Sign In

G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy


Turning Lawyers into Leaders

Leadership​ development is an investment in a lawyer’s future and pays back the initial training cost ma​ny times over in improved performance and increased job satisfaction. In addition, leadership skills courses benefit individuals by:

  • Clarifying values and promoting a clearly defined career path
  • Strengthening critical thinking and communi​cat​ion skills
  • Creating well-rounded employees and enhancing team dynamics
  • Demonstrating that people from all walks of life can be great leaders
  • Surrounding them with successful people who want to effect change
  • Increasing confidence
Leadership Academy

To view the full list of Leadership Academy Alumni Participants, click the button below.

View the alum​ni list​



About the G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy

The Leadership Academy is a comprehensive leadership development-training program created by the State Bar’s Leadership Development Committee. It’s specifically designed to empower participants with the skills, strategies, and resources to become effective leaders in their careers, communities, local and state bar associations, and the profession itself. The presenters are highly regarded national and regional speakers in their respective fields.

Mission of the G. Lane Leadership Academy

To provide a diverse and inclusive group of lawyers essential​ leadership skills, strategies, and resources neces​sary to ​em​power them to become effective leaders in their careers; their local and state bar associations; their local communities and organizations; and the legal profession.​

2025-26 Leadership Academy

Application Deadli​ne: 09/15/25
2025-26 Interest Form and Instructions

​“Wisconsin lawyers have a strong history of leadership o​f our profession, our communities, and our public life. This is a bold step to assure that we will identify, train, and embed a new generation of lawyer-leaders.”

“Looking back, I wish I had gotten started in leadership much earlier in my career. My advice is don’t wait. The G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy is a tremendous opportunity to learn valuable communication and organizational skills for leadership positions of all kinds – in State Bar and legal associations, in the community, and even in your own workplace.”

“The Academy will equip our lawyers with essential skills, tools, and resources to effectively lead and inspire others. This program creates a unique opportunity for lawyers to develop diverse, professional networks and personal relationships with their colleagues and to improve their professional confidence and career satisfaction.”

Discover what past participants have to say about the program.




What You'll Learn

The course teaches participants how to:​

  • Develop your time management skills to enhance productivity and efficiency
  • Polish your public speaking to build your reputation and win over your audience
  • Deal effectively with conflicts and turn disputes into opportunities for growth and teamwork
  • Build active listening skills that promote straightforward, competent dialogue
  • Use effective written and oral communication to connect with others and build trust and respect within your organization
Leadership Academy photo

“Participating in the State Bar's G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy helped me realize that what I see as weaknesses in myself, people around me see as strengths and leadership qualities.”

"The G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy is a valuable experience for all lawyers seeking to positively impact their workplaces, communities, and the State Bar. Hats off to the leadership Development Committee of the State Bar for creating a great environment to learn from accomplished leaders, engage wi​th our fellow attendees, and set goals for our own leadership development. All lawyers are called to be leaders in some context, and the Leadership Academy prepares its students to be effective ones."



Application Information

Schedule and Deadlines

2025-26 Schedule2025-26 Deadlines
Session 1: November 14 & 15, 2025Mon. September 15, 2025: Applications Due
Session 2: January 16 & 17, 2026Fri. October 3, 2025: Participants Notified of Acceptance
Session 3: April 24 & 25, 2026Fri. October 10, 2025: $400 Registration Fee Due

Cost, Location, Scholarships, CLE

  • Cost: The cost to attend the Leadership Academy is $400. Breakfast and lunch is included. Participants will be responsible for travel and accommodation expenses. Reduced rate lodging is within blocks.
  • Location: All sessions will be held at the State Bar Center, 5302 Eastpark Blvd., Madison
  • Scholarships: A limited number of scholarships provided by the Wisconsin Law Foundation's G. Lane Ware Leadership Fund are available. See application to apply for a scholarship.
  • CLE: Credits will be applied for after the first session. (Credits will be for the total program and not for each session.)

Program Agenda and Speakers

  • 2025-26 Leadership Academy Agenda - not finalized yet, please check back later
  • 2024-25 Leadership Academy Speaker Bios - not finalized yet, please check back later

To apply for the next session of the G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy:

​Please check back for program information being developed for the 2025-26 Academy. Contact Annette Ashley if you have questions regarding the program.

Can't make the 2025-26 Leadership Academy Dates?

