New Hires, Promotions, Partners
Erika Bierma, Creighton 2003, has joined Axley Brynelson LLP, Madison, with the criminal defense and litigation practice groups. She represents young people and their parents in the juvenile court system and in university disciplinary proceedings and individual and business clients in civil litigation matters, including recovering misappropriated funds, personal injury, and insurance defense. She also assists with collection matters.
Michael S. Brayer, Michigan 2001, has been promoted to voting shareholder at Boyle Fredrickson SC, Milwaukee. He focuses on technology patents. Sarah M. Wong, Marquette 2012, has joined the firm as a shareholder. Her practice includes patent, trademark, and copyright acquisition, litigation, transactions, and licensing.
Megan Morrisey, U.W. 2004, has joined the Milwaukee Justice Center as the coordinator of the Mobile Legal Clinic, a partnership of the Marquette University Law School and the Milwaukee Bar Association and the MBA Foundation Inc. The Mobile Legal Clinic is a fully operational law office in a bus that travels into underserved communities in Milwaukee and partners with local law firms, volunteer law students, nonprofits, and other social service programs to assist individuals with civil legal matters.
Mergers, Relocations, New Offices
Gregory P. Sujack, Loyola-Chicago 1984, has moved his mediation practice to The Woodlands, Texas, continuing his work as a mediator nationally and internationally in cases arising under the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act, the Defense Base Act, and various state acts. He remains part of Pre-Trial Solutions of Louisiana.
Appointments, Elections
The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) Wisconsin chapter recently named its new board: president – Daniel Bestul, U.W. 1983, Duxstad & Bestul S.C., Monroe; vice presidents – Alison H.S. Krueger, U.W. 1999, and Rebecca K. Millenbach, Marquette 2001, both with Nelson, Krueger & Millenbach LLC, Wauwatosa; treasurer – Anthony Menting, Marquette 1993, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, Madison; and immediate past president – Hon. Thomas J. Walsh, Hamline 1992, Brown County Circuit Court, Green Bay. Millenbach is also AAML Board of Governors representative.
Christine V. Hamiel, South Dakota 2007, has become president of the Wisconsin School Attorneys Association. Hamiel is a shareholder and chair of the school law section at von Briesen & Roper s.c., Milwaukee, and advises school districts, private schools, and charter schools on all aspects of education law.
Awards, Degrees, Honors
Jon E. Anderson, Marquette 1981, and Christy A. Brooks, U.W. 1977, are recipients of the 2019 George Tipler Award for Distinguished Service in School Law from the Wisconsin School Attorneys Association. Anderson is a shareholder in the Madison office of Godfrey & Kahn LLP. He focuses on representation of K-12 school districts, charter schools, technical colleges, and universities in education law and labor and employment law.
Brooks is a shareholder at von Briesen & Roper s.c., Milwaukee. She advises school districts on state and federal laws affecting pupil matters, including discipline and special education. She previously was president of the Wisconsin School Attorneys Association.
Howard Schoenfeld, U.W. 1971, and David J. Schwartz, South Dakota 1978, litigators at DeWitt LLP, have been recognized as among the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Wisconsin. Schoenfeld, with the Metro Milwaukee office, represents clients in litigation matters ranging from civil rights issues to violation of constitutional rights, building defects, and personal injuries. Schwartz, with the Madison office, represents clients in a variety of civil litigation disputes, including personal injury, medical negligence, worker’s compensation, and commercial and real estate litigation.
Pro Bono, Public Service
Milwaukee-based trial and litigation law firm Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP (GRGB) was recognized at the 2019 ALS Evening of Hope event for its dedication and support of that event and the ALS Association-Wisconsin Chapter. GRGB has supported the ALS Association-Wisconsin Chapter since Jeff Kaufman, a partner in the firm, was diagnosed with ALS in 1989 at age 34. Jeff, who started the Evening of Hope, lived with ALS for 21 years. GRGB partner Kathy Keppel, Marquette 1986, is the current ALS Association-Wisconsin Chapter Board president.
In Memoriam
John D. Bird Jr., Marquette 1957, Chapel Hill, N.C., June 29, 1930 – Feb. 20, 2019.
Paul H. Brietzke, U.W. 1969, Valparaiso, Ind., July 30, 1944 – Jan. 2, 2013.
Alan J. Forest, Northwestern 1968, Palm Coast, Fla., Nov. 23, 1943 – Dec. 15, 2011.
John R. McDonald, U.W. 1960, La Crosse, May 16, 1931 – Feb. 25, 2019.
Jack D. Moertl, Marquette 1949, Milwaukee, July 2, 1921 – Feb. 11, 2019.
Hon. Gerald C. Nichol, U.W. 1963, Madison, July 9, 1935 – March 17, 2019.
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. Talks, speeches (unless they are of national stature), honors from other publications, and political announcements are not accepted. Notices about State Bar members in good standing are printed as space is available, and at no cost, must be submitted in writing, and may be edited. Questions: (608) 250-6139.
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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. Email to: MembersOnly@wisbar.org. Include your State Bar membership number.
