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Oct. 1, 2015 – They deserve the celebration and congratulations: They are the newest lawyers in Wisconsin.

At two ceremonies on Sept. 29, 2015, 54 attorneys took the Attorney’s Oath before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. They had every reason to celebrate, as they were the successful 65 percent – out of 127 people who took the bar exam – who passed it in July.

The new Wisconsin lawyers represent 54 law schools in 19 jurisdictions. And 75 percent of those taking the exam for the first time passed it, said Jacquelynn B. Rothstein, director of the Board of Bar Examiners.

The lawyers earned their degrees at law schools outside of Wisconsin, but chose to be admitted to practice in Wisconsin for a variety of reasons, including for the sake of employment, or to help out family members who live in the state.

Amid a gentle reminder to pay dues, Chief Justice Patience Roggensack told the soon-to-be Wisconsin lawyers to never forget kindness.

“In the state of Wisconsin, you will find more kindness,” Chief Justice Roggensack said.

A lawyer’s position is often one of power, said Justice Annette Ziegler.

“You need to wield that power wisely,” Justice Ziegler said.

She urged the new Wisconsin lawyers to “keep that oath deeply embedded in your soul,” and to maintain personal honor. Honor is a fragile thing. “Your word is your bond,” Justice Ziegler told them.

State Bar President-elect Fran Deisinger told the new Wisconsin lawyers the secret to the antidote of stressful and lonely work: “Reach out, get involved,” he said – especially in your local bar associations. “People will welcome you.”

The new Wisconsin lawyers include David Matzen of Park Ridge, Ill., a graduate of William Mitchell College of Law, interested in working in government after working as a legislative aide at the Capitol in Madison; Megan Sippl of Hoffman Estates, Ill., who works as a government lawyer in McHenry County in Illinois, Scott Craig of Racine, whose family has recently moved to Wisconsin from Texas; J.J. Silverstein, whose parents – Wisconsin lawyers Allen Silverstein and Christy Brooks – vouched that he had “high, fine wit” as they spoke as movants for him; Colin Laffey, who joins his sister Allison and father Jack as Wisconsin lawyers; and Margaret Heitkamp, whose father, John R. Heitkcamp Jr., recalls his own swearing in as a Wisconsin lawyer 30 years ago.

There was one more bit of advice offered to the new Wisconsin lawyers, mentioned by Rothstein during her remarks during the 10 a.m. ceremony: “Call your mom” – advice enthusiastically seconded by Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. It also made a strong impression on Flori Betita, whose home in Vancouver, Canada, is now quite a distance from that of her son Ronald Betita, a new state public defender in LaCrosse.

“I liked it,” Flori Betita said.

“I’m almost ordered to do it,” Ronald Betita said with a laugh.

The State Bar welcomes these new attorneys: