Justice Michael J. Gableman administers the attorney's oath during the admissions ceremony. For more photos of the swearing-in ceremony and reception, visit the State Bar’s Facebook page.

April 29, 2015 – The quality of the Wisconsin bar goes up with the admission of the new Wisconsin lawyers, said Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson.

In a swearing-in ceremony yesterday (April 28), 19 new Wisconsin lawyers were admitted to the State Bar of Wisconsin after passing the Wisconsin Bar Exam administered in February.

Abrahamson had three simple words of wisdom for them to remember, advice, she says, from an American philosopher: Oprah Winfrey.

“Don’t sell out,” she said. “That’s all you have to remember.”

Smart and Proud

Among the new Wisconsin lawyers signing the roll of attorneys Tuesday included Jasmine Jade-Monee Reed, who works in Madison for U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Martin of the Western District of Wisconsin.

Proudly witnessing her admission to the State Bar were her father, Terence Reed of Winfield, Missouri, and grandparents Willie and Annie Reed from Macomb, Illinois. Jasmine was fortunate, they said, to get the job in Madison immediately after she graduated from the University of Illinois-Champaign Law School. Jasmine was looking ahead possibly to move out to California, and has already passed the bar exam there. She also took the Wisconsin exam because of her job in Madison.

Newly admitted Wisconsin attorney Jennifer L. Johnson of Milwaukee points to her name after the admissions ceremony. Joining her, at center, is Johnson's cousin, Attorney Truscenialyn Brooks, and Attorney Sir M.V. Williams, both of Madison.

Jasmine is the first attorney in the family.

“She’s very smart,” Terence said.

Four of the candidates with relatives currently in the State Bar stood up as the family members moved admission for them, vouching for their character.

Attorney Truscenialyn Brooks of Perkins Coie LLP, Madison – newly elected to serve beginning July 1 on the State Bar Board of Governors – moved admission for her cousin, Jennifer Johnson of Milwaukee.

“I know I speak for the entire family when I say we are extremely proud of her,” Brooks said.

Returning Home for the Exam

John Norsetter, a retired assistant district attorney in Dane County, spoke for his daughter Julie Norsetter of Madison, a 2012 graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School. Julie now joins her sister Claire Norsetter as a Wisconsin lawyer.

Julie passed the Minnesota Bar Exam before passing Wisconsin's exam.

“A friend wrote to her and said ‘two down, 48 to go,’” Norsetter said, gaining a round of laughter from the justices and those attending the event.

Michael Kruse of Wauwatosa signs the Supreme Court Roll after the admissions ceremony.

A search on WisBar.org will show many Wisconsin lawyers with the last name Remington – and yesterday one more was added to the list: Brian J. Remington of New Richmond joins his parents James and Judith, sister Christine, and brother John Remington, and numerous other family members who are practicing law in Wisconsin.

“This is the third generation,” Chief Justice Abrahamson noted. “There’s quite a number of them ... You can’t have enough Remingtons – that’s what I’ve always said.”

Newly minted Wisconsin lawyer Michael Kruse of Wauwatosa, a graduate of St. Louis University School of Law and in 2013 took the Missouri Bar Exam. Kruse has family in Milwaukee, which brings him to Wisconsin.

Kruse worked as an employment practitioner in a small firm in St. Louis before moving to Wauwatosa, where he hopes to find a similar job.

Daniel Hess of Middleton, who graduated with his law degree in 2014 from Temple University, passed the Illinois Bar Exam in July. Originally from Madison, he chose to take the exam in Wisconsin to return to be near his family.

Sara Lacy of Washington, D.C., acknowledges that she is “incredibly fortunate” to have landed a job immediately after her graduation. She works for the Treasury Department.

“It’s mostly policy, but legal experience certainly helps in that area,” Lacy said.

A native Wisconsinite, she received her law degree from American University. As a federal employee, Lacy’s only requirement was that she be licensed somewhere in the U.S.

“I’m from Northern Wisconsin,” Lacy said. “So home makes sense.”

Not a Spectator Sport

Abrahamson urged the new admittees to volunteer their time and serve on a court board, or simply to volunteer somewhere where their skills are needed.

Justice Annette Ziegler also emphasized using their skills to make the world around them a better place.

“This is an exciting day,” Ziegler said. Passion, patience, and persistence should be the basis of a career in law, she said.

Lawyers are among the most educated people in the world, so give back, and don’t coast.

“Being a lawyer is not a spectator sport,” she said.

The new Wisconsin attorneys are: