In the News

New Hires, Promotions, Partners

Christina L. Bass, John Marshall 1998, has joined Schober Schober & Mitchell S.C., New Berlin, as an associate emphasizing corporate law and business transactions.

Katherine Charlton, Vermont 1983, has been made a shareholder in Perry, Shapiro, Quindel, Saks Charlton & Lerner S.C., Milwaukee, continuing in employment (representing employees), family, and fair housing law. Charlton was formerly a partner at Shneidman Myers.

Todd K. Gravelle, U.W. 2000, has joined the legal department of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Gravelle will focus on commercial, employment, and matters related to the tribe's commercial development.

J. Kenyatta Riley, Marquette 1996, and Timothy P. Dewane, Marquette 2000, have joined Green Law Offices Ltd., Milwaukee. Riley is a senior associate focusing on bankruptcy, personal injury, and real estate; Dewane is an associate focusing on bankruptcy, landlord tenant law, and litigation.

James Kleinfeldt, U.W. 1994, has joined Boldt Consulting Services, Milwaukee, as a principal. Boldt Consulting is a newly formed division of The Boldt Company, focusing on real estate consulting and development.

Charles L. Leeck, U.W. 2000, has joined Godfrey & Kahn S.C., Milwaukee, on the intellectual property team. He previously was an associate at Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall LLP.

Philip P. Mann, Washington 1983, has joined Christensen O'Connor Johnson Kindness PLLC, Seattle, an intellectual property firm. Mann joined the firm as of counsel in 1998, practicing patent litigation, and will continue practicing in patent, trademark, copyright, and unfair competition litigation.

McConnell

Andrew S. McConnell, U.W. 1985, has joined Boyle, Fredrickson, Newholm, Stein & Gratz S.C., Milwaukee, as a shareholder. The firm practices intellectual property law including the preparation and prosecution of domestic and foreign patent and trademark applications, copyright, trade dress, trade secret, and unfair competition, and related licensing and litigation. McConnell formerly was a partner with Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall LLP.

Richard M. "Rick" McDermott, Marquette 1994, has been named partner at Alston & Bird LLP, Charlotte, N.C., continuing in intellectual property law focusing in intellectual property litigation and the preparation and prosecution of patents in the electrical and electromechanical arts. McDermott serves on the firm's hiring committee.

Free speech article wins writing award Furlow Jon Furlow is the 2000 recipient of the Hon. Charles Dunn Author Award, presented annually by the State Bar Communications Committee. His article, "The Price of Free Speech: Regents v. Southworth," appeared in the June 2000 issue of Wisconsin Lawyer magazine. "Furlow's article clearly and thoughtfully explains the nuances of the first amendment arguments that came before the court, the legal and political background of the issues, and the reasoning of the Supreme Court in its decision," according to Rob Petershack of the Dunn Award Committee. "It exemplifies the writing excellence that is the hallmark of Dunn Award-winning articles." The award, named after Wisconsin's first chief justice, recognizes writing excellence in Wisconsin Lawyer articles.

Michael W. Morris, Marquette 1989, joined Neider & Boucher, Madison, practicing in real estate, securities, tax, employment, intellectual property, contracts, and Indian law; and business financing, commercial transactions, and legislative matters. He previously was with the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.

Gregory L. Peters, Marquette 1993, has been made an equity shareholder in Seaton, Beck & Peters P.A., Minneapolis. The firm represents employers in labor and employment matters.

Ruth A. Pivar, Marquette 1991 cum laude, has been elected partner of Piper Marbury Rudnick & Wolfe, Chicago, in the private client services practice group, focusing on estate planning, tax, and probate.

Christopher L. Rexroat, U.W. 1993, has joined Ungaretti & Harris as an associate in the bankruptcy and workout department. Rexroat previously was an associate at Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C., Milwaukee.

David Rose, Marquette 1998, and Charissa Ruel, Marquette 1999, have joined the Social Security Administration's Region IV Office of the General Counsel in Atlanta, Ga., as assistant regional counsels. Rose previously was an advocate for the Georgia Public Interest Research Group, Atlanta. Ruel previously was a judicial clerk to judges Bryant Culpepper and Martha C. Christian in Macon, Ga.

Steven F. Stanaszak, Marquette 1996 cum laude, has joined Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C., Milwaukee, practicing in civil litigation, environmental law, and employment law. Stanaszak previously was associated with Schmidt, Darling & Erwin.

Arthur J. Vlasak, U.W. 1952, has joined Sharp Packaging Systems Inc., Sussex, as general counsel. He remains of counsel to Vlasak & Britton S.C., Milwaukee.

Christine A. Gimber, Hamline 1992, and Victoria L. Seltun, William Mitchell 1992, have become shareholders of Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci S.C., Eau Claire.

Wilson

Meredith L. Wilson, Indiana 1996, has joined von Briesen, Purtell & Roper S.C., Madison, as an associate in the health law practice group.

John A. Kisiel, John Marshall 1991, and Joseph R. Thomas, Marquette 1975, have joined the Wisconsin Department of Commerce Office of the Secretary as assistant legal counsel, advising and representing the department's Petro-leum Environmental Cleanup Fund Act program, with additional responsibilities assisting other department programs.

Nolan H. Zadra, U.W. 1977, assistant general counsel of Firstar Corporation, Milwaukee, will head up the commercial law section of US Bancorp, Minneapolis. He will remain in Milwaukee, with attorneys and paralegals reporting to him in Minneapolis and Portland, Ore.

Pro Bono, Public Service

Teresa Basiliere, Hamline 1990, was featured in the Oshkosh Northwestern for her work as a guardian ad litem. She is an advocate for children and has authored a play based on "The Big Bad Wolf," which she performs with her law partner at area schools. She is with Basiliere, Goldin & Thompson LLP, Oshkosh.

