Vol. 76, No. 12, December 2003

In the News

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New Hires, Promotions Mergers, Relocations, New Associations In Memoriam

Awards, Degrees, Honors Appointments, Elections Authors, Speakers Place an announcement in In the News

New Hires, Promotions, Partners

David M. Ambrosh, Marquette 2001, has joined Kohn Law Firm S.C., Milwaukee, as an associate, concentrating in debt collection and commercial litigation.

Robert E. Barnes, U.W. 2000, has joined The Law Office of Robert G. Bernhoft S.C., Milwaukee, as a senior associate, concentrating on personal injury, class actions, consumer law, and complex civil litigation. He previously was with Cannon & Dunphy S.C.

David D. Daul, Denver 2003, has joined Wanezek, Umentum & Jaekels S.C., Green Bay, as an associate, concentrating on business, municipal, real estate, personal injury, and civil litigation.

Michael C. Hurt, University of the Pacific-McGeorge 1973, has joined Davis & Kuelthau S.C. as a shareholder in the Milwaukee office, focusing in general business and corporate law, commercial real estate, and estate and succession planning. He previously was a shareholder at Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. Thomas N. Shorter, Northeastern 1996, has rejoined the firm as a shareholder in the Madison office, focusing in school law, labor and employment law, and health care law. Timothy E. Kronquist, DePaul 1995, Charles R. O'Keefe, University of Indiana-Indianapolis 1994, and Mark F. Yokom, Texas Tech 1989, have become shareholders in the firm. Kronquist works in the Milwaukee office on the business and corporate law team. Yokom is on the labor and employment and litigation teams in the Oshkosh office. O'Keefe is a member of the labor and employment team in the Green Bay office.
Smitha Chintamaneni, Washington University 2003, and Geoffrey S. Trotier, Minnesota 2003, have joined the firm as associates in the Milwaukee office: Trotier on the labor and employment team, and Chintamaneni on the litigation team.

Vern Francissen, U.W. 1995, has been elected an equity partner at Gardner, Carton & Douglas L.L.P., Chicago. He practices in the intellectual property department, focusing on patent litigation and prosecution.

Six attorneys have joined Godfrey & Kahn S.C., as associates. In the Milwaukee office: Christopher Cahlamer, Marquette 2003 summa cum laude, has joined the securities group. Brad Conners, Michigan 2003 magna cum laude, and Martin Kirchner, Minnesota 2003, have joined the corporate team. Steven Scrogham, Minnesota 2003, has joined the business finance and restructuring group.

In the Madison office (LaFollette Godfrey & Kahn): Brian Dillon, U.W. 2003, has joined the political law and litigation practice groups. Jennifer Racine, U.W. 2003 cum laude, has joined the intellectual property team.

Stephen M. Govin, Marquette 2003, has joined Reddin & Singer, Milwaukee, as an associate, focusing on criminal defense and family law.

Christopher M. Avery, Marquette 2002, and Ryan H. Wolter, Miami 2000, have joined Gray & End L.L.P., Milwaukee, as associates in the creditors' rights group.

Tom Grogan, U.W. 1982, has become administrative policy adviser for the Office of the State Superintendent, Department of Public Instruction, Madison. He previously was the agency's legislative liaison.

Gini L. Hendrickson, Pace 2002, has joined Remley & Sensenbrenner S.C., Neenah, as an associate. She concentrates in family law, estate planning, creditors' rights, and real estate.

Hottenroth

Joanis

Theresa M. Hottenroth, U.W. 1995 cum laude, has become of counsel with Boardman Law Firm LLP, Madison, practicing in health law, administrative law, litigation, and government relations. She previously was with the Madison office of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.

Rebecca A. Holzhauer, Marquette 2003, has joined the Milwaukee office of Otjen, Van Ert, Lieb & Weir S.C., concentrating primarily in worker's compensation defense.

David Joanis, William & Mary 1975, has joined Balisle & Roberson S.C., Madison, as a partner, practicing in family law.