Here's the tentative 2026-27 Leadership Academy Dates:

  • Session 1: November 13 & 14, 2026
  • Session 2: January 24 & 24, 2027
  • Session 3: April 16 & 17, 2027

Leadership Summit

If you are a young lawyer interested in greater engagement in the State Bar, you may be interested in attending the Leadership Summit to learn more about the organization and help you find your niche. For more details, please visit the Leadership Summit page.

Learn More

Learn More

If you would like to learn more about the State Bar of Wisconsin's Leadership Academy Program, Ready.Set.Practice Mentoring Program, or the Leadership Summit Program, view more State Bar of Wisconsin Leadership Programs.

Learn More




Leadership Academy Alumni by Class Year*

Class of 2024-2025

Atty. Melynda L. Benjamin Milwaukee
Atty. Sarah B. Bondar Waukesha
Atty. Carolyn Eboni Carson Milwaukee
Atty. Heather L. Curnutt Madison
Atty. Abigail Hean Madison
Atty. Mark A. Herman Madison
Atty. Katrina Hochholzer Appleton
Atty. Hannah R. Jahn Milwaukee
Atty. Aleah Marlene Loll Waukesha
Atty. Brittany D. Schoenick Milwaukee
Atty. Rose Ida Simon-Silva Sun Prairie
Atty. Colin Stroud Madison
Atty. Nicole A. Swails Verona
Atty. Ashley Wychules Hartland

Class of 2023-2024

Atty. Jesica Ann Ballenger Milwaukee
Atty. Aaron P. Benz Oconomowoc
Atty. T.R. Edwards Germantown
Atty. Riad Thomas El-Azem Milwaukee
Atty. Jourdan D. Glenn Milwaukee
Atty. Jessica Haskell Milwaukee
Atty. Paige Patricia Juel Wausau
Atty. Michael C. Jurkash Milwaukee
Atty. Bridget Anne Kinderman Fall Creek
Atty. Barbra Klug Milwaukee
Atty. Kathryn Clare Llaurado Scheidt Waukesha
Atty. Lesley Rickard McKinney Madison
Atty. Michael K. Moran Milwaukee
Atty. Nathan Oesch Milwaukee
Atty. Molly Pappenheim Madison
Atty. Jessica L. Puetz Milwaukee
Atty. Lauren Elaine Raupp Elm Grove
Atty. Jordan Schettle Milwaukee
Atty. Clare Kathleen Schum Milwaukee
Atty. Michael Shull Madison
Atty. Taviss K. Smith Franklin
Atty. Robert Stoiber Jefferson
Atty. Shannon Strombom Milwaukee

Class of 2022-2023

Atty. Alicia Bernards Mequon
Atty. Calvin Fermin Sussex
Atty. Leslie Anne Freehill Madison
Atty. Katherine Hampel Milwaukee
Atty. Austin J. Heimann Columbus
Atty. Steven Hughes Waukesha
Atty. Jean K. Lynch Madison
Atty. Gabriel Manzano Nieves Madison
Atty. Yolanda Yvette McGowan Milwaukee
Atty. Amber R. McReynolds Madison
Atty. Molly Meichadesh Madison
Atty. Annalisa Pusick Milwaukee
Atty. Kaylyn Raymaker Green Bay
Atty. Benjamin A. Rydecki Palm Coast
Atty. Francesca E. Voci Milwaukee

Class of 2021-2022

Atty. James V. Block Wausau
Atty. Kelsey Brown Stafford
Atty. Peter J. Carman Appleton
Atty. Kathryn Elizabeth Galarowicz Madison
Atty. William A. Harris Chicago
Atty. Rene Fabricio Jovel Milwaukee
Atty. Russell J. Karnes Milwaukee
Atty. Anna M. Kees Waukesha
Atty. May Y. Lee Milwaukee
Atty. Megan E. Lee Wausau
Atty. Scott Edward Mickelson Madison
Atty. Brittani M. Miller Raleigh
Comm. Kyla N. Motz Glendale
Atty. Jill E. Mueller Monona
Atty. Timothy C. Samuelson Madison
Atty. Brandon T. Schwebler Milwaukee
Atty. Aiden Tharp Hudson
Atty. Emily Rae Turzinski Waukesha
Atty. Walter E. Zimmerman Hartland

