New Hires, Promotions, Partners

Tyrice J. Denson, Marquette 2024, has joined DeWitt LLP Law Firm in the Greater Milwaukee office as an associate. Denson’s practice focuses on business matters, employee stock ownership plans, and real estate matters.

Ciara C. Doherty, Marquette 2024, has joined Wynn at Law LLC, Lake Geneva, as an associate, focusing on real estate, estate planning, and bankruptcy.

Tyler Jones, U.W. 2024, has joined bankruptcy and creditors’ rights firm Hanson & Payne LLC, Milwaukee, as an associate. Jones also is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Bankruptcy, Insolvency, and Creditors Rights Section and the Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association.

Kendall Karon, U.W. 2024, and Juan C. Quero Jr., U.W. 2023, have joined Kowalski, Wilson & Vang LLC, Madison, as associates. The firm handles family law matters in south-central Wisconsin, including divorce, child custody and placement, child support and maintenance, guardianship, and guardian ad litem work.

Jeffrey A. Mandell, Chicago 2006, and Kathleen G. McNeil, U.W. 1997, have joined Law Forward, a Madison-based nonpartisan, nonprofit law firm devoted to defending and advancing democracy in Wisconsin. Mandell is president and general counsel. Previously he was a partner at Stafford Rosenbaum LLP and before that practiced at Jones Day in Washington and Barlit Beck in Chicago. McNeil serves as director of administration. Before joining Law Forward, she spent over 20 years in private practice at Garvey McNeil & Associates before transitioning to law firm management as the head of human resources and business development at Stafford Rosenbaum.

Kate Trudell, Marquette 2016, has joined MWH Law Group, a certified minority-owned law firm with offices in Wisconsin, New York, Iowa, and Indiana. Trudell joins a team of attorneys who work to protect the operation, reputation, and goodwill of businesses, municipalities, and institutions in the communities they serve.

Appointments, Elections

Michelle Behnke, U.W. 1988, has assumed the role of ABA president-elect. Behnke will serve a one-year term in that role before becoming president of the association in August 2025 at the ABA Annual Meeting in Toronto. Behnke joined Boardman Clark, Madison, in 2024, and focuses on business, commercial real estate, and estate planning. Behnke began her legal career with Stolper, Koritzinsky, Brewster & Neider S.C., in Madison, then practiced as in-house counsel for CUNA Mutual Insurance Society before opening her own firm, Michelle Behnke & Associates, in 1998.

Behnke was president of the State Bar of Wisconsin in 2004-05. Behnke was ABA treasurer (2017-20) and chair of the ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession. She is a member of the ABA’s Strategic Planning Committee and is Wisconsin state chair for the Membership Committee. She has been a member of the ABA Board of Governors and House of Delegates and formerly served as chair of the Standing Committee on Bar Activities and Services. She is on the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association board, the University of Wisconsin Law School Board of Visitors, and the Capitol Bank board.

Behnke is a recipient of the Charles L. Goldberg Distinguished Service Award and the YWCA Women of Distinction Award.

Katie Muldoon, Boston College 2006, has become national chair of Quarles & Brady LLP’s Estate, Trust & Wealth Preservation Practice Group. Muldoon, a Milwaukee-based partner, has helped drive the growth of the firm’s business succession planning work. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

Awards, Degrees, Honors

Mark Munson, South Dakota 1999, has been accepted as a member to the Special Needs Alliance (SNA). SNA membership is selective and competitive and extended by invitation only. Attorneys must meet specific criteria, such as a minimum number of years practicing in the special needs area and proven involvement with disability advocacy organizations, to ensure that SNA clients are served with the utmost professionalism and compassion. Munson is with Ruder Ware LLSC, Wausau. A significant portion of his practice is spent counseling families on public benefits, including special needs trusts. He is a member of Wispact’s Attorney Advisory Committee and the retained fund committee advisory board, has been an active participant in the legal community presenting throughout Wisconsin and nationwide on elder law and special needs planning, and has contributed significantly to the field through his involvement with the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).

Sen. Kelda H. Roys, U.W. 2004, was recently honored by the Wisconsin Hospice and Palliative Care Association as a Champion of Hospice and Palliative Care. Those legislators designated as Champions of Hospice and Palliative Care were strong supporters, either as a bill author or a strong advocate at the committee level, of legislation – Assembly Bill 736 and Senate Bill 703 – that would establish a state Palliative Care Council.

In Memoriam

Michael C. Ablan, Marquette 1974, Hayward, March 11, 1949 – Jan. 23, 2024.

Gloria L. Case, Marquette 1967, Egg Harbor, May 29, 1945 – July 25, 2024.

Hon. Robert C. Crawford, Syracuse 1979, Milwaukee, July 30, 1951 – July 15, 2024.

Christian Harwich, Marquette 1978, Whitefish Bay, Oct. 7, 1940 – May 21, 2024.

Kristofer W. Hess, Chicago 1997, Hamburg, Germany, Feb. 3, 1972 – Aug. 13, 2024.

James J. Koenen, Marquette 1952, Port Washington, July 25, 1925 – June 18, 2010.

Robert G. Krohn, U.W. 1971, Janesville, June 24, 1945 – Nov. 15, 2023.

Harry B. Maroney II, U.W. 1962, Madison, Aug. 23, 1937 – July 7, 2024.

Clifton G. Rodenburg, North Dakota 1974, Fargo, N.D., April 5, 1949 – Jan. 27, 2024.

Gregory J. Sell, U.W. 1975, Milwaukee, Sept. 10, 1950 – July 25, 2024.

Robert H. Skilton III, U.W. 1963, Grand Rapids, Mich., Dec. 17, 1941 – Aug. 27, 2024.

John M. Swietlik, Marquette 1956, Thiensville, June 24, 1930 – Aug. 18, 2023.

Walter F. Tesch, U.W. 1953, Milwaukee, Feb. 7, 1929 – Feb. 1, 2024.

Gerald S. Weinrich, Hamline 1982, Rochester, Minn., May 22, 1957 – June 22, 2024.

Lydia Witte, Marquette 2014, March 7, 1989 – June 30, 2024.

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 following individuals were newly certified or recertified as of March 7, 2023. For a full list of Certified Paralegals, visit wisbar.org/Paralegal.

Dena Bauer, Tanya R. Braga, Mary K. Kaminski, Olivia G.T. Kopitzke, Laurie A. Matthews, Susan Mixdorf, Colleen M. Schmitz, Karla S. Wyse & Cheryl A. Yerkes, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Milwaukee.

Rebecca J. Below, City of Madison Department of Civil Rights, Madison.

Molly Berndt, Tlusty, Kennedy & Glascock SC, Schofield.

Sandra J. Bilderback, Sarah E. Leanna & Jennifer J. Nickerson, Crivello Nichols & Hall SC, Milwaukee.

Aimee B. Bleyer, Studinski Law LLC, Plover.

Bethmarie Bohn, Malissa D. Cooley & Linda Gamsky, Robert W. Baird & Co., Milwaukee.

Kathleen Boucher, Sally Branec & Angela J. Peterson, Godfrey & Kahn SC, Madison.

Tara J. Breadon, Schluesche Fields SC, Monroe.

Jessica Brown, Osborne Tripp SC, Sparta.

Jody Burns, O’Connor & Thomas PC, Dubuque, Iowa.

Ruth M. Campos, Northwestern Mutual, Milwaukee.

Lisa Christians, Aspirus Inc., Wausau.

Paula J. Cox-Bey, O’Flaherty Law LLC, La Crosse.

Cynthia M. Dahlke, Lynda M. Fechter, Angela M. Gonzalez & Anita A. Seering, Ruder Ware LLSC, Wausau.

Lisa J. Davis, Sheets Law Office LLC, Stevens Point.

Lori DiPietrantonio & Carolyn Tanchester, American Transmission Co., Waukesha.

Brittany Ann Eder & Joseph Goetz, Nicolet Law Office SC, Eau Claire.

Lisa Felt, Johns, Flaherty & Collins SC, La Crosse.

Kimberly M. Finnigan, Halloin Law Group SC, Milwaukee.

Diane Fisher, TruStage, Madison.

Joanne Fitzgerald, Madison Metropolitan School District, Madison.

Barbara A. Fontaine, Bonnie R. Gottfried, Valerie Lardinois, Christine Pawlak, Alicia Stern & Cindy Summers, One Law Group SC, Green Bay.

Suzanne Q. Gawenda, Myers Law LLC, Onalaska.

Debby V. Germann, The Marcus Corp., Milwaukee.

Tanya Ghali, Lindner & Marsack SC, Milwaukee.

Melinda Godfrey, Gebhard Law Office LLC, Milwaukee.

Linda J. Gomez, Alliant Energy Corp., Madison.

Lynn M. Gompper, Amundsen Davis LLC, Milwaukee.

Amy E. Goss, Gill & Gill SC, Appleton.

John C. Goudie, U.S. Attorneys Office Eastern District, Wauwatosa.

Joy Gravunder & Pamela Rolstad, Gass Turek LLC, Milwaukee.

Jennifer Haefner, Regal Rexnord Corporation, Beloit.

Emily R. Hamilton, US Venture Inc., De Pere.

Aarin Hanson & Natalee R. Staples, Nelson & Lindquist SC, Hudson.

Kimberly Ann Hinch & Charity Buboltz-Kuchenbecker, Hooper Law Office LLC, Appleton.

Meghan E. Hodge, Godfrey & Kahn SC, Milwaukee.

Culeen M. Hoehn, Jensen, Scott, Grunewald & Shiffler SC, Medford.

Kathryn Hoffman, Sheboygan City Attorney’s Office, Sheboygan.

Joni Jakubowski & Kristen B. Lenzen, DeWitt LLP – Greater Milwaukee Office, Brookfield.

Rebecca L. Janz, Sargento Foods Inc., Plymouth.

Jacklynn A. Kasuboski, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton.

Jennifer M. Kaufman, Fiduciary Partners Trust Co., Appleton.

Jenna R. Koehler, Tracy A. Merkle, Julie A. Obranovich & Kadlja Prokash, Everson, Whitney, Everson & Brehm SC, Green Bay.

Vikki Kohlhoff, Bender Larson Chidley Koppes & Associates SC, Watertown.

Laura R. Kreft, Advocate Aurora Health, Oak Creek.

Cynthia Krutke, Swanson Sweet LLP, Oshkosh.

Joshua A. Lange, Crivello Nichols & Hall SC, Eau Claire.

Sarah M. Lichtfuss, Vogel Law Firm Ltd., Janesville.

Karen L. Literski, Borgelt, Powell, Peterson & Frauen SC, Wind Lake.

Jennifer J. Maier, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Madison.

JoAnn Mancl, Crooks Law Firm SC, Wausau.

Susan Marie McClone, Society Insurance Co., Fond du Lac.

Lisa Mellone, Ratzel & Associates LLC, Brookfield.

Michelle Moe & LuAnn Peterson, Boardman & Clark LLP, Madison.

Rebecca A. Meulemans, Outagamie County Corporation Counsel, Appleton.

Constance R. Meunier, Hale, Skemp, Hanson, Skemp & Sleik, La Crosse.

Denise Mihaljevic, WaterStone Bank SSB, Wauwatosa.

Emelly Miller, State of Wisconsin Department of Justice, Verona.

Krista Y. Miller, Corneille Law Group LLC, Madison.

Carleen Murphy, Experimental Aircraft Association Inc., Oshkosh.

Sarah Nash, Nash Law LLC, Milwaukee.

Katrina Nelson, Amy M. Sedo, Jenny Stobb & Barbara G. Tebo, US Venture Inc., Appleton.

Amanda Nocchi, Bakke Norman SC, Eau Claire.

Ann K. Olson & Linda Sabel, Fond du Lac County Corporation Counsel, Fond du Lac.

Amanda Parker, Ron Harmeyer Law Office LLC, Milwaukee.

Erica A. Pedrazoli, Moen Sheehan Meyer Ltd, La Crosse.

Christine Perkovich O’Brien, Milliman, Combined Locks.

Kristine Pettit, Chapin & Associates, Brookfield.

Trisha L. Pietrzyk, Osowski Law LLC, Oshkosh.

Pamela J. Price, Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary PC, Milwaukee.

Carla J. Prochnow, Carlson Dash LLC, Pleasant Prairie.

Jennifer Radke, Goyke Tillisch & Fischer LLP, Wausau.

Alexis C. Rathkamp, Cross Jenks Mercer & Maffei LLP, Baraboo.

Leah B. Rosenow, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin Inc., Wauwatosa.

Traci N. Savath, Bender Larson Chidley Koppes & Associates SC, Watertown.

Amanda M. Sawdo, Sturgeon Bay.

Wendy L. Schlies, Godfrey & Kahn SC, Green Bay.

Jennifer L. Schmidt, Quarles & Brady LLP, Milwaukee.

Derek B. Schuld, Madison City Attorney’s Office, Madison.

Yvonne Scott, Legal Action of Wisconsin Inc., Milwaukee.

Jessica A. Seyfert, Sensient Technologies Corp., Milwaukee.

Katherine S. Shipley, Peterson, Berk & Cross SC, Appleton.

Pamela Stace, UW Health, Middleton.

Christine Starr, Hebl & Hebl LLP, Sun Prairie.

Tiffany L. Storch, von Briesen & Roper SC, Madison.

Debra Theine, Amundsen Davis LLC, Brookfield.

Doug Theran, Theran Law Firm LLP, Madison.

Nicole L.M. Timmermans, Sentry Insurance, Stevens Point.

Kimberly Lynn Tishler, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Legal Department, Milwaukee.

Mariah K. Vanasse, Doar, Drill & Skow SC, New Richmond.

Marcia A. Vandehey, Dunham Law LLC, Oshkosh.

Kayce Voelker, Van Horn Automotive Group, Plymouth.

Morgan L. Wilbur, City of Eau Claire, Eau Claire.

Amanda L. Willes, Menasha Corp., Neenah.

Saundra E. Williams, Bemis Company Inc., Neenah.

Jessica Wormet, Sentry Insurance Co., Port Edwards.

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.