2015 Unsung Heroes of Wisconsin's Legal Community

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2015 Unsung Heroes of Wisconsin's Legal Community. Honoring the behind the scenes excellence.Presented The Wisconsin Law Journal. Sponsored by Elements Massage and The Greater Milwaukee Association of Legal Professionals© 2015 The Dolan Company and the Wisconsin Law Journal

Transcript of 2015 Unsung Heroes of Wisconsin's Legal Community

  • HONORING BEHIND THE SCENES

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    Lifetime Achievement Award - Habush Habush & Rottier - Terry Tadysak

    4Lifetime Achievement Award - Department of Justice - Linda Wells

    5Kathy CarufelCorneille Law Group

    6Mackenize EricksonHansen Reynolds Dickinson Crueger

    7Lynn GehrkeMilwaukee County Law Library

    8Joleen Gudel Tracey Wood & Associates

    9

    Jocelyn HenningWisconsin Department of Justice

    10Mary HermannMilwaukee County Cicuit Court Branch 41

    11Maribeth KarpinskiLinder & Marsack

    12Lorrie KimballQuarles & Brady

    13Sheri KotasQuarles & Brady

    14Laura La RoseReinhart Boerner Van Deuren

    15

    Lucy ListinskyMilwaukee County Cicuit Court Branch 41

    16Mary LylesMilwaukee City Attorneys Office

    17Janet MedlockU.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

    18Lynda MoserMichael Best & Friedrich

    21Louie PhillipsBoardman & Clark

    22Adam PremoAxley Brynelson

    23

    Sheila ReiffWalworth County Clerks Office

    24Melinda SchroederMarquette Volunteer Legal Clinic

    25Diane Schuck Boardman & Clark

    26Holly SzablewskiFirst Judicial Distirct, Milwaukee County

    27Amy ThorntonWisconsin Department of Justice

    28Laurie WagnerQuarles & Brady

    29

    TABLE SPONSORS

    SPONSORED BY

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  • Terry Tadysak didnt know what awaited him when he stepped into Bob Habushs office.

    I walked into that interview as just an ordinary guy. And I got the unique privilege, as an ordinary guy, to do some very extraordi-nary things, said Tadysak, chief investigator at Habush Habush & Rottier in Milwaukee.

    Nearly 40 years later, Tadysak has investigated some of the biggest and most influential cases of our time, from the infamous Miller Park crane accident to countless product-liability cases. In all of them, he has kept his eye on not only what went wrong, but how to keep the worst from happening again.

    Im a fact-finder, Tadysak explained. Its my responsibility to figure out whodunit. Were an injury law firm, so were investigating accidents where people are either injured or killed. And the question is: How did that happen? What caused their injuries?

    Once he finds the answers, Tadysak certainly could leave it at that.

    But, he said, hes never been content to move on a case at that point.

    Theres that old expression, I think the old crimes shows coined it: Save a person, save the world. If we can save people the pain and injury that other clients have gone through, at the end of the day, its a really good feeling.

    So, since he began at Habush in 1977 a third act for Tadysak, who worked as a police of-ficer and a Milwaukee County District Attorneys witness-victim specialist before becoming an investigator Tadysak has made it his mission to help build a better mouse trap.

    For him that means not only collecting evi-dence, examining accident scenes and interview-ing witnesses he spoke to about 400 people in the Miller Park case. He also works with engi-neers to improve products that had failed.

    Thanks to Tadysak, camp stoves are safer (his investigation into exploding fuel tanks led to improvements that prevent such accidents), 2-li-ter soda bottles are less likely to shoot caps into

    peoples faces (Tadysak and his team suggested adding threads inside the caps to release pressure slowly, rather than all at once, resulting in fewer accidents), and children are safer in their high chairs (Tadysaks inquiry into high-chair-related deaths led to design improvements that prevent little ones from slipping under their trays).

    It wasnt in his job description. But, Tadysak said, it was absolutely his responsibility to help improve the products he investigated.

    Lots of folks dont realize the benefit to the mass of mankind that results from forcing the manufacturers to look more closely at safety, Tadysak said. But, when youre involved in pro-viding suggestions or design or product changes, you know will significantly reduce the likelihood of injury or death. Knowing that you played some role in preventing other people from being catastrophically injured it gives you a much deeper sense of gratification. Its been very rewarding.

    Jessica Stephen

    Legacy in safety

    T E R R Y TA D Y S A Khabush habush & rottier

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  • As Linda Wells made her daily hour-long drive into work at the Wisconsin Depart-ment of Justice in Madison, she would think ahead to her work day.

    I never knew what the day would be like, said Wells, who recently retired from her role as executive staff assistant to the administrator of the DOJs Legal Services Department after working there for 24 years, including the last 21 in her current position. I would try to plan ahead and yes, some things I could, but other things just popped up. The drive home gave me a way to decom-press before getting back to my family.

    At the DOJ, Wells handled a variety of duties including typing and drafting corre-spondence, scheduling meetings, processing reports and supervising the departments 27 secretaries. She also handled recruiting

    for the legal-services department, served as the departments public records assistant, processed all requests, monitored cases and handled all follow-ups.

    I compare my job to managing a large law firm. I assigned cases as they came in, coordinated with the legal secretaries and I also got to do some recruiting, which was a lot of fun, she said. I enjoyed talking with prospective employees and then, if they joined us, helping them get started.

    David Meany, administrator of the legal services department, said Wells was the departments go-to person when questions arose. He said she was always willing to lend a hand.

    If something needs to be done, Linda does it, including many of the day-to-day administrative issues that would otherwise

    consume my time, he said. Its easy to take much of what she does for granted because it is done without fanfare. It just gets done.

    Wells thinks the secret to her success was the ability to constantly shift gears. You never knew what would happen when you picked up the phone, she said. There are a lot of people who dont know or under-stand what the attorney general does, so you sometimes get calls that you cant help with, but you try to get them to the right person or place where they can get help.

    In her position, Wells has handled a lot of investigative information. Meany said shes trusted completely.

    Sharing information with Linda is like going to Las Vegas what she sees and hears stays with her, he said.

    MaryBeth Matzek

    Wells does a little bit of it all for DOJs Legal Services department

    L I N D A W E L L Swisconsin department of justice

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  • Kathy Carufel first became interested in the legal field while working for her brother while he was a lobbyist in North Dakota.

