Rochelle Johnson-Bent displays a crystal apple awarded to her as the 2017 recipient of the Young Lawyers Division Outstanding Mentor Award. She is the first recipient of the award.

Nov. 15, 2017 – Know a mentor who helped you kick off your career? Or a young lawyer making a difference for someone else?

The Young Lawyers Division (YLD) asks you to help it pay tribute to an outstanding lawyer and to recognize the investment that your mentor has made in your future.

Nominations are due Jan. 19 for the State Bar of Wisconsin Young Lawyers Division Outstanding Mentor Award and the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award.

Outstanding Mentor Award

The Young Lawyers Division is seeking nominations for the Second Annual Outstanding Mentor Award. The award pays tribute to a Wisconsin-licensed attorney who has made an exceptional contribution to the life and career of a young attorney.

Learn more about the recipient of the first Outstanding Mentor Award, Rochelle Johnson Bent.

The nominee must have six or more years of practice experience, be a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, and have been in good standing with the State Bar for more than 12 months. Lawyers who currently sit on the YLD board or on the State Bar Board of Governors are not eligible for the award.

Nominations are due on or before Jan. 19, 2018. To nominate a mentor, email Stephanie LeRoy and Ben Roovers with the following information:

• Name and State Bar number of nominee

• A statement explaining how the nominee has positively impacted the life of a young lawyer mentee. The statement may include how the mentor has:

  1. provided advice on legal, ethical, and client issues;

  2. helped to advance a mentee’s professional career;

  3. introduced the mentee to new lawyers and contacts; and

  4. provided support in the early stages of the mentee’s legal practice.

The YLD also welcomes a short biography of the candidate as well as any other materials that demonstrate the nominee’s mentorship accomplishments.

Outstanding Young Lawyer Award

John G. Walsh, recipient of the 2017 Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from the Young Lawyers Division.

The YLD is also seeking nominations for the Ninth Annual Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. The award honors a young lawyer who has made an impact in his or her practice area, service to the bar, and service to the community.

Read about last year’s honoree, John G. Walsh.

The nominee must be a young lawyer (under age 36 or any age if practicing less than five years), admitted to the State Bar of Wisconsin, and a member in good standing with the State of Wisconsin for more than 12 months. Lawyers who currently sit on the YLD board or on the State Bar Board of Governors are not eligible for the award.

Nominations are due on or before Jan. 19, 2018. To nominate a mentor, email Stephanie LeRoy and Ben Roovers with the following information:

• Name and State Bar number of nominee

• A brief paragraph explaining how the nominee has demonstrated each of the following:

  1. service to clients;

  2. service to the bar (local, state, or specialty bar), members of the bar and/or the court; and

  3. service to the community.

The YLD welcomes a resume or short biography of the candidate, and any other materials that demonstrate the nominee’s dedicated service.

Join in the Celebration

The State Bar will honor the award winners at the Young Lawyers Conference in Milwaukee on March 16, 2017.

Outstanding Young Lawyer Award: Past Recipients

The past recipients of the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) are:

• 2017 – John G. Walsh, Milwaukee
• 2016 – Robert Mochel, Milwaukee
• 2015 – Scott Butler, La Crosse
• 2014 – Karen Bauer, Milwaukee
• 2013 - Barbara Privat, Germantown
• 2012 - Stacia Conneely, Madison
• 2011* - Sam Wayne, Madison
• 2010* - Carrie M. Benedon, Madison

*In 2010 and 2011, the award was given as the YLD Professional Achievement Award.