Oct. 4, 2017 – Four former Wisconsin governors – Martin Schreiber, Anthony Earl, Tommy Thompson, and James Doyle – are recipients of the Wisconsin Law Foundation’s Charles L. Goldberg Distinguished Service Award. They talk about the importance of service to community and clients.

They received the awards at a celebration on Sept. 27, 2017, in Madison, where each commented on life as a lawyer in civic and community service, and what it means to be a recipient of the award. Their observations:

• Lawyers have an obligation to serve, Thompson said.  

• Being a lawyer means listening to who you are helping, Doyle said.

• Service shouldn’t be taken for granted, and should be encouraged in those from differing political persuasions, Earl said.

• The award is an honor, and receiving it with the other governors is a humbling and remarkable experience, Schreiber said.

The awards are given to the governors for their lifetime of public and citizen service as Wisconsin lawyers, said Foundation President Cheryl Daniels.

“As attorneys with careers that included public service, each represented the residents of Wisconsin to the best of his ability,” Daniels said. “It is a privilege for us to present each of them with this award.”