Diversity Commitment Above and Beyond
Two businesses in Wisconsin were honored in July for their roles in the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Diversity Clerkship Program, a 10-week summer employment experience for first-year law students with diverse backgrounds.
Two employers, long-time participants in the Diversity Clerkship Program, received special recognition awards: American Family Mutual Insurance Co. in Madison and Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. in Milwaukee.
Not only has each participated as an employer in the program for more than 20 years, but each provides facilities and accommodations for the program’s job interviews that take place in the spring.
For more information about the summer 2015 program participants, please see “425 Careers in 22 Years: Recognizing Diversity Clerkship Employers and Law Students,” InsideTrack, Aug. 5, 2015.
New Hires, Promotions, Partners
Danielle Bergner, Marquette 2005, has rejoined Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Milwaukee, as a partner and cochair of the real estate practice group. She previously was Milwaukee deputy city attorney.
Jason D. Buckner, Marquette 2015, has joined Brennan Steil S.C., Janesville, and focuses on business, intellectual property, litigation, and real estate matters.
Susan M. Caldwell, U.W. 2003, has become general counsel with Madison National Life Insurance Co., Madison.
Justin W. Chasco, Southern Illinois 2007, has joined Wheeler, Van Sickle & Anderson S.C., Madison, as an associate focusing on regulatory, commercial, and corporate energy law. He previously was assistant general counsel for the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.
Tyler J. Claringbole, U.W. 2015, has joined Herrling Clark Law Firm Ltd., Appleton, as an associate and focuses on business law.
Sherry D. Coley, Marquette 2003, and Anthony S. Wachewicz III, William Mitchell 2001, have joined Davis & Kuelthau S.C, Green Bay. Coley, senior counsel with the litigation team, focuses on business litigation with an emphasis on financial services litigation and product liability. Wachewicz, senior counsel with the labor and employment team, concentrates on serving business, municipal, and school clients.
Mary E. Stahler, Valparaiso 2014, and Peggy L. Miller, Marquette 2000, have joined Di Renzo & Bomier LLC, Neenah, as associates. Stahler focuses on estates and business transactions, and Miller focuses on family law and mediation.
Ryan P. Fetherston, Marquette 2006, has been elected shareholder at Peterson, Johnson & Murray S.C., Milwaukee, and continues to focus on civil litigation and worker’s compensation.
Jake Fritz, New Hampshire 2013, has joined Ziolkowski Patent Solutions Group S.C., Port Washington. Fritz’s practice includes prosecuting utility and design patent applications in the United States and abroad and providing written opinions relating to patentability and noninfringement.
Kate Harrell, Marquette 2006, has joined Boardman & Clark LLP, Madison, practicing primarily with the litigation practice group.
Ralph E. Johnson, Capital Univ. 1986, has joined Carney Davies & Thorpe, Janesville, and represents individuals and small businesses in a general practice emphasizing real estate and consumer rights litigation as well as elder law, probate, and family law. He previously was with the UAW Legal Services Plan.
Thomas R. Knight, Marquette 2015, has joined the Milwaukee office of Andrus Intellectual Property Law as an associate, focusing on domestic and international patent and trademark prosecution and enforcement.
Adam T. Mand, U.W. 2015, has joined Christenson Johnson LLC as an associate practicing in the areas of estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law, special needs planning, and residential real estate transactions.
Joshua Bryant, Marquette 2015, and James DeCleene, Marquette 2015 cum laude, have joined Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C., Milwaukee, as associates. Bryant is with the litigation team, and DeCleene is with the transactional team.
Devin J. Murphy, William Mitchell 2001, has joined Tomsche, Sonnesyn &
Tomsche P.A., Minneapolis, and focuses on civil litigation.
Shaughnessy Murphy, Gonzaga 2010, has joined the Eau Claire office of Ruder Ware LLSC and advises clients on business transactional matters and financing, sale, and acquisition transactions. Murphy previously was a senior leadership aide in the U.S. House of Representatives, counseling members of Congress on issues including agriculture, energy, transportation, trade, and taxes.
Sarah DeKraay, U.W. 2001, Nicole Pellerin, Chicago-Kent 2008, and Shanna Knueppel, U.W. 2011, have joined Murphy Desmond S.C. DeKraay focuses on family law and divorce and Pellerin focuses on litigation and bankruptcy, both in the Madison office. Knueppel focuses on business law and litigation in the Janesville office.
Paul M. Miller, Marquette 2014, and Katherine A. Seelow, Marquette 2015, have joined Nowakowski & McManus LLP, Elm Grove, as associates concentrating in worker’s compensation defense. The firm, which will celebrate its 13th year of organization in October, represents self-insured employers and insurance companies in worker’s compensation cases.
John P. Pinzl, U.W. 2015, has joined Davczyk & Varline LLC, Wausau, focusing on defense of insurance companies and all forms of civil litigation.
Allison V. Shepard, Marquette 2013, has joined Herrick & Hart S.C., Eau Claire, as an associate, focusing on civil law matters.
Jeffrey A. Mandell, Chicago 2006, and Vanessa D. Wishart, U.W. 2012 cum laude, have joined the Madison office of Stafford Rosenbaum LLP. Mandell is a litigator with extensive trial and appellate experience in federal and state courts. Wishart’s practice focuses on environmental law.
Matthew E. Carlton, Case Western Reserve 2014, and Amanda J. Walsh, Marquette 2015 cum laude, have joined Stupar, Schuster & Bartell S.C. (formerly Stupar Schuster S.C.), Milwaukee, as associates. Carlton previously was with the Kohn Law Firm. Thomas M. Bartell Jr., Pittsburgh 1994, has been a partner since 2001.
Kevin Terry, Marquette 2011, has joined Strang, Patteson, Renning, Lewis & Lacy S.C., Green Bay. He represents local government units and private sector employers in labor and employment law, school and higher education law, and municipal law.
Nineteen lawyers have joinedvon Briesen & Roper s.c., which has opened new offices, at 15255 Watertown Plank Rd., Elm Grove, and North Highway 83, Delafield, and moved its Madison office to 10 E. Doty St., Suite 900.
Joining the Elm Grove office are Hector de la Mora, U.W. 1971, and Linda de la Mora, Marquette 1984, who also work in the Delafield office; and Christopher T. Koehnke, William Mitchell 2009, and Lisa A. Polinske, U.W. 1993.
Joining the Milwaukee office are Daniel J. Borowski, U.W. 1990, Jill Pedigo Hall, Iowa 1982, Christine V. Hamiel, South Dakota 2007, Patrick C. Henneger, Marquette 2002, Andrew T. Phillips, Marquette 1995, and Steven M. Schindhelm, U.W. 1995.
Joining the Madison office are Devon R. Baumbach, U.W. 1994, Philip J. Bradbury, U.W. 1984, Thomas R. Crone, U.W. 1976, Thomas W. Henshue, U.W. 1991, Jenifer L. Kraemer, U.W. 1998, Rhyan J. Lindley, Marquette 2004, Charity A. McCarthy, U.W. 2003, Rachel E. Mielke, U.W. 2008, and Monica A. Wedgewood, U.W. 2014. The firm’s expansion was accomplished in part by the addition of all lawyers from Melli Law S.C., Madison; de la Mora and de la Mora, Delafield and Elm Grove; and Phillips Borowski S.C., Mequon.
Julia Westley, Marquette 2015, has joined the Bucher Law Group LLC, Delafield, and practices in the areas of wills, probate, and estate planning.
Bryan C. Whitehead, Marquette 2015 cum laude, has joined the litigation practice group of Axley Brynelson LLP, Madison, and focuses on commercial litigation, employment litigation, and insurance defense.
Thomas P. Krukowski, Marquette 1970, and Deborah A. Krukowski, Marquette 1996,have joined the human resources law practice group of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C., Milwaukee. ThomasKrukowski focuses on employment matters. Deborah Krukowski concentrates in litigation and employment law.
Mel A. Young, U.W. 2013, has joined the Madison office of Cordell & Cordell, which focuses exclusively on domestic litigation, as an associate.
Nathan J. Zolik, U.W. 2001 cum laude, has joined the Madison office of Godfrey & Kahn S.C. and is with the political law and environment & energy strategies practice groups. He previously was with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.
Mergers, Relocations, New Offices
Bell, Moore & Richter S.C. has moved its Madison office to 345 W. Washington Ave., Suite 302.
Iris M. Christenson, U.W. 1990, and Mark T. Johnson, U.W. 2008, announce Christenson Johnson LLC, as the new name of their firm in Fitchburg, focusing on estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law, special needs planning, and residential real estate transactions.
Goetz & Eckland P.A. has moved to 615 1st Ave., NE, Suite 425, Minneapolis.
Sam Wayne, U.W. 2009, has reopened his solo practice in Madison after more than two years as a software entrepreneur. He represents businesses, effects real estate transactions, and helps individuals clear errant accounts from their credit reports.
Appointments, Elections
The Association for Women Lawyers has elected the following officers: president – Caroline Spongberg, Marquette 2005, Northwestern Mutual; president-elect – Malinda Eskra, Marquette 2007, Wisconsin Court of Appeals; secretary – Katie Perhach, Marquette 2000, Quarles & Brady LLP; treasurer – Shannon Brusda, U.W. 2009, Godfrey & Kahn S.C.; past president – Laura Kwaterski, U.W. 2005, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Wisconsin; director of membership – Patricia Jenness, Case Western 2010, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP; director of professionalism – Linda Grady, Hamline 1988, The Strategic Financial Alliance; director of programs – Jennifer Hong, U.W. 2001, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin; and director of special events – Kelly Noyes, U.W. 2007, von Briesen & Roper S.C.
The Hon. David L. Borowski, Marquette 1991, has been appointed to the Marquette University Law School Alumni Board. Judge Borowski continues to serve in the Milwaukee County Circuit Court and is currently assigned to the Civil Division.
The Columbia County Bar Association has elected the following officers: president – Dale E. Hughes, U.W. 1987, Law Office of Dale E. Hughes; vice president – Jesse Spankowski, U.W. 2010, Miller & Miller LLC; secretary – Krista E. Miller, Marquette 2004, Columbia County Corporation Counsel Office; and treasurer – Brenda L. Yaskal, Marquette 2006, Columbia County District Attorney’s Office, all of Portage.
Jordan Corning, U.W. 2011, has been elected president-elect of the Dane County Bar Association. He is a member of the business and commercial litigation and the intellectual property litigation teams in the Madison office of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.
Bryan C. Esch, U.W. 1997 cum laude, has been appointed to the executive committee of DeWitt Ross & Stevens S.C., Madison, and its affiliate DeWitt Mackall Crounse & Moore S.C., Brookfield. Esch is chair of the firm’s business practice group and focuses in business, mining and natural resources, real estate, and estate planning.
John A. Herbers, Boston College 1982, has been appointed chair of the board of the Catholic Community Foundation, Milwaukee. Herbers is a shareholder with the Milwaukee office of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., practicing in trusts and estates, litigation, tax, and business law.
Amy Schmidt Jones, New York Univ. 1997 magna cum laude, has been named chair of the labor and employment relations practice group of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Milwaukee. Jones represents management in all aspects of labor and employment law, with special emphasis in employment litigation, employment counseling, work-place investigations, and employee and supervisor training.
Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin Inc. has named Brad Kalscheur, Marquette 1995, to its board. He is a partner in the wealth planning services practice group at Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Milwaukee.
