New Hires, Promotions, Partners

Maxwell R. Krenke, Marquette 2020 with honors, and Laina P. Stuebner, U.W. 2020, have joined the Law Firm of Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry S.C., Green Bay, as associates. Krenke concentrates in corporate and business transaction law. Stuebner has specific interests in civil litigation and employment law and speaks Arabic, Spanish, and French.

Mitchell D. Kiffmeyer, Marquette 2020, has joined Rose & deJong S.C., Milwaukee, as an associate with the corporate team.

Robert M. Koch, U.W. 1979, has joined Red Oak Law LLC, New Berlin, and continues to focus on estate planning, trust and estate administration, and corporate and real estate law. He also continues to serve as a licensed investment advisory representative and vice president of Red Oak Advisors Inc.

Olivia G. McCarthy, U.W. 2020, has joined Blitch Westley Barrette S.C., with offices in Madison and Evansville, Windermere, Fla., and Oak Brook, Ill. She concentrates on representing motor carriers, brokers, and others in the transportation industry in connection with contracts, freight loss and damage claims, and administrative proceedings and general legal services located in and around Rock County.

Brian J. Pfeil, U.W. 1997, has become chair of the construction industry team at Davis|Kuelthau s.c., Milwaukee, succeeding James E. Braza, Cornell 1981, who now serves the firm as an of counsel team member. Pfeil primarily focuses on disputes involving real property, including boundary disputes, water rights, easements, partition actions and complex foreclosures, and workouts.

Katherine Bills, Minnesota 2014, and Delanie Breuer, U.W. 2011, have joined Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. Bills is a real estate attorney working from the firm’s Milwaukee and Chicago offices and focuses on auto dealership law and commercial real estate. She previously was in-house counsel for Lift Brands Inc. Breuer is a shareholder with the telecommunications and energy law practice in the Madison office and represents energy and other utility companies on regulatory, commercial, and litigation matters. Her previous positions include vice president of energy, environmental, and regulatory relations for the Wisconsin Paper Council and chief of staff for the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Cortney J. Runnels, U.W. 2020, has joined Bell, Moore & Richter S.C., Madison, as an associate and focuses in civil litigation, general liability defense, and other legal services.

Scott Salemi, Northern Illinois 1992, has joined Murphy Desmond S.C., Madison.He handles complex litigation involving substantial losses and serious injuries and represents animal rescue organizations, defending abused animals, on a pro bono basis.His previous experience includes civil litigation and service as a state prosecutor and an assistant attorney general.

Christopher Schreiber, Marquette 2003, has joined Michael Best as a partner in the litigation group in Milwaukee, focusing on the banking and financial services industry sector. He has experience in bankruptcy, foreclosure, loan workout, and commercial litigation and in representing creditors in local and national bankruptcy cases and in Chapter 128 receivership cases in Wisconsin. He also represents landlords and tenants in commercial lease disputes. Previously, he was with von Briesen & Roper s.c.

David R. Sparer, U.W. 1979, has joined Carlson Black O’Callaghan & Battenberg LLP, Madison, as attorney of counsel. He focuses on representation of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and cooperatives of all types, including housing coops, grocery coops, farmer coops, and other member-based cooperatives. He previously practiced with Herrick & Kasdorf LLP.

Mergers, Relocations, New Offices

Teddy Chadwick, Univ. of California, Hastings 2009, and Benjamin Crouse, Marquette 2009, have formed Chadwick & Crouse LLC, 3056 Delaware Ave., Milwaukee, focusing on family immigration, deportation defense, and humanitarian immigration cases.

John F. Mayer, Creighton 1989, Ryan R. Graff, Marquette 2006, and Justin F. Wallace, U.W. 2008 with honors, have launched Mayer, Graff & Wallace LLP, 1425 Memorial Dr., Manitowoc, focusing on insurance policyholder bad-faith litigation and other litigation matters. Joshua M. Greatsinger, U.W. 2016, Sean A. Bukowski, Marquette 2016, Katherine T. Mayer, Creighton 2018, and Travis L. Yang, Marquette 2019, have joined the firm as associates.

Appointments, Elections

The following attorneys have been elected by the Association of Corporate Counsel-Wisconsin as executive officers: president – Danielle White, Marquette 2011, senior legal counsel, Rockwell Automation Inc., Milwaukee; vice president – Anne F.B. Dorn, Marquette 2005, senior legal counsel, Direct Supply, Milwaukee; secretary – Michael Baird, Marquette 2005, senior staff counsel, corporate legal, Fiserv Inc., Brookfield; treasurer – Pamela Stokke-Ceci, Marquette 2013, assistant general counsel, Badger Meter Inc., Milwaukee; and past-president – Ryan C. Murphy, Marquette 2004, general counsel and vice president, Edgerton Contractors Inc., Oak Creek.