    I saw a lot of bills going in and out and it and caught my interest in the law and, from there, I started working at law firms in Bismarck and continued that work once I moved to Madison. Its just something I really enjoy, she said.

    For the past 10 years of her 45-year career as a legal secretary, Carufel has worked at Corneille Law Group LLC assisting the part-ners Barrett Corneille and David Pliner.

    I really like working on medical mal-practice cases. I find them fascinating and

    complex, Carufel said. I handle all of the federal and court of appeal filings and work-ing on briefs, too.

    Before joining Corneille, Carufel worked for both a lead trial attorney with a heavy caseload in a busy commercial litigation practice and for a motion and appellate attorney who filed many briefs in federal and state appellate court. Those two experiences prepared her for her work at Corneille.

    Pliner praised Carufels knowledge of the law, especially of the unusual filing requirements set by federal and Wisconsin appellate courts.

    Kathy is and has always been an indis-pensable member of the team, he said. She

    routinely stays after hours to finish work, and she assists in training other staff mem-bers on the myriad of details required to keep files in an up-to-date manner.

    Corneille has staff members of various ages and Carufel feels like she bridges the gap between the different generations helping veteran staff members understand the latest technology while providing guid-ance to younger staff members on how the practice runs.

    I really enjoy my co-workers and its been a great place to work, Carufel said. I really like what I do.

    MaryBeth Matzek

    Carufel still enjoys complex legal work after 45 years

    K AT H Y C A R U F E Lcorneille law group

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  • In an environment that has a reputation for being chaotic, Mackenzie Erickson not only accepts but also embraces the fast-paced nature of the job.

    The 26-year-old is the benefits manager and paralegal at Hansen Reynolds Dickinson Crueger LLC in Milwaukee. At a small firm, the often erratic schedules of the lawyers can add pressure to the job. Erickson, though, enjoys the uncertainty.

    Everyday is a completely different day, she said. You never know what youre going to come into.

    Erickson dedicates her time to helping others, even canceling plans to put in extra time.

    I cannot count the number of times she has dropped everything to assist with a filing or stayed late to ensure that a set of trial exhibits is correctly marked, said Attorney James Barton. While Mackenzies name will not appear on a brief to the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, she is the person double- and triple-checking citations and formatting re-quirements to ensure that our firm presents to the court the best possible work product.

    Erickson graduated form the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2012 with a degree in human resources and marketing and said she frequently calls on her experience in business administration.

    The thing that helps most is all the Excel

    background, she said. Its such a simple thing, but all the accounting classes really helped with that.

    Erickson said she truly enjoys working with her peers in what she describes as a fun, caring environment.

    They care about the employees. Its not hard to go to one of the four owners and just tell them youre frustrated with something thats going on, she said, they take care of it.

    Although the award came as a shock to Erickson, she welcomes it as a change of pace as the firm continues to grow, switch benefits plans and introduce new staff mem-bers to the team.

    Alison Henderson

    Erickson demonstrates dedication in the workplace

    M A C K E N Z I E E R I C K S O Nhansen reynolds dickinson crueger

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  • Since Lynne Gehrke became the reference librarian at the Milwaukee County Law Library, it has gone from serving about 400 people a week in 2010 to more than 1,000 people a week.

    I like that we help people, and we do it every day, she said.

    But Gerhke said she could not have achieved what she has at the library by her-self. She credits her staff members, mostly part-time employees, for helping her and former Chief Judge Jeffrey Kremers, for his continued interest in the library.

    This place would not exist without him, she said.

    Gehrke was hired in 2010, when the li-brary was set to close because of state budget cuts. But, she said, Kremers efforts kept it open.

    And that library continues to serve people from all walks of life, from pro se litigants to attorneys who practice solo or with small firms. Judges also use the librarys services, often attending classes in a program Gehrke developed.

    She and her staff are also resources for clerks, who are often new lawyers. For one particularly unusual question, a clerk spent weeks looking for answers and finally came to Gehrke and her staff, who found the

    answer within 24 hours.In many cases, Gehrke and her staff help

    pro se litigants find the forms and informa-tion they need.

    Shes just patient with them, calms them down, said Donna Anderson, secretary to Chief Judge Maxine White. She is courteous to whoever comes in.

    And if someone needs the extra boost, Gehrke even walks some pro se filers to the chief judges office to file a fee waiver.

    We just cant talk highly enough about her, Anderson said. We appreciate her a lot. She is a real asset to the courthouse.

    Erika Strebel

    Gehrke makes library an indispensable resource

    LY N N G E H R K Emilwaukee county law library

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  • When clients of Tracey Wood & Associ-ates are facing a puzzle that seems unsolv-able, Joleen Gudel tries to look at the situa-tion from a different perspective.

    Gudel, who has worked as a paralegal at the Madison traffic and criminal defense firm since 2010, likes to believe anything is possible. She uses ingenuity, finding solu-tions for difficult problems.

    A lot of these clients feel like theyre at the worst possible time in their life, she said. I like when I can work with the clients and make sure that theyre staying as positive as they possibly can during the situation. I think they all deserve a chance to tell their side.

    Gudel first met Wood while working as a legal secretary at the Legal Assistance to

    Institutionalized Persons project at the Uni-versity of Wisconsin Law School. The two crossed paths in various positions, and when Woods landed her first job in legal defense, she invited Gudel to join her. They have been working together on and off for more than 10 years.

    Wood said in addition to handling the calendar of one of the busiest criminal law attorneys in the area, Gudel is in charge of the entire office managing a number of support staff, as well as three attorneys. She also works with clients, researches briefs and generates ideas for motions and defenses. Wood added that she is always available for both legal and emotional support in what is often a stressful job to employees.

    Whether she is managing several pressing

    tasks at the same time or trying not to be mired in the troubling situations she en-counters, Gudels optimistic attitude comes through in her work and might, in part, help her ease the pressures of a job that can be hectic. These difficulties may also be offset by the cooperation of a supportive staff.

    Its unique to have such a great group of people that are willing to bend over back-ward to help someone else out in any posi-tion, she said.

    As the firm expands, Gudel foresees being able to share her knowledge with newer staff members. She also recently became a mem-ber of the paralegal association in Madison and looks forward to sharing the fruit of her experiences with that organization.

    Alison Henderson

    Gudel helps in hard times

    J O L E E N G U D E Ltracey wood & associates

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  • Jocelyn Henning makes technology make sense.

    Not really behind-the-scenes stuff, explained Henning, a support specialist in litigation technology at the Wisconsin Department of Justice. People ask me about their phones and their tablets, and I say, Im not techy in that way. My whole life doesnt revolve around tech. Theres still the IT department for that.

    But the use and how to best use it for their day-to-day work Ive always been somebody people go to when theyre hav-ing user issues with software. It just comes naturally to me. If I see a program can do something, I start poking around and find the neat tools that might be hiding and then teach that.

    Its an interest she first explored through

    her husband, a server-and-network type of IT guy, who helped Henning understand that not everyone has her inherent under-standing of software.

    It took years for Henning to pursue her talent professionally.

    In fact, even though she got an associates technical degree as a legal assistant, she worked as a receptionist, a paralegal and office manager at small firms before leaving the profession to take care of her son. When she went back to school, Henning joined a non-profit group, working with an agency that handled special-needs adoptions.

    But, by 2008, she was ready for a change. So, she applied for a legal secretary position in the civil litigation unit at the Department of Justice.

    It took a few years for Henning to go for

    anything related to technology. And, even then, it took three applications to get the job.

    But, she said, it was well worth the wait.I enjoy going to somebodys office, fixing

    their problem and helping them move forward with the work theyre doing, said Henning.

    Since joining the legal-services division, she has worked on everything from e-dis-covery to bringing case-management soft-ware into the litigation unit.

    Thats my favorite part of the job the problem-solving. And I like to be able to show them different tricks with the software. Somebody is frustrated, and I can come in, and Ill say you know theres an easier way to do this or hey theres this awesome tool you can use to do that and theyll say, I didnt even know that existed.

    Jessica Stephen

    Henning helps solve technology puzzles

    J O C E LY N H E N N I N Gwisconsin department of justice

    | 10 |Wiscosin LaW JournaL UNSUNG HEROES

  • When the late court reporter Coley Griffin found out that his best friends daughter wanted to go into the same line of work, he looked her in the eye and said, Dont do it.

    But that didnt stop Mary Hermann from enrolling in school to be just that a court reporter.

    Being a court reporter, you have to be very precise about things, very focused. I enjoy those two things, she said. You feel rewarded when you print that transcript and see what youve done, she said.

    Hermann has been Judge John DiMottos

    court reporter for 25 years, keeping up with the judge although he speaks quickly let-ting loose about 300 words a minute.

    Weve worked every division, so Ive seen everything and seen every branch of law and every type of law, she said. No day is the same. Everyone is different.

    Her favorite court was criminal court be-cause she found it interesting and fun to be a part of. Her least favorite court was family court, where she remembers one couple fighting over a plastic monkey bank. At first, Hermann didnt expect to enjoy her time in

    childrens court, but she has since found her work helped improve the lives of children.

    You feel like youre doing something good, she said

    Many years after Griffin advised her not to become a court reporter, Hermann went back and asked him why he gave her that advice.

    She now understands why.Court reporting could be a dying profes-

    sion, but I know I can make a better record than any sound file out there, she said, It just takes the right person.

    Erika Strebel

    Hermann finds calling in court reporting

    M A R Y H E R M A N Nmilwaukee county circuit court branch 41

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  • Maribeth Karpinski enjoys having vari-ety in the workplace, an affinity that serves her well as she manages 18 attorneys in her position as firm administrator at Linder & Marsack in Milwaukee.

    From preparing budgets, administering payroll and coordinating benefits to looking over vendor contracts and troubleshooting computer troubles, Karpinski handles all the administrative functions the firm needs to survive, ccording to John Murray, a compa-ny shareholder. Murray added that Karpins-ki gives mundane tasks the same amount of attention she would more difficult and interesting undertakings.

    I get to be involved in all aspects of the firm and I really like that, Karpinski said.

    Karpinski is also a certified public ac-countant. With an education in accounting and 23 years of experience in various fi-nancial positions, she brought an extensive background in financial matters with her to Linder & Marsack five years ago.

    Although she was new to fields such as human resources when she stepped into the administrative role, she was able to rely on her resourceful, inquisitive nature to em-brace all sides of her position. If a difficulty arose concerning a 401k, for example, she could call on the knowledge of the invest-ment advisor to find a new solution.

    I really like the ability to solve problems for people and help them be as productive as they can be with their tasks, she said.

    Whether it be the law staff or the support staff, it brings me a lot of satisfaction when I can help them with the nuances that are preventing them from doing what theyre there to do.

    This can include a range of administrative difficulties, such as dealing with computer troubles, investing in new technological solutions to streamline work, or assist-ing employees with questions about their health-insurance plans.

    Karpinski is thankful for the camaraderie of her colleagues.

    On a daily basis I just try to help people be as productive as they can be, so I just feel grateful to be recognized for it, she said.

    Alison Henderson

    Karpinski provides well-rounded support

    M A R I B E T H K A R P I N S K Ilinder & marsack

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  • Lorrie Kimball views herself as an expert organizer a trait that comes in handy as she serves as a legal secretary to four attor-neys at Quarles & Brady in Milwaukee.

    I do the typing, filing and basically keep the attorneys organized so they can do their job, she said.

    When she first started as a legal secretary at Quarles & Brady 30 years ago, she had one typewriter and worked for a single attorney. Computers and cell phones have made it easier to work with more than one attorney at a time, Kimball said.

    The cellphone and technology now avail-able makes it so much easier to stay connect-ed to the attorneys, she said. I can see their calendars, emails and their contacts so Im able to be a lot more effective. The trick now is to balance the different attorneys and their various workloads.

    Arthur (Tony) Vogel, a partner at Quarles & Brady, called Kimball his right hand and praised her efforts to keep him organized. He recalled how health concerns twice kept him out of the office for long stretches of time. Kimball readily helped other attorneys with picking up his workload and respond-ing to clients.

    She has had my back professionally more times than I can count, Vogel said. Before the age of at-your-tips technology, Lorrie would read me my emails over the phone when I traveled and send out replies consis-tent with my direction. Her dedication to me and the firm is truly remarkable.

    Kimball said she enjoys her work, espe-cially the interaction with her co-workers.

