New admittees in the 9 a.m. ceremony smile for their families after taking the Attorney’s Oath. Visit the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Facebook page for more photos of this event.

Sept. 24, 2025 – From seasoned practitioners beginning a new chapter, to recent graduates starting their legal careers, the voices of the newest members of the State Bar of Wisconsin reflect both dedication and excitement for what's to come.

In two separate ceremonies before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, 67 attorneys took the Attorney's Oath and signed the Supreme Court Roll Book, the final steps to becoming lawyers in Wisconsin.

Jacquelynn B. Rothstein, director of the Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners, said of the 120 who took the exam in July, 68% passed it, and that 87% of those taking the exam for the first time passed. "The Board extends its congratulations to the men and women here today," she said.

"Today is about you," said Chief Justice Jill Karofsky.

Justice Annette Ziegler, giving remarks during the ceremonies, told them to "set lofty goals for yourself," and "be a doer, not a coaster." She also passed along wisdom from Mahatma Gandhi, to "live as if you were to die tomorrow, and learn as if you were to live forever."

Justice Brian Hagedorn gives the oath at the 11 a.m. ceremony.

Show Up with Empathy

Chief Justice Karofsky, toward the end of the ceremony, had a final request of the new lawyers: That with the uptick in political violence in this country, "many of us are scared. ... It's okay to feel that way," she said, "but we are also strong, and we are resilient."

"What we need right now in this country are dedicated attorneys who are adhering to the rule of law. And it is okay for us to disagree – courtrooms are places where disagreement plays out in a peaceful way," she said.

"What kind of leader are you going to be in your community?" she asked. "Who are you going to help and how are you going to do it? The last year has been a tough one for many people in this country. Do everything – in your family, your community, your work, and your life – caring for others and treating others with empathy, with dignity, and respect."

Gregory Naseer Duncan

For Gregory Naseer Duncan, admission to the Wisconsin bar represents persistence, resilience, and a deep commitment to service.

"I didn't have a straight trajectory here. I'm a little bit older, but I didn't quit – and I'm going to use that as a part of my story," he said. "Now I'm here, and it means everything to me."

Duncan earned his law degree in Houston, Texas, and has spent the last four years in California. There, he worked for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services before moving to the immigration court. His experiences have inspired him to pursue public defender work in Wisconsin. "That's where my heart is," he said.

For Duncan, the day carried unexpected weight. "I was not expecting to feel like this – to feel like I'm a part of something really important and be a part of a larger community."

New Wisconsin lawyer Maame Yaa Norman poses with her son, Paa Yaw Norman Jr., 11, left; and husband, Dr. Norris A. Norman, an internal medicine physician in Appleton.

Maame Yaa Norman

For Maame Yaa Norman, becoming a lawyer is a second career. Trained as a chemical engineer, she earned her Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon in 2005 and spent years working in the industry. "I worked in toilet paper, and I introduced myself as, 'Hi, my name is Doctor Norman. How can I protect your bum?'" she said with a laugh.

Her shift toward the law began while collaborating with attorneys on patents. "They inspired me. We're providing the intellectual engineering aspect of it."

She pursued her J.D. at Indiana University Maurer School of Law in Bloomington, balancing rigorous studies with raising three children in Appleton with her dedicated husband, Dr. Norris Norman, a doctor in internal medicine. "That was one of the toughest things I've ever had to do," she said.

Now licensed in Wisconsin and preparing for the patent bar, Norman is focused on intellectual property work. "Wisconsin, here I come," she said. "It means a reckoning and is humbling. As lawyers, we're here to serve. We can always have an impact in anyone's life."

Brian Filipek

For Brian Filipek, joining the State Bar of Wisconsin marks both a professional milestone and a personal beginning. "Today I'm getting admitted to the Wisconsin bar. It's so exciting," he said.

A graduate of Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, Filipek now works at Centro Legal in Milwaukee, focusing on family law. His practice will focus on "helping mostly survivors of domestic violence and also working with people who are low income and need legal services, especially in family court."

His path to family law was intentional. "I was first interested just in litigation and family law generally, but then I felt it is very rewarding when you can help people through such a tough time."

This moment also holds special personal significance. While studying for the bar exam, Filipek and his partner, Elizabeth Sharp, became engaged. Sharp, a first-year Ph.D. student in psychology at U.W.-Madison, said she was "utterly delighted" that Filipek pursued the Wisconsin bar, in part "on my behalf."

For Filipek, being admitted is "frankly, everything. It's a starting point. I have so much to give to the community as an attorney, as an advocate. I'm really excited to start taking on clients."

Debra Hoffman, an Illinois lawyer, signs the Attorney’s Roll, one of the final steps in becoming a Wisconsin lawyer.

Debra Hoffman

Debra Hoffman is joining the Wisconsin bar after a long career in Illinois. She has spent nearly four decades practicing in Chicago, and now wants the opportunity to work in Wisconsin as well. "I'm getting to the end of my regular career. We have a summer home here, so I thought it would be nice to be licensed in Wisconsin."

Hoffman has focused her practice on employee benefits. Looking ahead, she hopes to stay active doing pro bono work and immigration law. "I would like to help with some of that and some of the current issues we've been experiencing." Though she can see retirement on the horizon, Hoffman emphasized, "I can see the end, but I'm not retired yet."

Caroline Hammond

For Caroline Hammond, the path to becoming a lawyer has been a lifelong calling. Her father, Judge Thomas Brittan Hammond, is the Chief Superior Court Judge for Georgia's Toombs Judicial Circuit in Thomson, Georgia, and served as a juvenile court judge for six counties in that state from 2004 to 2016, as Caroline was growing up.

"I just started following along, and fell in love with child welfare law," she said. Hammond earned her undergraduate degree in human development and family science from the University of Georgia before going straight to law school there. Now, she serves as an assistant state public defender in Baraboo.

Judge Hammond said his daughter accompanied him to major projects. "She's remained dedicated to this goal of becoming a lawyer. It's a lot of hard work, and we're very proud."

Caroline's move to Wisconsin was inspired by her partner, Andrew Perciaccante, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in bioanalytical chemistry at U.W.-Madison.

The bar admission ceremony was a meaningful milestone for her. "You know, I've wanted to be a lawyer since I was 14. It's after 11 years of work – and today is an emotional day," she said.

Caroline Hammond gives a hug to her father, Judge Thomas Brittan Hammond, the Chief Superior Court Judge for Georgia’s Toombs Judicial Circuit, after completing the steps to becoming a Wisconsin lawyer.

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