April 22, 2016 – Paul Swanson of Steinhilber, Swanson, Mares, Marone & McDermott, Oshkosh, is the next president-elect of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

In the elections ending April 22, 2016, Swanson defeated John Danner of Harrold, Scrobell & Danner S.C., Minoqua, by 2,616 votes to 2,274.

Swanson will serve a one-year term as president-elect, beginning July 1, before succeeding Fran Deisinger as State Bar president on July 1, 2017.

"I am honored at the privilege the voting members have bestowed me with the election to this office. I thank you all,” Swanson said.

Swanson said he is looking forward to serving. “I will use every effort to encourage the delivery of value to the members for their dues and strive to make our State Bar more self-sufficient as well as efficient in its operations. I also hope to address the longstanding problems related to the funding or delivery of services to those in the State of Wisconsin that need them – both civil and criminal."

Members need to be the conscience of the Legislature, Swanson said. "We, collectively, should continue the effort to educate the public on the value of access to the legal system in a free and democratic society."

See more information about Swanson.

In Other State Bar Races

Mary Lynne Donohue of Sheboygan was elected to a two-year term as secretary, defeating Ann I. Brandau of Brandau & Waltz Law Offices LLP, La Crosse, by 2,535 votes to 2,007.

Winning a three-year term as Judicial Council representative is Sherry Coley of Green Bay, by 1,725 votes to 1,669 for Jesse B. Blocher of Waukesha, and 1,323 votes for Charles (Chuck) Stertz of Appleton.

Board of Governors

Those elected to serve two-year terms beginning July 1 as district representatives on the State Bar Board of Governors are:

​​District 2 (five vacancies)

• Karen Marie Bauer, Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee Inc., Milwaukee, U.W. 2009
• Andrew J. Chevrez, Milwaukee, U.W. 1994
• Jill M. Kastner, Legal Action of Wisconsin Inc., Milwaukee, UCLA 2000
• Randy L. Nash, O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong & Laing S.C., Milwaukee, U.W. 1979
• Amy E. Wochos, Milwaukee County Courthouse, Milwaukee, U.W. 1996​​

District 4 (one vacancy)

• Jeffrey R. Wisnicky, Kewaunee County Corporation Counsel, Kewaunee, Northern Illinois University 2003

District 6 (two vacancies)

• Kimberly K. Haines, Waukesha County Corporation Counsel, Waukesha, Marquette 1990
• Timothy T. Kay, Kay & Kay Law Firm, Brookfield, Marquette 1984

District 8 (one vacancy)

• Deanne M. Koll, Bakke Norman S.C., Menomonie, William Mitchell 2006

District 9 (four vacancies)

• Kathleen Chung, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Madison, Marquette 2001
• Catherine Dorl, State Public Defenders Office, Madison, U.W. 1994
• Christopher B. Hughes, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, Madison, Maurer School of Law, Indiana University Bloomington 1993
• Christopher E. Rogers, Habush Habush & Rottier S.C., Madison, U.W. 1995

District 10 (one vacancy)

• Charles (Chuck) Stertz, Outagamie County District Attorneys Office, Appleton, U.W. 2009

District 12 (one vacancy)

• Kelly J. Mattingly, State Public Defenders Office, Janesville, U.W. 1985

District 14 (one vacancy)

• Byron B. Conway, Habush Habush & Rottier S.C., Green Bay, Marquette 2002

District 16 (one vacancy)

• Amanda J. Ley, State Public Defenders Office, Wausau, Washington College of Law, American University 2011

Not sure which district is yours? See the district map on WisBar.org.

The State Bar’s Board of Governors is the policymaking body of the organization, and is represented by 52 board members (governors) in 16 districts who serve two-year terms.

Governors represent the district in which they work. In 2016, Districts 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, and 16 elected governors. District 2 (Milwaukee) elected five; District 6 (Waukesha) elected two; District 9 (Dane) elected four; and all other districts elected one.