Len Kachinsky, U.W. 1978, has been named team chief for Team 6 of the 91st Legal Support Organization, which drills at the Silver Spring Army Reserve Complex, Milwaukee. He also is a town of Menasha municipal judge.

Jeffrey P. Kippa, Marquette 2001, University of Edinburgh 2002 (LL.M.), has joined Basiliere & Thompson LLP, Oshkosh, as an associate, practicing in criminal law, family law, real estate, wills, and estate planning.

Lisa L. Kritske, U.W. 1999, has joined the Milwaukee office of Hinshaw & Culbertson as an associate. She previously was with Davis & Kuelthau S.C.

Kathryn A. Kronquist, DePaul 1995, has joined Maritime Savings Bank as vice president - general counsel. She previously was an associate with O'Neil, Cannon & Hollman S.C.

Kujawa

Peter J. Kujawa, Marquette 2002, has been named president and chief operating officer of INFO-PRO, Fond du Lac, which provides computerized legal forms and mortgage banking information. He also has been appointed executive vice president of sales for Guaranty Title Services, Inc.

Richard J. Canter, Hofstra 1976, will become managing partner of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP on Jan. 1, 2004. He is with the health care practice area in the Milwaukee office. John R. Sapp, Duke 1969, the current managing partner, will continue serving as senior partner. Robyn S. Shapiro, Harvard 1977, has been named chair of the health care practice area. She concentrates on bioethics, health information privacy, informed consent, regulatory and licensing matters, and medical staff, employment, and general business issues. Joseph Louis Olson, U.W. 2003 cum laude, and Julie M. Rusczek, Michigan 2003 magna cum laude, have become associates in the Milwaukee office. Olson is in the litigation practice area, and Rusczek is in the health care practice area.

The following attorneys have been promoted to partner in the Milwaukee office of Quarles & Brady LLP. Steven J. Berryman, Northwestern 1995, focuses on business and commercial litigation at the trial and appellate levels. Michael J. Fischer, Harvard 1995, focuses on discrimination and employment litigation and state and federal leave and disability law. Cristina D. Hernandez-Malaby, Harvard 1995, concentrates on white-collar criminal defense and complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on securities litigation. Rachel A. Schneider, U.W. 1995, concentrates in environmental law, litigation, and sports and events marketing. Brenda J. Stugelmeyer, U.W. 1994, focuses in commercial real estate. Christopher E. Ware, Michigan 1995, focuses on commercial litigation, antitrust, patent litigation, and white-collar defense.

Coyne	McGinnity

Sarah E. Coyne, U.W. 1995, and Jennifer S. McGinnity, U.W. 1995, have been named partners in the Madison office of Quarles & Brady LLP. Coyne practices in health care law and litigation, concentrating on patient care, regulatory compliance, medical information confidentiality, medical malpractice, and licensing issues. McGinnity practices in commercial real estate and insurance regulation, focusing on commercial property acquisition, sales, and financing, construction contracts, and insurance company regulatory matters.

Brian M. Radloff, Marquette 2000, has joined the Milwaukee office of Krukowski & Costello S.C. as an associate, concentrating on general employment law matters.

Justin R. Rodriguez, U.W. 2000, has joined the San Antonio, Texas, office of Alvarez, Notzon & Gutierrez LLP. He previously was a Bexar County assistant district attorney.

Elizabeth J. Ruthmansdorfer, Marquette 2003, has joined Petrie & Stocking S.C., Milwaukee, as an associate.

John Skolas, U.W. 1977, Harvard 1988 (MBA), has joined Genaera Corp., Plymouth Meeting, Penn., as chief financial officer and general counsel. Genaera develops biopharmaceutical products.

Sarah C. Walkenhorst, U.W. 2002, has joined the Madison office of Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe LLP, focusing on intellectual property and antitrust counseling and litigation.

Winger

Dana L. Winger, Marquette 2003 cum laude, has joined Fox, O'Neill & Shannon S.C., Milwaukee, as an associate, practicing in business-related areas.

David H. Weber, Marquette 1999,
has joined Liebmann, Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry S.C., Green Bay, as an associate. He will engage in general practice with a focus on litigation.

The following attorneys have become assistant attorneys general with the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ). Tim Kiefer, Harvard 1998, is with the Civil Litigation Unit. He previously was with Godfrey & Kahn S.C., Milwaukee. Sarah Larson, U.W. 1999, is with the Criminal Appeals Unit. She previously was a DOJ limited term employee. Manee Moua, U.W. 2002, is with the Civil Litigation Unit. She previously interned with the Dane County Circuit Court. Mark Neuser, U.W. 1997, is with the Civil Litigation Unit. He previously was an associate in the Madison office of Foley & Lardner. Aaron O'Neil, U.W. 2002, is with the Criminal Appeals Unit. He previously clerked for the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. Debra Remington, U.W. 1984, is with the State Programs, Administration and Revenue Unit. She previously was a DOJ limited term employee. Michael Sanders, U.W. 1998, is with the Criminal Appeals Unit. He previously was a State Bar legal editor. Hillary Schwab, Columbia 1999, is with the Environmental Protection Unit. She previously was a DOJ limited term employee. Maura Whelan, Pennsylvania 1986, is with the State Programs, Administration, and Revenue Unit. She previously worked for the Civil Litigation and Criminal Appeals units. Shannon Wittenberger, Marquette 1996, is with the Criminal Appeals Unit. She previously was a Milwaukee County assistant district attorney.

Grapentine	Schumacher

Two attorneys have been promoted at the Wisconsin Medical Society. Mark M. Grapentine, U.W. 1997, has been named vice president of government relations. Elizabeth Schumacher, U.W. 1997, has been named vice president of health policy and medical economics. Grapentine and Schumacher previously were legislative counsel.

Mergers, Relocations, New Associations

Chaplin Law Office has moved to 505 Jefferson St., Marinette.

Terrance E. Davczyk, Marquette 1971, and Daniel W. Varline, Detroit 1994, have formed Davczyk & Varline LLC, 2100 Stewart Ave., Suite 230, Wausau, focusing on personal injury, wrongful death, auto accidents, insurance defense, defective products and machines, and workplace accidents. Donald P. Schneider, Denver 1974, Daniel R. Peters, Tulsa 2000, Spencer E. Davczyk, Marquette 2001, and Brian C. Williams, Marquette 2001, have joined the firm. All were formerly with Kasdorf, Lewis & Swietlik, S.C.

Elizabeth J. Nevitt, Oklahoma 1992, has opened Nevitt Law Office, 325 N. Commercial St., Suite 300, Neenah, focusing on family law, estate planning, and guardianship. She previously was with the Silton Law Firm, Appleton.

Niebler & Muren S.C., Brookfield, which focuses on health care law, employee benefits law, estate planning, and general business law, has merged with Davis & Kuelthau S.C., which has seven other offices. The new firm will be named Davis & Kuelthau S.C.

Brian T. Smestad, Marquette 1997, has established Smestad Law Office, 1020 Tenth Ave., Suite 103, Baldwin, a general practice firm concentrating on employment discrimination, personal injury, family law, criminal defense, business, and estate planning.

Appointments, Elections

Colonel (Ret.) Ronald J. Buchholz, Marquette 1981, retired from active duty in the U.S. Army and has been appointed to a federal civil service position as chief of the Standards of Conduct Branch, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Army.

Jonathan A. Duecker, U.W. 1995, has been appointed deputy director of the Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security by Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell. Duecker coordinates law enforcement, intelligence, and infrastructure protection with local, state, and federal agencies. He is on leave from Hill Solutions LLC, a lobbying and government consulting firm in Wayne, Penn.

The Iowa County Bar Association has chosen the following officers: president - Gayle B. Jebbia, Dodgeville; and secretary/treasurer - Margaret M. Koehler, Mineral Point.

