Each year the Communications Committee, which serves as the Wisconsin Lawyer Editorial Board, recognizes writing excellence in the publication through the Hon. Charles Dunn Author Award (Dunn Award).
The Wisconsin Lawyer author award was named in honor of Wisconsin’s first supreme court chief justice. On April 30, 1836, President Andrew Jackson commissioned Charles Dunn as chief justice of the Wisconsin Territory. Dunn continued in this office until the territorial courts were superseded by the state courts in 1848. He was a member of the 1848 Wisconsin Constitutional Convention, where he chaired the judiciary committee.
Dunn Award Winner:
Jesse B. Blocher for “Pugilist’s Guide to Brief Writing,” May 2023
Certificates of Commendation:
- Steven M. Biskupic for "Policy or Prejudice? Examining the Historical Roots of the Governor’s Power to Remove a District Attorney," July/Aug. 2023
- Dr. Joseph Alan Wszalek for "Neurodisability in Clients and Parties," Dec. 2023
- Alex Phillips for "In a Wrong Place at a Wrong Time: Data Breach Victims and Their Standing to Sue," Jan. 2023
- Caleb R. Gerbitz for "The Art of Advancing Wisconsin Constitutional Claims," March 2023
Dunn Award Winner:
Kelsey Mullins for “Highlighting a Hidden Legal Issue: Transnational Marriage Abandonment ,” Nov. 2022
Certificates of Commendation:
- Joseph A. Bugni for “Jim Shellow and the Importance of Mentorship,” April 2022
- Hon. Thomas J. Walsh for “Family Drug Treatment Court: A Boost to Families in Children’s Court,” Oct. 2022
- David P. Hollander for “Biometrics Outside Borders: Privacy Protection Acts and Wisconsin Lawyers,” Nov. 2022
- Amanda R.R. Mayer, Megan E. Lee, Patrick Nicholas Barker Shirley, Kayleigh Cowan, and Alexis Bauer for “The Imperfect Victim & Defamation Suits,” Dec. 2022
Dunn Award Winner:
Kelly Mould and
Kate Trudell for “#FreeBritney: When Protections Turn Toxic,” Oct. 2021
Certificates of Commendation:
- Christa D. Wittenberg and Dean P. Laing for "A Litigation’s Reprise: Strategies for Requesting Attorney Fees," Jan. 2021
- Steven M. Biskupic for "A Fight Over Beloit Land Rights: Lincoln Versus Carpenter in Beloit," April 2021
- Storm B. Larson for "Disability Accommodations at Work: No Nationwide Consensus," Nov. 2021
- Storm B. Larson for "The ERA: Where Are We Now?," March 2021
- Chad Baruch and Hon. Mark W. Klingensmith for "The [Cite] Goes On: Citations to Pop Music in Wisconsin Case Law," Jan. 2021
- Leslie A. Freehill for "Battle for the Ballot Box," April 2021
Dunn Award Winner:
Christa Westerberg and
Aaron Dumas for “Social Media, the First Amendment, and Government Actors,” Jan. 2020
Certificates of Commendation:
- Allison W. Reimann for "Removal to Federal Court by Home-State Defendants," Jan. 2020
- Rebecca M. Donaldson, Amanda R.R. Mayer, Megan E. Robson, Andrea K. Rufo, Rachel E. Sattler & Patrick Nicholas Barker Shirley for "Marsy's Law: Changes for Crime Victims?,” Sept. 2020
Dunn Award Winner:
Douglas Hoffer for
“Threshold Issues in State Court Civil Litigation,” Jan. 2019
Certificates of Commendation:
- Joseph A. Wszalek for “The Art of Communication: Neuroscience & the Law,” Sept. 2019
- Eileen Hirsch & Martha Askins for “Juvenile Lifers: Reforming Extreme Sentences,” Jan. 2019
- Grant Killoran & Christa Wittenberg for “When Measles Meets Due Process,” Nov. 2019
- Timothy M. O’Shea for “Virtual DNA: Whole Device Authentication,” July/Aug. 2019
Dunn Award Winner:
Joseph S. Dietrich for “Transgender Rights in Wisconsin,” March 2018.
Certificates of Commendation:
- Hon. Thomas J. Walsh for "Frozen In Time: Criminal Justice System & Public Defender Pay," June 2018
Dunn Award Winner:
Rachel Monaco-Wilcox and
Daria Mueller for “Under the Radar: Human Trafficking in Wisconsin,” Oct. 2017.
Certificates of Commendation:
- Kenechukwu (Kene) Okocha for “Nationwide Trend: Rethinking Money Bail Systems,” June 2017
- J. Wesley Webendorfer for “Challenging a State Agency Regulation,” Nov. 2017
- Mary C. Fons for “How to Privately Enforce Consumer Laws,” Sept. 2017
- Rex R. Anderegg for “OWI Blood Draws: An Uncertain Road Ahead,” Nov. 2017)
Dunn Award Winner:
Hon. Thomas J. Walsh for “In the Crosshairs: Heroin’s Impact on Wisconsin’s Criminal Justice System,” Jan. 2016
Certificates of Commendation:
- Sharon D. Nelson and John W. Simek for “What’s Behind Your Firewall? Know Your Cyber Risks,” Oct. 2016
- Laura Lavey and Chad Baruch for “E-filing: How to Craft Effective Motions and Briefs in the Digital Era,” Nov. 2016
- Elizabeth T Russell for “Representing Creatives – In Life and After,” May 2016
- Amy E. Casey for “Speaking Up: The First Amendment and Wisconsin’s Public Educators,” April 2016
Dunn Award Winner:
Christa Westerberg for “Groundwater: Diminishing Resource, Increasing Conflict,” July 2015.