Newly elected board members are Isioma Nwabuzor, Marquette 2015, vice president and associate general counsel, Robert W. Baird, Milwaukee; and Jascha Beck Walter, Marquette 1999, regional general counsel, North America, SoftwareONE Inc., Waukesha.

Amy Bogost, Chicago-Kent 1989, has been appointed by Gov. Tony Evers to the UW System Board of Regents. Bogost operates a solo practice in Madison and focuses on ensuring justice for survivors of sexual violence, training other lawyers to help sexual assault survivors on campus, and helping high schools and colleges implement Title IX procedures.

Lafayette Crump, Duke 1998, has been appointed as commissioner of city development by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. Crump operates Crump Law Firm LLC, Milwaukee, and is chief diversity, vendor, and engagement officer with the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee for the Democratic National Convention.

Robert Sholl, Chicago 1981, has been elected secretary-treasurer of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Labor & Employment Law Section board. He is a shareholder in the labor and employment and litigation practices with Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., where he advises and defends employers in the full range of labor and employment law matters.

Lawyers appointed by Gov. Tony Evers to preside over Wisconsin circuit courts include the following: Brown County: Beau Liegeois, Valparaiso 2007, previously a Brown County assistant district attorney; Dane County: Jacob Frost, U.W. 2010, a partner at Boardman & Clark LLP, Madison, concentrating in civil litigation and family law; Christine L. Taylor, U.W. 1995, a five-term member of the Wisconsin State Assembly; and Mario White, U.W. 2008, a Dane County court commissioner and an adjunct professor at the U.W. Law School.

Also, Iron County: Tony Stella, Texas 1985, previously in private practice; Kenosha County: Larisa Benitez-Morgan, previously a public defender in Kenosha County; Milwaukee County: Kori Ashley, U.W. 2012, with Legal Action of Wisconsin; Washburn County: Angeline Winton, William Mitchell 2008, previously Washburn County district attorney; and Washington County: Sandie Giernoth, Marquette 2009, previously a deputy district attorney for Washington County.

Authors, Speakers

The following authors contributed to the Wisconsin Attorney’s Desk Reference (State Bar of Wis. 9th ed. 2020): Craig W. Albee, U.W. 1990,Federal Defender Services of Wisconsin Inc., Milwaukee; Jennifer L. Amundsen, U.W. 2003, Amundsen Law Firm LLC, Madison; Kathleen R. Avoles, William Mitchell 2007, and Kyle R. Schaffer, St. Thomas 2016, Bakke Norman S.C., New Richmond; Richard L. Binder, U.W.1973 (retired), and Kyle G. Borkenhagen, Indiana Univ.2010, Rohde Dales LLP, Sheboygan; and Daniel A. Blasiole, Theresa L. Roetter, Marquette 1993, and Charles S. Sara, George Mason 1981, DeWitt LLP, Madison.

Also, Jesse B. Blocher, Marquette 2006, Habush Habush & Rottier S.C.®, Waukesha; Bruce T. Block, Boston Univ. 1979, and Benjamin T. Kurten, U.W. 1997, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Milwaukee; Drew Cochrane, U.W. 1999, New Glarus Brewing Co., New Glarus; Kyle W. Engelke, U.W. 2013, and Meg Vergeront, U.W. 1993, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, Madison; Stephen M. Glynn, U.W. 1970, Steve Glynn Lawyer, Milwaukee; Jennifer L. Gregor, DePaul 2005, Godfrey & Kahn S.C., Madison; Shawna Guinn, Valparaiso 2001, Amanda Ramaker, U.W. 2010, and John C. Talis, U.W. 1991, Dane County Corporation Counsel, Madison; and Michael S. Heffernan, U.W. 1991, Foley & Lardner LLP, Madison (retired).

Also, Margaret Wrenn Hickey, U.W. 1986, and Heather B. Poster, Marquette 2002, Becker, Hickey & Poster S.C., Milwaukee; Christopher J. Hussin, Denver 1997, Boardman & Clark LLP, Madison; Eric W. Lengell, Marquette 2007, and Gary S. Stanislawski, Marquette 1997, Zilske Law Firm S.C., Brookfield; Jack Longert, Illinois 1978, Longert Law Office, Madison; Sally Mohr Lunde, U.W. 1992, Law Offices of David J. Carlson S.C., Waukesha; and Steven W. Martin, U.W. 1973, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Waukesha (retired).

Also, Avery J. Mayne, Marquette 2015, Walny Legal Group LLC, Milwaukee; Mary Ann McCarthy, Marquette 1982, Mary A. McCarthy Attorney at Law, Milwaukee; Joseph T. Miotke, Marquette 1999, DeWitt LLP, Brookfield; Robert J. Misey, Harvard 1952, Robert J. Misey Attorney at Law, Milwaukee (retired); Robert J. Misey Jr.,Vanderbilt 1987, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Milwaukee; and Teresa A. Mueller, U.W. 1992, Brand Industrial Services LLC, Waukesha.

