District 2
KAREN M. BAUER of Milwaukee. University of Wisconsin, J.D., 2009. Board of Governors Representative for Milwaukee, 2017-18; Member, BOG Governance Committee. Karen is a consumer protection attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee. Her practice focuses on litigation of consumer rights, including those of student loan debtors. She has written articles for the Wisconsin Lawyer and has taught many CLE courses on student loan repayment. Karen is a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Wisconsin and the National Association of Consumer Advocates. She is a Fellow of the Wisconsin Law Foundation and The American Bar Foundation. Karen volunteers as a Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program peer assistant and monitor and is the Board of Governors Liaison to the WisLAP Committee. She served two terms on the New Lawyer Challenges Committee, three terms on the Young Lawyers Division Board, is the former Chair of the Public Interest Law Section, and was a founder of the Marathon County Bar’s Young Lawyers Division. Karen was named the Young Lawyers Division Outstanding Young Lawyer in 2014, and WisLAP Volunteer of the year in 2016.
ANDREW P. BEILFUSS of Milwaukee. Andy is a Partner at Quarles & Brady, LLP in Milwaukee. Andy has served as a District 2 Representative to the State Bar's Board of Bar Governors from 2011 to 2015. During that time, Andy served on the State Bar’s Policy Committee, and was the State Bar’s representative to the Wisconsin Lawyers Fund for Client Protection. In addition, Andy served as the Co-Chair of the Milwaukee Bar Association’s Civil Litigation Section, and as a Board member for the Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association from 2008-2012. Andy graduated from Marquette University Law School, J.D., cum laude, in 2005, and was named as one of twenty six Up and Coming Lawyers by the Wisconsin Law Journal in 2010. He is a member of the American Bar Association (Litigation and Forum on Franchising Sections), State Bar of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Bar Association, and the International Franchise Association. Andy is the national chair of Quarles & Brady's Franchise and Distribution Team, and is a frequent lecturer and/or author for organizations such as the Milwaukee Bar Association, National Business Institute, Corporate Practice Institute, and the International Franchise Association.
BRITTANY C. GRAYSON of Milwaukee. Brittany is an Assistant District Attorney with the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office where she is assigned to the Children in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS) unit. She previously prosecuted adult criminal offenses in the Domestic Violence unit. Brittany serves as Parliamentarian for the Wisconsin Association of African American Lawyers (WAAL). She has served on the WAAL board on and off since 2011 as Parliamentarian and Treasurer. She is the WAAL Building Bridges Liaison to the State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors and also serves as a member of the BOG Strategic Planning Committee. She is a member of the Young Lawyers Division and the Government Lawyers Division. She sits on a number of committees at Marquette University Law School, including the Diversity Reception Committee, the Diversity Recruitment Committee, and the Restorative Justice Planning Committee. She is also a board member of the Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear. Brittany earned her Juris Doctor in 2011 from Marquette University Law School and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2007 from Marquette University with majors in Real Estate and Marketing.
ELIZABETH K. MILES of Milwaukee. Marquette University, J.D., 2009. Liz is a member of Davis & Kuelthau’s commercial litigation team. Her practice emphasizes environmental and construction litigation. Liz also is the municipal prosecutor for the Villages of Whitefish Bay and Bayside. Liz is the Treasurer of the Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association, member of the Milwaukee Bar Association, member of Centro Legal’s event committee, and served on the board of directors for the Milwaukee Animal Rescue Center. Liz has been honored as an Up and Coming Lawyer and has been recognized for her federal pro bono service. Liz grew up in Wasilla, Alaska, so shouldn’t complain about the cold, but still does. She lives in Milwaukee with her husband and son.
KRISTA G. LAFAVE ROSOLINO of Milwaukee. Tulane University, J.D., 2013, summa cum laude. University of Wisconsin, B.A. in French and Political Science, 2006, with honors. Associate Attorney at Warshafsky, Rotter, Tarnoff & Bloch. Member: Milwaukee County Bar Association; Association of Women Lawyers (Co-Chair of Litigation Discussion Group); Wisconsin Association for Justice (Contributing Editor of The Verdict). Volunteer with Eviction Defense Project for Legal Action of Wisconsin. Board Member and Secretary of HOPE Network, Inc., which provides resources and support to single mothers in the greater Milwaukee area. President of her neighborhood association. Krista resides in Wauwatosa with her husband and their brilliant toddler, as well as two large and lazy dogs.
Campaign Statement
I am running to represent younger lawyers, trial lawyers, and women lawyers on the Board of Governors. The intersection of these experiences provides me with unique insight that I will bring to the Board.
I am one of those select attorneys who sat for the Wisconsin bar examination. I sought employment at a time when the jobs were few and far between. I want to assist the Bar with supporting young attorneys as they navigate the profession, develop skills, and plan for the future. The reality is that student loans will continue to impact the future of this profession, and the State Bar needs to continue to seek ways to support these attorneys.
It is also crucial that the State Bar continue to ensure that our profession is meeting the legal needs of our citizens. Whether it be access to the courtroom, finding an attorney, or ability to pay for legal costs, the Bar can assist individuals. If elected, I would seek opportunities for the Bar to respond to the needs of our communities.
I would be honored to represent my fellow Milwaukee County attorneys on the Board of Governors.
District 4
MARY LYNNE DONOHUE of Sheboygan. Education: BA, MA and JD from University of Wisconsin-Madison; MA from UW-Milwaukee, May 2016. Retired as litigation attorney from Hopp Neumann Humke. Professional Service: Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation board of directors, Fellow of the Wisconsin Law Foundation. Currently serving as Secretary of the State Bar, previously served as Treasurer and on the Board of Governors, past service to the Bar on Professional Ethics committee; past chair of Facilities and Nominating committees, member of Paralegal Task Force and Guardian ad Litem Task Force, past chair of Leadership Development Committee, past member Wisconsin Judicial Council. Past president of Sheboygan Bar Association. Instructor in Administrative Law in Sofia, Bulgaria, Lublin, Poland and Vilnius, Lithuania law schools through Center for International Legal Studies. Community Service: currently alderperson, City of Sheboygan, past president of City’s Police and Fire Commission, member City’s Civil Service Commission, past president Sheboygan Area School District Board of Education, service on boards of JM Kohler Art Center, Wisconsin Academy of Science, Arts and Letters, Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra, Family Connections, Sheboygan Head Start and numerous community organizations. Personal: Married to Judge Tim Van Akkeren and mother of two splendid boys. As a reason to vote for or against, plays the bagpipes.
Campaign Statement
The State Bar does good and important work for lawyers and the communities they serve. It is a place where we can speak our minds, keep up with constant changes in the law and the profession, and take advantage of the resources the Bar provides. Therefore, I am honored to run for District IV Governor of the State Bar. I started my service to the State Bar quite a long time ago when I was elected Treasurer of the Bar, and then to the Board of Governors. Although that seems like a long time ago (it was, actually), I have stayed involved with State Bar work. I have served on the Professional Ethics and Legal Assistance standing committees, the Paralegal Task Force and Guardian ad Litem study committees. I chaired the Facilities and Nominating committees. One of the best things I’ve done with the Bar was chairing the Leadership Development committee whose primary purpose is involving lawyers from around the state as volunteers and leaders, both in the State Bar as well as their home communities. I am finishing my current term as Secretary of the State Bar – a position that has helped me understand how the State Bar is working today in a rapidly changing professional world to serve lawyers’ needs throughout the state. I would like to use what I’ve learned in the last couple of years to represent the interests of lawyers in District IV, and would appreciate your support.
District 6
JESSE B. BLOCHER of Waukesha. Mr. Blocher is a shareholder at Habush Habush & Rottier S.C.®. He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in civil courts throughout the state, including numerous jury trials and several appeals. Mr. Blocher is active in the Bar, having served on the New Lawyers Challenges Committee and the Bench and Bar Committee. Mr. Blocher is the Secretary of the Waukesha County Bar Association, where he organizes events to educate and connect lawyers across the county. Education: J.D., Marquette University Law School, summa cum laude; BBA, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Practice: Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. ® (2010-present); Kasdorf, Lewis & Swietlik, S.C., (2006-2010). Certification: Board Certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Author: several publications including chapters in the Wisconsin Attorneys Desk Reference and articles in Wisconsin Lawyer titled Earn Your Stripes Parts 1 and 2: Getting to and Through Civil Trials as a Young Lawyer. Speaker: numerous CLE seminars given including those sponsored by State Bar. Honors: “Up and Coming Lawyer,” Wisconsin Law Journal (2013); Super Lawyer/Rising Star (2011-17), AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating. Other: Moot Court Coach, Marquette University Law School (2007-2017).
