New Hires, Promotions, Partners

William A. Brookley, Marquette 2021, has been named a partner with Cross Jenks Mercer & Maffei LLP, Baraboo and Reedsburg. He concentrates in insurance defense, personal injury, real estate litigation, and civil litigation, representing and advising clients in Sauk, Columbia, Adams, Juneau, Dane, La Crosse, Eau Claire, Vernon, and surrounding counties.

Jeffrey A. Cormell, William Mitchell 2015, has joined Weld Riley S.C. and practices in the civil litigation, municipal, and business and corporate law sections in Wausau and Eau Claire. Cormell has experience as a civil litigator, a criminal and civil defense attorney, and general counsel for the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, representing municipalities, businesses, tribal nations, and individuals. He proudly served in the U.S. Army as an infantry soldier from 1996 to 1999.

Three attorneys have joined Cramer Multhauf LLP, Waukesha. Charlie P. Hoffmann, Marquette 2022, is an associate and concentrates on civil and commercial litigation with a focus on appellate work. Previously, he had a clerkship with Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Grassl Bradley. Joshua Konopacki, Marquette 2024, is an associate and focuses on estate planning and civil litigation as well as a variety of general practice matters. Lauren M. Phillips, Marquette 2024, is a transactional associate and concentrates on business and real estate matters.

Maryam Ghayyad, U.W. 2012, has joined DeWitt LLP in its Madison office as a partner. Her practice focuses on immigration and family law.

Elizabeth Haas, Michigan 2005, has been named senior vice president and general counsel for the Milwaukee Brewers, with oversight of the Milwaukee Brewers, the Carolina Mudcats, and the club’s operations in Milwaukee, Arizona, and the Dominican Republic. Haas previously was with Foley & Lardner LLP, where she was a partner and the national chair of the firm’s antitrust and competition practice group. Haas’s experience includes investigations, regulatory compliance, complex litigation, and day-to-day business counseling in manufacturing, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, automotive, sports, health care, and technology.

Eight Wisconsin-based attorneys have been elected partners of Quarles & Brady LLP.

Madison office: Zachary Eastburn, U.W. 2015, is with the litigation and dispute resolution practice group and represents large businesses and corporations that supply products to customers through franchises, dealerships and distribution channels. Bryce Loken, U.W. 2016, is with the intellectual property practice group and handles patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret litigation and counseling matters.

Milwaukee office: Sarah Erdmann, Marquette 2015, is a health and life sciences attorney and guides clients on a variety of data privacy and security compliance matters. Christopher “Chal” Little, Marquette 2016, is with the business law practice group and represents business entities and their owners, including private equity funds and their portfolio companies and other privately held businesses and individuals.

Damon McCormick, Kentucky 2014, a real estate attorney, advises on a wide range of real estate matters, including complex commercial leases, acquisitions and dispositions, sale-leaseback transactions, mergers and acquisitions transactions, renewable energy projects, and partnership and joint venture agreements. Joe Poehlmann, Marquette 2016, is with the litigation and dispute resolution practice group and represents clients in state and federal courts throughout the U.S. in complex commercial litigation.

Tyler Roth, Georgetown 2016, is with the labor and employment practice group and advises employers on a broad range of labor and employment issues. Bailey Walden, U.W. 2016, is with the health and life sciences practice group and handles health care transactions and regulatory and compliance matters.

Four attorneys have joined Stafford Rosenbaum LLP in the Madison office.

Stephen C. Goettsche, U.W. 2024 magna cum laude, is a litigator with a special emphasis on municipal law and election and political law. Ian S. Lane, Marquette 2024, practices government and business law with a special emphasis on real estate, land use, and construction matters.

Kieran M. O’Day, Marquette 2020 cum laude, practices government law and litigation, focusing on municipal representation, election and political law, and business litigation and transactions. Zoe A. Pawlisch, U.W. 2022, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, practices litigation and appeals with a focus on election and political law and commercial matters.

Six attorneys have joined von Briesen & Roper s.c.

Eau Claire office: Cindy L. Hangartner, U.W. 1995, is counsel with the trusts and estates section and focuses on estate planning, business and agricultural succession plans, and advising for-profit and nonprofit businesses, including cooperatives and religious organizations.

Madison office: Sarah J. Barnes, Marquette 2013, is an associate in the trusts and estates section and a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor. Her practice focuses on estate planning, probate, and trust administration matters.

Milwaukee office: Hanna R. Kolberg, U.W. 2010, is a shareholder in the government law group and the real estate section, focusing her government law practice on advising municipalities and counties on governance, administrative proceedings, public records, open meetings, public policy, litigation, Police and Fire Commission hearings and collective bargaining and her real estate practice on property tax assessment litigation and eminent domain matters. Avery J. Mayne, Marquette 2015, is a shareholder in the trusts and estates section and focuses on elder- and special-needs law matters, including advising clients on asset protection from long-term-care costs; eligibility and appeals for public benefits; and adult guardianship and protective-action litigation. She is certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation.

