May 20, 2015 – The State Bar of Wisconsin will recognize attorneys, judges, law firms, organizations, legal professionals, and law students who have made outstanding pro bono, public service, or public education contributions at its Annual Meeting & Conference.
The annual Member Recognition Celebration will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Thursday, June 25, at Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva. The event is free, and all State Bar members and their friends and families are invited to celebrate these individuals.
Lifetime Jurist: Judge William D. Dyke
Iowa County Circuit Court Judge William Dyke is the 2015 Lifetime Jurist Award recipient. The award acknowledges the contributions of a jurist who has served more than one full term as a circuit court judge and has demonstrated outstanding, long-term judicial excellence and leadership toward improving the quality of justice.
Judge of the Year: Judge William J. Domina
Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge William Domina is the Judge of the Year Award recipient. The award recognizes an outstanding circuit court judge who has improved the judicial system during the past year by his or her leadership in advancing the quality of justice, judicial education, or innovative programs.
The Lifetime Jurist and Judge of the Year awards are presented by the Bench and Bar Committee.
Founder’s Award: Donna M. Jones
Donna Jones of Marietta, Georgia, past president of the NonResident Lawyers Division (NRLD), is the recipient of this year’s the Founders Award for her many years of service to the State Bar. The Founder’s Award recognizes a nonresident member who has brought positive change to the division and has actively participated in State Bar activities for many years.
This award is presented by the Nonresident Lawyers Division.
Leonard L. Loeb Award: Margadette M. Demet
Margadette Demet is the recipient of the Leonard L. Loeb Award for her lifetime of exceptional contributions to his community and to the goal of justice for all Wisconsin citizens. Demet is a partner in the firm of Demet & Demet LLC, Milwaukee.
This award is presented by the Senior Lawyers Division.
Hon. Charles Dunn Author Award: Richard K. Wagner
The winner of the Hon. Charles Dunn Author Award is Richard K. Wagner of Baker & McKenzie LLP, Chicago, for his article “From the Central Sands to the Central Kingdom: Navigating Civil Litigation in China,” Wisconsin Lawyer, May 2014. The article is an important resource for anyone thinking of engaging in civil litigation with a Chinese company, either in China or the United States.
This award is presented by the Communications Committee.
Lawyer Hotline Attorney of the Year: Paul D. Curtis
The Lawyer Hotline Attorney of the Year Award goes to Paul Curtis of Axley Brynelson LLP, Madison, for his dedication and commitment to the Hotline. Curtis has coordinated the hotline volunteers at Axley Brynelson since 2006. The Lawyer Hotline program is a public service component of the Lawyer Referral and Information Service.
This award is presented by the Lawyer Referral and Information Service.
Pro Bono Attorney of the Year: Andy N. DeClercq
The Pro Bono Attorney of the Year is awarded to Andy DeClercq for his extraordinary commitment to providing pro bono representation in appointments from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.
Pro Bono Organization of the Year: Gass Weber Mullins LLC
The Pro Bono Organization of the Year is awarded to Gass Weber Mullins LLC of Milwaukee for the firm’s extraordinary commitment to providing pro bono representation through the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office.
These pro bono awards are presented by the Legal Assistance Committee.
Dan Tuchscherer Outstanding Public Interest Law Attorney: Lisa Clay Foley
Lisa Clay Foley is this year’s recipient of the Dan Tuchscherer Outstanding Public Interest Law Attorney Award. The award recognizes a lawyer who demonstrates a selfless, lifetime commitment to working in the public interest, both inside and outside the field of law.
Ryan Klesh Public Interest Legal Worker Award: Donn Lind
A paralegal since 1984, Donn Lind is the recipient of the Ryan Klesh Public Interest Legal Worker Award, which recognizes an individual who captures the essence of Ryan's selflessness, work ethic, and humor in working to seek justice for our low-income neighbors, family, or friends.
Outstanding Public Interest Law Student Awards: Nicole Ostrowski and Amelia Maxfield
Nicole Ostrowski is a 2015 graduate of Marquette Law School.As a student, she was an active member of the Public Interest Law Society. Amelia Maxfield recently graduated from the U.W. Law School with academic honors and a distinction for pro bono service, volunteering more than 200 hours in her final semester.
These public interest awards are presented by the Public Interest Law Section.
Gordon Sinykin Award of Excellence: 2014 National Mock Trial Committee
This year’s recipient of the Gordon Sinykin Award of Excellence is the 2014 National Mock Trial Committee, chaired by Kevin Lonergan. The Gordon Sinykin Award of Excellence recognizes a lawyer, law firm, or group of lawyers for their work on an individual law-related education or public service project.
This award is presented by the Wisconsin Law Foundation.
Jack DeWitt WisLAP Volunteer Award: Stephen Compton
Stephen Compton’s life experience has taught him a message he wishes to pass on to others: There is no shame in asking for help. This award honors a lawyer or judge who has provided confidential, meaningful assistance, educational outreach or other volunteer service through the WisLAP program.
This award is presented by the Wisconsin Lawyer Assistance Program.
Join the Celebration
To find out more about the Annual Meeting & Conference, go to the 2015 Annual Meeting & Conference website.