TIMOTHY T. KAY of Oconomowoc. Marquette University, J.D. 1984. Kay & Kay Law Firm located in Brookfield and Oconomowoc, General Practice for 33 years. Married to Susan Kay and has two adult children. Member: Waukesha Bar Association. State Bar of Wisconsin, General Practice Section, Municipal and Government Law Section, and previously served on the Membership Committee. Elected two terms as Municipal Judge for Lake Country Municipal Court with jurisdiction over 19 municipalities, the largest multi-jurisdictional court in the state. Previously served as municipal prosecutor for Village of Nashotah, Village of Oconomowoc Lake, and Town of Oconomowoc for Lake Country. Successfully appeared on petitions for review to the Supreme Court. Member: Oconomowoc Area Foundation, Advisory Board and Signature Club Member; Brookfield Chamber of Commerce member, and Past Board Member and Legal Counsel; Legal Counsel to Law Enforcement Chaplains of Waukesha County; Okauchee Lake Sailing Club Board (Past President); Youth Football Board (Past President); Oconomowoc Sports Booster Club (3 Term Past President and recipient of Booster of the Year 2015). Lecturer / Speaker / Presenter: “Highway to Heroin,” “Life after High School.” Board Member of Your Choice to Live (2017 to Present). Judge for Wisconsin High School Junior Mock Trials.
Campaign Statement
I would like to continue to serve a second term and to assist the Wisconsin Bar in its hard work in conducting its evaluating and inventory process of current programs, facilities, and services to bar members. Due to anticipated budget constraints, difficult decisions will need to be effectuated for our Bar members so that the Wisconsin Bar Association can continue to deliver the high quality of necessary CLE credits programs.
District 8
LISA M. HIRSCHNER of Eau Claire. University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., 2013. Hirschman Law, S.C., Eau Claire. Member State Bar of Wisconsin, Eau Claire Bar Association, Chippewa County Bar Association. Member/participant in the Chippewa Bar Legal Clinic, Eau Claire Bar Legal Clinic, Legal Services at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.
Campaign Statement
As a private attorney who routinely takes Public Defender cases, one of the biggest issues I hope to address while on the Board of Governors is the pay rate for private bar attorneys. I know the State Bar has been attempting to get this increased for some time, but I am hoping my input will assist in this endeavor. It is incredibly important that the State Legislature recognize the need for this increase.
I also want to address the severe burden that student loans have on any professional in our field. There are a number of ways to address this, only one of which is to provide loan forgiveness, or incentive, for working in more rural and lower income counties. A more novel approach is to address the education process. We have all attended the required three years of law school and most of us still probably felt fairly unprepared for the actual practice of law. I would like to work towards Wisconsin becoming a leader in re-vamping the legal education process into something more financially workable for students as well as something that provides more hands on experience and practical knowledge. Many, if not most, students already do internships, but they are not required and often are not paid. If the third year of law school was a paid intensive internship, the students coming out of it would have one less year of school loan debt, as well as more hands on experience, being better prepared for their future law practice.
As a Member of the Board of Governors, I will bring some fresh perspectives to the issues faced by our State Bar. Please cast your vote for me, Lisa Hirschman, in the election coming in April. Thank you.
JOEL SKINNER of Hudson. Hamline University, J.D, 1984. Indiana University, A.B. 1981. Skinner and Associates practicing Patent, Copyright and Trademark Law. Admitted to practice in Wisconsin, FDCWD Wisconsin, CAFC, and USPTO. Current member of Board of Governors. Active member of St. Croix Valley Bar Association, Rotary, Hudson Community Foundation, and Habitat For Humanity.
