New Hires, Promotions, Partners

Linda S. Balisle, U.W. 1979, has joined Turke & Steil, S.C., Janesville & Madison, and leads the family law practice. Balisle assists individuals, business owners, families, and other attorneys and professional advisors in complex, high-asset, family-related legal matters, including divorce, custody, child and spousal support, and the effect of these issues on businesses and trusts; and novel legal issues affecting LGBTQ+ families and other family structures. Balisle is a mediator and is certified by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers as an arbitrator, providing a private and efficient forum for resolving legal disputes in family law cases. She also provides guidance as an early neutral evaluator.

Edward J. Minser, U.W. 2012, has become a director at Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C., Madison. Minser focuses on civil litigation, with an emphasis on insurance defense, medical malpractice defense, and nursing home and long-term care defense.

John M. “Jack” O’Shea, Marquette 2026, has joined Laffey, Leitner & Goode LLC, Milwaukee as an associate. O’Shea is admitted to practice in Wisconsin and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. At Laffey, Leitner & Goode, LLC, he supports the firm’s active litigation practice on both its commercial litigation and tort law teams. He looks forward to working in a close-knit environment alongside the firm’s experienced trial lawyers and serving the firm’s national client base across a variety of practice areas.

Devin Paoni, U.W. 2025, has joined The Law Center, S.C., Madison & Oregon, and practices in divorce, paternity, child custody, school law, and LGBTQ+ matters. Paoni has a special interest in legal issues affecting the transgender community and is a board member of Trans Law Help Wisconsin, Inc., where she serves as the secretary and Name Change Clinic lead, providing free assistance to transgender community members with legal name changes and gender marker corrections. Previously, Paoni was a staff attorney at ABC for Health.

Eric M. Peterson, Marquette 2016, has joined DeWitt LLP as a partner, working in the Brookfield and Mequon offices. Peterson is with the Trusts & Estates practice and advises individuals, families, business owners, and fiduciaries on estate planning, administration, and complex trust and estate matters. He also represents clients in complex trust and estate disputes, including contested estates, fiduciary disputes, trust modifications and settlements, creditor claims, and tax issues. Before becoming an attorney, Peterson served as an officer in the U.S. Army.

Authors, Speakers

Authors of the recently revised Organizing a Wisconsin Business Corporation (State Bar of Wis. 7th ed. 2026) are the following: Kent L. Schlienger, U.W. 1985, Joseph W. Boucher, U.W. 1978, and Charles E. Neider, U.W. 1975, all with Neider & Boucher, S.C., Madison.

Kathleen Pakes, Univ. of Louisville (Brandeis) 1995, authored the recently revised Wisconsin Criminal Defense Manual (State Bar of Wis. 8th ed. 2026). Pakes is with the Wisconsin State Public Defenders (SPD) Administration Division in Madison. The following attorneys assisted Pakes as members of the book’s editorial review board: Timothy Drewa, U.W. 2013, Wisconsin SPD, Milwaukee; Peter R. Heyne, Marquette 2010, Wisconsin SPD, Green Bay; Jennifer Kelley, St. Thomas Univ. 2004, Mevis Kelley Law, Appleton; Bradley Schraven, Florida Coastal 2006, Wisconsin SPD, Green Bay; Kevin Smith, U.W. 2019, Wisconsin SPD, Janesville; Nicholas Smith, Marquette 2011, Wisconsin SPD, Madison; and Christopher Sobic, Marquette 2007, Wisconsin SPD, Madison.

In Memoriam

Natalie T. Bussan, U.W. 2000, Oxford, Dec. 30, 1974 - July 20, 2026.

Alison E. Helland, Iowa 2005, Madison, Feb. 28, 1978 – Sept. 2, 2026.

Dale S. Mehr, Marquette 2002, Dublin, Cal., Dec. 20, 1972 – Jan. 23, 2026.

Sherman E. Stock, Marquette 1958, Hales Corners, April 26, 1928 – May 26, 2026.

Congratulations to Recent Certified Paralegals

Through a State Bar program, paralegals in Wisconsin are eligible to be certified – a credential that demonstrates a paralegal’s dedication to professional development and excellence. The State Bar of Wisconsin Certified Paralegal^™ program is a self-funded, voluntary program for all paralegals in Wisconsin who meet the program’s criteria. For information about the program, visit wisbar.org/paralegal.

The following individuals were newly certified or recertified as of Sept. 7, 2026. For a full list of Certified Paralegals, visit wisbar.org/Paralegal.

Alex M. Becker, Karyn A. Halverson, Melissa A. Hammersley, Nancy A. Haselwood, Rori L. Mattson, Elizabeth K. Piliouras, Andrew Skoug, and Veronica Rodriguez, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, Madison and Milwaukee.

Catherine Chapple, US Venture Inc., Appleton.

Paula J. Cox-Bey, O’Flaherty Law LLC, La Crosse.

Kelly L. Dassow, Jensen Scott Grunewald & Shiffler, S.C., Medford.

Rebecca DeWitt, City of Neenah Department of Legal and Administrative Services, Neenah.

Teresa Halbach, Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., Madison.

Taylor R. O’Day, Quarles & Brady LLP, Milwaukee.

Traci N. Savath, Bender Larson Chidley Koppes Hetfield & Associates, S.C., Watertown.

Jennifer L. Wiechec, Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C., Madison.

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! Writing guidelines are available here. Questions? Email us or call (608) 250-6127.

Email announcements to: MembersOnly@wisbar.org. Notices about State Bar members in good standing are printed as space is available, and subject to editing.

Ineligible announcements: Talks, speeches (unless they are of national stature), honors from other publications (including “Best of...,” “Rising star...,” and other lists), and political announcements are not accepted as announcements.

Photo placement: Submit a professional-quality photo with your announcement. If the photo is used, the State Bar will issue an invoice for $35 per photo. Please acknowledge the photo placement fee in your submission. Group photos and photos copied from websites are not accepted. High-resolution electronic photos are preferred to ensure high-quality production. Images should be sized at least 4”x6”, with a resolution no less than 150 dpi, although 300 dpi is preferred. Print photos will not be returned.

Deadline: Submit announcements by the first of the month preceding publication. For example, to place an announcement in the November issue, it must be received before October 1. Email to: MembersOnly@wisbar.org. Include your State Bar membership number.