Young lawyers, nominated by legal professionals statewide, attended the fourth State Bar Leadership Development Summit in Madison today. (Click photo to enlarge.)
Visit the State Bar’s Facebook page for more photos of this event.
April 1, 2016 – Gaining fresh ideas is key to the development of the legal profession – as is the need for developing the next generation of leaders.
Twenty-four young lawyers nominated by legal professionals statewide are attending the fourth annual State Bar of Wisconsin Leadership Development Summit in Madison on April 1.
The Leadership Summit brings together State Bar leaders and new lawyers to give them the tools to become tomorrow’s leaders, said summit chair Jesse Dill.
“The summit is an invaluable opportunity for young lawyers to not only be recognized as emerging leaders in their communities but to also receive a personal introduction to the many leadership opportunities within the State Bar,” Dill said.
Lawyers as Leaders
The summit is immediately followed by a joint luncheon with the Young Lawyers Leadership Conference. Attendees will hear keynote speaker Dr. Artika R. Tyner, University of St. Thomas College of Education, Minnesota, giving the G. Lane Ware keynote address, “The Lawyer as Leader: How to Plant People and Grow Justice.” Tyner offers guidance in how to make a difference in the world. A leader is a planter – a planter of ideas, seeds of change, and a vision for justice, Tyner says.
The program also includes presentations on balancing work, life, and State Bar leadership, and on identifying leadership opportunities. The attendees also receive tuition scholarships, funded by the Wisconsin Law Foundation, to attend the State Bar 2016 Annual Meeting & Conference in June in Green Bay.
The Many Rewards of State Bar Involvement
Alumni of past summits are discovering the many rewards of becoming a leader with the State Bar. Eric Andrews of Milwaukee attended the 2015 summit, giving him the confidence to get involved immediately, rather than waiting for later in his career.
“I’ve realized that my voice is essential to the State Bar’s ability to address the needs and concerns of young attorneys.” – Eric Andrews, Milwaukee
“I’ve realized that my voice is essential to the State Bar’s ability to address the needs and concerns of young attorneys,” said Andrews.
Andrews now serves on the Board of Governors as liaison to the Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers. He also serves on the State Bar’s Diversity and Inclusion Oversight and the Law Student Outreach committees and the Board of Governors’ Strategic Planning Committee.
Renee Nawrocki of Milwaukee cites two major takeaways from the 2013 Leadership Summit, which had a significant impact on her. “The State Bar does more for its members and their diverse practices than I had ever realized; getting involved in the State Bar benefits an attorney at any career stage.”
“The State Bar does more for its members and their diverse practices than I had ever realized; getting involved in the State Bar benefits an attorney at any career stage.” – Renee Nawrocki, Milwaukee
This year, Nawrocki serves on the State Bar Board of Governors and its Strategic Planning Committee, and as liaison to the Elder Law Section Board. She also chairs the Leadership Development Committee and the Leadership Development Institute Subcommittee.
For Viet-Hanh Winchell of St. Elmo, Minnesota, being involved in the State Bar of Wisconsin has valuable rewards for her career as well as for the profession: getting to know attorneys in Wisconsin she might not have otherwise met, and giving and receiving as mentor or mentee.
“Ultimately, I think [volunteering] makes a better profession.” – Viet-Hanh Winchell, St. Elmo, Minn.
She is serving as president-elect of the Nonresident Lawyers Division (NRLD). She also represents the NRLD on the Board of Governors, and is a member of the Leadership Development Committee.
And for those who say they don’t have the time? “You’ve got to pick it up and figure out your time management afterward, otherwise you’re going to continue to make excuses,” Winchell said.
“The key is to be selective in the Bar activities you choose to participate in, and don’t overcommit yourself,” Andrews said.
In the end, volunteering with the State Bar is about helping each other as lawyers. “Ultimately, I think it makes a better profession,” Winchell said.
2016 Leadership Development Summit Young Lawyer Attendees
This year’s 24 Leadership Development Summit attendees are:
- Nicole M. Bacher, Baraboo
- Christina E. Balistreri, Milwaukee
- Erika Bierma, Madison
- Rachel Ann Breger, McFarland
- La Keisha Wright Butler, Milwaukee
- Amy T. Collins, Madison
- Jordan C.A. Corning, Madison
- Matthew W. Giesfeldt, Madison
- Bradley J. Jansen, West Bend
- Trevor C. Lippman, Milwaukee
- Emily I. Lonergan, Milwaukee
- Rebeca M. Lopez, Milwaukee
- DeAngela M. Luna, Milwaukee
- Kate McChrystal, Milwaukee
- Michael G. Moseler, Menomonie
- Faun Michelle Moses, Albany
- Margaret Murphy, Milwaukee
- Marcel Oliveira, Madison
- Nadya E. Perez-Reyes, Milwaukee
- Ashley Janaii Poteat, Milwaukee
- Ryan J. Raymond, Rice Lake
- Antwayne M. Robertson II, Milwaukee
- Aisha N. Smith, Madison
- Christina M. Tenuta, Madison
