Multiple Generations of Lawyers
Carry on the Family Tradition

Thank you to all who responded to our call for information about Wisconsin families with multiple generations of lawyers. The response was great, which created the daunting task of choosing families to interview. We wish space would have allowed us to include more family stories. In abbreviated format, here are other Wisconsin families with multiple generations of lawyers. - Editors

The Bachhubers: John G. Bachhuber (1st gen.) practiced in Wisconsin during the late 1880s to the early 1900s. At the time of his death in 1918, he was a Dodge County circuit judge. F.E. Bachhuber (2nd gen.), 1884-1939, began the family firm in Wausau in 1922. His son, F.E. Bachhuber (3rd gen.), U.W. 1936, joined the firm in 1936 and practiced there until his death on March 7, 1998. F.E. Bachhuber Jr. (4th gen.), Marquette 1966, joined his father in Bachhuber Law Offices S.C. in 1968 and continues with the firm. Wisconsin Attorney General James E. Doyle, Harvard 1972, is a cousin also representing the third generation. His father is the late Federal Judge Doyle.

The Bakers: Robert V. Baker (4th gen.), John Marshall 1968, retired in 1996 as a Kenosha County circuit court judge after serving as an assistant D.A. in Kenosha County and practicing in corporate law. His father, Robert V. Baker (3rd gen.), formerly the Kenosha city attorney, practiced until his death in 1968 with M. Eugene Baker (3rd gen.) in the firm Baker, Juliani & Baker. Eugene eventually became a municipal judge and a Kenosha County circuit court judge. He passed away in 1975. Robert V. Baker (2nd gen.) was admitted to the bar in the late 1890s. He was a private practice trial lawyer until he became a Kenosha County judge. Myron A. Baker (1st gen.) was wounded in the Civil War before entering the private practice of law, which he continued from about 1862 until his death in1921.

The Brennans: Martin J. Brennan (1st gen.), Marquette 1912, founded Brennan & Brennan in Milwaukee in 1912. Joseph K. Brennan (2nd gen.), Marquette 1939, still practices at Brennan & Brennan after 59 years. James B. Brennan (2nd gen.), Marquette 1952, practices at Brennan & Brennan after 46 years, with interruptions for political office, including state senator, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, assistant Milwaukee County D.A., and Milwaukee city attorney. Terry Brennan (2nd gen.), DePaul 1952, became the head football coach at Notre Dame and today is officer, stockholder, and director of a sports radio network. Daniel G. Brennan (3rd gen.), Kent 1990, worked for Hinshaw & Culbertson from 1990-93 when he joined Brennan & Brennan. Daniel is married to attorney Grace Flynn, who works with her brother, attorney Alex Flynn, in his law firm. Martin J. Brennan (3rd gen.), Marquette 1986, practiced with Hyatt Legal Services until he started his own firm. Kitty K. Brennan (3rd gen.), U.W. 1977, previously taught high school, and was a Milwaukee County assistant D.A. until joining her husband, Joseph G. Murphy, in Murphy & Brennan until 1994 when she was elected to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court. She is the presiding judge of the Misdemeanor Division.

The Goodlands: John Goodland (1st gen.), born in Taunton, Somersetshire, England, in 1831, read the law and qualified for legal practice in 1878, forming a partnership in Appleton that year. He served two terms as Outagamie County district attorney, then as a judge of the Tenth Judicial District for 25 years. He died in 1919. Walter S. Goodland (2nd gen.) read the law under his father's direction and was admitted to the Wisconsin bar in 1886. He became affiliated as a reporter/editor/owner with several newspapers in Michigan and Wisconsin, and held various public offices including Racine mayor, state senator, lieutenant governor, and governor. Elmer D. Goodland (3rd gen.) practiced law in Racine and became a municipal court judge and circuit court judge, serving more than 25 years. John S. Goodland (4th gen.), U.W. 1957, recently retired after 33 years of practicing law in Milwaukee, first as an associate of Affeldt & Lichtsenn, then as a partner of Werner & Goodland, a shareholder of Davis & Kuelthau, and as a member of Fiorenza & Hayes.

The Johnsons: Easton Johnson (1st gen.), U.W. 1915, practiced in Whitewater for 65 years. His son-in-law, Robert C. DeBaufer (2nd gen.), U.W. 1942, practiced with Easton in Johnson & DeBaufer for 35 years. Robert's daughter, Susan DeBaufer Johnson (3rd gen.), U.W. 1973, married Grant Carl Johnson III, Marquette 1970, who is an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. Grant's grandfather was an attorney in Indiana. Robert's daughter, Betsy DeBaufer Loss, married John R. Loss, St. Louis 1976, who practices law in Kansas City, Mo.