District 9
KATHLEEN CHUNG of Madison. Attorney Chung is an attorney in Madison where her sole client is a local not for profit charity. She was Assistant General Counsel for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation from 2007-2016, where her work included railroad regulatory and transactional law, construction contracting and bidding, labor/employment and government law, and general counsel duties. Previously, Attorney Chung had litigated daily as an Assistant Public Defender in Milwaukee serving low-income criminal defendants for seven years. While at Marquette University Law School, Attorney Chung participated in the State Bar’s Minority Clerkship program in 1999, and has been an engaged volunteer for the bar’s efforts to promote diversity. She has served the SBW as Director and President of the Government Lawyers Division, and as a member and chair of the Diversity Clerkship Program. Attorney Chung is a Life Fellow of the Wisconsin Law Foundation, and is chair of the Appointment Selection Committee of the Supreme Court. Today, she serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors (Dist. 9, Dane Co.), volunteers for State Bar High School Mock Trial and We the People competitions, and volunteers in her community with Madison Urban Ministry, and the Porchlight Homeless Meals program.
Campaign Statement
Kathy is committed to working with our members to support our profession, as well as our service to our clients and community. An advocate for transparency and accountability, Kathy is honored to seek her second term as governor and continue to promote the interests of Dane County and state bar members.
JEFF A. GOLDMAN of Madison. Jeff lives in Sun Prairie with his wife, who is a professional artist, and son who is a UW Madison student. He’s an avid cyclist and bicycle collector, and bike commutes to work from Sun Prairie to the Square roughly March – November. Jeff is the Chair of the Estate and Trust Practice Group at DeWitt Ross & Stevens and his practice focuses on estate planning, probate, and trust and estate litigation, where he represents clients from all walks of life. He teaches estate and trust administration as an adjunct professor at the UW Law School, and is a past president of the Madison Estate Council. Jeff also acts as a board member of Breast Cancer Recovery, a Madison-based charitable organization that provides services and programs to help women with breast cancer heal emotionally. He currently serves on the Board of Governors and has been a member of the Business Plan Committee and Strategic Planning Committee. He is active in the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Section of the State Bar, attending board meetings and recently published a blog article. University of Wisconsin Law School, JD, 2002. Member of the bar in Wisconsin, New York, and Washington State (inactive).
Campaign Statement
I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve on the Board of Governors for another term. During my time on the Board of Governors, I have been an active participant representing District 9. I have actively participated in all Board meetings and responded to concerns of members within our District. I have been a member of the Business Plan Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and acted as Liaison to the Board of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Section. I would like to continue working on a number of issues facing the bar, including increased funding for courts, access to justice for residents of Wisconsin, increased rates for court-appointed attorneys, and ongoing efforts to focus and streamline the programs and services of the State Bar to maximize value for members while maintaining dues.
In my career I have practiced in three distinctly different settings: a small firm with 9 attorneys, a mid-size firm, and a firm with 150+ attorneys. In addition, prior to returning to Wisconsin in 2006, I practiced in two other states – New York and Washington State – each of which have bar associations that differ in a variety of ways from Wisconsin. This perspective has enabled me to provide insight to the Board of Governors and State Bar leadership.
I am asking for your vote to continue to represent the interests of District 9 and the State Bar membership as a whole. Thank you.
ANTHONY J. GRAY of Madison. Anthony is the President & CEO of the Institute for Global Ethics in Middleton, WI, an independent, nonsectarian, nonpartisan, global think-tank dedicated to promoting ethical action in a global context. Anthony is also an attorney, speaker, counselor, and runs Austringer LLC (a commercial real estate company aimed at empowering communities and fostering sustainable development). Prior to his current roles, Anthony served as the Global Compliance Officer and Chief Ethics & Compliance Official for a multi-national aerospace company and provided executive legal counsel to international corporations in multiple disciplines and industries. Anthony served as a Judicial Intern for Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and as a Distinguished Scholar at Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery. He’s admitted to the practice of law in the states of Wisconsin, Connecticut, New York, and the District of Columbia. Admitted to the Federal District Courts in the Western District of Wisconsin, the Southern District of New York, the Eastern District of New York, and the District of Connecticut.
Campaign Statement
I have served the State Bar of Wisconsin in many roles, most recently by serving on the State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors representing District 9. I attended the UW Law School, then practiced on the East Coast, and am now raising my family in Madison while directing a non-profit organization. During each of these phases of my career, I have remained active in the State Bar of Wisconsin.