Certificates of Commendation:
- Michael M. O’Hear for “Let the Good Time Roll: Early Release for Good Behavior in Prison,” March 2015
- Justin M. Mertz, Kail J. Decker, and Benjamin P. Payne for “Foreclosures in Limbo: Zombie Properties,” Oct. 2015
- Hon. Michael J. Aprahamian and Jesse L. Beringer for “Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind: Deposition Ethics and Best Practices,” May 2015
Dunn Award Winner:
Richard K. Wagner for “From the Central Sands to the Central Kingdom: Navigating Civil Litigation in China,” May 2014.
Certificates of Commendation:
- Douglas J. Hoffer for “Keep Your Case Afloat: Wisconsin’s Court Competency Doctrine,” June 2014.
- Timothy D. Edwards for “Getting Through the Door: The Admissibility of Electronically Stored Information,” January 2014.
- Thomas J. Walsh for “Surrogacy Law Still Uncertain,” March 2014.
- Michael B. Wittenwyler and Jodi E. Jensen for “Decoding the Maze: Wisconsin’s Campaign Finance Laws,” October 2014.
Dunn Award Winner:
Mark R. Hinkston for “Home Safe Home: Wisconsin’s Castle Doctrine and Trespasser Liability Laws,” June 2013.
Certificates of Commendation:
- Laurence J. Dupuis for “DNA Extraction on Arrest: Maryland v. King and Wisconsin’s New Extraction Law,” Sept. 2013.
- Daniel S. Davis, Mark J. Goldstein, and Coral Pleas for “Swimming Upstream: 20 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting Your Practice,” May 2013.
- Meghan O’Connor and Diane M. Welsh for “Casting a Wider Net: Health Information Privacy Is Not Just for Health Lawyers,” Sept. 2013.
- Paul G. Kent and Jordan K. Lamb for “Wisconsin’s Wetland Reform Act,” Feb. 2013.
Dunn Award Winner:
Erik R. Guenther for “Nullification: A Jury’s ‘Secret’ Power,” February 2012.
Certificates of Commendation:
- James J. Casey, Jr. for “Viewpoint: Jury Service – Through an Attorney’s Eyes,” September 2012
- Scott Dennison for “Valuing Retirement Benefits in Divorce,” June 2012
- Christopher S. Krimmer for “The Gay Divorceé: When Same-Sex Marriages Dissolve in Wisconsin,” July 2012
- James W. McNeilly, Jr. for “‘Happy Lawyer’: Not an Oxymoron,” August 2012
Dunn Award Winner:
Todd M. Cleary and
Michael E. Skindrud for “Health-care Reform: What You Should Know,” December 2011.
Certificates of Commendation:
- Ronald L. Sklansky for “Changing the Rules on Rulemaking,” August 2011
- Russell M. Ware for “Negotiating in the ‘Red Zone’,” February 2011
- Wendy Alison Nora for “Beyond Robo-Signing: Mortgage Foreclosure Defense Basics,” April 2011
Dunn Award Winner:
Joseph W. Boucher and
Nathan J. Dosch for “E-Legacy: Estate Planning for Digital Assets,” December 2010.
Certificates of Commendation:
- Erich C. Straub and Davorin J. Odrcic for “Duty to Advise Non-Citizens,” August 2010
Dunn Award Winner:
Howard A. Sweet for “Understanding Domestic Partnerships in Wisconsin,” November 2009.
Certificates of Commendation:
- Jay Ranney for “Abraham Lincoln’s Legacy to Wisconsin Law,” three-part series, December 2008, February 2009, and April 2009
- Renee M. Mehl for “When Nonlawyers ‘Represent’ LLCs,” March 2009
- Lucas N. Roe for “Homebuying After Below: Navigating the Economic Loss Maze,” April 2009
Dunn Award Winner:
Roy E. Wagner and
Terry F. Peppard for “Mediating Complex Construction Claims Cases,” June 2008.
Certificates of Commendation:
- Matthew L. Mac Kelly for “Employer Liability in Employment References,” April 2008
- Mark F. Foley for “FTC’s Website Privacy and Security Rules,” March 2008
- John E. Murray for “ADA Amendments: Who is Disabled,” December 2008
Dunn Award Winner:
Christopher Ware and
Laura Gramling Perez for “Main Street Meets Wall Street: The Mortgage Meltdown,” December 2007.
