New Hires, Promotions, Partners

Matthew Fernholz, Marquette 2010, and Mark Jeranek, U.W. 2012, have been promoted to partners at Cramer, Multhauf & Hammes LLP, Waukesha. Fernholz centers his practice on commercial litigation, trust and fiduciary disputes, business torts, trade secrets, noncompete agreements, construction litigation, defamation, and appellate work. Jeranek concentrates in criminal law, family law, and general commercial civil litigation. He previously managed a law firm in West Bend.

Ashley McNulty, Notre Dame 2018 cum laude, has joined the firm as an associate with the litigation department and assists with employment law matters. She recently completed a clerkship with Judge J.P. Stadtmueller of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Seven attorneys have joined Dykema, all with the firm’s new capital markets team at 111 E. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee, the firm’s first office in Wisconsin. The incoming team joins from Husch Blackwell.

Kate Bechen, Iowa 2006 with distinction, the office managing member, is a corporate transactional attorney with a strong focus on healthcare mergers and acquisitions (M&A), public company transactions, and regulatory compliance matters. Julie D’Angelo, U.W. 1998 cum laude, is a securities attorney who focuses her practice on public company M&A transactions, public and private securities offerings, and investment company transactions.

Andrew Frost, Marquette 2010, helps companies navigate through all stages of corporate growth, from securities and corporate governance matters to M&A, joint ventures, reorganizations, and other transactions. He also assists clients on labor and employment matters. Steven Laabs, Marquette 2008 cum laude, advises on complex commercial transactions, including corporate M&A, commercial finance, and real estate transactions.

Robin Lehninger, Minnesota 2015 magna cum laude, is an M&A and healthcare regulatory attorney and focuses on state licensing matters, healthcare fraud, and data privacy. She also handles healthcare M&A and joint ventures.

Eric Lenzen, Washington Univ. 2005, focuses on M&A transactions and financing transactions. He also handles domestic and cross-border transactions, leveraged recapitalizations, public and private offerings of debt and equity capital, fund structuring, portfolio investments, and business succession planning. Jessica Zeratsky, Marquette 2003, is a commercial finance attorney representing lenders and borrowers. She manages all phases of commercial finance transactions from loan origination to restructurings, reorganizations, and workouts.

Six attorneys have been promoted to partner with Foley & Lardner LLP.

Madison office: Jennifer J. Hennessy, Iowa 2011,advises clients, ranging from multinational corporations to startups, on all aspects of compliance with data privacy and security laws. Her work focuses on health care privacy and security. Joseph M. Higgins, U.W. 2012, is a member of the estates and trusts practice and focuses his practice on estate planning and administration, representing owners of closely held businesses, private equity fund principals, and other ultra-high net worth individuals and their families in connection with tax-efficient wealth transfers, charitable giving, and business succession planning.

Milwaukee office: Christopher M. King, Marquette 2009,is a member of the firm’s Mechanical & Electromechanical Technologies Practice and the Energy, Food & Beverage, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain Solutions Industry teams. He focuses on patent counseling, intellectual property (IP)-focused commercial agreements, and IP transaction counseling. Joshua P. Roling, Duke 2012,is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group and the Energy and Sports Industry teams. He focuses on all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions and sales, development, leasing, new-market tax-credit financing, tax-increment financing, private placements, and zoning.

Louis E. Wahl IV, Minnesota 2012,is a member of the firm’s Finance & Financial Institutions Practice. He represents corporate borrowers in domestic and international finance transactions, including syndicated and bilateral financings, secured and unsecured financings, second-lien financings, asset-based facilities, working-capital facilities, and recapitalizations and represents issuers in public and private offerings of debt securities. Nicholas J. Zepnick, Marquette 2012,is an IP lawyer and collaborates with clients to harvest new ideas, reduce risk in connection with product launch efforts, and negotiate technology-related agreements. He supports a range of clients, including many in the vocational vehicle, outdoor products, and pharmaceutical products spaces.

Jeanne Armstrong, U.W. 1993 cum laude, Dale Gregory, U.W. 1986, and Jennifer Schank, U.W. 2010, have become shareholders at Fuhrman & Dodge S.C., Middleton.

Lauren Maddente, Marquette 2016 cum laude, has been elected a shareholder of Fox, O’Neill & Shannon SC, Milwaukee, and continues to focus on business law and litigation.

Nicholas G. Chmurski, Marquette 2014, and Britany E. Morrison, Marquette 2014, have been elected shareholders of O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong & Laing S.C., Milwaukee. Chmurski, a member of the Business Law and Real Estate & Construction practice areas, focuses on helping businesses and developers acquire, sell, and lease real estate and works closely with issues related to creditors’ rights, including business receiverships and bankruptcies. Morrison advises clients on private wealth, employee benefit, real estate, tax-exempt, and controversy tax matters.

Benjamin Rydecki, Marquette 2021, has joined O’Leary-Guth Law Office S.C., Mequon. He is an associate with the tax department.

Samuel J. Spurney, Valparaiso 2014, has been named a partner in Steimle Birschbach LLC, Manitowoc, and continues to focus on business and real estate matters.