Aleksandar Prpa, Marquette 2024 cum laude, is an associate in the litigation and risk management practice group and focuses on litigation matters, including general litigation, insurance coverage, toxic tort, real estate, and municipal prosecutions. Derik P. Rush, Marquette 2024 cum laude, is an associate in the litigation and risk management practice group and focuses on commercial, business, construction, real estate, and water and riparian rights issues.

Mergers, Relocations, New Offices

Michael Best has formed a strategic combination with Enterprise Legal Studio, a Lincoln, Nebraska-based corporate and securities law practice. The arrangement represents Michael Best’s latest opportunity to add venture practitioners and establish its 19th office, with the Lincoln location serving as the firm’s formal entrance into the Great Plains market. Six attorneys and two professionals from Enterprise Legal Studio have joined Michael Best.

Appointments, Elections

Andrew Burdick, U.W. 2018, has been appointed Crawford County district attorney by Governor Tony Evers. Previously, Burdick was an assistant district attorney in the La Crosse County District Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted sensitive crimes, including sexual assault and domestic violence and was the district attorney’s office representative for the La Crosse County Veterans Court. Before that, Burdick was a criminal defense lawyer in southwestern Wisconsin, including three years as an assistant state public defender in the Lancaster office.

Nicholas Bykowsky, Oklahoma City Univ. 1977, with Napier & Rollin PLLC, Vero Beach, Florida, has been appointed as legal counsel for the Indian River County value adjustment board, which hears appeals regarding property value assessments, denied exemptions or classifications, ad valorem tax deferrals, homestead portability decisions, and change in ownership or control. Bykowsky is a senior associate attorney with a civil practice primarily dealing with corporate law, business litigation, state and local taxation, and family law.

John Murphy, Chicago 2001 cum laude, has been inducted as president of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys (ACMA). This honor recognizes Murphy’s exceptional contributions to the field of mortgage law and his unwavering dedication to the ACMA. Murphy is a shareholder and member of the real estate practice with Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Waukesha, and has extensive transactional experience in acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, real estate finance, and sale and leasebacks. His work includes negotiating and drafting complex documentation, supervising due diligence and working through easement and property tax issues in real estate transactions, for clients including lenders, borrowers, developers, buyers, sellers, tenants, landlords, and joint ventures.

Governor Tony Evers recently appointed several attorneys to fill vacancies on Wisconsin circuit courts, including the following: Hon. Lukas Steiner, Marquette 2010, Crawford County Circuit Court; Hon. Payal Khandhar, U.W. 2009, Dane County Circuit Court; Hon. Douglas Hoffer, Marquette 2010, Eau Claire County Circuit Court; Hon. Jane Bucher, U.W. 2010, Green County Circuit Court; Hon. Theresa Beck, Marquette 2000, Jefferson County Circuit Court; Hon. Jenna Gill, William Mitchell 2011, Lafayette County Circuit Court; Hon. Peggy Miller, Marquette 2000, Marinette County Circuit Court; Hon. Adam Gerol, Drake 1988, Ozaukee County Circuit Court; and Hon. Bridget Shoenborn, U.W. 2004, Waukesha County Circuit Court.

Authors, Speakers

Matthew W. Giesfeldt, U.W. 2012, authored the recently revised Termination of Parental Rights and Adoption (State Bar of Wis. 4th ed. 2024). Giesfeldt is with Federal Defender Services of Wisconsin Inc., Madison.

Carly B. Hetland, Marquette 2021, was a panelist at the American Immigration Lawyers Association Fall Conference, in Dallas, Texas, for a program titled “Initial Consultation Issues: ‘Know When to Hold ‘Em, Know When to Fold ‘Em’.” Hetland is with Grzeca Law Group SC, Milwaukee.

Dale E. Hughes, U.W. 1987, has lectured for the fourth time in Shanghai, China, for Concordia University on the topic of legal aspects of business. In July 2023, Hughes consulted with the U.S. Ambassador in Madagascar, on behalf of Global Health Ministries on the issue of rural water supply projects. He retired from the practice of law in September 2023.

Hon. Alan J. White, Nebraska 1982, is teaching a course at Columbia Correctional Institution titled “Value of War.” The course uses All Quiet on the Western Front as a text. Judge White taught at the high school level before attending law school. He currently serves as a reserve judge. He was twice elected to the Columbia County Circuit Court after being appointed by Governor James Doyle in 2006.