Certificates of Commendation:
- Hugh R. Braun for “Wisconsin’s Response to Condemnation for Economic Development,” September 2007
- Elizabeth A. Neary for “In the Best Interest of Children: When Foster Parents May Keep Placement,” September 2007
Dunn Award Winner:
Nilesh P. Patel for “When Lovebirds Split: Dividing the Retirement Nest Egg at Divorce – Properly Dividing Pension Benefits,” October 2006.
Certificates of Commendation:
- Jennifer L. Peterson for “The Shifting Legal Landscape of Blogging,” March 2006
- Sverre David Roang and Brian T. Larson for “Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples: Life Partners, Legal Strangers,” November 2006
Dunn Award Winner:
Hon. R. Thomas Cane and
Sheila Sullivan for “The Future of the Economic Loss Doctrine in Wisconsin” and “More Litigation to Come: Exceptions to the Economic Loss Doctrine,” published May and November 2005, respectively.
Certificates of Commendation:
- Shirley Ann Wiegand for “Corporate Chaos: Replacing Home Rule with Foreign Law,” April 2005
- Carl J. Rasmussen and Susan L. Collins for “Wisconsin Constitution Amendment to Define Marriage: The Legal Context,” March 2005
Dunn Award Winner:
Winn S. Collins for “Looks Can Be Deceiving: Safeguards for Eyewitness Identification,” May 2004.
Certificates of Commendation:
- William E. Hanrahan for “Seeking Justice in Death’s Waiting Room: Barriers to Effectively Prosecuting Crime in Long-Term Care Facilities,” August 2004
- Steven L. Nelson and Jane C. Schlicht for “Upholding the Sanctity of the Attorney-Client Privilege,” December 2004
Dunn Award Winner:
William F. Eich for “Writing the Persuasive Brief,” February 2003.
Certificates of Commendation:
- Mark A. Frankel and John Mitby for “Think Like a Negotiator: Effectively Mediating Client Disputes,” December 2003
- Hon. Robert E. Kinney and Jordana Thomadsen for “Examining Wisconsin Jury Instructions,” August 2003
Keith A. Findley for “New Laws Reflect the Power and Potential of DNA,” May 2002.
Dunn Award Winner:
Alison Julien and
Patricia Engel for “School Expulsions: Not All Are Equal,” October 2001.
Certificates of Commendation:
- Laura N. Whipple and Carlyle H. Whipple for “Wisconsin Shipwrecks: Finders Keepers,” September 2001
Jon G. Furlow for “The Price of Free Speech: Regents v. Southworth,” June 2000.
Dunn Award Winner:
Michael K. McChrystal ,
William C. Gleisner III and
Michael J. Kuborn for “Series of Legal Technology Articles,” published March, June, September 1999.
Certificates of Commendation:
- James J. Gettel and Bruce A. McIlnay for “A New Approach to Employment Administration,” September 1999
Craig A. Fieschko for “The Great Computer Crash of 2000,” May 1998.
Dunn Award Winner:
Francisco Araiza for “Se Habla Everything: The Right to an Impartial Qualified Interpreter,” September 1997.
Certificates of Commendation:
- Alexander T. Pendleton for “Enforceable Exculpatory Agreements,” November 1997
Arthur J. Harrington for “The ‘Invisible Lien:’ Public Trust Doctrine Impact on Real Estate Development in Wisconsin,” May 1996.
Dunn Award Winner:
R. Timothy Muth for “Old Doctrines on a New Frontier: Defamation and Jurisdiction in Cyberspace,” September 1995.
Certificates of Commendation:
- Robert L. Gordon for “How Vast is King’s Ream? Constitutional Challenge to the Church-State Clause,” August 1995
- Heidi Vogt for “City of Edgerton v. General Casualty Company of Wisconsin: A Landmark Decision in Wisconsin Insurance Coverage Law,” May 1995
- Gary Sherman, President’s Perspective columns
Dunn Award Winner:
Robert A. Schnur for “Ensuring LLCs are Taxed as Partnerships,” May 1994.
Certificates of Commendation:
- Hon. Mark A. Frankel for “Researching Wisconsin Law on CD-ROM: What are the Options?,” December 1994
- Steven Biskupic and Eric J. Klumb for “Ten Things to Know About the Federal Money Laundering Law,” July 1994
Alexander T. Pendleton for “Wisconsin’s Recreational Use Statute,” May 1993.
Joseph A. Ranney for “The Making of the Wisconsin Constitution,” September 1992.
Erica M. Eisinger for “Wisconsin’s Economic Loss Doctrine,” June 1991.
Christopher T. Kolb for “Investment Disputes” and “Arbitrating Investment Disputes,” November and December 1990.
Douglas H. Starck and
Patrick Brennan for “Burden of Proof,” October 1989.
Laurel Barnes for “Pilot Life v. Dedeauz.” Published February 1988.
James A. Schacht for “The Framers of the U.S. Constitution.” Published March – June 1987.
Prof. Howard S. Erlanger and
Prof. June Weisberger for “The Education of the Marital Property Law.” Published October (Part 1) and November (Part 2) 1986
David B. Halling and
Christopher T. Kolb for “Representing Clients in Structured Settlements.” Published June 1985.
