Congratulations to these new Fellows of the Wisconsin Law Foundation.

Visit the State Bar’s Facebook page for more photos of this event, or click here.

Sept. 19, 2018 – It was a night of celebration, as 55 new Fellows were inducted into the Fellows of the Wisconsin Law Foundation in Milwaukee.

The Fellows are lawyers who join by invitation as a result of their service to the profession, to their communities, and to justice.

“Welcome, and congratulations,” said Hon. Louis Butler Jr., president of the Fellows of the Wisconsin Law Foundation.

“This is our best and our brightest,” Hon. Butler said. “We look at the service they have done – to the profession and to the community. It takes into account all that they do. Those honored as Fellows do tremendous service to their communities, and to the bar.”

From left: two new Fellows, Kori Ashley and Elise Libbey; with State Bar President-elect and Fellow Jill Kastner.

The Fellows of the Wisconsin Law Foundation

The Fellows program recognizes members of the profession who are known by their peers for high professional achievements and outstanding contributions to the advancement and improvement of the administration of justice in Wisconsin. New Fellows are elected by the Fellows Board of Trustees.

“Fellows are recognized by their peers,” Hon. Butler said.

The program supports the mission of the Wisconsin Law Foundation, the State Bar of Wisconsin’s charitable and educational organization. The Foundation promotes public understanding of the law, improvement of the administration of justice, and other law-related public service by funding innovative and creative programs that improve the vision of the American justice system.

The Foundation funds more than $34,000 in grants to programs, projects, and services across Wisconsin. And, with strong support from the Fellows and donations from State Bar members, the Foundation gave its highest amount in 2019 – more than $50,000.

With the support of the Fellows and member donations, the Foundation in 2018 granted nearly $43,000 to programs, scholarships, projects, and services in Wisconsin that assist public understanding of the law and improve access to justice. "In 2019, we anticipate granting over $50,000 — our highest grant year to date," said Kevin Lonergan, Foundation president.

Recipients of its grant money include Wisconsin’s High School Mock Trial Program, programs providing for teen and peer courts, education programs helping low-income individuals better navigate the health care system, and programs to educate pro se litigants about the family court process.

“The Foundation is also growing its Diversity Designated Fund, allowing more support for innovative projects and programs in this critically important area,” Lonergan said.

Hon. Butler said the Fellows program has seen tremendous growth in recent years.

Visit the State Bar’s Facebook page for more photos of this event, or click here.

Learn more about the 2018 recipient of the Foundation's Charles A. Goldberg Award of Excellence, Dean Dietrich, who received his award at the event.

New Fellows Gini Hendrickson of Madison and Odalo Ohiku of Milwaukee.

Welcome to the following Wisconsin Law Foundation Fellows: