New Hires, Promotions, Partners

T. Samuel Azinger, Marquette 2017, has been named a partner of O’Leary-Guth Law Office S.C., Mequon, with a focus on estate planning.

Kai Hovden, U.W. 2017 cum laude, and Sarah Schuchardt, U.W. 2018, have been promoted to partner with DeWitt LLP. Both practice from the Madison office.

Hovden’s primary practice areas are intellectual property litigation, including representing businesses and individuals in patent, trademark, and copyright lawsuits; and trusts and estates litigation, including probate contests and complex fiduciary litigation. He also frequently litigates in the transportation and logistics sector, representing shippers, carriers, and brokers.

Schuchardt, a member of the Divorce and Family Law team, handles matters such as divorce, paternity, custody and placement, child support, adoption, prenuptial agreements, and more and has experience representing clients in mediation.

Three attorneys have joined Gardiner Koch Weisberg & Wrona in the Lake Geneva office. Sam Berg, Marquette 2014, is with the civil litigation and criminal law groups. He previously worked for the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office. Clayton Mieszala, University of Illinois at Chicago 2022, and Quincy Obbin, U.W. 2024, are with the civil litigation and criminal law groups.

Matthew R. Gralinski, Marquette 2019, has been named a partner with Hippenmeyer, Reilly, Blum, Schmitzer & Fabian S.C., Waukesha, and concentrates in municipal law, real estate transactions, general business law, and estate planning.

Erik M. Gustafson, Marquette 2017 magna cum laude, has joined von Briesen & Roper s.c. in the Milwaukee office and is an associate in the Litigation & Risk Management Practice Group. He focuses on first-party property coverage, insurance coverage and analysis, and bad-faith counseling and claims.

Kelly J. Stohr, U.W. 2004, has been promoted to shareholder with Fuhrman & Dodge S.C., Middleton, and concentrates in estate planning, probate and trust administration, real estate, and business transactions.

Davis Runde, U.W. 2017, and Evan Mayer, St. Thomas 2020 magna cum laude, have been elected shareholders at Weld Riley S.C., Wausau. Runde practices in the school, municipal, and business and corporate sections. Mason practices in the family, bankruptcy, civil litigation, and estate planning sections.

Authors, Speakers

Authors of the recently revised Contract Law in Wisconsin (State Bar of Wis. 6th ed. 2025) are the following: Anthony S. Baish, Michigan 1998, Xavier O. Jenkins, Marquette 2021, and Matthew M. Wuest, U.W. 2010, Godfrey & Kahn S.C., Milwaukee; James E. Bartzen, U.W. 1980, Boardman & Clark LLP, Madison; Isaac S. Brodkey, U.W. 2021, Oliva M. Dunn, U.W. 2017, and James B. Egle, U.W. 1992, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, Madison; Olivia Brooks, U.W. 2021, and Larri J. Broomfield, Harvard 1988, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Milwaukee; Andrew J. Clarkowski, U.W. 1995, and David M. Pelletier, Villanova 2003, Axley Brynelson LLP, Madison; and Matthew S. Geimer, U.W. 2005, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Also, Danielle M. Johnson, St. Thomas 2013, Wisconsin School of Business, Madison; Randall L. Nash, U.W. 1979, Nash Law LLC, Milwaukee; Jessica Hutson Polakowski, Minnesota 2006, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Madison; Jeffrey D. Roeske, Marquette 2014, Uline Inc., Pleasant Prairie; Hon. Richard J. Sankovitz, Harvard 1983, Resolute Systems LLC, Milwaukee; Neil S. Schadle, Iowa 2021, DeWitt LLP, Madison; Jane C. Schlicht, Marquette 1983, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Milwaukee; and Scott J. Thomsen, Drake 2003, Forest County Potawatomi Community, Milwaukee.

Authors of the newly released The Wisconsin Business Entity Handbook (State Bar of Wis. 2024) are the following: Nathaniel S. Hammons, Boston University 2003, Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee (lead author); Joseph W. Boucher, U.W. 1978, Julijana L. Englander, U.W. 2023, and Craig B. Miller, Suffolk 2006, Neider & Boucher S.C., Madison; Joseph A. Camilli, Hamline 2012, von Briesen & Roper s.c., Milwaukee; and West A. Foster, U.W. 2023, Jessica Y. Harrison, U.W. 2000, and Melissa Auchard Scholz,U.W. 1995, Scholz Nonprofit Law LLC, Madison.

In Memoriam

Thaddeus M. Bond Jr., University of Illinois Chicago 1991, Third Lake, Ill., Jan. 16, 1966 – Dec. 21, 2024.

Mary Susan Maloney Celentani, Marquette 1978, Milwaukee, Nov. 16, 1953 – Nov. 23, 2024.

Megan A. Flood, U.W. 2007, Waunakee, Dec. 21, 1978 – Dec. 29, 2024.

Hon. Larry L. Jeske, Marquette 1965, Gillett, Aug. 1, 1940 – Dec. 15, 2024.

Richard L. Jones, Marquette 1989, Madison, May 11, 1963 – Nov. 16, 2024.

Rod J. Koenen, U.W. 1988, Union Grove, Sept. 2, 1960 – Aug. 3, 2024.

Thomas D. McCormick, William Mitchell 1979, Hudson, March 26, 1948 – Sept. 13, 2022.

Richard K. Nordeng, U.W. 1975, Waunakee, Aug. 8, 1945 – Dec. 14, 2024.

Tony J. Renning, Marquette 1997, Oshkosh, Sept. 10, 1970 – Dec. 3, 2024.

Daniel A. Rottier, U.W. 1976, Madison, Aug. 14, 1951 – Jan. 3, 2025.

Andrew L. Somers Jr., New York Law School 1960, Fitchburg, Dec. 1, 1936 – Dec. 24, 2024.

Gerald S. Walsh, Marquette 1960, Wauwatosa, Sept. 1, 1932 – March 11, 2022.

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 State Bar of Wisconsin has designated February as Paralegal Month. Paralegals are dedicated professionals who devote time and effort to advance access to justice. Celebrate the paralegals in your office during February and throughout the year!

The following individuals were newly certified or recertified as of Jan. 6, 2025. For a full list of Certified Paralegals, visit wisbar.org/Paralegal.

Jacqulyn A. Clark and Bailee M. Collins, Sentry Insurance, Stevens Point.

Susan L. Clark, Crivello Nichols & Hall SC, Milwaukee.

Dawn M. DuLac, Ruder Ware LLSC, Eau Claire.

Cherlyn Gullicksen and Jennifer M. Paulmann, O’Neil Cannon Hollman DeJong & Laing SC, Milwaukee.

Sara A. Haas, Quarles & Brady LLP, Milwaukee.

Kelly Kiorpes, Bell Moore & Richter SC, Madison.

Erin E. Thompson, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton.

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.