Also, Brittany S. Ogden, Syracuse Univ. 1999, Quarles & Brady LLP, Madison; Eve Dennison Pollock, U.W. 1999, W.R. Stewart & Associates S.C., Madison; Roy L. Prange Jr., U.W. 1975, Quarles & Brady LLP, Madison (retired); Amanda R. Rabe, Marquette 2012, Wisconsin Judicare Inc., Wausau; Eliza M. Reyes, John Marshall 1997, Steinhilber Swanson LLP, Madison; Shelley J. Safer, U.W. 1978, Lathrop & Clark LLP (retired); Timothy G. Schally, U.W. 1985, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Milwaukee; and Madeline Schlederer, Indiana Univ. Bloomington 2017, Godfrey & Kahn S.C., Milwaukee.

Also, Tracey L. Schwalbe, U.W. 1988, Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission, Madison; Megan L. Sprecher, St. Thomas 2007, End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, Madison; Lawrence Alan Towers,Univ. of California, Hastings 1981, Towers Law Firm, Milwaukee; Heidi Acker Yelk,Wisconsin State Law Library, Madison; and Peter M. Young, Marquette 2009, Habush Habush & Rottier S.C.®, Wausau.

Awards, Degrees, Honors

Kori Ashley, U.W. 2012, received the 2020 Milwaukee Times Black Excellence Award in the area of law. Black Excellence is a scholarship fundraiser to honor area youth who are on target as academic achievers. The occasion recognizes the outstanding achievements and contributions local African Americans have made to the fabric of society. Ashley is with Legal Action of Wisconsin and will become a circuit court judge in September.

In Memoriam

William A. Bolgrien, U.W. 1960, Beloit, April 15, 1932 – March 4, 2020.

Frank J. Crisafi, U.W. 1970, Stoughton, April 28, 1945 – June 8, 2020.

Thomas J. Fink, Marquette 1963, Menasha, Oct. 13, 1935 – May 5, 2020.

Randall Lee Gast, Univ. of California, Hastings 1991, Green Bay, Oct. 9, 1963 – May 26, 2020.

Donald A. Himpel, Univ. of West Los Angeles 2000, Madison, March 9, 1962 – July 1, 2019.

Eugene N. Johnson, U.W. 1954, Waukesha, Nov. 29, 1927 – March 11, 2020.

Thomas Rumsey Jones, U.W. 1959, Bowie, Maryland, June 8, 1932 – Dec. 2, 2019.

Nancy L. Schneiders Krejci, Marquette 1981, Wauwatosa, Aug. 23, 1956 – June 5, 2020.

Carl B. Noelke Jr., U.W. 1964, San Francisco, May 22, 1937 – April 8, 2020.

Edward P. Rudolph, U.W. 1951, Fountain Hills, Ariz., March 10, 1925 – Aug. 26, 2019.

Richard A. Sachs Jr., Marquette 1976, Fox Point, Feb. 4, 1950 – Jan. 16, 2020.

Jonathan S. Safran, Indiana Univ.-Bloomington 1983, Milwaukee, Nov. 13, 1957 – May 18, 2020.

Steven P. Sager, Colorado 1968, Fond du Lac, Nov. 20, 1943 – May 19, 2020.

Randall M. Skiles, U.W. 1980, Monona, March 13, 1952 – May 28, 2020.

Joseph W. Skupniewitz, U.W. 1966, Dodgeville, Nov. 22, 1941 – May 13, 2020.

Daniel W. Shimek, U.W. 1965, Roswell, Ga., May 24, 1937 – Nov. 5, 2019.

Bella Sobah, U.W. 2020, Madison, Aug. 9, 1994 – June 18, 2020.

Royal C. Taxman, U.W. 1953, Mequon, Sept. 17, 1929 – Oct. 17, 2019.

Walter D. Thurow, U.W. 1953, Madison, Aug. 10, 1929 – May 4, 2020.

Robert J. Wells Jr., U.W. 1976, Sheboygan, Nov. 10, 1949 – Feb. 21, 2020.

How to Place your Announcement

If you have moved, become a partner or an associate, or received a promotion or an award, let us know. Talks, speeches (unless they are of national stature), honors from other publications, and political announcements are not accepted. Notices about State Bar members in good standing are printed as space is available, and at no cost, must be submitted in writing, and may be edited. Questions: (608) 250-6139.

Photo placement: Submit a professional-quality photo. If the photo is used, the State Bar will issue an invoice ($30 each). Group photos are not accepted. High-resolution electronic photos are preferred.

Deadline: The first of the month preceding publication. For example, to place an announcement in the May issue, it must be received before April 1. Email to: MembersOnly@wisbar.org. Include your State Bar membership number.