Warren P. Kraft, Marquette 1982, has been elected by the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) as regional vice president for the Seventh Circuit. Kraft, who is Oshkosh city attorney, also moderated "Environmental Challenges for Municipal Lawyers: Affordable Housing on Brownfields" at the IMLA annual meeting in Minneapolis.

Laurie J. Levin, U.W. 1981, has been reappointed as vice chair of the committee on law and medicine of the ABA Tort and Insurance Practice Section and was elected secretary of the Florida Bar Health Law Section. She also coauthored "HIPAA Regulations," in Health Information and Technology Practice Guide (American Health Lawyers Ass'n). Levin practices health law with Baker & Hostetler LLP, Orlando, Fla.

Several attorneys have been elected to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin Executive Board. Steven L. Nelson, Marquette 1990, has been elected chair. He is a shareholder with Cook & Franke S.C., Milwaukee. Dennis Klumb Jr., Hamline 1988, has been elected vice chair. He is president and general counsel of Arby Construction, New Berlin. Mike Siddall, Drake 1974, has been elected vice president - legal. He is senior shareholder and managing partner with Herrling, Clark, Hartzheim & Siddall Ltd., Appleton.

C. Kevin McCrindle, Loyola Univ.-Chicago 1975, has been appointed chair of the Probate and Trust Law Section of the Iowa State Bar Association.

Meldman

Nielsen

Robert E. Meldman, Marquette 1962, has become vice chair of the IRS Taxpayer Advocacy Panel. Meldman is a shareholder in the tax department of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c, Milwaukee, focusing on tax aspects of general, domestic, and international business transactions.

J. Bushnell Nielsen, Marquette 1981, has been elected president of the Wisconsin Land Title Association. He is a shareholder with the Waukesha office of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., focusing on resolving disputes involving title insurance coverage, escrows, conveyancing, boundaries, RESPA, and public land records.

The Waushara County Bar Association has selected the following officers: president - Scott C. Blader; and secretary - Robyn J. Blader, both of Wautoma.

The Wisconsin School Attorneys Association has elected the following officers: president - Jon E. Anderson, Madison; vice president - Michael Aldana, Milwaukee; and secretary - Ken Cole, Madison.

The Wisconsin Thomas M. Cooley Law School Alumni Association has chosen the following officers and executive committee members: president - Bradley S. Stern, Germantown; vice president - Michael Fitzpatrick, Milwaukee; treasurer - Jennifer T. Olson, Green Bay; secretary - John C. Heugel, Green Bay; and annual meeting chair - John Koenig, Ripon.

Authors, Speakers

W. Dan Bell, U.W. 1976, has authored a novel, A Jury of One's Own (Denlinger's Publishers). He practices in Kure Beach, N.C.

Carlton D. Stansbury, Iowa 1990 with distinction, presented "Discovery of Mental Health Records in Custody Disputes," at the 2003 ABA Fall CLE Meeting in Seattle, Wash. He is a shareholder with Burbach & Stansbury S.C., Milwaukee, practicing family law.

Authors of the new book, Wisconsin Governmental Claims and Immunities Handbook, published by State Bar CLE Books, are Joseph P. Guidote Jr., Outagamie County Corporation Counsel, Appleton; Charles Hoornstra, Wis-consin Department of Justice, Madison; Rudolph M. Konrad, Milwaukee City Attorneys Office; Jennifer Sloan Lattis, Wisconsin Department of Justice, Madison; Jan A. Smokowicz, Milwaukee City Attorneys Office; and John M. Vandlik, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of General Counsel, Milwaukee.

Awards, Degrees, Honors

Jeffrey Bartell, U.W. 1968, was presented Forward Wisconsin's James D. Blanchard Partnership Award by Gov. Jim Doyle. Bartell is a partner with the Madison office of Quarles & Brady LLP, focusing on corporate and securities law, insurance regulatory and administrative law, and general business.

Bartell, an officer and director of Forward Wisconsin since its inception in 1984, is the only remaining original board member. The organization's mission is to attract new jobs, businesses, and economic activity to the state.

