Margaret Wrenn Hickey of Milwaukee said she plans to focus on addressing the racial inequities in our judicial and legal system, promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, and improving access to justice.
April 23, 2021 – Milwaukee lawyer Margaret Wrenn Hickey is the next president-elect of the State Bar of Wisconsin.
In the elections ending April 23, 2021, Hickey defeated Milwaukee attorney Odalo J. Ohiku by 2,347 votes to 1,186.
Hickey will serve a one-year term as president-elect starting July 1, 2021, before succeeding Cheryl Daniels of Madison on July 1, 2022, as State Bar president. When she succeed Daniels, Hickey will be the fourth consecutive woman to serve in that role, a first in State Bar history.
Hickey, who is currently on the State Bar Board of Governors, also served five terms on the board since 2005, representing District 2 (Milwaukee). She has also served as board chair (2006-07) and State Bar treasurer (2009-11). A partner in the five-lawyer firm of Becker, Hickey & Poster S.C., Hickey has also served on various committees, including the Executive and Finance committees.
Hickey said she appreciates the confidence that State Bar members have placed in her. "I will work very hard on behalf of all members," she said. "We have learned in this past year that we can pivot when needed."
"The Bar must be as flexible and responsive as we can be to our members. We must support younger members to develop into capable, ethical attorneys; promote diversity, equity and inclusion across our membership and in the justice system; and increase access to justice in Wisconsin," Hickey said. "As president-elect I will work diligently and passionately to achieve these goals."
Visit WisBar.org to learn more about Hickey.
Elizabeth Reeths of Wausau wins treasurer post.
Margo S. Kirchner of Milwaukee elected as Judicial Council representative.
In Other State Bar Races
Elizabeth Reeths of Klinner Kramer Shull LLP, Wausau, was elected to a two-year term as treasurer, defeating Anu Chudasama of Bassford Remele, Minneapolis, by 2,427 votes to 912. Learn more about Reeths.
Winning a three-year term as Judicial Council representative is Margo S. Kirchner with Wisconsin Justice Institute Inc., Milwaukee, defeating Samuel C. Hall Jr. of Crivello Carlson, S.C., Milwaukee, by 2,202 votes to 1,070. Learn more about Kirchner.
Board of Governors
Those elected to serve two-year terms beginning July 1 as district representatives on the State Bar Board of Governors are:
District 1 (one vacancy)
District 2 (seven vacancies)
- Elisabeth Townsend Bridge, SmithAmundsen LLC, Milwaukee, University of Nebraska 1981
- Catarina A. Colón, Husch Blackwell LLP, Milwaukee, U.W. 2019
- Jennifer L. Johnson, Legal Action of Wisconsin Inc, Milwaukee, Indiana University 2014
- Rochelle Johnson-Bent, Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee, U.W. 2010
- Thomas J. Pienkos, SmithAmundsen LLC, Milwaukee, U.W. 1999
- Amber Raffeet August, Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee Inc, Milwaukee, U.W. 2013
- Mary L. Schanning, City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, William & Mary 1997
District 3 (one vacancy)
District 5 (one vacancy)
- Emily G. Loe, Hale, Skemp, Hanson, Skemp & Sleik, La Crosse, Marquette 2019
District 6 (one vacancy)
- John P. Macy, Municipal Law & Litigation Group S.C., Waukesha, Marquette 1980
District 7 (one vacancy)
District 9 (three vacancies)
District 11 (one vacancy)
District 13 (one vacancy)
District 15 (one vacancy)
More about State Bar Board of Governors' Elections
The Board of Governors is the State Bar's policymaking body. Governors serve two-year terms.
Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 elected governors in 2021. District 2 (Milwaukee) elected seven; District 9 (Dane) elected three; and all other districts elected one.
Not sure which district is yours? See the district map.
Division Elections: Who Will Represent You in Your Division?
Each of the State Bar of Wisconsin divisions – Government, Nonresident, Senior, and Young lawyers – choose new leaders for the upcoming term that begins July 1, 2021. Here are the newly elected and re-elected division officers and board members.
The presidents-elect serve a one-year term before becoming president and then serve one year as past president. Secretary, treasurer, and board positions are two-year terms.
Government Lawyers Division
President-elect: Alli Welch, Green Bay
Treasurer: Robert Barrington, Juneau
Secretary: Meighan Anger, Milwaukee
Directors: Ellen Craker, Superior; Dawn Klockow, Beaver Dam; Patricia Zamba, Janesville.
Nonresident Lawyers Division
President-elect: Kene Okocha, Washington, D.C.
Directors: Paulina Fernandez, Texas; Ann Heaps, Texas; Daneka Hill, Minnesota; Emily Kelchen, New Jersey; Mike McCaskey, Illinois; Jenny Thomas, California.
Senior Lawyers Division
President-elect: Michael May, Madison
Treasurer: Steven Sorenson, Oshkosh
Secretary: Jean Baker, Milwaukee
Directors: Katja Kunzke, Madison; Randall Nash, Milwaukee; Gerald O’Brien, Stevens Point; James Reiher, Brookfield (one-year term, completing term for open seat left by Baker’s election to secretary)
Young Lawyers Division
President-elect: Jose Castro, Milwaukee
Treasurer: Anthony Procaccio, Milwaukee
Directors: Nadia Gonzalez, Madison; Riley Leonard, Madison; Stephanie LeRoy, Madison; Jenny Thomas, San Diego, California; Tiffany Woelfel, Green Bay.