This geographic diversity has allowed me to serve The State Bar of Wisconsin in a number of interesting capacities. These include serving on the Board of the Nonresident Lawyers Division, President-Elect of the Nonresident Lawyers Division, President of the Nonresident Lawyers Division, the State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors “BOG,” the Executive Committee of the BOG, both the Governance and Strategic Planning Committees of the BOG, and as an elected Governor from District 9.
I would very much like to continue my service to the legal profession and to the lawyers in District 9, specifically. I would be very grateful if you would consider re-electing me as your District 9 BOG representative.
PATRICIA EPSTEIN PUTNEY of Madison. Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, BA in Art History, 1984. Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, New York, Juris Doctor, 1989. Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C., Madison, Wisconsin, Shareholder. Worked in New York City from 1989 to 1995. Member: State Bar of Wisconsin, Dane County Bar Association, Wisconsin Defense Counsel, Legal Association of Women. Litigation Section of State Bar Board, 2012-2018 (served as Treasurer, Secretary, Chair-Elect, Chair, and Immediate Past Chair). Regular grader for Bar Exams, Board of Bar Examiners. Prior recipient of a “Woman in the Law” award by the Wisconsin Law Journal. Voted by peers as a Super Lawyer from 2012-2017, including “Top 25” list for Madison and “Top 25” list for Wisconsin Women (2013-2015).
Campaign Statement
I ask for your vote to serve on the Board of Governors, representing District 9 (Dane County). I have been practicing law in Madison since the mid-1990s, after practicing litigation in New York for six years. I am proud to work at Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C., one of Madison’s oldest law firms. If I were to serve on the Board of Governors, I would likely be one of few who did not graduate from a Wisconsin law school. Making a lateral move to a new state mid-career does offer a unique perspective.
I first became involved with the State Bar of Wisconsin in 2012 when I was asked by a colleague if I was interested in serving on the Board of the Litigation Section. Until then, I had little idea of how the State Bar functioned, or what it did for Wisconsin attorneys. I have served as Treasurer, Secretary, Chair-Elect and Chair of the Litigation Section, and am now the Immediate Past Chair. My term will be coming to an end this June.
From my involvement in the Litigation Section, I have had the opportunity to work with litigators from across the state – both the plaintiff and defense bars. I have been able to take a position, and even testify, on pending legislation. In our extremely divisive society, I have been impressed with the collaborative nature of the Litigation Section, and would hope to continue such collaboration on an even broader scale if I were to serve on the Board of Governors. I have also been involved in arranging CLE programs for the annual convention for the Litigation Section, and have attended yearly.
When my children were young, I formed a group called “Lawyer Moms” in Madison. This group met every few months for many years to share the trials and tribulations of juggling motherhood with our legal careers. I am proud to be involved with this great group of women, although I recently turned over the reins to a younger attorney since my children are now 17 and 20 years old. Time flies when you’re having fun! As a result of forming this group, I had the honor of being selected for a “Woman in the Law” award by the Wisconsin Law Journal in 2012. Mentorship of other attorneys – male and female – has always been important to me. I have been able to do so in my capacity as the hiring partner for my firm’s law clerks.
My goals, if elected, would be to encourage others to get involved with the State Bar in whatever ways they are able. I would also focus on mentorship programs for younger attorneys. I am also very interested in increasing diversity within the State Bar. We have a long way to go.
I would be honored to get your vote. Thank you.
LAURA SKILTON VERHOFF of Madison. Partner, Stafford Rosenbaum, LLP. Practice Areas: estate and trust planning and administration and litigation, including probate litigation, insurance litigation, warranty defense, creditor-side collection and creditor-side bankruptcy and foreclosure. Recognitions: Named Best Lawyers' 2013 Madison Litigation - Trusts & Estates "Lawyer of the Year;" Included in The Best Lawyers in America since 2012; Wisconsin Rising Star estate planning & probate (2006, 2010) and business litigation (2007, 2008); Wisconsin Law Journal - Leader in the Law (2018). Professional: U.W. Law School, J.D., 1997. Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, Madison, 1997-present. Adjunct Professor, U.W. Law School - Introduction to Estate Planning, 2009-present. Madison Metropolitan School District, Special Education Teacher, LaFollette High School, 1992-1994. Member: ABA, SBW, DCBA. SBW: Board of Governors (2012-2016); Executive Committee (2013-2014); Policy Committee, Member (2012-2016), Vice-Chair (2013-2016); Judicial Election Steering Committee, Member (2013-2016); Task Force on Bar/Section Relations, Member (2013-2014); State Bar LRIS Committee, Member (2010-present), BOG Liaison (2013-2014); Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, BOG Liaison (2013-2014). Member, DCBA Courthouse Committee, 2007-2009. Board Member and Fundraising Chair, Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc., 2011-present. Board Member, Stafford Rosenbaum Board of Directors, 2010-present. Personal: Married, Timothy R. Verhoff. Three children, J.H. (18), Annika (16) and Theo (12).