Mary Ann Schacht, U.W. 1964, was featured in the Beaver Dam Daily Citizen for her role in coordinating the Dodge County Pro Bono Program, which provides elderly people limited legal counseling.

Mergers, Relocations, New Associations

Laurie A. Eggert, U.W. 1976, and Johnathan Cermele, Dayton 1992, have formed Eggert & Cermele S.C., at 1840 N. Farwell Ave., Ste. 303, Milwaukee.

Richard E. Nell, Marquette 1988, and Jon Anderson, Marquette 1994 cum laude, LL.M.-Taxation N.Y.U. 1998, have formed Nell & Anderson LLP, De Pere, servicing northeastern Wisconsin and the U.P. in health, tax, corporate, and real estate law, estate planning, and commercial and civil litigation. Tricia A. Nell, Michigan State 2000, has joined the firm as an associate licensed to practice in both Wisconsin and Michigan.

Roth & Binn, Brookfield, and Hall, Charne, Burce & Olson S.C., Milwaukee, have affiliated professionally to share resources for client services on a collaborative basis, while maintaining separate business and law firm identities.

Charles F. Stierman, U.W. 1978, Ronald W. Steffens, U.W. 1978, and Gary R. Kuphall, U.W. 1976, have formed Stierman, Steffens & Kuphall S.C., N14 W23777 Stone Ridge Dr., Ste. 280, Waukesha.

Appointments, Elections

Dodge County Bar Association has elected the following officers: president - Karl A. Green, Columbus; president-elect - Karla A. Chase, Mayville; and secretary/treasurer - James H. Olson, Beaver Dam.

Margaret Dee McGarity, U.W. 1974, has been appointed to another 14- year term as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Wisconsin when her current term expires in October. McGarity was sworn in as bankruptcy judge in 1987 and previously was in private practice.

Richland County Bar Association has elected these officers: president - Jennifer M. Alleman; and treasurer - Robert J. Mueller, both of Richland Center.

Thomas M. Boykoff, Michigan 1967, has been reappointed to the Tax Appeals Commission by Gov. McCallum for a six-year term.

St. Croix Valley Bar Association has elected the following officers: president - R. Michael Waterman, Hudson; president-elect - Sheila JB Paul, Hudson; secretary - Kenneth C. Pletcher, River Falls; and treasurer - Rose M. Allen, Hudson.

Washington County Bar Association has elected these officers: president - Jerome M. Becker, Hubertus; president-elect - Timothy J. Algiers, West Bend; secretary - Christine E. Ohlis, West Bend; and treasurer - Maureen Murray Meyer, West Bend.

Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association has elected the following officers: president - Ernesto Romero; president-elect - Francisco Araiza; secretary - Jennifer A. Ortiz; and treasurer - David A. Westrup; all of Milwaukee.

Weldon V. Zufelt, Utah 1966, has been appointed to the board of directors of ACUITY, formerly Heritage Insurance, Sheboygan. He formerly was in private practice in Sheboygan and has served as general counsel for both Kohler and the Vollrath Companies.

Awards, Degrees, Honors

Timothy D. Fenner, U.W. 1972, received the High Achiever Award presented by the Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin. He was recognized for two decades of service as general counsel to the Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin and for his dedication to advancing the professional goals of the organization. Fenner is a partner in Axley Brynelson LLP, Madison.

Hon. Warren A. Grady, U.W. 1950, was inducted into the Port Washington High School Wall of Fame program at an all-school assembly. The program began in 1994 to honor outstanding graduates of Port Washington High School.
Grady graduated from the school in 1942, then went on to college and law school, and served as the Port Washing-ton City Attorney. He was a Judge for 32 years, and retired from the bench in 1994.

Martin J. Greenberg, Marquette 1971, was presented the Joseph E. O'Neal Award by Marquette University's National Sports Law Institute for making a significant contribution to the field of sports while exemplifying the highest ethical standards.
Greenberg founded the National Sports Law Institute in 1989 and currently serves as chair of the board of directors. He recently has completed the second edition of The Stadium Game, a 700-page book on the sports facility industry.

Stephen Lesavich, Ph.D., U.W. 1995, has been recognized by Harcourt Legal & Professional Publications, Chicago, for his contributions to the book What Law School Doesn't Teach You ... But You Really Need to Know. Lesavich is a partner with McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff, Chicago, focusing in intellectual property including patents, trademark, copyrights, and litigation related to software and the Internet.

Dianne Post, U.W. 1979, was selected as a participant in the Kennan Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, workshop series and book on the role of women in post-communist transition.

Lawrence Zieger, Marquette 1979, has achieved board certification as a civil trial advocate through the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Zieger is with Zieger Law Offices, Milwaukee.

Timothy J. Ziolkowski, Marquette 1993, has electronically filed nearly twice as many patent applications as any other registered practitioner in the country. Ziolkowski is a shareholder with Cook & Franke S.C., Milwaukee.

Authors, Speakers

Judge Louis Butler, U.W. 1977, recently taught Special Court Jurisdiction: Advanced at the National Judicial College. His topics included criminal procedure and judicial activism. Butler is presiding judge of Milwaukee's Municipal Court.

In Memoriam

Irvin J. Friedland, Marquette 1960, East Lansing, Mich. June 1, 1935 - April 4, 2001.

Victor A. Mussallem, U.W. 1968, Madison, June 20, 1943 - Dec. 18, 1999.

Larry Knauff, husband of Anne Knauff, Marquette 1983, and founder of the Larry Knauff Award at Marquette University Law School, died April 17, 2001 in Nashville, Tenn., of cancer.

Wisconsin Lawyer