State Bar president-elect candidates
“Members must be able to recognize the bar as something beneficial, not only to the profession in general, but to the individual members as well,” says Pat Fiedler (Marquette 1980), a partner in the litigation practice group of Axley Brynelson LLP, Madison.
Bill White (Antioch 1976), a partner in the land and resources practice group of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Madison, says “there are changing circumstances that bar leadership must examine in order to meet the needs of all members.”
Jan. 4, 2011 – Candidates for the State Bar of Wisconsin’s president-elect post agree that it’s no longer useful to dwell on the past. The bar is mandatory, by rule of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. With that in mind, candidates Pat Fiedler and Bill White want to shift the focus.
“The bar has been successful in its current form,” said White, a current partner in the land and resources practice group of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Madison. “But there are changing circumstances that bar leadership must examine in order to meet the needs of all members.”
Fiedler, a former circuit court judge and current partner in the litigation practice group of Axley Brynelson LLP, Madison, says the debate must shift from the mandatory-voluntary issue in order to focus on making the State Bar relevant and beneficial for all members.
“Members must be able to recognize the bar as something beneficial, not only to the profession in general, but to the individual members as well,” Fiedler said.
Elections for candidates in various leadership roles will be held in April 2012. Those elected will take office July 1. In this article, White and Fiedler – who announced their candidacies Dec. 16 – provide some brief background information. More information about these candidates, including video statements, will be provided in upcoming WisBar InsideTrack editions.
Pat Fiedler: Applying different perspectives
Pat Fiedler (Marquette 1980) has taken a number of different roads during his career. He’s probably most recognized as a Dane County Circuit Court Judge, a post he held for 18 years before stepping down on Sept. 30, 2011, to join Axley Brynelson.
But Fiedler has also worked as a Waukesha County prosecutor, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, private practice attorney at Hamilton Miller & Fiedler in Dodgeville, and Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. He says challenging experiences in different roles have prepared him for the top State Bar leadership post.
“These experiences give me the perspective of members who are engaged in different types of professions, both in the public and private sectors,” said Fiedler, who followed in the judicial footsteps of his father, James Fiedler, an Iowa County judge for 24 years.
“My dad impressed upon me that, if a legal system is to be respected and thus followed by its citizens, it must be seen as one where every party, regardless of social stature, has a meaningful opportunity to be heard,” said Fiedler, who was drawn to the “problem-solving” nature of law.
A Mineral Point native, Fiedler attended U.W-Milwaukee to obtain his undergraduate degree. He went on to attend Marquette University Law School. He’s a member of the Dane County Bar Association and often conducts CLE and other presentations on various legal topics.
As a judge, he heard thousands of cases and was named “trial judge of the year” in 2007 by the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He taught judges for 11 years at the Wisconsin Judicial College, where he served as associate dean from 2003-09. Fiedler says leadership roles as a judge provide a strong background for the president-elect position.
“I was always very involved in different types of committees of interest to judges,” said Fiedler, who worked on judicial committees concerning truth-in-sentencing laws, among others. “As a lawyer, I want to continue that in a meaningful way, and this is the right opportunity.”
Fiedler says his experiences will help him learn about and recognize the different perspectives and concerns that lawyers bring to the table. In turn, his leadership can help drive discussions to address the major issues facing State Bar members and the legal profession.
When Pat Fiedler isn’t lawyering, he’s a family man with three adult children and three grandkids. You might also find him on the golf course, walking, or reading fiction. “I appreciate good storytelling,” he said.
Bill White: Getting things done
If Bill White (Antioch 1976) is certain about anything, it’s his affinity for “getting things done.” Since 1982, he’s been getting things done at Michael Best, while improving the local community through leadership positions such as board member and Secretary of the Madison Area Regional Economic Enterprise, also known as Thrive.
White, who practices largely in the land use and real estate development areas, has been an advocate for his clients the last 30 years. This year, he was named Madison’s 2011 land use and zoning “Lawyer of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America publication and earned the same designation for land use and zoning “Lawyer of the Year-Litigation” for 2012.
His practice stretches well beyond Dane County, and he frequently represents municipal and private sector clients throughout the state.
But he also advocates for his community. He recently received a pro bono lifetime achievement award from the Dane County Bar Association for his commitment to pro bono legal services. He also serves on various boards and foundations to assist in his community’s prosperity.
White plans to use his advocacy and community leadership skills to assess and promote the interests of State Bar members, and the legal profession in general.
“It is important to assess the changing needs of the members as we move forward, and my leadership experience will help with that,” said White, former member of the State Bar’s Administrative and Local Government Law Section. “My leadership skills will assist lawyers in their efforts to be community leaders as we build trust and confidence in the legal profession.”
The son of a United Methodist minister, White lived in many cities and towns during his youth. He said “The Defenders,” a popular 1960s television show, planted the lawyer seed. He took the scientist route before attending law school at Antioch School of Law in Washington, D.C.
“I guess growing up in the 1960s gave me a sense of the need for justice in the world,” said White, who attended the University of Illinois for his bachelor’s degree.
Upon graduation from Antioch, he worked for a federal sector employees union in Washington, D.C., rising to staff union president. He earned a union management position and then became the National Litigation Director within his five years there.
But White wanted to shift gears. He and his wife enjoyed visits to Madison, where his sister lived. So when he landed a job at Michael Best, he jumped on it.
Now 30 years later, White wants to give back to the lawyer community that has helped him along the way. “I think there are a fair number of new and recurring issues among State Bar members and the legal community. I will guide the discussions to address those issues.”
When White isn’t busy lawyering or speaking on legal topics, he does pro bono projects and community-based development. “That’s the kind of stuff that gives me satisfaction,” said White, who also spends time with his wife, two sons (one of whom is a software specialist and one of whom is an actor) and his three siblings; all three of them also live in Madison.
Other elections: Secretary and Judicial Council
Nominees for State Bar secretary are Marcia Y. Lucas (Notre Dame 1993), Northern Trust Co., Chicago, and Jennifer Ann Stuber (Valparaiso 1998), Hogan & Melms LLP, Rhinelander. The secretary serves a two-year term, beginning July 1.
The nominees for Judicial Council are Christine Rew Barden (Indiana-Indianapolis 1995), Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C., Madison, Thomas W. Bertz (Marquette 1962), Anderson, O'Brien, Bertz, Skrenes & Golla, Stevens Point, and Nicholas Vivian (Hamline 2003), Eckberg, Lammers, Briggs, Wolff & Vierling PLLP, Hudson. Judicial Council representative serve three- year terms, beginning July 1.
Interested in running?
Members interested in running for president-elect, secretary, or Judicial Council can file a petition, which must be signed by 100 active State Bar members, with the State Bar by Feb. 1. To receive a petition, contact Jan Marks at (608) 250-6106, or (800) 444-9404, ext. 6106.