    I really love the atmosphere of a law of-fice, said Kimball, who took her first job in a law office after high school. She later attended

    Milwaukee Area Technical College and took classes to help her become a legal secretary. I love the comradery among the secretaries, as well as working with the attorneys.

    Sue Jahn, Quarles secretarial support ser-vices supervisor, said Kimball is well-known in the office for her clean desk and the priority she sets on being accurate and efficient in her work. Jahn said some may think Kimballs not busy because her desk is clean, but thats not the case. Her organizational skills are extraor-dinary. Shes unselfish in helping wherever its needed and lets me know when she can take on more, and nothing is beneath her.

    Ever humble, Kimball said shes just doing her job.

    Im here to help others out so we can meet clients needs, she said. I just really enjoy my work and what I do.

    MaryBeth Matzek

    Kimball puts focus on others

    L O R R I E K I M B A L Lquarles & brady

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  • At large events such as Quarles & Bradys labor symposium or smaller client-focused training events, Sheri Kotas is there in the background ensuring everything runs as smoothly as possible.

    Kotas, an event planner at Quarles, concentrates on creating the ideal client experience for anyone attending a function sponsored by the firm.

    Nothing is better than hearing after an event that the client both internal and ex-ternal felt everything was taken care of and they didnt have to worry about anything, she said. Its fun to think about an event and think about it from the guests perspective and anticipate what is needed.

    For Quarles events, Kotas handles every-thing from booking a venue and ordering food to making nametags and signs. Theres a lot involved, she said, adding she works on

    more than one event at the same time.Patti Hutter, chair of Quarles Mergers and

    Acquisitions Team, said Kotas does a great job of understanding the reasons behind why an event is being held and then working to ensure the experience is memorable.

    Sheri is the woman behind the curtain who makes our client entertainment events elegant and a huge hit, she said. She is a master of making us look good, and making sure our cli-ents see how much we value their relationships.

    Of course, everything doesnt always go as planned. Thats a challenge with the job. There may be IT issues or someone doesnt show up, Kotas said. I try to think everything through and plan for the unexpected as much as possible.

    Hutter said Kotas directs her efforts toward making sure events run smoother. To that end, an automated online form was created this year to improve firm-sponsored

    events. The form covers everything from brainstorming and creating an idea for an event to the post-event evaluation. The pro-cess created by Kotas has led to an increase in attendance at Quarles events, including training sessions in business law, she said.

    Kotas joined the workforce right out of high school, working as a receptionist at a law firm. She then held administrative roles at a hotel and accounting firm. It was there she became interested in planning events after being asked to help plan the holiday party. I just loved it and it grew from there, she said.

    When she joined Quarles eight years ago, taking on an administrative role in the firms marketing department, part of her duties included helping with event planning.

    My duties evolved and now its all event-focused, Kotas said.

    MaryBeth Matzek

    Kotas keeps Quarles events running smoothly

    S H E R I K O TA Squarles & brady

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  • Most clients at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren dont deal directly with Laura La Rose, but that doesnt mean she isnt playing an important role in their cases.

    La Rose, a senior research specialist in the firms Milwaukee information resource cen-ter, helps attorneys find the information they need to help their clients. She searches for cases that may help or hinder a current one being worked on by an attorney, conducts research on individuals or businesses, devel-ops topical points for attorneys preparing to make a speech or write an article and finds and shares articles of interest with attorneys. La Rose primarily works with attorneys in the firms health-care practice, but also deals with the firms practices concerning corpo-rate and tax-exemption law.

    I really enjoy the intellectual challenge of my work, she said. I usually have an idea of

    what Im going to do that day, but sometimes someone will come in and say, Drop every-thing and do this. I really enjoy when some-one tells me that something is obscure and I probably wont find it, but I find it. Theres a lot of gratification in doing that.

    Heather Fields, a shareholder in Reinharts health care practice, praised La Roses ability to find information at a moments notice. She said La Roses knowledge of printed and electronic sources of information is unsur-passed.

    Laura is so integrally involved with our work that we have her attend our monthly practice meetings, Fields said. Shes an essential member of our team and I often tell her shes our competitive advantage.

    La Rose initially pursued a career as a management consultant after college, but lat-er met a career counselor who recommend-

    ed a career in law or library sciences. She combined the two and received a masters degree in library and information science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwau-kee. While there, she served as an intern in a law firms library and discovered then a fondness for that sort of work.

    I enjoy helping the attorneys stay cur-rent on news or articles that are of interest to their practice, said La Rose, who joined Reinhart in 2006.

    La Rose also enjoys sharing her knowl-edge with others. She teaches a seminar on research strategies to summer associates and works with new associates to make sure they know where to find the information needed for their cases. She also writes articles for the firms newsletter and for the Law Librarians Association of Wisconsin.

    MaryBeth Matzek

    La Roses research skills play key role in attorneys success

    L A U R A L A R O S Ereinhart boerner van deuren

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  • Lucy Listinsky figures shes doing a good job if you dont notice her.

    Since 1990, Listinsky has served as deputy court clerk for Milwaukee County Judge John DiMotto. Her duties include handling all of the courts paperwork, including set-ting the calendar.

    When people ask what I do, I say Im like Mac from Night Court, but that show is pretty old so not many people remember, she said of the work she does for Branch 41. But I figure Im doing the right thing if you dont notice me and what Im doing.

    Listinsky, who worked as legal secre-tary for several years before joining Judge DiMotto, said shes always been interested in the legal system and how it works. During her work at the county, Listinsky had to be a quick learner. If she wasnt, she could not

    have kept up with DiMotto, who worked in every court division, including criminal mis-demeanor, criminal felony, criminal felony drug, criminal homicide and sexual assault, family court, civil court, juvenile court and probate court.

    Every division is different and I need to quickly learn the new system, she said. In civil court, there seems to be a lot more paper and a lot more processing work.

    DiMotto praised Listinskys flexibility to learn the new systems.

    She has had to learn each and every dif-ferent system and do so quickly in order to properly process each and every case. Shes a perfectionist who takes great pride in every court entry she makes in every file and in the management of every file in Branch 41s calendar, he said.

    DiMotto said Listinsky works well with the public and handles her stressful job with ease.

    She is the first person that everyone who enters the courtroom contacts and she is the one to deal with problems as they come up, DiMotto said. It can be a very tiring job, but she treats everyone with dignity and respect, even when people are upset and take out their frustrations on her.