Ailani Taylor, U.W. 2018, has joined Renning, Lewis & Lacy s.c., and works in the Madison office. She represents public- and private-sector clients in school and higher education law and labor and employment law. Taylor previously worked for Wisconsin Judicare, the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, and the Eau Claire County Public Defender’s Office.

Karen Tidwall, Creighton 1993 cum laude, has joined the Milwaukee County Office of Corporation Counsel as deputy corporation counsel. She previously was a litigation partner with Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. and its successor firm, Husch Blackwell LLP.

Three attorneys have joined von Briesen & Roper s.c. Samantha J. Emro, Mitchell Hamline 2021 cum laude, is an associate in the Neenah office and focuses on mergers and acquisitions and real estate and corporate matters. Sarah L. Laughlin, Nebraska 2018 with distinction, is an associate in the Milwaukee office and focuses on structuring and documenting commercial finance transactions, loan workouts, and restructurings. Laughlin previously was an attorney advisor for the Small Business Administration.

Anthony S. Wachewicz III, William Mitchell 2001, is a shareholder practicing in the Neenah and Green Bay offices and focuses on government law matters, including for municipalities and schools, as well as labor, employment, and health-law matters.

Mergers, Relocations, New Offices

Attolles Law s.c., which serves Wisconsin counties, school districts, public entities and businesses, has opened at 700 W. Virginia St, #307, Milwaukee. Andrew T. Phillips, Marquette 1995, is president and CEO. The firm is outside general counsel to the Wisconsin Counties Association. Other attorneys at Attolles Law are Jake Curtis, U.W. 2008; Chrissy Hamiel, South Dakota 2007; Kylie Owens, Marquette 2020; and Matthew Thome, Michigan 2008.

Appointments, Elections

Hon. Mark Gundrum, U.W. 1995, a judge on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and also a Lieutenant Colonel judge advocate in the Army Reserve, has been selected to serve as chief international law officer for the governance section of the 352nd Civil Affairs Battalion, based in Fort Meade, Maryland.

Richard T. Orton, U.W. 2012, has been elected managing partner of Gass Turek LLC (formerly Gass Weber Mullins LLC), a trial boutique firm in Milwaukee. His practice focuses on products liability, general liability, professional liability, and commercial, construction and insurance litigation and appeals.

Authors, Speakers

Leonard W. Wang,U.W. 1978, has written Corporate Governance of the Financial Reporting Process and SEC Regulation of ESG Disclosures (Bloomberg Tax and Accounting Portfolio 5506-3rd).

Congratulations to Recent Certified Paralegals

Through a State Bar program, paralegals in Wisconsin are eligible to be certified – a credential that demonstrates a paralegal’s dedication to professional development and excellence. The State Bar of Wisconsin Certified Paralegal^™ program is a self-funded, voluntary program for all paralegals in Wisconsin who meet the program’s criteria. For information about the program, visit wisbar.org/paralegal.

The following individuals were newly certified as of Feb. 10, 2022. For a full list of Certified Paralegals, visit wisbar.org/Paralegal.

Caleb D. Boecker, Esker Inc., Middleton.

Alison Herrmann, Everson, Whitney, Everson & Brehm SC, Green Bay.

Karl J. Kuderer, Crivello Carlson SC, Milwaukee.

Tami S. Mikolanz, Hooper Law Office, Appleton.

Ann K. Olson and Linda Sabel, Fond du Lac County Corporation Counsel, Fond du Lac.

Mariah K. Vanasse, Nelson Defense Group LLC, Hudson.

In Memoriam

Kenneth J. Andraski, U.W. 1974, Wausau, March 4, 1949 – Jan. 12, 2022.

Richard J. Barta, U.W. 1984, Racine, March 22, 1955 – Dec. 4, 2020.

Thomas J. Gardner, Marquette 1948, Shorewood, Oct. 23, 1921 – Nov. 8, 2021.

Christine A. Gimber, Hamline 1992, Eau Claire, Aug. 9, 1965 – Dec. 31, 2021.

David P. Jenkins, Yale 1974, Middleton, Feb. 3, 1949 – Jan. 9, 2022.

Daniel J. La Fave, Northwestern 1992, Franksville, Sept. 17, 1963 – Jan. 7, 2022.

Jon E. Maki, U.W. 1998, San Diego, June 14, 1970 – July 1, 2021.

Robert J. Misey, Harvard 1952, Milwaukee, April 5, 1924 – Jan. 26, 2022.

Alvin R. Ugent, U.W. 1954, Bayside, Feb. 16, 1929 – Jan. 31, 2022.

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! Email announcements to: MembersOnly@wisbar.org. Notices about State Bar members in good standing are printed as space is available, and subject to editing. Writing guidelines are available here. Questions? Email us or call (608) 250-6139.

Photo placement: Submit a professional-quality photo. If the photo is used, the State Bar will issue an invoice ($35 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.

Ineligible announcements: Talks, speeches (unless they are of national stature), honors from other publications, and political announcements are not accepted.