Campaign Statement
I thoroughly enjoyed serving District Nine from 2012 through 2016. Thank you for electing me and trusting me to do so.
The Board is made up of an interesting mix of personalities and perspectives, which often leads to spirited and thoughtful discussion. Since I termed out in 2016, the Board of Governors has begun work to address issues such as making the State Bar relevant to all members, lawyer shortages in Northern Wisconsin and competition from internet sites such as Legal Zoom. I also believe the State Bar would benefit from increased cooperation with local bars. I would very much appreciate the opportunity to see these and other important issues through as a District Nine Governor.
My previous experience as a Governor will serve me well going forward. In addition to Governor, I have served on the Executive Committee and as vice-chair of the Policy Committee. I also served as board liaison for the RPPT Section. I have served on the LRIS committee since 2010. In short, I have enjoyed my time serving the State Bar and would very much appreciate the opportunity to serve again on behalf of District Nine.
I encourage you to contact me at any time with comments, concerns and suggestions related to the State Bar.
Thank you for your consideration.
District 10
CHARLES (CHUCK) STERTZ of Appleton. Practice: Assistant District Attorney in Outagamie County, Wisconsin. (2009-present). Education: University of Wisconsin Law School (J.D. 2009). Professional Activities: Board of Governors (2015-2018); BOG Executive Committee; Chair of the BOG Policy Committee (2017-2018); BOG Strategic Planning Committee (2015-2016); Wisconsin Judicial Council (2015-2016); Office of Lawyer Regulation, District Committee (2016-2019); Chair of the Criminal Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin (2017-2018); SBW Executive Director Search Committee (2017); President of the SBW Young Lawyers Division (2014-2015); SBW Young Lawyers Division board (2010-2016); SBW Criminal Law Section board (2015-present); SBW New Lawyer Challenges Committee (2015-2016); SBW Public Education Committee (2011-2013); District 17 Representative to the ABA Young Lawyer Division council (2012-2014); ABA Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division council (2014-present); GPSLD liaison to the ABA Criminal Law Section (2017-present); Outagamie County Evidence Based Decision Making committee (2015-present); Outagamie County Mental Health Court (2013-present).
Campaign Statement
I am an Assistant District Attorney in Appleton, Wisconsin, and your current Governor for District 10. I am seeking re-election to the Board of Governors for 2018-2020, and I respectfully ask for your vote.
While representing you on the Board of Governors, I have been honored to Board of Governors elected me to serve on the Executive Committee and appointed by the State Bar President to chair the BOG Policy Committee, and serve on the Transition and Search Committee. I believe that involvement with the State bar at that highest levels has been proven beneficial in representing you on the Board of Governors.
I have been and continue to be involved in many aspects of both the State Bar of Wisconsin and the American Bar Association, including chairing both the SBW Criminal Law Section board and the SBW Young Lawyers Division, and serving on several committees. Please see a summary of my bar activities above.
If re-elected, I will bring an objective, experienced, and spirited viewpoint to the Board of Governors. I have and will continue to reach out to attorneys throughout the country for innovative ideas and insights on the issues before the Bar. I would be honored to have your vote. Thank you for your consideration.
District 12
JANE E. BUCHER of Monroe. Jane is an Assistant State Public Defender in Monroe, Wisconsin. She has been with the agency since 2011. Jane represents clients in both Green and Lafayette counties and handles a variety of cases including criminal and delinquency cases, 980s, CHIPS, ch 51 and 55 matters, and child support contempt actions. In addition, she is a founding member of the Green County Drug Court as well as the Green County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. She is a member of the State Public Defender Affirmative Action Advisory Committee, the OLR District 12 Investigative Committee, and the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board Child Neglect Workgroup Subcommittee. Jane graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2010. Prior to law school, Jane served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Senegal. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from New College of Florida. Jane lives in Monroe with her husband Ruedi and their two sons. Jane's hobbies include literature, travel and stand-up comedy.
