Soon-to-be new lawyers take the Attorney’s Oath at the 1 p.m. ceremony on May 29, 2019. See the State Bar's Facebook page for more photos of the ceremonies and the reception.

May 30, 2019 – At the culmination of years of work, 110 people gathered in the Wisconsin Supreme Court Hearing Room to take the final steps toward becoming a Wisconsin lawyer.

Before the Supreme Court, in four separate ceremonies, 110 graduates of the University of Wisconsin Law School took the Attorney’s Oath on May 29, 2019.

Chief Justice Patience Roggensack encouraged the new lawyers to “keep your dreams alive as you practice.”

Katelyn Doyle’s parents, Steve Doyle and La Crosse County Circuit Court Judge Gloria Doyle, move for her admission in the 10 a.m. ceremony.

She also requested that they consider running for the Assembly, Senate, or a judicial seat on the bench. “There are very few lawyers now in political office,” she said. “You can help them shape the laws that help them solve the problems they intend to solve.”

They heard words of wisdom from Justice Daniel Kelly, who said it will take some time to actually feel like an attorney. “You’ll find out very quickly that you’re going to be very busy,” he said. He encouraged them to serve those “who cannot fend for themselves,” and encouraged them to be generous and open. “You’ll be most effective as an advocate if you maintain this character.”

Monique Arrington and Catarina Colon pose at wall naming new Wisconsin lawyers.

New Traditions, Family Traditions

The new lawyers include Maria Bucci, whose uncle is a lawyer in Racine. Her mother, Janel and sister Heidi proudly watched the ceremony; Catarena Colon, whose uncle, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Pedro Colon, made the journey to Madison to act as her movant; Arjun Sawhney, whose sister Vintee Sawhney, moved her admission; and Emma Szczupakiewicz, moved by her father, Waukesha County Deputy District Attorney Ted S. Szczupakiewicz.

Gya’ Williams is the first member of his family to become a lawyer. He will work as a public defender in Milwaukee. He was in high school when he decided to pursue law. “I’m really thankful that people let me help them with their lives,” he said.

Gya’ Williams signs the Roll of Attorneys book.

Catherine Wiese of Madison is joining Boardman & Clark as an associate. She knew growing up that she wanted to be a lawyer. “I don’t remember wanting to be anything else,” she said. Being a lawyer is what she has worked toward nearly her whole life, and her achievement hasn’t yet sunk in. “It’s crazy,” she said. “It’s hard to believe that this day has come.”

Ethan Padway joins a long tradition of lawyers in his family. His father is a lawyer, as well as three cousins, a sibling, and a great-great uncle. In fact, members of the Padway family have practiced law in Wisconsin for 107 years – with many more to come.

New lawyers, from left: Jason Meehan and Jacob Levine.

Law for Jason Meehan is a family tradition. His father and brother are attorneys in St. Louis, Missouri, and two cousins are also U.W. Law School alumni. “I want to help people,” he said, and after seeing his father’s work, decided that was his path as well. He is headed to work at the Milwaukee Public Defender’s Office. “So far, I’ve been able to give back, and that’s what I hope to continue to do,” he said.

Jacob Levine’s mother is a lawyer. Through her, he saw the intellectual challenges of practicing law, and decided he wanted to join the profession. “Being an attorney puts you in a position to help people in ways that they cannot help themselves,” he said. He hopes to help small-business owners, as well as do pro bono work. He’s off to Minneapolis to work with small-business owners as well as doing mergers and acquisitions.

Rebecca Hart, center, poses with her parents, Milwaukee lawyers Michael and Shelly Hart.

Rebecca Hart is now the fourth generation in her family to be a lawyer. She is the eldest child of Milwaukee lawyers Shelly Hart and Michael Hart from Milwaukee, and her grandfather and great-grandfather were also lawyers. Growing up with lawyer-parents, she had always considered becoming a lawyer. “I like helping people, solving their problems,” she said. She is headed to Chicago to work in corporate law.

Complying with a Court Order

New lawyer William Grau and his father, retired Marathon County Circuit Court Judge Gregory Grau, have a new story to add to their family tradition. It also turns out that if you’ve practiced before a Wisconsin justice and attend your child’s swearing-in ceremony, it might be a good idea to plan to act as a movant.

New lawyer William Grau, center, with his parents, Kim Grau, a court reporter, and Gregory Grau, a retired Marathon County Circuit Court judge.

Judge Grau practiced for many years before Justice Ann Walsh Bradley during the time she was a Marathon County judge. In fact, she held 1-year-old William in her arms on the day, in 1995, when she swore in Gregory Grau as a judge. The justice, of course, easily recognized Judge Grau in the 10 a.m. ceremony, who hadn’t planned to act as a movant.

“I wasn’t sitting with the other movants,” said Judge Grau. “She essentially from the bench gave me a sign that I absolutely was going to move my son.” The sign was subtle, but very precise in its meaning. “I complied with the Court’s directive. I wasn’t about to be held in contempt at my son’s swearing-in,” he added with a laugh.

William Grau is headed to be a Judge Advocate in the Marine Corps for four years.

Christopher Restemayer is headed to rural practice in northern Wisconsin.

Off to the North Woods

Christopher Restemayer of Ashland has been doing a lot of research to follow his dream of becoming a solo-practice lawyer in a rural area. “I like how easily you can get to know people in small towns,” he said.

After growing up in Minnesota’s rural north, he traveled on breaks at U.W. Law School to Wisconsin’s north woods, seeking a good place to begin. “When I went into law school, I knew I wanted a rural practice,” he said. “When I got to Wisconsin, I read stories about how much of a need there was up north.”

He chose Ashland as a base of operations. “It’s a very pretty area, and it’s centrally located,” he said.

Interested in seeing more photos? Visit the State Bar's Facebook page for more photos of the ceremonies and the reception.