New Hires, Promotions, Partners

Carly Gerads, Marquette 2017, Seep Paliwal, U.W. 2015, and Pahoua Thao, Northern Illinois – DeKalb 2014, have been promoted to partner at Stafford Rosenbaum LLP.

Gerads is a trial and appellate litigator and focuses on appellate law, election and voting rights law, and general litigation, with an emphasis on contract and real estate disputes. Paliwal practices litigation and business transactions, primarily in intellectual property, entertainment, and technology. She also provides counsel on general business and residential real estate matters, represents clients in probate disputes and adult guardianships, and accepts court appointments as guardian ad litem for minor children, particularly for Spanish-speaking families. Thao is a litigator and concentrates in data privacy, artificial intelligence, and insolvency matters.

Benjamin Alexander, U.W. 2022, cum laude, has joined Stafford Rosenbaum’s Milwaukee office. Alexander is a litigator and concentrates in commercial, dealership and franchise, and governmental law matters. Klara Henry, Texas 2024, has joined Stafford Rosenbaum’s Madison office and practices environmental and administrative law, with a focus on water and wetlands.

Appointments, Elections

The Hon. Gregory J. Strasser, Hamline 1988, has been appointed presiding judge for the Marathon County Circuit Court. He is on Branch IV of the court.

Authors, Speakers

Authors of the recently revised Business Litigation and Dispute Resolution in Wisconsin (State Bar of Wis. 4th ed. 2024) are the following: Andrea Contreras, Columbia 2011, Laffey, Leitner & Goode LLC, Milwaukee; Matthew V. Fisher, Minnesota 2009, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, Milwaukee; Anne-Louise T. Mittal, Marquette 2015, and Eric G. Pearson, Marquette 2007, Foley & Lardner LLP, Milwaukee; Christopher L. Strohbehn, Marquette 2002, Mallery s.c., Milwaukee; and Barry R. White, Michigan 1989, von Briesen & Roper s.c., Milwaukee.

Melanie S. Lee, Iowa 1998, authored the recently revised Drafter’s Guide to Wisconsin Condominium Documents (State Bar of Wis. 5th ed. 2024). Lee is with Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Madison.

Authors of the recently revised The Guardian ad Litem Handbook (State Bar of Wis. 6th ed. 2024) include the following: Brittney A. Busalacchi, U.W. 2013, Cross Jenks Mercer & Maffei LLP, Baraboo; Victoria Davis Dávila, Marquette 2011, Davis & Pledl, Milwaukee; Margaret V. Kaiser, U.W. 2012, Willow River Law LLC, Hudson; Kristin Kerschensteiner, Seattle Univ. 1982, Disability Rights Wisconsin, Monona; Kate A. Neugent, Marquette 2005, Burbach & Stansbury S.C., Milwaukee; Eric J. Ryberg, U.W. 2006, Habush, Habush & Rottier S.C.®, Madison; Jeffrey Spitzer-Resnick, Boston College 1985, Systems Change Consulting, Madison; and Hon. Samantha S. Wagner, Saint Louis Univ. 2012, Brown County Circuit Court, Green Bay.

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. has launched a new intellectual property (IP)-centric podcast, “RIPL Effect,” hosted by Heidi Thole, U.W. 2015. RIPL Effect, which stands for Reinhart Intellectual Property Law, offers bite-sized, insightful commentary and updates on IP law, with a particular focus on trademarks. In each episode, Thole explores aspects of trademark law, from registration and enforcement to infringement and licensing. The podcast offers business-critical legal know-how and actionable information businesses can use to protect their brands and ensure their continued success.

Thole, a shareholder in the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice, focuses on analyzing risk around selecting, registering, and using marks, negotiates solutions with competitors, and litigates when necessary to protect clients’ interests. She advises across a variety of industries, from startups to global businesses in finance, banking, food and beverage production, machines and mechanical parts, and more.

Awards, Degrees, Honors

The Association of Croatian American Professionals (ACAP) has honored Tomislav Kuzmanovic, U.W. 1988, with its 2024 ACAP Professional Excellence Award in Law, Governance, and Public Policy. He was officially recognized at the ACAP Conference Gala in October in Las Vegas.

This award recognizes an ACAP member who has excelled in their profession and made meaningful contributions to the Croatian-American community.

Kuzmanovic is the managing partner of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP’s Milwaukee office and has over 35 years of experience in U.S. and international litigation, including complex litigation, class actions, appellate matters, and foreign and domestic investigations. He has made significant contributions to international human rights law. He secured the acquittal of General Mladen Markač at the ICTY and successfully represented Croatia and Croatia-related entities in various high-profile cases, including the dismissal of a lawsuit against the Order of Friars Minor and favorable outcomes in Kahvedzic v. Croatia and Lalich v. Croatia. For his efforts in supporting Croatia’s independence, he received the Order of the Croatian “Pleter” from President Franjo Tudjman and was honored by the city council of Slavonski Brod for his assistance in its defense.

In Memoriam

Robert Brynjelsen, Miami 2004, Palatine, Ill., Oct. 29, 1978 – May 3, 2024.

Gregory John Cook, Marquette 1976, Waukesha, May 29, 1951 – Oct. 14, 2024.

Hon. James R. Erickson, Colorado 1967, Saint Croix Falls, May 30, 1939 – Sept. 13, 2023.

Michael D. Hutchens, Hamline 1985, Minneapolis, Jan. 13, 1960 – May 26, 2024.

Frederick P. Kessler, U.W. 1966, Milwaukee, Jan. 11, 1940 – Nov. 12, 2024.

Forrest B. Lammiman, Iowa 1983, Chicago, March 12, 1944 – Oct. 21, 2023.

Carl D. Liggio, New York Univ. 1967, Chevy Chase, Maryland, Sept. 5, 1943 – Jan. 17, 2021.

Mary Elizabeth Peranteau, U.W. 1996, Madison, Oct. 22, 1965 – Nov. 8, 2024.

Michael G. Price, U.W. 1966, Madison, Jan. 18, 1941 – Sept. 9, 2024.

Hon. David T. Prosser Jr., U.W. 1968, Dec. 24, 1942 – Dec. 1, 2024.

Richard D. Riebel, Marquette 1974, Brookfield, Feb. 19, 1948 – Oct. 27, 2024.

Robert P. Rusch, U.W. 1972, Rib Lake, June 5, 1942 – Nov. 17, 2024.

James R. Sakar, Marquette 1976, Lake Mills, July 8, 1947 – Nov. 7, 2024.

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.