Class of 2020-2021

Class of 2019-2020

Comm. Marco R. Bichanich Greendale
Atty. Catarina Anne Colón Milwaukee
Atty. Brayton Marie Deprey Chicago
Atty. Nicholas P. DeSiato Milwaukee
Atty. Nathan W. Eckley West Allis
Atty. Brent Eisberner Sun Prairie
Atty. Mary Lynn Ferwerda Milwaukee
Atty. Mark Joel Goldstein Milwaukee
Atty. Marthina Greer Lomira
Atty. Amy K. Greske Hudson
Atty. Jacob A. Haller Milwaukee
Atty. Renee Jones Washington
Atty. Faun Michelle Moses Madison
Atty. Mollie Ambrose Newcomb Milwaukee
Atty. Skye Parr San Clemente
Atty. Gabriela Parra Milwaukee
Atty. Asia J. Patterson Atlanta
Atty. Randy J. Pflum Madison
Atty. Ryan F. Poe-Gavlinski Madison
Atty. Anthony J. Procaccio Milwaukee
Atty. Davis Runde Wausau
Atty. Jaclyn R. Shelton Madison
Atty. Tatiana Tamae Soares Shirasaki Juneau
Atty. Julie Marie Spoke Madison
Atty. Martin D. Stein Glendale
Atty. Travis J. Stieren Madison
Atty. Scott B. Thompson Madison
Atty. April Toy Milwaukee
Atty. Choua L. Vang Green Bay
Atty. Benjamin Paul Wehmeier Oconomowoc
Atty. Erin A. West Madison
Atty. Sarah Slice Yacoub Hudson

Class of 2018-2019

Atty. Lisa M. Bergersen Pewaukee
Atty. Kristin A. Degeneffe Madison
Atty. Eileen I. Dorfman Madison
Atty. Saveon DuBois Grenell Waukesha
Atty. Claire Elizabeth Hartley Milwaukee
Atty. Cynthia Herber San Diego
Atty. Asma Kadri Keeler Lakewood
Atty. Jonathan H. Klock Onalaska
Atty. Dawn N. Klockow West Bend
Hon. Peggy L. Miller Marinette
Atty. Jessica Skemp La Crosse
Atty. Melissa Ann Spindler Hartland
Atty. Michael Seung-Hyock Yang Middleton

Class of 2017-2018

Atty. Matthew Ackmann Milwaukee
Atty. Christopher P. August Milwaukee
Atty. Rachel Ann Breger Fitchburg
Atty. Caleb R. Cooper Urbandale
Atty. K Bartlett Durand, Jr. Middleton
Atty. Whitney Ann Ederer Wonewoc
Atty. Erin K. Fay Waukesha
Atty. Rhonda Kay Frank-Loron Verona
Atty. Andrew Lawrence Franklin Milwaukee
Atty. Jennifer L. Johnson Milwaukee
Atty. Yu Ha Kim Milwaukee
Atty. Nathan P. Kirschner Wauwatosa
Atty. Vincent S. Kurta Racine
Atty. Chad Allen Lanning Milwaukee
Atty. Anita Maureen Lawrence Wausau
Atty. Lance Leonhard Wausau
Atty. Odalo J. Ohiku Milwaukee
Atty. Renee Ann Read Neenah
Atty. Elizabeth Ruthmansdorfer South Milwaukee
Atty. Polly Shoemaker Madison

Class of 2016-2017

Atty. Stacy Ann Alexejun Madison
Atty. Katherine L. Charlton Oconomowoc
Atty. Lindsay Fedler Madison
Atty. Makda Fessahaye Milwaukee
Atty. Renae Nicole Flowers Austin
Atty. Elizabeth R. Gebert Wisconsin Rapids
Atty. Patrick G. Gould Ladysmith
Atty. Kristen D. Hardy Milwaukee
Atty. Lindsay Healless Janesville
Atty. Michelle M. Hockers Waukesha
Atty. Mark Todd Johnson Fitchburg
Atty. Gabe Johnson-Karp Madison
Atty. Erin E. Kastberg Waunakee
Hon. Katie Beth Kegel Milwaukee
Atty. Vanessa Klemish Eau Claire
Atty. Trevor C. Lippman Milwaukee
Atty. Heather L. Nett Kiel
Atty. Stephanie A. Propsom Sturgeon Bay
Hon. Amber Lane Raffeet August Glendale
Atty. Marisa L. Roubik Racine
Atty. Clyde Tinnen Brookfield
Atty. David J. Turek Milwaukee
Atty. Annabelle Vang Madison

*There was no in-person class in 2020 as a result of COVID