Awards, Degrees, Honors

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. has received Mansfield Rule Certification for 2023-24, an accomplishment that testifies to the firm’s ongoing commitment to cultivating a diverse leadership team, attracting and retaining top talent from underrepresented groups, and ensuring the equitable allocation of new business opportunities. The Mansfield Rule Certification, administered by Diversity Lab, is an international initiative to eliminate the gender and diversity gap in the legal profession. The benchmark qualification for certification requires, among other commitments, that more than 30% of the attorneys considered for roles and opportunities are women attorneys, attorneys from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, attorneys with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ attorneys.

The Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund honored Milwaukee attorney Katherine Charlton, Vermont 1983, with the 2024 Howard B. Eisenberg Lifetime Achievement Award. The Eisenberg Award honors people who have devoted considerable time, talents, or resources to the provision or advancement of pro bono civil legal aid in Wisconsin. Charlton was an attorney and shareholder at Hawks Quindel S.C. before her retirement in 2022. She has an extensive record of pro bono service during her legal career and has volunteered at the Milwaukee Justice Center since its inception in 2009. She also serves on the Milwaukee Justice Center’s Advisory Board and was the first family law volunteer with experimental remote legal clinics in the summer of 2020.

Pro Bono, Public Service

Laura Brenner, University of California San Francisco 1991 magna cum laude, has joined the U.W.-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s board of visitors. Brenner is a shareholder in the litigation practice and chair of the commercial and competition law group at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Milwaukee. Her practice spans many types of business litigation, including antitrust and competition law, dealership and franchise law, e-commerce, supply chain matters, advertising, pricing, unfair trade practice law, and other complex commercial matters.

Max Stephenson, Marquette 2013, has joined the board of the Waukesha County Chapter of Blessings in a Backpack. The mission of Blessings in a Backpack includes mobilizing communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for school-aged children across America who might otherwise go hungry. Stephenson is a partner with Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP, a Milwaukee-based trial and litigation firm.

Retirements

Judges recently retired from Wisconsin state courts include the following: Hon. Kendall Kelley, Marquette 1987, Brown County Circuit Court; Hon. Lynn M. Rider, U.W. 1985, Crawford County Circuit Court; Hon. Josann Reynolds, U.W. 1981, Dane County Circuit Court; Hon. D. Todd Ehlers, Marquette 1982, Door County Circuit Court; Hon. Michael Schumacher, Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln 1981, Eau Claire County Circuit Court; Hon. Thomas Vale, Drake 1981, Green County Circuit Court; Hon. William F. Hue, U.W. 1984, Jefferson County Circuit Court; Hon. Jane Sequin, Marquette 1988, Marinette County Circuit Court; Hon. Ellen Brostrom, Univ. of California, Los Angeles 1995, and Hon. Marshall Murray, New England School of Law 1986, Milwaukee County Circuit Court.

Also, Hon. Michael Bloom, U.W. 1993, Oneida County Circuit Court; Hon. Paul V. Malloy, University of Illinois Chicago 1985, Ozaukee County Circuit Court; Hon. Kevin Klein, U.W. 1981, Price County Circuit Court; Hon. Mark Nielsen, Harvard 1979, Racine County Circuit Court; Hon. Patricia A. Barrett, U.W. 1986, Sauk County Circuit Court; Hon. Phillip Koss, William & Mary 1981, Walworth County Circuit Court; Hon. Lloyd V. Carter, Marquette 1986, and Hon. Laura Lau, Marquette 1988, Waukesha County Circuit Court; and Hon. Teresa Basiliere, Hamline 1990, Winnebago County Circuit Court.

In Memoriam

Robert E. Bellin, U.W. 1969, Pewaukee, April 7, 1943 – Sept. 8, 2024.

Bruce A. Fishbain, Memphis 1975, Racine, March 3, 1948 – May 5, 2024.

Rolf A. Giere, U.W. 1954, Minneapolis, July 27, 1926 – Aug. 15, 2024.

James H. Hall Jr., Virginia 1979, Milwaukee, Jan. 14, 1954 – Jan. 1, 2024.

Robert R. Henzl, Marquette 1961, Racine, July 9, 1936 – Aug. 26, 2024.

Steven H. Jesser, Chicago-Kent 1974, Glenview, Feb. 29, 1948 – March 25, 2024.

Robert Michael Kaner, Minnesota 1972, Duluth, Minn., Sept. 5, 1947 – June 7, 2024.

Gerald L. LaBarge, Marquette 1974, Oconomowoc, Feb. 11, 1948 – July 16, 2024.

Charles S. Lueck, U.W. 1969, Cottage Grove, April 9, 1944 – Sept. 7, 2024.