    Listinsky said dealing with paper and files is the bane of her existence and shes grateful for the presence of a computer in the courtroom.

    When I started out, there wasnt a computer and you had to send someone out to look some-thing up if you didnt have it with you, she said. Being able to look up stuff on your own has made a big difference and made it more efficient and you have to be efficient in this job.

    MaryBeth Matzek

    Listinsky keeps court on track

    L U C Y L I S T I N S K Ymilwaukee county deputy court clerk branch 41

    | 16 |Wiscosin LaW JournaL UNSUNG HEROES

  • Mary Lyles has a simple goal.My main thing I believe in my heart is

    that God put us on this Earth to be of service to one another, and I try to do that every day to be of service, to be able to help, to be able to know that somebody is depending on me and its going to be done and they wont have any questions, says Lyles, administra-tive specialist senior at the Milwaukee City Attorneys Office.

    Its an aim that has carried her from legal office assistant into the management ranks; her title of administrative specialist the result of a very recent promotion means Lyles will manage about 15 people.

    The new job comes at a time when Lyles is also close to finishing her training as a parale-

    gal; she expects to get her degree in December.And shes done it all while caring for her

    two children and chronically ill husband.Its challenging, but somehow I end up on a

    deans list or a presidents list every semester. Besides, Lyles added, I feel that every-

    thing happens through God. Its just attitude and the way you look at life. I keep smiling.

    Her optimistic attitude took root in childhood, around the time she first showed interest in the law.

    But it was an unconventional Christmas pres-ent that Lyles said really put her on her path.

    I was maybe 9 years old, and I wanted a typewriter for Christmas and my mother gave me one. I would go in the pantry and get the canned goods and type the ingredi-

    ents off it, Lyles laughed.By her senior year of high school, Lyles

    time at the typewriter had led to a part-time job at a law firm and, eventually, work as a legal assistant.

    Thats where my legal career began, Lyles said.

    And while shes excited about her new opportunity as a manager, Lyles said her big-gest achievement is something most people might dismiss.

    It happens every day when I walk through these doors and I take care of my attorneys. Things I can do that they dont have to do, and they dont have to ask. I just have a service mind.

    Jessica Stephen

    Lyles keeps goals always in view

    M A R Y LY L E Smilwaukee city attorneys office

    | 17 | Wiscosin LaW JournaLUNSUNG HEROES

  • Janet Medlock wasnt sure she was ready to become clerk of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

    Its really an honor to have this job. I never would have dreamed that I would have a job like this, and theres not a day that I take it for granted. But I was pretty intimidated at the thought of taking on such an important role.

    She credits the courts judges and staff for making her a success. But Medlock deserves a little credit; shed been preparing for the job since she started in the law more than 20 years ago.

    Ive held most positions, Medlock said. Ive been a case administrator, courtroom deputy, assistant to the clerk, personnel spe-cialist, chief deputy clerk, acting clerk twice.

    She began her career as a receptionist, working her way up to legal secretary and

    paralegal in Kentucky and Louisiana, in-cluding a stint at a state Department of Justice, before following her Navy husband to Wisconsin.

    Medlock joined the bankruptcy court in 1997 after she had found a job in the file room.

    Five years ago she was asked to run the whole show, managing an office of 37 deputy clerks in four departments and serving four judges all while pursuing her masters degree in administration.

    For many years I thought about going to law school, but I discovered my real passion is in leadership and making the workplace better. I finally found something I just cant get enough of!

    She also feels like she can give back, even if that means being kind in some small way.

    My maternal grandparents were share-croppers, and they always said: It doesnt cost a dime to be kind to people. I really take that to heart. I enjoy knowing were helping people who are often at the lowest points in their lives. Helping them get back on track, that gives me satisfaction, Medlock said.

    And, she added, I really do feel like were a family. Weve had a lot of uncertain budget times, and weve had to be creative to come up with ways to do more with less. But Ive learned a lot of lessons from good leaders, and not-so-good leaders. My biggest lesson has been walking the talk, leading the way you want to be led. I really try to set a positive tone. And I think it really does make a difference.

    Jessica Stephen

    Medlock earns dream job, doesnt look back

    J A N E T M E D L O C Kunited states bankruptcy court for the eastern district of wisconsin

    | 18 |Wiscosin LaW JournaL UNSUNG HEROES

  • wislawjournal.comadvertise: 414-225-1844

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    We are movingin a neW directionstarting in januaryMore legal news than ever before will be delivered to you each week in a new newspaper format and daily online.

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    | 19 | Wiscosin LaW JournaLUNSUNG HEROES

  • Corneille Law Group congratulates Kathy Carufel on her well-deserved Unsung Hero award.Kathy is an invaluable member ofour litigation team.

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    Roe WiersGalla,Warshafsky Law Firm

    | 20 |Wiscosin LaW JournaL UNSUNG HEROES

  • Lynda Moser knows exactly what it takes to be a legal secretary. Her 32-year career at Michael Best & Friedrich in Milwaukee has positioned her to be what colleagues de-scribe as a true powerhouse of an employee and an exemplary resource to the firm.

    Moser joined the team at the age of 21, shortly after working her way through school to earn an associates degree in secre-tarial science at MATC.

    I went to school in the morning, I worked in the small law office in the after-noon, and I went back for night classes, Moser said.

    She now works primarily in employment law, project support, and work-floor coor-dination to ensure adequate scheduling for the attorneys in her practice group. She also

    provides technical assistance to other legal secretaries.

    Moser is commended for her drive to continue learning and growing as a pro-fessional, in addition to her ability to often recall information about files or clients from memory. Her tenure and an extensive understanding of the firm, the clients, and the needs of her colleagues allow Moser to go the extra mile for others.

    I just always try to stay a step ahead, make sure everything is organized, and make sure my bosses jobs are easier for them, Moser said.

    Colleagues said Mosers smile and sense of humor put clients at ease and have enabled her to developed longstanding relationships internally and externally.

    These relationships are often strengthened by her commitment to volunteer work and her participation in several committees, including the holiday-party committee and the Catch the Bug Committee, which recognizes and honors nonprofit organizations in the com-munity. In 2014, she was awarded a volunteer-of-the-year award for her achievements.

    Moser said she values her colleagues and bosses for the trust they place in her to complete her duties in a correct and time-ly manner, and more so for the care and support they offered her during tough times. Looking forward, she plans to continue her work with committees, be there where she is needed, and try her best to do a great job every day.