The Kaplans: Sydney C. Charney (1st gen.), U.W. 1927 est., practiced law in Milwaukee. He is an uncle to William E. Kaplan (2nd gen.), U.W. 1938, who began practicing in Milwaukee and continues to practice in Wausau. James Katz (3rd gen.), U.W. 1961, son-in-law to William, practices in the Chicago area. Aaron Goodstein (3rd gen.), U.W. 1967, formerly clerked for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Myron Gordon and presently is a magistrate judge in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Abby Goodstein (4th gen.), U.W. 1998, will practice in Sacramento, Calif.

Matthews/Rice: Francis Patrick Matthews (1st gen.), Creighton 1913, a sole practitioner in Omaha, Neb., until his son joined him in 1948, was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Truman in 1949 and later U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, a post he held at his death. Francis P. Matthews Jr. (2nd gen.), Creighton 1948, practiced in Omaha in the firm formed with his father, which became Matthews & Cannon, until his retirement in 1986; he was on the Omaha School Board and was president of the Omaha Bar Association in 1964. F. Patrick Matthews (3rd gen.), Creighton 1970, a partner at Weiss, Berzowski, Brady & Donahue in Milwaukee, clerked for the Hon. Donald Lay (8th Cir.), was a special trial attorney for the IRS in Washington, D.C., and Milwaukee, was a cofounder of Second Harvest Food Bank of Wisconsin, and served two terms as Whitefish Bay Village president. Michael P. Matthews (4th gen.), Michigan 1996, is a law clerk for Chief Judge J.P. Stadtmueller of the U.S. District Court (E.D. Wisconsin). Richard M. Rice (Mike's maternal grandfather), Marquette 1939, was a sole practitioner in Milwaukee for 54 years, a member of the Wisconsin Assembly in the 40s, and twice a delegate to the Republican National Convention; he died in 1995, two years after retiring.

The Murphys: Robert B.L. Murphy (3rd gen.), U.W. 1932, began practice in 1932 with the Madison firm Kuehl & Crownhart, which became Crownhart & Murphy in 1933, and currently is known as Murphy & Desmond S.C. Robert's father (2nd gen.), U.W. 1893, entered the practice of Silas.U. Pinney, later a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice. Robert's father practiced in Madison until his death in 1910. Robert's maternal uncle became a judge in northern Minnesota. Robert's maternal grandfather (1st gen.) studied law in Chicago shortly before the Civil War and later practiced in Grand Rapids and Houghton, Mich. He also became a judge.

The Petries: Nelson F. Petrie (1st gen.), Marquette 1918, joined Nohl & Nohl in 1918, eventually becoming the third partner in what is today Petrie & Stocking S.C., a firm that has been in continuous existence in downtown Milwaukee for more than 100 years. Nelson practiced law for 60 years, until his death in 1978 at age 86. James R. Petrie (2nd gen.), U.W. 1954, joined his father's firm as an associate in 1956. He recently celebrated his 42nd anniversary with the firm. Laura J. Petrie (3rd gen.), Minnesota 1992, joined the firm as an associate in 1994 and was elected a shareholder in 1997.

The Rogerses: Alan J. Rogers (2nd gen.), U.W. 1952, joined his father (1st gen.) in the practice of law in Whitewater in 1952. In 1974 Alan J. became president of First Citizens State Bank in Whitewater, and retired in 1979. He passed away recently in Kula, Hawaii. Alan's son, Peter A. Rogers (3rd gen.), U.W. 1980, is president of F&M Trust Co. in Kaukauna. Peter's younger brother, Christopher E. Rogers (3rd gen.), U.W. 1995, is an associate with Borgelt, Powell, Peterson & Frauen S.C., Milwaukee.

The Rothsteins: Jacob S. Rothstein (1st gen.), U.W. 1914, practiced in Milwaukee until his death in 1941. David I. Rothstein (2nd gen.), Marquette 1961, began practicing in Milwaukee with his uncle, Nathaniel Rothstein, Marquette 1936. Jacquelynn B. Rothstein (3rd gen.), Marquette 1991, began practicing with her father, David, in 1991 and now works for the Wisconsin Division of Hearings and Appeals and the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing.

The Whites: J. Spencer White (1st gen.), born near Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1820, died in Long Beach, Cal., in 1905. He practiced in Prescott, Wis., from 1855 to 1905. Ferris M. White (2nd gen.) practiced law from 1886 to 1940, mostly in River Falls. Kenneth S. White (3rd gen.) was admitted to practice in 1921and practiced with his father, Ferris, in River Falls. He was a circuit judge from 1947 to 1957. Charles E. White (4th gen.), U.W. 1951, also practiced in River Falls. He retired in 1993.