New Hires, Promotions, Partners
Aneet Kaur, Marquette 2013, and Jennifer Luther, U.W. 2010 cum laude, have joined Axley Brynelson LLP, Madison, as associates. Kaur focuses in civil litigation, insurance defense, labor and employment law, and worker’s compensation defense. Luther focuses in commercial litigation, insurance claims and defense, and general civil litigation. Kaur and Luther previously practiced at other Madison firms.
April Rockstead Barker, Harvard 1995, has been elected a shareholder at Schott, Bublitz & Engel s.c., Waukesha. She practices in general civil litigation and also regularly advocates for clients in open records matters.
Christopher R. Claybough, DePaul 2012, has joined the State Bar of Wisconsin as an attorney editor. He recently relocated to Madison from Chicago, where he practiced in commercial litigation and represented owners of closely held businesses in matters ranging from breach of contract claims to trademark opposition actions. Claybough focuses on business law, intellectual property, and litigation.
Judith A. Gundersen, U.W. 1987, has been promoted to president and chief operating officer of the National Conference of Bar Examiners, Madison. She previously was director of test operations and also has been a Dane County assistant district attorney.
Brenda R. Mayrack, U.W. 2008, has become the managing director of Specialty Audit Services LLC, Narberth, Penn., which provides abandoned and unclaimed property auditing services to state governments.
Hannah Renfro, U.W. 2004, has joined the Madison office of Rathje & Woodward LLC, a full-service law firm based in Wheaton, Ill. She previously was chief legal officer at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and was instrumental in creating the organization and establishing its legal and compliance functions. Before joining the WEDC, Renfro was a litigator focusing on complex litigation in the areas of political law, antitrust, and intellectual property.
Tison H. Rhine, Minnesota 2010, has joined Group Health Cooperative – South Central Wisconsin, Madison, as a compliance attorney. He formerly was the manager of the State Bar of Wisconsin Law Office Management Assistance Program.
Bethany C. Wilson, U.W. 2017, has joined Haley Palmersheim S.C., Middleton, and concentrates in the areas of business law and business litigation. She previously clerked at a law firm in Shenzhen, China.
Megan Zurbriggen, St. Thomas 2012, has become associate director of the U.W. Law School Career Services Office. She previously was program coordinator for law school outreach at the State Bar of Wisconsin.
Mergers, Relocations, New Offices
Aaron A. Nelson, U.W. 1996, has opened Nelson Defense Group LLC, 811 First St., Suite 101, Hudson, a criminal defense law firm. Adam P. Nero, William Mitchell 2014 magna cum laude, has joined the firm and focuses on OWI and postconviction defense.
Steimle Birschbach LLC has opened a satellite office in downtown Sheboygan, located in the Nemschoff Building at 909 N. 8th St. Steimle Birschbach is a boutique law firm whose attorneys practice in business, trusts and estates (and elder law), and real estate. The firm’s main office is in Manitowoc.
Awards, Degrees, Honors
Jerome F. Buting, North Carolina 1981, was the 2017 recipient of the Champion of Justice Legal Award from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. The award is bestowed upon those individuals who have staunchly preserved or defended the constitutional rights of American citizens and have fought to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime. Buting is a shareholder in Buting, Williams & Stilling S.C., Brookfield.
In Memoriam
Christ Alexopoulos, Marquette 1949, Milwaukee, Oct. 11, 1922 – Aug. 10, 2017.
Scott L. Carey, John Marshall 1983, Chicago, April 6, 1952 – Aug. 14, 2017.
Michael W. Clancy, Boston College 1998, June 29, 1959 – Aug. 24, 2017.
Hon. Arlene D. Connors, U.W. 1957, Milwaukee, Feb. 6, 1929 – Aug. 20, 2017.
Gregory B. Conway, Marquette 1970, Green Bay, Jan. 18, 1944 – Sept. 15, 2017.
Emil Drobac, U.W. 1949, Madison, Feb. 12, 1924 – Aug. 23, 2017.
Gerald R. Fox, U.W. 1995, Fairchild, April 20, 1961 – Sept. 4, 2017.
David J. Hughes, U.W. 1960, Wauwatosa, June 9, 1931 – Aug. 27, 2016.
Gary M. Socha, Marquette 1975, Appleton, Nov. 26, 1945 – July 18, 2016.
How to Place your Announcement
If you have moved, become a partner or an associate, or received a promotion or an award, let us know. Talks, speeches (unless they are of national stature), honors from other publications, and political announcements are not accepted. Notices about State Bar members in good standing are printed as space is available, and at no cost, must be submitted in writing, and may be edited. Questions: (608) 250-6139.
Photo placement: Submit a professional-quality photo. If the photo is used, the State Bar will issue an invoice ($30 each). Group photos are not accepted. High-resolution electronic photos are preferred.
Deadline: The first of the month preceding publication. For example, to place an announcement in the May issue, it must be received before April 1. Email to: MembersOnly@wisbar.org. Include your State Bar membership number.