association in June. Ovbiagele is founding partner of OVB Law & Consulting S.C. and is an adjunct assistant professor at Marquette University Law School.

Authors, Speakers

Carly B. Boder, Marquette 2021, was a discussion leader at the American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, for the presentation titled “Understanding the Basics: The Labor Certification (PERM) Process.” The conference was in June in Orlando, Fla. Boder is an associate with Grzeca Law Group SC, Milwaukee.

Jerome G. Grzeca, Marquette 1988, was a featured speaker at the nationally presented American Immigration Lawyers Association webinar titled, “Advising Nomads: How to Avoid Misuse of B-1/B-2/ESTA” in May. Grzeca is managing partner of Grzeca Law Group.

Awards, Degrees, Honors

Mary Polson Haefer, Marquette 1989, was awarded the Council on Litigation Management Claims Professional of the Year Award in March. Haefer is the chief claims officer at CapSpecialty, Middleton.

Jason Luczak, Chicago-Kent 2008, was honored at the State Bar of Wisconsin’sMember Recognition Celebrationwith the Young Lawyers Division Mentoring Award. The award honors lawyers with at least six years’ practice experience who have made exceptional contributions to the life and career of young lawyers. Luczak is a partner and head of the Criminal Defense and Appellate Team at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP, Milwaukee, and is an adjunct associate professor at Marquette Law School, teaching the trial skills competition course.

Tracy A. Schramm, Hamline 2001, a partner in the Duluth-based office of Geraghty, O’Loughlin & Kenney P.A., has been accepted into the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). ABOTA dedicates itself to the preservation and promotion of the Seventh Amendment, which guarantees the right to civil jury trials. Members of this invitation-only group must have tried a minimum of 10 civil jury trials to conclusion. Schramm represents healthcare, legal, and other professionals in malpractice matters in state and federal courts in Minnesota and Wisconsin and before Minnesota and Wisconsin professional licensing boards. She also advises healthcare providers and entities regarding credentialing and HIPAA-related matters.

In Memoriam

David G. Anderson, U.W. 1969, Eau Claire, Sept. 1, 1944 – July 23, 2023.

Robert E. Andrews, Marquette 1975, Lake Forest, Ill., April 4, 1950 – July 6, 2023.

Jerome F. Barina, Marquette 1953, Racine, Jan. 27, 1930 – June 19, 2023.

Howard Blanding, U.W. 1956, Osceola, Sept. 13, 1928 – April 30, 2023.

Thomas W. Hoya, Michigan 1958, Washington, D.C., Sept. 25, 1931 – June 5, 2023.

Dennis A. Juncer, Southern Illinois Univ. 1979, Marshfield, Sept. 1, 1946 – May 30, 2023.

Andrew J. Paprocki, Arizona State 2007, Waukesha, March 16, 1980 – June 4, 2023.

Roy Paul Roth, Iowa 1976, Chicago, Sept. 11, 1951 – June 12, 2023.

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.