v v v

Leadership that
Places Clients First
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren proudly congratulates
Shareholders Jerry Janzer and Al Orr on being named
Leaders in the Law.

As Reinharts CEO since 2006, Jerry Janzer
has led a period of growth for the firm that
substantially expanded our geographic reach
and breadth of services. His commitment
to rigorous service standards has steadily
enhanced the value and efficiencies we provide
our clients. Jerry also maintains a well-earned
reputation for his trusted legal counsel
to clients across industries including real
estate, financial institutions, transportation,
construction and manufacturing.
Serving as co-chair of Reinharts Corporate
Law Practice, and leading the firms Private
Equity group, Al Orr advises clients on
structuring and negotiating complex
acquisitions and financing transactions while
helping ensure that clients of the firm receive
exceptional value and support in pursuit of
their business goals. Delivering innovative,
cost-effective solutions to challenges and
opportunities, Al consistently elevates the
practice of law for clients of the firm.

We salute Jerry, Al and all of the 2017 Leaders in the Law for this
well-deserved honor.

reinhartlaw.com 414.298.1000
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Associate Editor Susan Berna, sberna@wislawjournal.com Emily Bultman, Alison Henderson,
Dan Shaw, dshaw@wislawjournal.com Account Executive MaryBeth Matzek, Erika Strebel and Alex Zank.
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S I LV E R S P O N S O R S

2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW v 1 v WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL

 Craig Hector
Patricia Adelman Sally Barrientes
Christensen de la Mora
State Public State Public
Habush Habush von Briesen
Defender Defender
& Rottier & Roper

4v 5v 6v 7v

Jeff DeMeuse David Dewick Bob Gegios

Patrick Goebel
Corneille Law Hager, Dewick & Kohner Mann &
Quarles & Brady
Group Zuengler Kailas

v8 v 10 v 11 v 12

Christopher Bradley
Jerome Janzer
Art Harrington Hughes Kalscheur
Reinhart Boerner
Godfrey & Kahn Stafford Michael Best &
Van Deuren
Rosenbaum Friedrich

13 v 14 v 15 v 16 v

Raymond
Marsha Mansfield
Chad Kreblin Manista James McKeown
University of
Hupy and Abraham Northwestern Foley & Lardner
Wisconsin-Madison
Mutual

v 18 v 19 v 20 v 21

Timothy Albert Orr

Charles Neider Tamara Packard
Nettesheim Reinhart Boerner
Neider & Boucher Pines Bach
Husch Blackwell Van Deuren

22 v 24 v 25 v 26 v

Dawn Rablin
State Public Jeffrey Zarzynski
Erin Strohbehn Mario White
Defenders The Law Offices
Gimbel, Reilly, State Public
Milwaukee of Schiro and
Guerin & Brown Defender
Trial Office Zarzynski

v 27 v 28 v 30 v 31

IN THE LAW

WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL v 2 v 2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW

Collaborative Financial Specialist
Divorce Proceeding
Estate and Succession Planning
Shareholder Transition / Dispute
Buying or Selling a Business
Litigation Support / Dispute Resolution

Scott J. Wildman, CPA/ABV, CVA

John M. Staehler, CPA, CVA
Paul D. Schoessow, CVA

262.797.0400 | www.vrakascpas.com
 Patricia Adelman
ASSISTANT STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER

Adelman a veteran at giving

back to community
When Patricia Adelman heard Sheboygan County was
planning to start a Veterans Treatment Court, the assistant
state public defender jumped at the chance to get involved.
I wanted to help those people who have worked so hard
and given up so much for our country, said Adelman, who
has a niece and nephew who are veterans. Veterans leave
everything to defend our country.
So when Judge Angela Sutkiewicz began pulling togeth-
er a team for Sheboygan Countys Veterans Treatment Court
in 2012, Adelman stepped up right away. The court gives
veterans a second chance by providing them with counsel-
ing on substance abuse or mental health, rather than time
in jail. They also meet with a veteran mentor who helps pro-
vide support and guidance as they go through the official
procedures. Once the treatment plan is completed which
can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months the charges
they are faced with are either reduced or dismissed.
Pat continues to devote many hours per week to our
court, attending team meetings, reviewing reports and fol-
lowing up with other professionals outside of normal working
hours, Sutkiewicz said. She is a strong voice for veterans
who have lost their way and need help getting back on track.
Adelman said she felt drawn by a sense of duty to get
involved with the court, which also serves veterans from
several neighboring counties.
Some soldiers come back a little broken, whether they
have PTSD or have a drug or alcohol issue, and we match
them with a veteran mentor to help turn things around, she
said. I feel like we are providing them with a great service.
Sutkiewicz also praised Adelmans involvement with vet-
erans beyond her time in court. At Christmas, she organized
a plan to provide needy veterans with gifts and reached out
to local businesses to ask for gift cards.
Her work with the veterans treatment court is in addition to
Adelmans regular duties in the public defenders office. Adel-
man became interested in that area of the law after working in
an internship at a public defenders office during law school.
I was so impressed with how they fought for their cli-
ents and I knew I wanted to do that, she said.
Thirty years later, Adelman continues her role as a public
defender, handling a variety of cases.
The courtroom is a place where everyone is equal and
treated fairly, she said. It can be challenging at times, but
you need to keep going and provide everyone with a voice
and make sure they are treated fairly.
IN THE LAW MaryBeth Matzek
WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL v 4 v 2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW
Sally Barrientes
STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER

Barrientes a tireless advocate

for her young clients
Sally Barrientes knew from a young age what she wanted to do.
I wanted to be a public defender and work with children
since I wanted to work in a profession where everyone is
treated fairly, she said. I got my wish.
Since 1989, Barrientes has worked in the states Public
Defenders Office, first in Racine County and then, starting
in1998, at the Milwaukee Juvenile and Mental Health Office.
For her, one of the most significant cases in her line of work
dates to 50 years ago.
In 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision
in the case of in re Gault finding that juveniles should be
afforded the same due-process protections as adults.
When youre a juvenile its hard to have your voice heard,
and its my job to make sure the childrens voices are being
heard, said Barrientes, who speaks Spanish and takes on as
many cases as she can representing clients who are fluent
only in Spanish.
Barrientes acknowledges her job is difficult, especially
when she sees the same children coming through her office.
It can be draining, but I try to focus on the success sto-
ries, the times I can see it in the childrens eyes or their par-
ents just how grateful they are that Im fighting for them or I
hear children call me My Sally because of that stable influ-
ence Ive had on their life, she said.
Barrientes saw her caseload increase greatly last year
when 10 attorneys left the office in a short period of time. As
new attorneys joined the team, Barrientes started holding
weekly training, brainstorming and professional-development
sessions for the entire staff, said Robin Dorman, regional attor-
ney manager of Milwaukee Juvenile and Mental Health Office.
Sally often garners high praise from the children, families
and numerous professionals that she works with, she said.
Together with her colleague, Robert Mochel, Barrientes
set up an initiative known as the Expungement Project. The
project lets children have their juvenile court records cleared
away when they reach 17 if they have met certain obligations.
Barrientes and Mochel have come up with a system that can
be used to track children who may not know their records can
be cleared and have since worked to make sure other profes-
sionals are aware of this system and know how to use it.
If a juvenile has a felony on her file as a juvenile, it will
stay there and follow her into adulthood, Barrientes said.
Having a felony on your record can pose a lot of barriers,
whether its finding a place to live or getting a job. We work
with them to get it reduced to a misdemeanor.
MaryBeth Matzek IN THE LAW
2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW v 5 v WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL
 Craig Christensen
HABUSH HABUSH & ROTTIER

As a quiet leader,
Christensen listens
I would characterize Craig as a quiet leader, said Sandy
Drexler, vice president of resource development at United
Way Fox Cities. He gets stuff done, but doesnt necessarily
like the recognition for it. He just steps up.
Craig Christensen, managing attorney at Habush Habush
& Rottiers Appleton office, has worked with Drexler in sev-
eral different capacities at the United Way, where he volun-
teers on a leadership committee.
He is always willing to step up and go the extra mile,
Drexler said. Hes been very dedicated and will a lot of times
take on the tough assignments that will take a long, concert-
ed effort, and hes willing to do that.
This applies to Christensens professional life, too. The
58-year-old has been at Habush Habush & Rottier since
1988. Much of his time there has been spent helping plain-
tiffs in personal-injury cases. He also serves on the firms
executive committee and has maintained his Civil Trial Spe-
cialist certification for the last 18 years.
Craig has been an integral part of the litigation team of
every major case that has come through the Appleton and
Green Bay offices for over 20 years, his colleagues said in
a statement. Craigs effectiveness before a jury has been
demonstrated repeatedly over the years.
Since 2005, Christensen has been commuting from Ap-
pleton to Madison every week in the fall to teach trial ad-
vocacy at University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School.
Subsequent years have seen him arguing against roughly
five former students who were representing parties on the
opposite side of his cases.
Its rewarding to see that they followed the path that
was kind of set for them in law school and now theyre do-
ing what hopefully I helped teach them to do, he said.
Christensen said he believes that to do well in his line of
work, it requires success at trial. But thats not all.
Its also about what somebody gives back to others,
whether its being a mentor or a teacher or somebody thats
involved in the community, he said. Its the whole combi-
nation. Its the ability to really listen to people and under-
stand what theyre saying both in terms of clients and
learning from other lawyers. I think a lot of my success is
probably a function of having good mentors and having the
ability to listen to what they have to add and being willing to
accept advice from others.
Alison Henderson

IN THE LAW
WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL v 6 v 2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW
Hector de la Mora
VON BRIESEN & ROPER