Newly elected officers of the Milwaukee County Bar Association are the following: president – Marcia Facey Drame, U.W. 1998, Northwestern Mutual; president-elect – Andrew J. Wronski, Minnesota 1994, Foley & Lardner; and vice president – Shannon A. Allen, U.W. 1995, Fox, O’Neill & Shannon.
The National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals announces the formation of a Wisconsin chapter with the following charter members: Michael Crooks, U.W. 1990, Peterson, Johnson & Murray S.C., Madison; Timothy Hawley, Marquette 1988, Stellpflug Law S.C., De Pere; Robert McCracken, U.W. 1974, McCracken Mediations, Manitowoc; Mark Pennow, U.W. 1980, Menn Law Firm Ltd., Green Bay; James S. Smith, U.W. 1983, Smith, Gunderson & Rowen S.C., Brookfield; and Marie Stanton, U.W. 1975, Hurley Burish & Stanton S.C., Madison.
F. John Podvin Jr., U.W. 1991, has been elected chair of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. He is a partner in the Dallas office of Bieging Shapiro & Barber LLP.
The Racine County Bar Association has elected the following officers: president – Mark D. Richards, U.W. 1987, Mark D. Richards S.C.; president-elect – Meredith S. Lewis, Marquette 2009, Law Office of Meredith S. Lewis LLC; treasurer – Eric J. Markusen, Marquette 2002, Foley, Shannon, Powers & Rusch S.C.; and secretary, Carrie R. Michelson, Marquette 1993, Michelson Law Office, all of Racine. Elected to three-year terms on the board are Brian P. Dimmer, Marquette 2009, Mark D. Richards SC, and Peter J. Wyant, U.W. 2011, Wyant Law Offices SC, both of Racine.
Jennifer R. D’Amato, U.W. 1989, has been named chair of the trusts and estates practice at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C. She is also chair of trust services and cochair of the fiduciary litigation service group. John E. Mossberg, Marquette 1990, has been appointed to Reinhart’s board. Mossberg counsels fiduciaries and plan sponsors on the administration of Employee Retirement Income Security Act employee benefit plans.
Jerry Vang, U.W. 2013, has been elected to a two-year term as president of the Wisconsin Asian Bar Association. He is member relations manager for the State Bar of Wisconsin.
Greg Wesley, U.W. 1997, has been appointed to the board of Park Bank, Milwaukee. Wesley is an equity partner with Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP, Milwaukee, and concentrates in management-side labor and employment matters and governmental relations.
Richard A. Westley, U.W. 1975, of Westley Law Offices S.C., Madison, has been elected president of the Transportation Lawyers Association, with members in North America and Europe who represent both providers and commercial users of transportation and logistics services from all modes of transportation, including air, rail, truck, and maritime companies.
The following lawyers have become team leaders with Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. In the Madison office: Michael Cronin, George Mason 2005, Intellectual Property Practice Group; Thomas P. Heneghan, DePaul 1989 with honors, Environmental Litigation Team; Melinda (Mindi) Giftos, Univ. of Florida 2000 with honors, Technology Law Team; Paul J. Karch, Harvard 1982 cum laude, Agribusiness Team and Corporate & Finance Practice Group; Eric M. McLeod, U.W. 1993 cum laude, Real Estate & Eminent Domain Litigation Team; and Jeffrey L. Vercauteren, Notre Dame 2008 cum laude, Communications Law Team.
In the Milwaukee office: Kate Bechen, Iowa 2006 with distinction, Emerging Companies Team; Lydia J. Chartre, Marquette 2003, Condominium & Home Owner Association Law Team; Michael Dahm, Harvard 2003, Securities Team; Frank W. DiCastri, U.W. 1997, Business Restructuring, Creditors’ Rights & Bankruptcy Team; Donald P. Gallo, Marquette 1990 cum laude, Environmental Litigation Team;Thomas Gonzalez, U.W. 1998 cum laude, Product Liability Litigation & Risk Avoidance Team; Thomas Pienkos, U.W. 1999, Intellectual Property Practice Group; Ariane C. Strombom, Marquette 2013, International Transactions Team; Lynda Templen, U.W. 1991, Public Finance Team; and Thomas R. Vance, Brooklyn 2007 cum laude, Tax Exempt Organizations Team.
The Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers’ Association has elected the following officers and directors: president – Craig Mastantuono, DePaul 1992, Mastantuono & Coffee S.C.; vice president – Hon. Pedro A. Colon, U.W. 1994, Milwaukee County Circuit Court; secretary – Crystal Banse, U.W. 2010, National Guard Bureau, Washington, D.C.; treasurer – Jack Davila, Marquette 2011, Previant Law Firm SC; and directors – Michelle Velasquez, Marquette 2010, State Public Defender Appellate Division; Sklkime Abduli, Marquette 2012, Abduli Immigration Law LLC; Israel Ramon, Marquette 1994, Ramon & Medrano SC; Cain Oulahan, Marquette 2011, Erich C. Straub Immigration Atty LLC; and Kristina CerveraGarcia, Marquette 1998, Cervera Garcia Law Offices LLC, all (except Banse) in Milwaukee.
Authors, Speakers
Jon E. Anderson, Marquette 1981, of Godfrey & Kahn SC, Madison, spoke on the new election rules of the National Labor Relations Board at the American Health Lawyers Association Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.
Carlton D. Stansbury, Iowa 1990 with distinction, has authored Supplement on Wisconsin Prenuptial Law, published in Drafting Prenuptial Agreements, Skoloff, Singer Jr. and Brown (Wolters Kluwer 1994; supp 2015). He is a shareholder in Burbach & Stansbury S.C., Milwaukee, practicing exclusively in family law.
Awards, Degrees, Honors
Jesse B. Blocher, Marquette 2006 summa cum laude, and Molly C. Lavin, Marquette 1995, shareholders in the Waukesha office of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C., have been certified as Civil Trial Specialists by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Blocher’s practice includes automobile accident, premises liability, environmental pollution, products liability, and insurance coverage matters. Lavin’s practice includes motor vehicle accident, nursing home injury, slip and fall, sexual assault, dog bite, pharmacy error, and home and building owners and contractor matters.
Douglas H. Frazer, Northwestern 1985, received the Messenger Award from the Milwaukee Bar Association, which recognizes the best article published in the association’s MessengerMagazine in 2014. Frazer’s article, “The Cranberry Brief,” traced the history of Wisconsin’s protective cranberry growers’ law. Frazer is with the metro Milwaukee office of DeWitt Ross & Stevens S.C. and concentrates in tax, litigation, trusts and estates, and business law.
Norman A. Gahn, Marquette 1984, received the Allied Professional Award from the U.S. Department of Justice for strengthening the prosecution of sexual predators in his work with DNA evidence on behalf of crime victims. Gahn is retiring after nearly 31 years as a Milwaukee County assistant district attorney, specializing in homicide and sexual assault cases. He pioneered the concept of issuing sexual assault warrants by DNA profile rather than by name, which ensures the statute of limitation does not expire.
Bob Gregg, West Virginia 1979, cochair of the labor and employment practice group at Boardman & Clark LLP, Madison, received the President’s Award from the American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity. The award recognizes his work in civil rights and equal employment opportunities for 40 years, including developing some of the first race relations, disability, sexual harassment, and bullying programs and regulations in the United States.
Eric E. Hobbs, Cornell 1985, has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Pulp and Paper Safety Association. The award is the association’s highest honor for service and recognizes leadership and service within the association. Hobbs is a partner with the Milwaukee office of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, focusing on labor and employment law.
The Milwaukee Bar Association honored the following lawyers at its annual awards ceremony: Distinguished Service Award: Michael Hupy, Marquette 1972, Hupy and Abraham S.C.; E. Michael McCann Distinguished Public Service Award – Norman A. Gahn, Marquette 1984, andMark S. Williams, Marquette 1977, both retired from the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office; 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award – Phoebe W. Williams, Marquette 1981, Marquette Law School.
