May 25, 2010 – On May 24, 176 Marquette Law School graduates were admitted to practice. The new lawyers were welcomed to the profession by all seven Wisconsin Supreme Court justices, Marquette Law School Dean Joseph Kearney, State Bar President Douglas Kammer and Director of Board of Bar Examiners (BBE) Jacquelynn B. Rothstein.

Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson presided over the five ceremonies. Justices Ann Walsh Bradley, N. Patrick Crooks, Patience Roggensack, and Annette Ziegler, and Michael J. Gableman administered the oath in the supreme court hearing room.

Following each swearing-in ceremony, Justice David T. Prosser spoke to the new lawyers. “This is a day of celebration, the culmination of years of study and hard work and sacrifice and you all deserve hearty congratulations. Graduating from a great university law school, Marquette University Law School, is a very significant accomplishment. Almost invariably your hard work has been encouraged and supported by other people – spouses, parents, family, and close friends. They take tremendous pride in honoring you here today.” In what has become a Wisconsin Supreme court tradition in the past few year, Justice Prosser invited the new lawyers to applaud family members for their support and encouragement immediately following swearing-in ceremony.

“Thanking family and friends in this manner has become a ritual of the court,” Prosser said. “It’s important because it reminds young lawyers that we seldom obtain anything of real significance without the help and the support of others. Being a lawyer is a big deal but don’t let that fact cause you to lose your humility. You may also owe debts of gratitude to professional colleagues including faculty at Marquette University law School who gave you some sort of special boost along the way. Whatever these good people have done to help you, you can do in the future to help others.

“All of you are about to participate in a time-honored Wisconsin tradition,” continued Prosser. “In a few moments you will sign your names in a book, the latest volume in the complete record of Wisconsin attorneys dating stretching all the way back before statehood in 1848. Virtually every person who has ever been a member of the Wisconsin Bar has signed one of these books. When you step forward to sign your name in the book, I ask you to think about some of the people who have signed these volumes before you. They include some of the best minds and most valuable citizens in this state’s history, going back to the first governor of Wisconsin Nelson Dewey who came from a very small community, Cassville, in southwestern Wisconsin. They include men and women who have been giants of the legal professionse counselors, creative advocates, and brilliant scholars people who have served as role models for the Bar and as mentors for young lawyers.”

Noting that many attorneys have made life better for people and for society as a whole and many have been “absolute pillars of the communities in which they live,” Prosser continued, “Sadly, some who have signed their names, perhaps in a moment of hope and promise, exactly like this, perhaps in the presence of smiling admiring family members, somehow after they left this chamber. They lost their way and they appeared here again as a respondent in a disciplinary action,” he said.

The Attorney’s Oath. “The oath you have taken goes well beyond a pledge – not to betray clients, not to disgrace the legal profession, not to violate the law,” said Prosser. “The oath is a carefully written summary of code of professional responsibility. It stresses that the law is a great calling for dedicated professionals who are committed to uphold high ethical standards and are determined to provide service to others.”

A noble profession. Noting that each of the supreme court justices have, over time, the opportunity and privilege to address new attorneys with the hope of imparting some insight or inspiration, Prosser pointed out that his colleagues’ messages focus on service, professionalism, commitment to excellence, courage to take a stand, high ideals, and excellent moral character.

“When the Chief Justice speaks she often singles out an attorney who has made a significant pro bono contribution,” said Prosser. “She points to that attorney as one whose service should be admired and whose example should be followed.

“Justice Crooks frequently speaks of the indispensible commitment to excellence explaining that truly great lawyers are not willing to settle for mediocrity,” he said. “Justice Bradley likes to emphasize courage, courage to take a stand, courage to reject inappropriate compromise, courage to stand up and do the right thing. Justice Roggensack often urges new admittees to consider public service, even to the extent of running for public office.

“I want to speak to you about optimism and vision,” continued Prosser. “This is a very difficult economic climate for new lawyers, you know that. It doesn’t help very much to observe that there have been difficult times in the past or the there will be difficult times in the future, because those platitudes will not solve the problems of today. I doubt there is any member of this court or member of the Bar here who has not suffered setbacks and disappointments. Successful people do not permit themselves to become discouraged. They find a way to succeed by serving people, by meeting some need that needs to be met, by adapting to circumstances, by being creative.

“Marquette graduates could not find a better source of inspiration than one of their own,” said Proser. “Ray Eckstein came from that tiny community of Cassville that was the home of the first governor of Wisconsin. Ray Eckstein graduated in 1949. He wanted to practice in Milwaukee, the big city, but it didn’t work out so he returned home and settled to practice in Cassville. He traveled from small community to small community providing legal services, solving problems, meeting people watching for opportunities, setting up businesses – first small and then large – working at that steadily and then making one of the largest contributions to American law schools in history.”

In 2007, Eckstein and his wife Kathryn, both Marquette graduates, donated $51 million for the construction of a new law school building. The new building on Tory Hill is expected to open its doors in fall 2010.

“If Ray Eckstein can make it in Cassville you can make it wherever you choose to fight your plight. There are unmet legal needs all over Wisconsin. There are problems to be solved all over Wisconsin. There are people who need help all over Wisconsin. The challenge is for you to be part of the solution in those situations,” he said.

Noting a quote by British author, Sir Antony Jay, “Men grow to the stature to which they are stretched when they are young,” Prosser said, “Let me just change that to ‘Attorneys grow to the stature to which they are stretched when they are young.’ These times provide the challenges to stretch all of us as we have never been stretched before. We must be creative and bold and visionary optimists. We have all the talents and tools to rise to the occasion, and we are confident that you will. Best of luck to you,” concluded Prosser.

The State Bar welcomes the following attorneys.

Marc J. Adesso, Shorewood

Kirk Allen, Milwaukee

Rachel R. Aronson, Waupun

Jacquelyn B. Bain, Milwaukee

Jesica Ann Ballenger, Muskego

Jessica Baranko, Milwaukee

Bryan C. Bayer, Milwaukee

Ryann Beck, Milwaukee

Rita Lynn Beckman, Oconomowoc

Adam Y. Ben-Zikri, Milwaukee

Alexander J. Bouthilet, Milwaukee

Jaime L. Bouvette, Greenfield

Alison J. Bragle, Milwaukee

Alexander R. Britton, Mequon

Joseph D. Brydges, Madison

Scott Butler, Milwaukee

William David Butler, Milwaukee

Kevin Butzen, Milwaukee

Lindsay Katherine Caldwell, Milwaukee

Joshua L. Cannon, Oak Creek

Jonathan Cattey, Milwaukee

Scott R. Chandler, Tinley Park, Ill.

Cortney A. Christiansen, Waukesha

Jane Heather Christopherson, Mequon

Jenna E. Clevers, Green Bay

Benjamin Cohen, Milwaukee

Jason Michael Decent, Milwaukee

Rachel Solomon Delaney, Milwaukee

Christopher DeMatteo, Milwaukee

Jesse Dill, Phillips

Alyssa D. Dowse, Milwaukee

Ronald E. Englis III, Milwaukee

Catherine Eskridge, Milwaukee

Jessica L. Farley, Milwaukee

Sarah K. Feich, Mukwonago

Bryant Edward Ferguson, Milwaukee

Matthew M. Fernholz, Milwaukee

Adam Ronald Finkel, Milwaukee

Scott Wesley Forbord, Milwaukee

Lindsey Rae Foy, Pewaukee

Samuel Frentzel, Milwaukee

Nathan S. Fronk, Milwaukee

Andrew T. Frost, Brookfield

Jo Ann Futrell, Rio

Caroline George, Milwaukee

Edward Gordon, Milwaukee

Laura Jean Grebe, Brookfield

Jennifer Grieve, Milwaukee

Thomas Grieve, Milwaukee

John Hadermayer, Milwaukee

Alexis Gorski Hagquist, Milwaukee

Eamon Collins Guerin, Milwaukee

Rebecca Hammock, Milwaukee

Nicholas D. Harken, Milwaukee

Timothy H. Hassell, Milwaukee

Erica H. Hayden, Janesville

Kelly Joy Heckel, Kenosha

Michael G. Heller, Milwaukee

Rachel M. Helmers, Milwaukee

Peter R. Heyne, Greenfield

Casey J. Hoff, Madison

Douglas James Hoffer, Brookfield

Stephen Howitz, Milwaukee

David Nathan Iancu, Milwaukee

Drew S. Jelinski, Milwaukee

Jeremy Joffray, Milwaukee

Allison R. Johnson, Summit, N.J.

Lindsey Marie Johnson, Milwaukee

Noel Johnson, Milwaukee

Russell J. Karnes, Milwaukee

Rachel Karpinsky, Milwaukee

Lance Kearns, Milwaukee

Heidi Kennedy, Racine

Joseph Robert Kennedy, Milwaukee

Joan O’Donovan King, Milwaukee

Kristen Knauf, Nashotah

Elizabeth B. Koller, Oak Creek

Bethany Christine Kroes, Milwaukee

Rachel Anne Laird, Rockford, Ill.

Lindsey A. Larson, Waupaca

Joshua James Little, Madison

Drew Arnold Lohoff, New Orleans, La.

Kelly L. Lowery, Milwaukee

Allison A. Luczak, Milwaukee

Matthew T. Luening, Oak Creek

Scott Luzi, Milwaukee

Kathryn Kay MacKenzie, Milwaukee

Parker C. Mathers, Wauwatosa

Eric W. Matzke, Milwaukee

Cate L. May, Milwaukee

Ian Matthew Mevis, Appleton

Sara Catherine Mills, Milwaukee

Geoffrey Raymond Misfeldt, Milwaukee

Michael J. Moeschberger, Milwaukee

Brigid A. Moroney, Milwaukee

Theresa Movroydis, Milwaukee

Elizabeth S. Murrar, Shorewood

Nicole Marie Nelson, Milwaukee

Sammi-Jo Nevin, Milwaukee

Craig R. Nolen, Monroe

Sondra L. Norder, Sheboygan

Laura J. Now, Milwaukee

Meghan O’Connor, Milwaukee

Christy Olson, West Bend

Peter J. O’Meara, Milwaukee

Ying Pan, Milwaukee

Ryan N. Parsons, Milwaukee

Amber Marie Peterson, Fitchburg

Andrea Sager Pleimling, Milwaukee

Joshua Pollack, Milwaukee

Alex Porteshawver, Milwaukee

Jason Michael Prekop, Milwaukee

Kimberly Ann Prescott, Milwaukee

Peter J. Prusinski, Milwaukee

Jason Ramey, New London, Conn.

Alan Ray, Milwaukee

Ethan Rector, Milwaukee

Nicholas James Rieder, Milwaukee

Stacie Ringelstetter, Waukesha

Allison M. Ritchie, Appleton

Aloysius F. Rohmeyer, Janesville

Anique Nicole Ruiz, W. Milwaukee

Nick Russell, Milwaukee

Maria T. Ryan, Milwaukee

Jennifer Samborski, Milwaukee

Nimra Sami, Brookfield

Vintee Sawhney, Milwaukee

Katelyn Noelle Schmidt, Verona

Michael J. Scola, Milwaukee

James P. Scoptur, Milwaukee

Megann M. Senfleben, Milwaukee

Shannon E. Seyboldlliams Bay

Colin Edward Shanahan, Milwaukee

Neha Sharma, Naperville, Ill.

David A. Shepard Jr., Plymouth

Amy Katherine Sholis, Milwaukee

Gregory R. Sikora, Milwaukee

Brent A. Simerson, Milwaukee

Jacob Luke Skibba, Elkhorn

Lisa Sorgenfrei, Dousman

Michael R. Soule, Milwaukee

Tyrone Martin St. Junior II, Milwaukee

Nicole Michelle Standback, Milwaukee

Laura D. Steele, Milwaukee

Patricia A. Stone, Milwaukee

Donald R. Stroud III, Madison

Rachel L. Stroude, Indianapolis

Reid Elliot Stubbs, Milwaukee

Alap Suresh, Brookfield

Jeffrey J. Szczewski, Milwaukee

Jonathan Joseph Thiry, Miami

Annika Thompson, Milwaukee

Andrew C. Tidwell-Neal, Milwaukee

Matthew O. Tiesling, Rhinelander

Ronald W. Tusler, Appleton

Roman Vayner, Fox Point

Michelle L. Velasquez, Milwaukee

Steven von Horn, Madison

Laura A. Wagner, Sun Prairie

Nathalia Ann Wagner, Milwaukee

Annette Wall, Wauwatosa

Tammy Linn Walloch, Milwaukee

Nicholas Allen Walls, Milwaukee

Bryan Montgomery Ward, Milwaukee

Margaret A. Waterman, Milwaukee

Gregory Weller, Mukwonago

Kristin Marie White, Madison

Kaitlyn Anne Wild, Milwaukee

Ashley Marie Wilson, Hebron, Ill.

Christina Marie Writz, Phillips

Danielle Wu, Milwaukee

Donald Scott Yogerst, Milwaukee

Debra L. Zarovy, Kenosha

Nicole M. Zey, Green Bay

Allison N. Ziegler, Waukesha

Nathan I. Zimmermann, Mequon

The U.W. Law School class of 2010 will be sworn in on June 14.

 

By Deb Heneghan, Reporter, State Bar of Wisconsin