De la Mora the Swiss Army

Knife of attorneys
Through the more than 40 years Hector de la Mora has
practiced law, hes handled a wide variety of cases.
I like to say my career has several acts, said de la
Mora, an attorney at von Briesen & Roper in Milwaukee.
Its never been boring. My work has been about issues that
affect people in a fundamental way.
He began his career at the Milwaukee District Attorneys
office, where he worked for several years, earning the nick-
name Hector the Protector.
After leaving the DAs office, de la Mora served as in-
house counsel for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
and started his own firm specializing in helping municipal-
ities. He served as the primary municipal attorney for vari-
ous towns and villages and was also called in to be special
counsel on various projects for the city of Milwaukee and
other municipalities.
The timing was good and we didnt have children or
pets, de la Mora said. I did UWM stuff during the day and
at night, thats when I had the municipal stuff. I was able to
play a role in the formation and application of public policy.
De la Moras work for municipalities and school districts
found him handling a nearly unmatched variety of cases,
said Eau Claire City Attorney Douglas Hoffer.
Hes demonstrated tremendous leadership ability in the
practice of law and in the community, Hoffer said, adding
theyve worked together on some municipal cases.
About 10 years into his marriage, de la Moras wife, Lin-
da, decided to go to law school. While there, she served as
a clerk at other law firms. But when it came time to begin
practicing law, she went to work with her husband.
She handles estate planning and real estate its very
different from what I do, said de la Mora, adding that they
worked together for 34 years at their own firm before join-
ing von Briesen. I like to say I provide a broad range of
services to clients the Swiss Army approach. Ive been
fortunate.
At von Briesen, de la Mora works in the firms business
practice group and concentrates on municipal and educa-
tional law, in addition to doing some mediation work. As for
his time off, he prefers to spend it traveling with his wife of
47 years.
Weve been so many places Peru, China, Russia,
Mongolia and this year were going to New Zealand. We
love to travel, he said. Its definitely how we recreate and
get away from the office.
MaryBeth Matzek IN THE LAW
2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW v 7 v WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL
Jeff DeMeuse
CORNEILLE LAW GROUP
DeMeuse goes overtime for his clients
Jeff DeMeuse enjoyed playing sports in
high school and at Lawrence University. So
when the time came to settle on a career,
he sought out one that would allow him to
show his competitive side while keeping
him engaged.
Litigation seemed a natural fit for me,
said DeMeuse, an attorney at the Corneille
Law Group in Green Bay, where he defends
people and businesses in both federal and
state court. I also enjoy people and working
with them to help them solve their problems.
DeMeuse also expressed an affinity for
medicine, particularly for learning about
how various conditions are diagnosed and
treated.
I enjoy taking difficult things that you do
not deal with daily and break it down so its
easy to understand and then communicate
that to jurors, judges or other people, he said.
I think its very similar to what teachers do.
Mark Budzinski, managing partner at
the Corneille Law Group, said it would be
WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL
impossible to summarize DeMeuses three
decades as an attorney. Even so, he pointed
out that DeMeuse has successfully defend-
ed clients in cases involving catastrophic
personal injuries, medical malpractices, in-
surance coverage and product liability.
Jeff has distinguished himself not only
as a formidable trial attorney, but he has
garnered the respect of his adversaries in
the plaintiffs bar with who he has worked
and tried cases against over time, he said.
DeMeuses reputation led to other lawyers
seeking him out as a mediator in their cases.
I dont even know how it all got started,
but I know when I picked mediators it was
because I thought they were fair and see
both sides of the case with new eyes, he
said. I hope that is why people select me
as their mediator.
Given the increased expense of litigation,
more cases are going to mediation and the
demand for DeMeuses mediation services
continues to increase. Budzinski said it is
v 8 v
IN THE LAW
rare for defense attorneys to be mediators
and said he takes it as a sign of respect that
so many other attorneys are choosing De-
Meuse to mediate their cases.
Jeffs professionalism, demeanor and
judgment are the reasons why his clients
continue to request his services when they
find themselves in difficult situations and
why attorneys request his services when
they are unable to resolve disputes between
themselves, he said.
DeMeuse also plays a role in helping
younger lawyers at Corneille, not only with the
ins and outs of litigation, but also with meth-
ods for winning the trust and respect of the
attorneys and judges theyll be working with.
I tell them that more stuff can get done
not by arguing or being confrontational, but
by sitting down and talking and sharing in-
formation, he said. Be yourself, be a good
person and be respectful.
MaryBeth Matzek
2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW
 Congratulations Jim McKeown!
Jim is a true leader in our firm and our profession.
Congratulations, Jim!

For more information about Foley, contact Milwaukee Office

Managing Partner Linda Benfield at lbenfield@foley.com.

Foley.com

BOSTON BRUSSELS CHICAGO DETROIT JACKSONVILLE LOS ANGELES MADISON MIAMI

MILWAUKEE NEW YORK ORLANDO SACRAMENTO SAN DIEGO SAN FRANCISCO SHANGHAI
SILICON VALLEY TALLAHASSEE TAMPA TOKYO WASHINGTON, D.C.

2017 Foley & Lardner LLP 17.12348

Were tipping our hat.

Godfrey & Kahn congratulates this years

Leaders in the Law.
Godfrey & Kahn is proud to participate in an event that celebrates the
accomplishments of our areas attorneys. We would like to extend
We think business.
special congratulations to our very own Art Harrington, a shareholder in
our Environmental and Energy Strategies Practice Groups, who is
included among this years honorees.

OFFICES IN MILWAUKEE, MADISON, WAUKESHA, GREEN BAY AND APPLETON, WISCONSIN AND WASHINGTON, D.C. 2017 Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
 David Dewick
HAGER, DEWICK & ZUENGLER

Dewick has commercial appeal

David Dewick strives to be a dealmaker, not a deal-break-
er, for his clients.
He has practiced law for more than 20 years, primarily in
Green Bay, where he is committed to helping clients in com-
plex negotiations and real estate transactions.
Before signing a contract or agreement, there are often
many questions and issues that need to considered. Real
estate transactions often go hand in hand with other major
business decisions and can make or break a company.
As an experienced commercial and real estate attorney
at Hager, Dewick & Zuengler, he takes pride in facilitating
the process, answering questions and explaining the risks
to his clients for every transaction.
I want to be able to provide my clients all of the needed
information so they are able to make an informed decision
and can rest easy at night, he said.
Dewick takes his firms mantra of Relationships Matter
to heart and looks to develop long-lasting personal relation-
ships with his clients.
I take great pleasure in learning how my clients started
their businesses and how they continue grow their business-
es. Its not about looking at the client as a file or number, but
I make every effort to build a deeper relationship with them
and show them I truly care about them, Dewick said.
Matthew Zuengler, a partner at Hager, Dewick & Zuen-
gler, said Dewick has helped many families and businesses
by protecting their interests while assisting clients in pursu-
ing opportunities for success.
Daves commitment to the firm, his practice and the
Green Bay community is evidence of his outstanding lead-
ership, Zuengler said.He is a tireless advocate for the cli-
ents of the firm and always has their best interests at heart.
Dewick knew in high school he wanted to pursue the le-
gal profession as a career.
I was set on being an attorney because I was drawn to
the profession with the strong desire to help people. I am
satisfied knowing I accomplish this every day, he said.
Emily Bultman

IN THE LAW
WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL v 10 v 2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW
Robert Gegios
KOHNER MANN & KAILAS

Professional way carries

Gegios to success
As a law student, Robert Gegios was pretty sure he
wasnt going to be litigator.
I was a relatively shy fellow at the time. I got over that
along the way, he said. And I probably listened to too
many friends who were telling me the horror stories of what
it would be like to be a litigator, just suggesting it would be a
terrifying experience.
The litigation bug only bit him in his third year at the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin Law School, when he took a class
taught by William Hurst, the man known as the father of
American legal history.
He was not a litigator, but he had a special way of com-
municating how important the matters are and how
practice and litigation could be, said Gegios.
Fast forward more than 30 years, and Gegios, a success-
ful litigator at Kohner, Mann & Kailas, has found a niche in
litigating complex cases in federal, state and even interna-
tional courts.
Gegios obtained a favorable decision in 2015 from the
U.S. Supreme Court when he was representing several
small Wisconsin businesses in a lawsuit against nine of the
countrys natural gas suppliers. He also recently obtained a
$4.7 million jury award against a paper-bag supplier.
But Gegios emphasizes that his litigation success comes
from having the right people working alongside him. He said
the cases are not just litigated by him, but by a team of dedi-
cated, talented lawyers.
A lot of it in litigation, its not you, its not me its your
team, Gegios said. Its so important to have the right team.
Ive been extremely blessed.
Gegios said one word summarizes what he believes is
the key to success for any lawyer: professionalism.
Every case youll have will have its ups and downs, he
said.Youre going to win some battles, youre going to lose
some battles. You just have to understand the big picture:
Youre the professional and youre doing everything you can
to help your client.
To explain what that means, Gegios uses the phrase in-
sistent clarity.
It just means that when youre looking at the profes-
sionalism of a lawyer, there is a clarity you always see and
theres an insistence as a professional that you always fol-
low the professional way, he said. I remind myself of that
all the time.
Erika Strebel
IN THE LAW
2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW v 11 v WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL
 Patrick Goebel
QUARLES & BRADY

To help clients, Goebel

draws on well of experience
With all the transactions Patrick Goebel has handled in
his lengthy career, he has managed to amass a trove of wis-
dom to pass on to less-experienced lawyers.
Goebel, a senior partner in Quarles & Bradys Business Law
practice group, has nearly 40 years of experience. Whats more,
he has established himself as a leader with a proven track re-
cord of helping clients meet their goals in business transactions.
So it is no surprise that, when asked what lessons he
tries to pass on to the younger colleagues he teams up with
on multi-million-dollar transactions, Goebel can rattle off a
laundry list.
One of the things I tell them is try to anticipate the needs
of the client and dont just react to what the client brings to
you, he said.
A client, for instance, might be looking to find the perfect
buyer for a business that was built from the ground up. A
person in that situation will no doubt have a very specific
idea in mind about how the transaction should turn out.
When representing a client of this sort, lawyers should
be certain to make the most of experiences theyve gained
from working on similar cases. Also important is to mention
any relevant developments in the law.
More than many, Goebel has a deep well to draw from when
it comes to providing these perspectives to clients. Throughout
his career he has helped negotiate more than 150 successful
client transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, ranging
in value from $10 million to more than $700 million.
A client trying to sell a business will often prefer to find
a buyer who will retain employees and continue operations
in the same place.
Many of these businesses are owned by people whove
owned them for years, and they have a very strong loyalty
to the community and their employees, Goebel said.
Another lessen Goebel tries to instill in younger lawyers
is that they shouldnt stick to one rigid approach.
They should strive to be known as a dealmaker, not a
deal-breaker, he said.
And it never hurts to remind them of the simpler things,
such as the importance of listening and saying thank you.
Goebel said he knows the value of mentors largely be-
cause he has benefited from having some good ones.
They include Roger Minahan, Pat Ryan and Gerry Con-
nolly, who were all influential lawyers in his life and served
as role models. In addition, Goebel said his wife, Mary, has
provided tremendous support to me in my career.
IN THE LAW Alex Zank
WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL v 12 v 2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW
Art Harrington
GODFREY & KAHN

Harrington pays it forward

When Art Harrington was growing up in Kenosha, he prob-
ably didnt realize he would one day represent his hometown
after one of its last big manufacturers closed its doors.
But as a shareholder attorney who helped lead the Envi-
ronmental and Energy Strategies Group at Godfrey & Kahn,
he did just that. The result was the successful negotiation
of a complex agreement for the city.
That was a very satisfying thing, not only because it was
very gratifying to help them navigate all that on the legal
side, but because its where Im from, he said.
Harrington, 66, has been at the firm since 1988. With more
than 35 years of experience in environmental law and more
than 20 years in energy law, his expertise has been affirmed
by the many publications he has helped write and his role
as an adjunct professor in energy law at Marquette Uni-
versity. His accomplishments include securing air-pollution
protections for the Forest County Potawatomi Community
and his successful opposition to the expansion of a munici-
pal solid-waste site in Muskego.
Art truly defines what it means to be a leader in the
law, as evidenced by his passion and dedication to both his
flourishing practice and many community organizations to
which he so generously gives his time and resources, said
Godfrey & Kahn President and Managing Partner Nic Wahl.
Harrington said he has learned this from his mentors and
top officials at the law firm.
The leaders at the firm promote people to be mentors, give
time to answer questions and explain things, he said. The
people that helped mold me are more givers than takers.
Harrington has served with several organizations and
committees, including the Department of Natural Resourc-
es advisory committee, Public Policy Committee for the
Wisconsin Energy Research Consortium, Milwaukee Public
Library Foundation, Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund and the
Public Policy Forum.
In addition to all Art has contributed to Milwaukees Public
Library, I have found him to be an outstanding individual ,
said Paula Kiely of the Milwaukee Public Library. His honesty,
integrity, vision, outstanding leadership, passion, drive, good
humor and artistic talent make him a true community treasure.
But in Harringtons eyes, time given is simply repayment
for time received.
To me after youve been the beneficiary of a mentor,
the future is to turn that into a strong commitment to young-
er people at the firm and in the community, he said. I try
to make my time available to those people. I dont know if
that qualifies as being a leader, but to me its repayment.
Alison Henderson IN THE LAW
2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW v 13 v WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL
 Christopher Hughes
STAFFORD ROSENBAUM