Todd Palmer, St. Louis University 1992, a partner with Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Madison, has been admitted into the American College of Environmental Lawyers. Members are preeminent, experienced individuals who have practiced environmental law for at least 15 years and who continue to make environmental law the majority of their practice. Palmer is chair of Michael Best’s environmental practice group and pulp and paper industry team.
Thomas L. Shriner Jr., Indiana Univ.-Bloomington 1972, received the 2015 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Seventh Circuit. Shriner is a partner with Foley & Lardner LLP, Milwaukee, and focuses on commercial and public law litigation and state and federal appellate practice.
Retirements
James R. Kieffer, Marquette 1976, retired July 31 as Waukesha County circuit court judge after 30 years on the bench. He was one of the longest-tenured circuit court judges in Wisconsin. He has opened his own mediation and arbitration practice.
In Memoriam
Ralph E. Anfang, Marquette 1956, Brookfield, March 13, 1929 – July 19, 2015.
Wayne R. Austin, 1975, Stoughton, April 2, 1938 – June 19, 2015.
Lyn Fulwider Benavides, U.W. 1992, Madison, Aug. 28, 1948 – May 22, 2015.
Peter C. Bloch, Concord Law School, Kaplan University 2012, Waunakee, June 8, 1944 – May 27, 2015.
Hugh R. Braun, Michigan 1956, Shorewood, May 2, 1931 – Feb. 28, 2015.
Edward J. Coe, U.W. 1951, Rice Lake, Dec. 2, 1926 – Jan. 27, 2015.
Kenneth M. Fleck, U.W. 1985, Cedarburg, May 26, 1957 – Feb. 27, 2015.
Alan Goldberg, Loyola-Chicago 1980, Madison, Feb. 14, 1955 – July 20, 2015.
Jeffrey P. Greipp, Marquette 1999, Wauwatosa, Sept. 22, 1973 – June 23, 2015.
John R. Holden, U.W. 1945, Sheboygan, Feb. 28, 1921 – June 24, 2015.
David W. Leifker, Marquette 1966, Dubuque, Iowa, Aug. 4, 1940 – June 13, 2015.
Marc T. McCrory, U.W. 1986, Janesville, Aug. 13, 1961 – June 14, 2015.
Richard T. Naruo, U.W. 1974, Tustin, Calif., Dec. 8, 1944 – April 24, 2009.
Leary E. Peterson, U.W. 1946, Prairie du Chien, Feb. 9, 1923 – May 1, 2015.
Thomas L. Quimby, U.W. 1955, Saint Paul, Minn., April 6, 1929 – May 30, 2015.
Susan R. Robertson, U.W. 1977, Milwaukee, July 7, 1952 – June 8, 2015.
Stephan A. Rogge, U.W. 1990, La Crosse, Nov. 10, 1955 – May 11, 2015.
Thomas J. Rooney, Colorado 1948, Pewaukee, Jan. 23, 1923 – June 2, 2015.
Robert E. Schoenecker, Marquette 1942, Hilton Head Island, S.C., Feb. 20, 1918 – May 10, 2015.
Gerald D. Stange, U.W. 1977, Wausau, April 4, 1952 – April 26, 2015.
Ralph J.J. Vosskamp, U.W. 1998, Madison, Dec. 23, 1967 – May 25, 2012.
Carl H. Wartman, Chicago 1979, Wisconsin Rapids, Sept. 18, 1952 – May 10, 2015.
Robert W. Wolfe, U.W. 1941, Sarasota, Florida, Dec. 23, 1916 – Sept. 18, 2014.
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.
Photo placement: Submit a professional-quality photo. If the photo is used, the State Bar will issue an invoice ($30 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. Email to: MembersOnly@wisbar.org. Include your State Bar membership number.