    Alison Henderson

    Moser goes the extra mile

    LY N D A M O S E Rmichael best & friedrich

    | 21 | Wiscosin LaW JournaLUNSUNG HEROES

  • Louie Phillips understands. Tax work is difficult, and theres a long

    learning curve, says Phillips, a paralegal in the trusts and estate group at Boardman & Clark in Madison.

    Hes been to more than one conference where his contemporaries simply shook their heads. And, for a while, Phillips shook his head right along with them.

    But once the light goes on it all starts to make sense, Phillips laughed. You say, Its all right. I do understand this.

    Its an achievement Phillips has come to quietly celebrate, particularly since he had no experience when he became a paralegal nearly 31 years ago.

    I was a teacher, Phillips explained.After earning his bachelor of science in

    biology and chemistry, along with a second-

    ary-education teaching certificate, Phillips taught for eight years.

    I enjoyed it, but teaching is not an easy pro-fession; theres a lot of pressure, Phillips said.

    And low pay. And the near-constant threat of downsizing.

    In fact, Phillips was out of work when a friend, a partner at a law firm, suggested he apply for work as a paralegal.

    It wasnt where Phillips ever thought hed land. But, he said, hes happy life led him to the law office.

    A lot of my work is dealing with probat-ing of estates and termination of trusts, from drafting of court documents to inventorying assets to accountings tax work both fiduciary income tax and federal estate tax.

    But, Phillips said, Its not all drafting documents or doing tax work. I have a lot of

    client contact and, on a given day, I can be doing multiple different things.

    And at a moments notice. When youre a paralegal and youre

    working with multiple attorneys at one time, youve got to be flexible. When someone walks in your door, you have to be able to put things down and put the fire out.

    Its a part of the job hes really come to enjoy.

    Someone could show up at your door at any time. That makes it interesting to me. And if you can be of some assistance - thats the bottom line: If they need my help, theyre going to get it.

    Its something hes really going to miss when he retires in December.

    I love the work; its fascinating, Phillips said.

    Jessica Stephen

    Tax law holds Phillips interest

    L O U I E P H I L L I P Sboardman & clark

    | 22 |Wiscosin LaW JournaL UNSUNG HEROES

  • Although Adam Premo officially serves as a paralegal and facilities manager at the full-service law firm, Axley Brynelson, in Madison, he has a sweeping catalogue of duties within his role.

    As a high-demand paralegal, his responsi-bilities include requesting and summarizing records for numerous attorneys in various fields, helping the eminent-domain team with condemnation work and reviewing hundreds of thousands of documents for document production and witness depositions.

    As the facilities manager, Premo handles tasks such as ordering furniture and rekeying suites. He was also credited not only with spearheading a multi-million dollar remodel of the organizations downtown office, but

    also with helping the firm seamlessly main-tain workflows after a flood left standing water on all three floors of the office.

    He is also a certified administrator for a software program used by the company, the head of records management and the go-to planner for employee events, such as lun-cheons, holiday parties and blood drives.

    Premo received a bachelors degree in his-tory from the University of Wisconsin-Os-hkosh, but struggled to find stimulating work in the tough economy, so he returned to school to receive his paralegal certificate. In addition to the many roles he takes on, Premo is now enrolled in accounting classes. Colleagues joke that soon he will come back with his J.D.

    Ive been told I have strong initiative, Premo said. Im not afraid to speak up and make things more efficient.

    In fact, he is known for his dedication to cost savings and efficiency improvements in the workplace. He began at Axley more than five years ago as a file clerk but moved out of the position when a managing partner asked him to serve as the project manager for the remodel. In the coming year, he will contin-ue to help institute initiatives surrounding the companys transition to a paperless system.

    Although Premo attributes his success to keeping the big picture in mind, it is his at-tention to small tasks that gets the job done.

    Alison Henderson

    Premo wears many hats

    A D A M P R E M Oaxley brynelson

    | 23 | Wiscosin LaW JournaLUNSUNG HEROES

  • With a career that spans decades, Sheila Reiff has had a substantial, rippling influence on the court system and the community at large.

    Reiff, who was elected as Walworth Coun-ty clerk of circuit court in 1995, is currently serving her eighth term, and also holds the titles of register in probate, probate registrar and probate commissioner.

    She said that the experiences she has had in her job, such as helping lead the legislative committee and having a say on new legis-lation, have given her some of her biggest accomplishments.

    On a given day theres always some-thing new that weve never had to deal with before, Reiff said, adding that she enjoys problem solving, constant change and work-ing with others.

    Her devotion to her role is observed by many and her breadth of successes stretch-

    es far beyond the maintenance of accurate records. Her notable achievements include the putting into use of an audio-recording system for family court commissioners, working with judges to establish contracts for county-ap-pointed attorneys and her involvement in state and national groups, such as the Nation-al Association of Court Management.

    State Public Defender, Kelli Thompson, noted that local citizens have benefited greatly from Reiff s commitment to the bot-tom line and have recognized her effective-ness through repeated public elections.

    In seeking to simplify court processes, control costs and strengthen collaboration, Reiff demonstrates a thorough consid-eration for both the direct and indirect influence of her choices. For example, she led a video-conferencing project for jails, mental-health centers and juvenile centers.

    While her work made court processes more efficient, it also cut costs and staffing time for law enforcement, who no longer had to transport mental-health patients and in-mates to and from the courthouse.

    She understands that a system that works together works best, said Judge Phillip Koss in a statement, adding that he has known Reiff throughout his career. I see firsthand that she takes the role of a public servant seriously.

    She strives for fairness and fosters a respect that is reciprocated by her staff, her peers and even the policymakers she deals with during legislative hearings.

    Sheilas track record over two full de-cades is extremely impressive and perhaps is unmatched in the state, Thompson said in a statement.

    Alison Henderson

    Respect is key for Reiff

    S H E I L A R E I F Fwalworth county clerks office

    | 24 |Wiscosin LaW JournaL UNSUNG HEROES

  • The biggest lesson Mindy Schroeder has learned since starting at the Marquette Vol-unteer Legal Clinic is one she didnt expect.

    You just think everyone has equal access to justice, but thats not really the case, said Schro-eder, program assistant at the clinic, which offers free legal advice and referrals to people who might not otherwise have access to legal counsel.

    A lot of things cost money, and a lot of things require the ability to get out and about and get to the courthouse by a certain time and have transportation. Thats been eye-opening. It can be paralyzing to not have transportation. It can be life-changing.

    Schroeder can understand.Her life has certainly changed since she

    started at the clinic in 2013. The position let her combine her undergraduate studies in Spanish and communication with her masters degree in educational administra-tion with a focus on educational policy and

    leadership. Its a professional triumph she achieved while working part-time so she could be home with her sons.

    And its been a welcome surprise, since, Schroeder explained, I dont really have a legal background at all.

    But after having her second child, she knew she didnt want to continue working full-time.

    A job working with international students in Marquettes study abroad program got her closer to the kind of schedule she wanted. But, Schroeder said, I wanted to make more of a local impact.

    So, she applied for the legal clinic.I thought, They wont be interested in

    me. But, as it turns out, managing volunteers,

    working with students and helping with the often-Spanish speaking clients at the clinics office at the United Community Center has

    actually been a pretty perfect re-packaging of her talents.

    Its also given Schroeder a chance to make a difference.

    We can fill a need in the Milwaukee area. Unfortunately, there arent a lot of financial resources for lower-income folks in Wis-consin, in general; were one of the lowest funded states. We have a little more funding this year, but its a drop in the bucket com-pared to most states. And free legal advice doesnt solve everything. But we can make a real difference for people in half an hour.

    Thats true even if they cant clear up a clients legal question.

    We tell our law students, A little bit of kindness goes a long way. And, sometimes, thats all that people need. They walk away from the clinic feeling fulfilled because some-one was kind, someone listened to their story.

    Jessica Stephen

    Eye-opening lessons come from legal clinic

    M E L I N D A S C H R O E D E Rmarquette volunteer legal clinic

    | 25 | Wiscosin LaW JournaLUNSUNG HEROES

  • Diane Schuck was devastated when she decided to shutter her travel agency.

    I didnt have a clue where I was going to turn, recalled Schuck, who worked as a travel agent for 25 years and owned her own agency, Renaissance Travel, for more than 10 years.

    She loved her work. But it was 2002. The warm-up to the Great

    Recession was underway. The Internet was changing the way the travel world worked. And the rent on her office in downtown Madison was about to double.

    She had to close.So when an acquaintance at a local law

    firm a firm Schuck had worked with as a travel agent suggested she apply for a

    receptionist job, Schuck wasnt sure what would happen.

    I was coming into a position that I knew absolutely nothing about. I knew absolutely nothing about the files and the behind the scenes and what was needed to actually make it all work and not lose my mind, said Schuck, a file technician with Boardman & Clark.

    And it was difficult at first, because it is hard once youve owned your own business having to pull back. But the other part is you dont have to worry as much; when you own your own business you have employees, and you worry about them constantly, said Schuck, who employed four people at her travel agency.

    But she survived, and learned first at the front desk and, later, in the law library.

    In 2012, when Boardman, Suhr, Curry, & Field joined Lathrop & Clark to create Boardman & Clark, Schuck applied for a new position as file technician. Since then, shes helped change over systems for the merger and, more recently, shes been work-ing on a file-destruction plan.

    Its been engaging work, partly because she found a family she never expected.

    I cant imagine having a job where you just go there, put your time in and leave; thats not living, Schuck said. Im part of the team. I feel like Im part of a family. Not many people can say that, and I feel very, very lucky. When I retire next year, Im real-ly, really going to miss this place.

    Jessica Stephen

    Schuck takes the right turns in her travels to law

    D I A N E S C H U C Kboardman & clark

    | 26 |Wiscosin LaW JournaL UNSUNG HEROES

  • Holly Szablewski had no idea she would end up working in the court system.

    She started as a student in medical tech-nology at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, then after deciding that it wasnt the route for her, switched her priority to criminal justice and later applied to be a law enforcement officer in Arizona.

    This is completely not the path I original-ly thought I was going to take, Szablewski said.

    Things didnt start to fall into place for her until she started volunteering at the Milwau-kee County jail, which led to more than 21

    years working in various capacities in the trial court system, including the countys pretrial services programs.

    In August 2014, she was appointed as the top administrator of Milwaukee County, the states largest judicial district. Her primary duties have been in helping Chief Judge Maxine White run the states 47 courts.

    Szablewski said the work she is most proud of led to the adoption of innovative, systemic changes that improve outcomes for litigants.

    In previous positions, she had struggled with budgets and programming and some of those difficulties remain in her current job.

    In a sense, theyve driven me to work harder, try harder, Szablewski said. They have driven me to really work on those issues and improvement.

    It took some time for her to find her niche, but now she cant imagine doing anything else.

    I love the challenge of working in a complex system, she said. I like that no two days are ever the same in this work world. I really have a passion for our system of justice and making sure its operating at the best that it can.

    Erika Strebel

    Unlikely road leads to niche for Szablewski

    H O L LY S Z A B L E W S K Ifirst judicial distirct, milwaukee county

    | 27 | Wiscosin LaW JournaLUNSUNG HEROES

  • Looking back it was obvious. Amy Thorn-ton was going to be a law librarian.

    But, in college, the political science major wasnt so sure.

    I figured Id go to law school or library school, said Thornton, a senior librarian at the Wisconsin Department of Justice. I love doing research. In fact, as an undergrad, I liked to do research until the last minute, and I wouldnt give myself much time to write the paper.

    She got a glimpse of life in the law by working a few years in contracts and compli-ance at insurance companies. But her heart was in the library, so off to librarian school she went.

    It was like the best of two worlds collided when she got work with a large law firm

    an opportunity that, in 2001, led her to the state Department of Justice, where she works with about 90 assistant attorneys general in the division of legal services.

    Her work is varied, which she loves.When an attorney walks through the door

    you never know what theyll ask. And I enjoy learning about all those different things.

    It helps that Thornton knows her work is going toward a good cause.

    I enjoy working in public service. I might be asked to find information about an expert witness, and then Ill find out the person was found guilty. It makes me feel good to support the people who might be able to put a murderer away.

    Even when the work is challenging, Thornton said, she still finds it rewarding.

    Change is constant, she said. And there are real pressures on balancing the physical space of the library with things being more available electronically. Its just trying to see the constant changes as an opportunity, and not just cling to the books.