Thomas E. Mountin, Loyola-Chicago 1978, Milwaukee, Sept. 6, 1949 – Sept. 20, 2024.

James E. O’Connor, Notre Dame 1978, Omaha, Neb., April 5, 1953 – Oct. 3, 2024.

John Edward Rigney, Duquesne 2010, Chicago, Oct. 19, 1978 – June 25, 2023.

Jeffrey T. Roethe, U.W. 1969, Edgerton, Aug. 10, 1944 – Sept. 29, 2024.

Hon. Willis J. Zick, U.W. 1956, Sun Prairie, Aug. 19, 1932 – Aug. 18, 2024.

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 or recertified as of Sept. 2, 2024. For a full list of Certified Paralegals, visit wisbar.org/Paralegal.

Kelly S. Adams, DeWitt LLP, Madison.

Eleina Arce, Paige K. Dulai & Taylor R. O’Day, Quarles & Brady LLP, Milwaukee.

Benjamin J. Bartz, Eastbridge Law Group LLP, Madison.

Alex M. Becker, Shari Blanke, Karyn A. Halverson, Melissa A. Hammersley, Elizabeth K. Piliouras & Andrew Skoug, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, Madison; and Nancy A. Hazelwood, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, Milwaukee.

Bethany J. Berndt, Sarina M. Gordon, Michelle L. Magana, DeAnn Rosa & Anthony L. Umlauf, Crivello Nichols & Hall SC, Milwaukee.

Caleb D. Boecker, Esker Inc., Middleton.

Cindy M. Borowski, Valerie K. Kailhofer & Kim M. Van Den Bosch-Jones, Hooper Law Office, LLC, Appleton.

Michelle D. Brahe, Hogan Eickhoff SC, Appleton.

Shannon L. Bryan, von Briesen & Roper SC, Neenah.

Erika Buchinger, Bell Moore & Richter SC, Madison.

Brenda L. Buddenhagen, City of La Crosse Legal Department, La Crosse.

Catherine Chapple, US Venture Inc., Appleton.

Mona L. Cich, Stephen R. Zuber SC, Superior.

April M. DeValkenaere, Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office, Waukesha.

Rebecca DeWitt, City of Neenah Department of Legal and Administrative Services, Neenah.

Sandra Dionne-Zeh, Dean Health Plan Inc., Madison.

Renae Ehle, Nowlan Law LLP, Janesville.

Yvonne A. Geerts, Hurley Burish SC, Madison.

Capree A. Graczyk Mosely, Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman, Milwaukee.

Cherlyn Gullicksen, O’Neil Cannon Hollman DeJong & Laing SC, Milwaukee.

Christina A. Heindl, Seymour.

Amber M. Heise, Corneille Law Group LLC, Green Bay; and Jennifer L. Wiechec, Corneille Law Group LLC, Madison.

Elaine F. Jensen, Axley Brynelson LLP, Madison.

Leah S. Johnson & Trisha L. Thill, Amcor Flexibles North America, Neenah.

Krista A. Landry, West & Dunn, Waunakee.

Steven Lant & Lisa M. Rave, Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP, Milwaukee.

Erin LaPorte, Curran, Hollenbeck & Orton SC, Mauston.

Jennifer B. Livingston, Regal Rexnord Corp., Beloit.

Mallory A. Luckow, Mayfair Integrated Inc., Milwaukee.

Stephanie Mackey, Sara Martin & Rhonda Rogers, Milwaukee County Corporation Counsel, Milwaukee.

Rori L. Mattson, Dodge County Corporation Counsel, Reeseville.

Tanya N. Murphy & Cari L. Wilson, Habush Habush & Rottier SC, Madison.

Victoria H. Nielson, Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler LLC, Onalaska.

Kelly L. Rick, Molson Coors Beverage Co., Milwaukee.

Stephanie L. Sacheck, Heritage Law Firm LLC, Green Bay.

Kira-Lynn Sagel, Schellinger & Associates LLC, Waukesha.

Heather Saladin, Swanson Sweet LLP, Oshkosh.

Marlo Skindzelewski, Hume Law Offices, Brookfield.

Erin S. St. Lawrence, Hirschberg Law LLC, Oshkosh.

Brenda S. Sweeney, Godfrey & Kahn SC, Milwaukee; and Nicole Talbott Settle, Godfrey & Kahn SC, Madison.

Elizabeth J. Templen, Cohen Law Offices SC, Eau Claire.

Dana Tesch, Nolan & Deffner Legacy Law, Wausau.

Tracy L. Tompkins, MWH Law Group LLP, Milwaukee.

Judy J. Woychik, Hill Glowacki LLP, Fort Atkinson.

Angela M. Zills, City of De Pere, De Pere.

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) 250-6127.

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.