Burneatta (Burnie) Bridge, U.W. 1982 cum laude, has been selected by the Legal Association for Women as the 2003 recipient of the Marygold Shire Melli Achievement Award. She is chair of the Wisconsin Public Service Commission and previously was Deputy Attorney General for the state of Wisconsin for 10 years. Among the achievements for which Bridge was honored are her service to the State Bar, her work as a mentor to law students, and her efforts to create an atmosphere at the Wisconsin Department of Justice in which women can succeed at all levels of management.

The Hon. Louis J. Ceci, Marquette 1954, has completed all requirements imposed by the Florida Supreme Court for certification as a circuit court civil mediator. Ceci, who is retired from the Wisconsin Supreme Court, consults on appellate matters in Wisconsin and maintains an office in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Cole

James R. Cole, U.W. 1969, has been certified as a mediator by the Franklin Pierce Law Center and has been appointed to the National Arbitration Forum's Intellectual Property Mediation Panel. He is a partner with the Madison office of Quarles & Brady LLP, focusing on intellectual property litigation, construction law, litigation, commercial law, and media law.

Hellmuth & Johnson PLLC, Eden Prairie, Minn., was named by the Business Journal as one of Minnesota's 50 fastest growing private companies. It was the only law firm on the list.

Joel Hirschhorn, U.W. 1967, has been named a Fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only society. He is with Hirschhorn & Bieber P.A., Coral Gables, Fla.

Stephen J. Meyer, U.W. 1979 cum laude, has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America, 2003-04, in the area of criminal law. He is a solo practitioner in Madison, representing citizens accused of crimes.

Mitchell R. Olson, Lewis & Clark 1997, has earned a master's degree in urban and regional planning, with an emphasis on land use law and planning, from U.W.-Madison. He has rejoined Eckert, Kost & Vocke LLP, Rhinelander, as an associate, concentrating in land use, municipal, real estate, and insurance law.

Two judges and two law firms are among the Innovators of the Year for 2003, selected by the Wisconsin Law Journal and The Daily Reporter. The Hon. Patricia Gorence, Marquette 1977, and the Hon. Carl Ashley, Marquette 1983, developed guidelines for determining whether minor offenses should be charged as crimes or ordinance violations. Gorence is a magistrate judge with the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Ashley is a Milwaukee County circuit court judge. Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, with three other North American law firms, formed the China Alliance, which offers comprehensive services to clients with interests in China. The entire 25-person staff of The Schroeder Group S.C. serves the community through involvement in a variety of organizations. The Schroeder Group also has been named to the "Future 50 List" by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and the Council of Small Business Executives. The list recognizes young, fast-growing companies in the Milwaukee area.

In Memoriam

Daniel Joseph Adam, Notre Dame 2001, Milwaukee, Oct. 13, 1975 - Oct. 25, 2003.

Alan H. Auerbach, Northwestern 1980, Chicago, May 6, 1955 - Aug.
25, 2003.

Robert S. Boerner, Marquette 1955, King, Dec. 31, 1925 - Dec. 18, 2002.

Jerome D. Grant, Marquette 1948, Milwaukee, Feb. 8, 1924 - Feb. 7, 2003.

Robert L. Hachey, Marquette 1983, Balsam Lake, May 24, 1944 - Oct. 18, 2003.

Richard D. Kaestner, Marquette 1961, Elm Grove, Feb. 10, 1934 - Sept. 19, 2003.

Spencer L. Kimball, Oxford 1949, Salt Lake City, Utah, Aug. 26, 1918 - Oct. 31, 2003.

George N. Kotsonis, U.W. 1965, Brookfield, Feb. 5, 1939 - Sept. 12, 2003.

T. Lloyd La Fave, U.W. 1946, Milwaukee, Feb. 25, 1914 - Dec. 5, 2002.

Jose G. Perez, U.W. 1996, Janesville, Dec. 23, 1953 - Sept. 26, 2003.

Gerard H. Van Hoof, U.W. 1938, Little Chute, Feb. 18, 1914 - Oct. 14, 2003.

Wisconsin Lawyer