Campaign Statement
I ask for the opportunity to represent the attorneys of District 12 on the State Bar’s Board of Governors. District 12 includes Grant, Green, Lafayette, Rock and Iowa counties, which are geographically and demographically diverse. As your Board of Governors representative, I will represent all the attorneys of District 12 and give voice to your issues and ideas. I am uniquely well positioned to understand the issues facing attorneys in these counties as I have personally practiced in four of them and I have regular contact with attorneys in all of them. Currently, I represent clients in Green, Lafayette and Rock counties. Over the years, I have represented clients with concurrent matters in Iowa and Grant which necessitated close communication with the members of those respective bars. Additionally, I collaborate regularly with a number of attorneys from Grant and Iowa counties who take appointments in Lafayette County.
I am active in the Green County Bar Association and previously served as president. Currently I interact with a number of justice system stakeholders, including government attorneys, solo practitioners and attorneys connected to area firms, and am particularly well suited to representing their interests to the Board of Governors.
District 12 is fairly spread out and comprises both urban and rural communities. I have experience working in both types of communities and have personally collaborated with attorneys from every county included in the district. My approach to representing this district will be to remain accessible and approachable to my constituents and to reach out on a regular basis to hear the concerns of the local bar members. I look forward to hearing your voices and opinions and to sharing the same with the Board of Governors. The justice system is on a path towards increased collaboration and greater reliance on evidence-based practices, I have seen the fruits of these types of initiatives through my work on Green County’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and Drug Court as well as through my committee work.
I am a long time resident of Southern Wisconsin, and have resided in the District continuously since 2010. I own a home in Monroe, Wisconsin and I contribute to the local community through volunteer work and outreach activities. I am a lifelong public servant, having worked almost exclusively in the public sector since graduating college. I was raised by two lifelong public servants who taught me the value of giving back to my community.
Please consider my candidacy as you vote for your Board of Governors’ representative. Thank you.
District 14
SHERRY D. COLEY of Green Bay. Education: Marquette University Law School, J.D., Drake University, BA, majoring in political science and international relations, minoring in French. Professional Activities: Attorney at Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. Her practice focuses on complex business litigation, with a particular emphasis on contract disputes, business torts, financial services litigation, real estate foreclosures and work-outs. Sherry has represented financial institutions in state and federal court for a variety of commercial lending disputes. Sherry also represents clients in a variety of intellectual property litigation involving trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets in state and federal courts through the country. Recognitions: Superlawyers Rising Star 2009-2015; Fellow, Wisconsin Law Foundation 2015; Fellow, American Bar Foundation 2016. Community Service: Phoenix Fund Board of Directors, 2013-present. Professional Service: Young Lawyer’s Division, Past-President, 2012-2013; State Bar, Board of Governors, YLD liaison, 2012-2013; State Bar, Board of Governors, Chairperson, 2013-2014; State Bar, Board of Governors, Secretary, 2014-2016; Wisconsin Judicial Council, 2016-present. Personal: Sherry has a 9 year old, Ellery, and a 6 year old, Greyson, who are big fans of biking and down-hill skiing.
District 16
AMANDA J. LEY of Wausau. Amanda has served on the Board of Governors for two years and hopes to continue her efforts representing District 16. During that time, she has served on the Strategic Planning Committee and the Public Education Committee. Amanda has been an Assistant State Public Defender for seven years. Originally from Oneida County, she is a Tomahawk High School graduate. She attended UW Madison and graduated with a B.A. in Political Science in 2007. Amanda attended law school at American University Washington College of Law in Washington DC, interned for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, participated in the Women and the Law Clinical program, and graduated in 2011. During her clinical experience, Amanda discovered a passion for serving underrepresented populations and returned to Wisconsin and began practicing in Marathon County with the State Public Defender’s Office. Amanda is a member of the State Bar and the Marathon County Bar Association. Dedicated to her community, Amanda enjoys coaching the Stratford High School Mock Trial team and serves on the Board of Directors for Wausau Events. In her free time she enjoys hiking and camping and she is a proud owner of a French Bulldog named Hugo.