    So, when the law library was downsized last year, she tried to embrace the opportunity.

    That was obviously stressful, but it gave us some opportunity to create some spaces where people could meet and have collabo-rative space. It was a way to think of the li-brary space differently, Thornton said. Just because books used to be there and now its something different, thats not necessarily bad. As long as people know library services have value.

    Jessica Stephen

    Research and development go hand in hand for Thornton

    A M Y T H O R N T O Nwisconsin department of justice

    | 28 |Wiscosin LaW JournaL UNSUNG HEROES

  • Laurie Wagners title may be payroll ana-lyst at Quarles & Brady LLP, but that doesnt nearly capture her long list of duties at the Milwaukee-based law firm.

    Wagner enjoys the variety that her job brings her its not just handling the com-pany payroll and putting reports together. She volunteers with the companys wellness committee and leads Quarles involvement in Aurora Family Services Family to Family Thanksgiving, which helps provide food to families in need at the holidays. She helps raise money from her fellow employees for the campaign and then Quarles matches that donation. In 2014, Quarles raised enough money to feed 396 families for Thanksgiving.

    Its something I really enjoy. Last year we got employees together, even some attorneys,

    to help us pack up the bags of food for some of the families, she said of the Quarles pro-gram she started in 1997. Its very reward-ing to be involved in something like this.

    Wagner also coordinates the firms ticket-ing processes, allowing her to work closely with attorneys who are hosting clients at sporting or entertainment events. Shell not only make sure everyone has the tickets they need, but also handles the extras, such as having guests names put on the score-board or putting together gift bags, said Tom Schoewe, Quarles chief financial officer.

    Laurie always goes the extra mile to make sure the needs of the firm, attorneys and employees are met, Schoewe said.

    With Wagners help in the past year, the payroll system went paperless, the firm tran-

    sitioned its 401(k) processes to its vendor and upgraded to a new software platform.

    She is the consummate team player and effectively works well with other depart-ments to solve their problems and pro-cesses, Schoewe said, adding that Wagner assisted the human resources and finance departments as they collaborated on all three major projects.

    Wagner, who has been at Quarles for 21 years, appreciated the firms values when she was looking for a new job after staying home for several years with her then-young children.

    The people who work here do the best for their clients and the attorneys really live the integrity that the firm has come to repre-sent, she said.

    MaryBeth Matzek

    Wagners efforts extend beyond payday

    L A U R I E W A G N E Rquarles & brady

    | 29 | Wiscosin LaW JournaLUNSUNG HEROES

  • Mary Burns, PP, PLS (2006)Major League Baseball

    Susan Duval (2007)ONeil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong, S.C.

    Joni Jakubowski Peters (2009)The Schroeder Group, S.C., Attorneys at Law

    Regina Carlisle-Williams (2006)Loeb & Herman, S.C.

    Sheri Hare (2009)Foley & Lardner LLP

    Pamela Panich (2007)ONeil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong, S.C.

    The Greater Milwaukee Association of Legal Professionals (GMALP) is proud to be a co-sponsor with the Wisconsin Law Journal for the Unsung Heroes of Wisconsins Legal Community 2015.

    GMALP is affiliated with NALSthe association for legal professionals and the Wisconsin Association for Legal Professionals (WALP). GMALP has been providing support and legal education for legal professionals since 1958. Go to www.gmalp.org for more information about the benefits of joining this local legal professional organization.

    GMALP is proud of the following current and former members who have previously been nominated for an Unsung Heroes Award:

    Leaders in the Law 2016

    Nominations due: Dec. 10In February, Wisconsin Law Journal will honor the top

    members of the states legal community with our 14th annual Leaders in the Law awards. But we need your help to decide who

    deserves recognition.

    Honorees will be chosen based on a wide variety of achievement criteria, including outstanding leadership, vision and legal expertise. Well also recognize those who have contributed important pro bono work and improved their community at large.Nominations are due by Dec. 10 and a form is available online at www.wislawjournal.com/events.Each Leader in the Law will be recognized at the February 18, 2016 event at the Pfister Hotel and also be profiled in a special publication of the Wisconsin Law Journal.

    If you have questions on the event or the nomination process, please contact Jenny Byington at 414-225-1803 or Jenny. Byington@ wislawjournal.com

    | 30 |Wiscosin LaW JournaL UNSUNG HEROES

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    preparation and contract compliance. The VanderBloemen Group assists both plaintiff and defense attorneys in all stages of pretrial and courtroom activities.

    I have repeatedly turned to The VanderBloemen Group in my most contentious and complicated construction disputes. Without fail, The VanderBloemen Group has efficiently organized and analyzed significant quantities of documents and data and presented its opinions in a clear, concise and compelling fashion. Its substantial experience and creativity has also repeatedly assisted me in resolving difficult accounting and damages issues in the cases.

    Brian R. Smigelski, DeWitt Ross & Stevens S.C.

    In working with the VanderBloemen Group on complex construction claims and litigation I have found their keen understanding of complex construction cost accounting and practical solutions to questions presented to be a tremendous asset. Further , their claims analysis, trial preparation , testimonial experience and demonstrative aids are second to none . I would not hesitate to work with the VB Group again and highly recommend them to other counsel and companies in need of assistance.

    Larry D. Harris, Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP

    I have had experience with Steve VanderBloemen and his staff as our experts in several multi-party, complex, aggravated litigation cases. He is one of the best prepared, most knowledgeable experts I have ever used. He is a great teacher when he testifies, as he states his opinions and answers questions in a clear, concise, and interesting manner. I highly recommend Steve and his group for consultation and expert testimony on any construction matter.

    Stephen E. Kravit, Kravit Hovel & Krawczyk s.c.

  • Congratulations Terry Tadysak

    On being selected as one of the Wisconsin Law Journals Unsung Heroes and Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

    Terrys exceptional investigative skills and determination to discover the truth have been a vital part of our success and justice for our clients for over 38 years.

    Your Habush friends and colleagues thank you for your instrumental work and congratulate you on this honor!

    HABUSH.COM | 800-2-HABUSH

    Over 75 Years of Helping Wisconsins Injured

    Terry is a very unselfish member of the Habush team and the community. He generously gives his best for our clients, our firm and the community. He truly fits the definition of an

    unsung hero and fits that definition more than anyone I can think of.

    - Robert Habush, Chairman of the Board of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C.