Ashley Bailey pauses for a photo taken by her mother, Samantha Bailey, following the ceremony.

June 2, 2015 – The time of learning is just beginning for 110 new lawyers.

“The life of a lawyer is a life of learning,” Justice Annette Ziegler told the new lawyers at a swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday.

The U.W. Law School class of 2015 – 110 in all – took the Attorney’s Oath and signed the Supreme Court Roll to join the State Bar of Wisconsin.

The U.W. Law School graduates were admitted to the profession Monday by members of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, U.W. Law School Dean Margaret Raymond, State Bar President Robert Gagan, Board of Bar Examiners Director Jacquelynn B. Rothstein, and by family and friends.

Jazmyn Janee Taitingfong points to her name on the new attorneys list.

Choosing Law

Among the new lawyers is Ashley Bailey, whose brother, Bezel Bailey III, a Minnesota lawyer, vouched for her character on her behalf before the court. Ashley, from Minnesota like her brother and aiming to practice corporate law at a Minneapolis firm, chose the U.W. Law School after careful consideration. The school, she said, is especially welcoming to students of color.

“There is a strong sense of community,” she said.

Many of the new lawyers, now licensed in Wisconsin, are studying to take the bar exam in other states, including Ashley Bailey – Minnesota; Kai Wong, who intends to work in business law and will take the New York bar exam; and Daniel Tombasco, who will take the exam soon in Illinois.

Tombasco has a background in journalism, and hopes to become a prosecutor. He is the first lawyer in his family, the son of parents who serve in the U.S. Navy.

Nicholas Zuiker signs the roll book, officially becoming a Wisconsin lawyer.

Erin Nagy’s father, Casey Nagy, flew in from Singapore to witness his daughter joining his profession. Law as a profession suits her and was an intelligent choice for her, he said.

“She is one of the finest people I know,” Casey told the Court as his daughter’s movant.

Be Human

Chief Justice Patience Drake Roggensack welcomed the new lawyers, telling them this day is a happy one for the court.

Speaking to the new lawyers, Justice Annette Ziegler told them, “Get involved. You’ll continue to learn.”

And as lawyers, they have the power to affect others’ lives in profound ways.

“Don’t forget to be human – it’s really important,” Justice Ziegler told them.

State Bar President Robert Gagan of Green Bay urged the new lawyers to join the State Bar and local bar associations, and to do pro bono work. “You get more than you give.”

Visit the State Bar of Wisconsin on Facebook and Flickr for photos of this event.

The State Bar welcomes these new attorneys: