In the News

New Hires, Promotions

Debra L. (Hodges) Schneider, Marquette 1984, and Kelin R. Olson Sr., South Dakota 1992, have joined the litigation section of Bode, Carroll, McCoy & Hoefle S.C., Waukesha, as associates.

Paul R. Dahlberg, Minnesota 1992, an attorney with Meshbesher & Spence and manager of the Rochester, Minn., branch office, has been named a new partner. He practices exclusively in personal injury law. Dahlberg, who is licensed in Wisconsin and Minnesota, was recognized in the December 1998 issue of Law & Politics Magazine as a "rising star" by his professional peers.

Joel J. Dahlgren, U.W. 1992, has become a partner in Berens, Rodenberg & O'Connor of New Ulm, Minn., where he has an agricultural co-op practice. He has been employed at the firm since August 1992. He is licensed to practice in Iowa, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

James R. Danaher, Marquette 1999, has joined O'Meara, Eckert, Pouros & Gonring, which has offices in West Bend and Hartford, as an associate in the general practice.

Thomas M. Domer, U.W. 1983, a partner in the Milwaukee office of Shneidman, Myers, has been promoted to adjunct associate professor of law at Marquette University Law School. Domer holds a Ph.D. from Marquette and teaches the worker's compensation course at the law school.

Four attorneys practicing in different areas of law have joined Foley & Lardner as special counsel in the Milwaukee office. Wayne H. Brogelman, Marquette 1967, practices in the real estate group focusing on mortgage lending, leasing, and the purchase and sale of properties. He is a former assistant general counsel for Firstar Corp. James L. Vana, Indiana University 1993, practices in the intellectual property department focusing on trademark and copyright counseling and prosecution. He previously worked for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a trademark examiner. Mark M. Velguth, William Mitchell 1987, practices in the litigation department focusing on product liability litigation, especially defending asbestos personal injury cases. He earlier practiced nine years with Borgelt, Powell, Peterson & Frauen in Milwaukee. James A. Wilke, Marquette 1974, holds an LL.M. in intellectual property from the John Marshall Law School-Center for Intellectual Property. He also joins the firm's intellectual property department. He previously served as general counsel for Hein-Warner Corp. in Waukesha, where he practiced corporate and patent law.

Vernon W. Francissen, U.W. 1995, has joined the intellectual property firm of McDonnell, Boehnen, Hulbert & Berghoff in Chicago, where he will continue his practice in patent protection for high technology electronics and software.

Brandon N. Krueger, Georgetown, has become an associate working with the labor & employment practice team in the Madison office of Godfrey & Kahn S.C. Paul W. Griepentrog, Marquette 1996, has joined the firm as an associate working with the corporate practice team in the Milwaukee office. He previously was employed with Ernst & Young LLP as a tax consultant.

Mark J. Haberberger, Cornell 1985, has joined GE Medical Systems, a Division of General Electric Co. headquartered in Waukesha, as counsel - commercial contracting. His office is located at the GEMS Customer Center in New Berlin. He previously was an in-house counsel with Abbott Laboratories in north suburban Chicago.

Lisa A. Martin, Marquette 1999, has become president and sole stockholder in the law firm of Hayes & Martin S.C., Milwaukee. She practices in family law and real estate.

Charles P. Stevens, Marquette 1981, has been hired as a partner of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, in the Milwaukee office. Stevens practices in labor and employment law.

Murphy & Desmond S.C., Madison, has hired seven attorneys. Daniel J. Lipman, George Washington 1973, will practice primarily in real estate, corporate business transactions, limited liability company and partnership formations, and estate planning and probate. He practiced for many years with Wendel & Center LLP, Madison. Ronald M. Trachtenberg, U.W. 1976, will practice primarily in real estate development, municipal law, and business transactions and formations. He had practiced for many years with and was the managing partner of Wendel & Center LLP. He also served on the City of Madison Common Council from 1983-91, serving as president for 1988-89. Vernon J. Jesse, U.W. 1989, will practice primarily in real estate, corporate and business law, and estate planning. He previously was a partner at Wendel & Center LLP where he practiced since 1989. Rick Petri, U.W. 1979, will practice primarily in municipal law, liquor regulation, employment law, contracts, land use, landlord-tenant, and collections. He has practiced with Wendel & Center LLP and the Madison City Attorneys Office. Harvey L. Wendel, U.W. 1963, practices primarily in real estate development and financing, including sales and acquisitions. He was the senior partner of Wendel & Center LLP. Wendel has served as a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors and has been the Board liaison to many Bar sections and committees. Charles G. Center, U.W. 1968, will practice primarily in estate planning, elder law, probate, real estate, and bankruptcy. He was a partner with Wendel & Center LLP. Daniel G. Jardine, U.W. 1991, will practice primarily in insurance defense, worker's compensation, and employment law. He formerly was with Otjen, Van Ert, Leib & Weir S.C. in Madison.

Christopher L. Rissetto, U.W. 1973, recently joined the Washington, D.C., law firm of Reed Smith Shaw & McClay LLP as a partner in the government contracts/export compliance group. He represents municipalities and other public sector clients in public contracting, environmental, grants, privatization, infrastructure development, sustainable development, and related litigation and legislative counseling. He is developing a public sector infrastructure group within the firm.

Christopher E. Rogers, U.W. 1995, has joined Corneille Law Group LLC, Madison. He practices in complex civil litigation in medical negligence, product liability, civil rights, employment discrimination, environmental law, insurance coverage, bad faith litigation, and litigation involving governmental entities.

Angela L. Sheldon, Marquette 1997, has joined the Appleton office of Hinshaw & Culbertson as an associate in the litigation department, concentrating in insurance defense.

Jonathan O. Steen, Minnesota 1992, formerly with Spragins, Barnett, Cobb & Butler in Jackson, Tenn., has joined Armstrong, Allen, Prewitt, Gentry, Johnston & Holmes PLC as an associate at its new Jackson, Tenn., office. He practices in civil litigation, worker's compensation, employment, business litigation, and medical malpractice. He recently was elected president of the Jackson-Madison County Bar Association, and also elected West Tennessee Governor of the Tennessee Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division.

Heidi M. Szatmary, Tulane 1995, has joined Bosshard & Associates, Attorneys at Law, as an associate. She will practice in business law and civil litigation. She previously was a consultant to Wisconsin Electric Power Company in Milwaukee. Bosshard & Associates is an eight-member, general practice firm with offices in La Crosse and Sparta, which has been serving the Coulee Region for more than 100 years.

The Walworth County Corporation Counsel has hired two assistant corporation counsels. Lee Huempfner, Marquette 1991, will have a primary focus on child support enforcement matters. He formerly was with the Racine County Child Support Department. Michael Cotter, Marquette 1998, will concentrate on land use issues. He formerly was with the law firm of Kay & Kay, and had interned in the Walworth County District Attorney's Office and the Public Defender's Office.

Mergers, Relocations, New Associations

Craig A. Mastantuono, DePaul 1992, and Maureen B. Fitzgerald, Marquette 1995, have formed Fitzgerald & Mastantuono S.C., with offices at 817 N. Marshall St., Milwaukee. The firm concentrates in criminal and civil trial litigation.

Jane E. Hosmanek Kaiser, St. Louis University 1983, has opened Communicator for Hire Inc., a marketing communications and public relations firm, located in Franklin. Kaiser has 15 years' experience in marketing and communications, most recently as the director of client services at Davis & Kuelthau S.C.

Bruce A. Olson, managing partner of Olson - Nesemann, Attorneys at Law, announces the creation of ONLAW Trial Technologies LLC, a consulting company offering nationwide clients comprehensive trial automation and litigation support. While still maintaining an active legal practice, ONLAW Trial Technologies LLC will allow Olson - Nesemann to assist other law firms and attorneys with the cutting-edge technology that is the hallmark of its trial practice.

The Beaver Dam office of Quincey, Becker, Schuessler, Militello & Chase S.C., of Beaver Dam and Mayville, has relocated to its new office suite at 130A Park Ave., Beaver Dam.

Alexander L. Ullenberg, U.W. 1996, has relocated his Fond du Lac office to 101 Camelot Dr., Suite 2b, Fond du Lac. The office continues to serve all general practice needs with a focus on small business and corporation representation, criminal and OWI defense, and estate planning.

Anne E. Brown, Hamline 1984, Howard D. White, William Mitchell 1983, John W. Welter, U.W. 1981, and Jill R. Schilling, U.W. 1982, announce the merger of A.E. Brown Law Office with White, Welter & Schilling LLP. The new firm of White, Welter, Schilling & Brown LLP provides a full range of legal services. The firm is located in the Farmers Store Office Plaza, 202 Eau Claire St., Eau Claire.

Wickwire Gavin P.C. celebrated its 25th anniversary in June, making it the oldest law firm in Tyson's Corner, Va. Wickwire Gavin started in Tyson's Corner in 1974 and grew to include offices in Washington, D.C., Madison, Wis., and Los Angeles, Calif. The firm provides legal services to the construction industry and also has evolved in areas such as federal procurement, fidelity and surety, federal grant, environmental, bankruptcy, corporate, and commercial law.

Awards, Honors, Degrees, Certifications

Paul J. Cherner, U.W. 1968, was honored by the Hillels of Illinois for playing a key role in the advancement of the organization. Cherner is a partner at Michael Best & Friedrich, Milwaukee, where he practices labor and employment law. Hillel serves as the Jewish address on campuses throughout the United States and in countries abroad, providing year-round cultural, educational, spiritual, vocational, athletic, social, and community service programs designed to engage Jewish young adults.

James J. Connolly, John Marshall 1986, of Jude, Boyd, Connolly & Simanek S.C., Racine, has been certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Connolly concentrates in insurance defense and personal injury matters.

Russell A. Eisenberg, Marquette 1961, a federal bankruptcy judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, has been named the 1999 Marquette University Law School Alumnus of the Year. Eisenberg was in a private law practice for 25 years and was the associate editor of the Commercial Law Journal for seven years before being appointed a federal judge in 1986.

The following Michael Best & Friedrich attorneys are distinguished for excellence in their practice in the 1999-2000 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, published by Woodward/White Inc.: Marshall R. Berkoff, labor & employment law; Linda H. Bochert, environmental law; Jackson M. Bruce Jr., estate planning; John A. Busch, business litigation; Glenn A. Buse, intellectual property law; David J. Cannon, criminal defense; Richard J. Canter, health care law; David W. Croysdale, labor & employment law; Joseph A. Gemignani, intellectual property law; F. William Haberman, trusts & estates; Michael E. Husmann, intellectual property law; Richard Z. Kabaker, trusts & estates; Jerome H. Kringel, corporate law; Raymond R. Krueger, environmental law; Richard J. Langer, estate planning; Tod B. Linstroth, corporate & real estate law; John K. MacIver, corporate law; Thomas E. Obenberger, labor & employment law; Frank J. Pelisek, corporate law; J. Lewis Perlson, trusts & estates; John R. Sapp, labor & employment law; Timothy G. Schally, tax law; Robert A. Schnur, tax law; Thomas W. Scrivner, labor & employment law; Robin S. Shapiro, health care law; David B. Smith, intellectual property law; and William F. White, real estate law.

Quarles & Brady LLP recently was presented with the Corporate Partner of the Year award by the Milwaukee Repertory Theater in recognition of the involvement by and the firm's sponsorship of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater and its events. The award was accepted on behalf of the firm by firm partners Conrad Goodkind, who serves as a director and secretary of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, and Michael Spector, chair of the firm's management committee.

William A. Rinehart, Marquette 1972, an attorney practicing at the Milwaukee firm Rinehart, Scoffidi & Mathews, has been recertified in creditors' rights law by the American Board of Certification (ABC). He initially was certified in 1994. The ABC is a nonprofit organization that serves the public and improves the quality of the bankruptcy and creditors' rights bars. The program is accredited by the American Bar Association.

All of the attorneys at Stafford & Neal S.C., Madison, have been included in the eighth edition of The Best Lawyers in America (1999-2000), published by Woodward/White Inc. The attorneys listed for excellence in their practice area of worker's compensation are Margaret Stafford, John D. Neal, Gregory Meyer, and Helen L. Schott.

