April 9, 2025 – If you are a lawyer, you are a leader. "The truth is, you have a responsibility – it's a weight we carry."
That's the message from Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Brian Hagedorn, who spoke on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Leadership Development Summit, which brings together State Bar leaders and new lawyers, instilling more tools and inspiration to become leaders as they begin their careers.
Each year, lawyers nominated by State Bar leaders statewide attend the Leadership Development Summit. Participants display leadership capabilities, demonstrate a strong commitment to the legal profession, and possess the potential to be the next generation of State Bar leaders.
Don't Wait for a Position of Influence to be a Leader
"None of us are in a position to solve all of the world's problems, but each of us can solve some problems," Justice Hagedorn said. "You can serve someone or fix something."
"Whether big or small, noticed or unnoticed, you don't need to wait for a position of influence before you can have influence. You do not have to have a job title as a leader in order to lead and make an impact for the common good.
"In a profession where you're told it's not what you know, but who you know, maybe there's another way," Justice Hagedorn continued. "Knowledge and relationships are important to career success, but here's the truth in my view: It's who you are that really matters.
"In the end, you will not measure life in how much money or bitcoin you have, but you'll remember what you did with those resources. What experiences and opportunities did your resources help create?" said Justice Hagedorn.
The State Bar welcomed these lawyers for the 2025 Leadership Development Summit. For photos of the event, visit the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Facebook page.
You’re Needed: Volunteer with State Bar Leadership Positions
How do you get started? Visit the
Leadership Opportunities and
Committees pages on WisBar.org.
Appointments to standing committees include three-year terms, and appointments to special committees are for one-year terms. All committee appointments begin July 1.
2025 Leadership Development Summit Participants
Kristia Anderson, Godfrey & Kahn SC, Milwaukee Gabrielle Sophia Beranek, State Public Defenders Office, Peshtigo Sean Adam Bukowski, McCoy Leavitt Laskey, Waukesha Lance Duroni, Kohner, Mann & Kailas SC, Milwaukee Dominique S. Fortune, Quarles & Brady LLP, Milwaukee Taylor Gilbertson, Law Forward Inc., Madison Morgan Gulledge, Centro Legal, Milwaukee Tessa M. Henson, U.W. Law School, Madison
| | Alicia Linzmeier, Cohen Law Offices SC, Eau Claire Davis Logan, Judicare Legal Aid, Schofield Scott E. Mickelson, Madison Jeremy Newman, State Public Defenders Office, Madison Mary E. Purdy, Quad/Graphics Inc., Sussex Juan Carlos Quero, Jr., Kowalski Wilson & Vang LLC, Madison Daniel Sievert, Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols SC, Milwaukee
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