Pro Bono, Public Service

Paul J. Cherner, Marquette 1992, an attorney with Brennan, Steil, Basting & MacDougall S.C., Janesville, was recognized recently for his pro bono legal work by Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The supreme court had requested Compton to participate in the Pro Bono Appeals program, which is a new program involving attorneys who donate time and resources to assist indigent people on their appeals. Compton's case involved extensive research and ultimately an oral argument to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Brennan, Steil, Basting & MacDougall donated more than 100 hours to the project and the costs associated with an appeal to the supreme court. Compton practices in litigation and appellate practice.

The Hanft Fride law firm of Duluth, Minn., continued its centennial celebration in April by giving 100 informational booklets on nine topics to Legal Aid for distribution at community legal education programs, and to clients and the community. Each month of this year, Hanft Fride plans to present 100 gifts to an area charity or other deserving organization. The firm provides a full range of transactional and litigation services for both businesses and individuals.

Former Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge William Jennaro, Marquette 1968, will dedicate one day each week to act as a reserve judge in Milwaukee Circuit Court in an effort to ease caseloads and help make the courts more efficient. Jennaro served two terms in Milwaukee Circuit Court before he retired from the bench in 1984 to enter private practice. He currently is in private practice with Cook & Franke in Milwaukee, and is well known for his work in mediation and arbitration.

Authors, Speakers

Alyce C. Katayama, Maryland 1974, a partner in the law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP, gave a presentation titled "Shared Risk IVF Programs: Can the Ethical and Legal Concerns be Addressed," at the First World Congress of the Association of Private Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinics and Laboratories in Venice, Italy, in March.

Appointments, Elections

James C. Boos, Minnesota 1992, has been elected as director and shareholder of the Duluth-based law firm of Brown, Andrew, Signorelli and Zallar P.A. Licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin, Boos practices in estate planning, closely held businesses, and related fields.

Richard Podell, U.W. 1969, of Richard J. Podell & Associates, Milwaukee, addressed the Family Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in May. Podell is the ABA Family Law Section's liaison to the Canadian Bar.

The Dodge County Bar Association recently elected these officers: president - Scott B. Rasmussen, Beaver Dam; president-elect - Patrick H. Madden, Mayville; and secretary/treasurer - Karl A. Green, Columbus.

David Patrick Eich, Columbia 1992, recently was appointed deputy district attorney of Outagamie County. Eich is on leave of absence from Kirkland & Ellis International in London, England, where his practice comprises multi-jurisdiction leveraged buyouts and high-yield bond offerings mainly by private equity clients.

Dennis M. Grzezinski, Yale 1975, has been appointed as a commissioner of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. He previously served as a commissioner from 1989-98, and as chair during 1991-92. He practices environmental law and civil litigation in Milwaukee, and also serves as vice president of the Riverside Urban Environmental Center in Milwaukee.

Gregg C. Hagopian, U.W. 1987, Milwaukee assistant city attorney, recently was appointed by Gov. Thompson to serve on the Benevolent Retirement Home for the Aged Legislative Task Force.

The St. Croix Valley Bar Association recently elected these officers: president - Daniel P. Murray, River Falls; president-elect - Ronald L. Siler, New Richmond; secretary - Sheila J.B. Paul, Hudson; and treasurer - R. Michael Waterman, Hudson.

The Iowa County Bar Association recently elected these officers: president - Jan Walker, Dodgeville; president-elect - Timothy L. Angel, Dodgeville; and secretary/ treasurer - Erik C. Peterson, Richland Center.

Judge Richard J. Steinberg, Marquette 1958, municipal judge for the City of Brookfield, has been elected by the Wisconsin Municipal Judges Association to a two-year term. Judge Steinberg has served as Brookfield municipal judge for the past 25 years and is a past president and legislative trustee of the Wisconsin Municipal Judges Association.

The Washington County Bar Association recently elected these officers: president - Carol J. Beverly, West Bend; president-elect - James W. Mohr Jr., Hartford; secretary - Timothy J. Algiers, West Bend; and treasurer - Maureen M. Meyer, West Bend.

The Wisconsin Association of Legal Administrators has elected Chuck Peters, administrator of the law firm of Kravit, Gass, Hovel & Leitner S.C., as webmaster of its new Web site. Kathleen Johnson, administrator of O'Neil, Cannon & Hollman S.C., has been elected chair of the association's new Job Bank, which posts job openings for legal support staff and managerial positions available in members' firms.

Wisconsin Lawyer