Honor, trustworthiness
grandfathered in for Hughes
Christopher Hughes recalls learning about the legal pro-
fession early on from his grandfather.
I saw the positive impact he had on the community
during his broad career as a district attorney, a city attorney
and in private practice, Hughes said. It was interesting to
see how much he enjoyed what he did.
His grandfather inspired him to forge his own path to-
ward changing things for the better.
Some things like having honor and being trustworthy
with clients is a baseline for all attorneys, Hughes said. I
learned both of these from my grandfather.
Hughes has served as managing partner at Stafford
Rosenbaum since 2013, where he specializes in general
municipal law, real estate matters and contract negotiation,
preparation and review.
Chris instincts are sound, and he is able to connect
with everyone, said LauraSkilton Verhoff, partner at Staf-
ford Rosenbaum. He has a wonderful ability to get to the
heart of an issue quickly and resolve it with common sense,
compassion and humor. These skills are apparent no matter
where he is in a client meeting, with his partners or at
one of his many volunteer commitments.
Outside his job, Hughes enjoys the outdoors with his fam-
ily and volunteers for conservation organizations, including
Gathering Waters Conservancy, a service center for Wis-
consins land trust community.
He is also a former board member of the Natural Her-
itage Land Trust and a current member of that organiza-
tions stewardship committee. The Natural Heritage Land
trust protects natural areas, wildlife habitat, working farms,
lakes, streams, and recreational land.
Regardless of where an attorney is in their career, there
is always something new to learn from other attorneys, cli-
ents, cases, legal and personal experiences, Hughes said.
I think with every transaction and dealings I try to take
something away that I can use in the future. As attorneys
we never are done learning.
Emily Bultman

IN THE LAW
WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL v 14 v 2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW
Jerome Janzer
REINHART BOERNER VAN DEUREN

Janzer succeeds by intensely

serving clients
During high school and part of law school, Jerry Janzer
worked for his familys small business, Janzers Religious Ar-
ticles. While it may have seemed he was headed for a career
in business, Janzer had something else in mind.
Im told I always wanted to be a lawyer, he said. I dont
know why. My parents told me. I think I liked the concept of
helping people and advocating for people.
The two paths intersected when Janzer found himself
working in corporate and real estate law as a young asso-
ciate at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren.
Today, he has more than 30 years of experience in corpo-
rate and real estate law and is the firms CEO and a share-
holder in the Real Estate and Corporate Law practice. His
fellow Reinhart shareholder Bruce Block, also Janzers
mentor, says Janzer is successful because of his attention
to detail, intense concern for clients, professionalism and
skill at problem-solving.
The same intensity he brings to serving clients, he brings
to serving the firm, said Block. He really cares about the
organization as an organization.
In 2006, he took the reins at Reinhart, leading the firm
through a recession. While much of the legal industry was
shrinking, Reinhart grew.
We just have had a tremendous group of lawyers here,
a tremendous group of colleagues who are extremely tal-
ented in what they do, he said. We have a very diverse
practice and client base, which helped in the recession.
Janzer also credits Reinharts success to the firms ded-
ication to clients.
Dont just go along for the ride, he said. Live their mat-
ters. Make it important to you just as it is for them. You have
a client forever when you do that.
Janzer believes that dedication to clients will be essen-
tial to how Reinhart and lawyers in general fit into the future
of the legal industry.
Theres a trusted advisor role that is necessary and
that clients value and you cannot just obtain that through
some of the things that are projected, he said. I dont think
theyll ever replace the roles we play.
Outside work, Janzer is heavily involved with Marquette
Law School and various community organizations. This
year, he was co-chair of the Boys and Girls Clubs 2017 An-
nual Fun Drive.
I just feel like you get to a certain part of your life when
you need to give back, he said.
Erika Strebel IN THE LAW
2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW v 15 v WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL
 Bradley Kalscheur
MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH

Kalscheur a problem-solver,
trusted advisor
For Bradley Kalscheur, seeing the contributions his father
made while running his hometowns savings-and-loan bank
greatly influenced his decision to pursue a law degree.
I saw how my father was able to help others and I had the
same desire to help people solve their problems, he said.
Ultimately, this led me to focus my law practice on estate
planning.
As a partner in the wealth planning services practice
group at Michael Best & Friedrich, he specializes in all ar-
eas of estate and business-succession planning, charitable
planning and the structuring and taxation of partnerships
and limited liability companies.
As an adviser for individual persons, families and compa-
nies, Kalscheur listens to his clients and helps them under-
stand complex ideas in property and tax law. He said family
cases are perhaps the most difficult.
Kalscheur strives to understand families losses and can
help ensure wealth passes responsibly and appropriately to
the family and affiliated parties. To best serve his clients, he
often has to put on his therapist hat.
One of Kalscheurs greatest professional achievements
was earning equity partnership at his firm. His steady work
habits, combined with the phrase: Theres always enough
time in the day, continue to help him achieve his goals.
David Krutz, managing partner at Michel Best, observed
Kalscheurs leadership firsthand as he has helped forge
collegial and productive relationships among various gen-
erations at the firms wealth-planning practice group.
As a leader he combines his abilities of staying focused
on the big-picture ideas of the firm while successfully in-
corporating the unique interests and talents of the individu-
al team members into the equation, Krutz said. In bringing
everyone together under a common goal of providing first-
rate representation and service to clients, he has shaped
an environment of respect that emphasizes the individuals
skills and needs for the greater good of the team.
Emily Bultman

IN THE LAW
WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL v 16 v 2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW
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Chad Kreblin
HUPY AND ABRAHAM
Kreblin leaves his fingerprints on Hupy and Abraham
As a first-year law student at the Univer-
sity of Denvers Sturm College of Law, Chad
Kreblin was terrified of doing trial work.
But he got drawn to it after participating
in his law schools moot court program.
Something about doing trial work, even
though it scared the daylights out of me, it
kept calling me back, Kreblin said. So it re-
ally came down to trying to find a job where
I can help people and use some trial skills,
and this seemed like a good fit for me.
Part of Kreblins drive to help people stems
from his humble roots. He is the first person
in his family to graduate from college.
The stars aligned after he graduated in
2001 when he found himself interviewing
for a position with Hupy and Abraham.
Jason Abraham, managing partner at
WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL
the firm, knew from his initial interview that
Kreblin would be a great addition to the
firm. But Kreblin went beyond that.
From that time forward he has really
separated himself and made himself an
indispensable member of the firm, Abra-
ham said.
Six years later, Abraham and Mike Hupy
decided to make Kreblin a shareholder.
Abraham noted that Kreblin has the ideal
mix of qualities that make him essential to
the firm, including an ability to get along with
clients and perform well in a courtroom.
Hes just got this wonderful demean-
or around him that lets him be aggressive
when he needs to be but allows him to be
humble and kind, said Abraham.
Kreblins dedication to helping people
v 18 v
IN THE LAW
extends outside of the work he does in the
law. Kreblin said he finds it extremely re-
warding that Hupy and Abraham encourag-
es him to give back to the community.
He is responsible for starting the firms
child-identification program and has person-
ally fingerprinted more than 10,000 children.
I just thought that this is something easy
we can do, he said. If we fingerprint 1,000
kids, and it helps find one, its time and mon-
ey well-spent.
Outside work, Kreblin enjoys reading, as
well as spending time and traveling with his
wife and two daughters. They are heading
to Norway and Germany this summer.
Hopefully they see the world is bigger
than their tablet, he said.
Erika Strebel
2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW
Raymond Manista
NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL

Manista champions diversity in

legal community and beyond
Leaving private practice in 1998 was one of the most diffi-
cult decisions Raymond Manista has had to make.
I loved the private practice of law and the lawyers I
practiced with at the time, he said.
At the time he got an offer from Northwestern Mutual,
he was a commercial litigation lawyer at Godfrey & Kahn
in Milwaukee. Friends who had made a similar change told
him that he owed it to himself to look into the company.
He did just that, and they were right. Looking back, Mani-
sta says the decision should have been an easy one.
It was really the opportunity to move down the street, lit-
erally, to work for Americas most admired company, he said.
Manista, now senior vice president of law and public af-
fairs at Northwestern Mutual, says he enjoys his advisory
role, which allows him to help others solve problems.
I really enjoy taking a big picture view and helping peo-
ple connect things that way, he said.
Since becoming general counsel at Northwestern Mutual
in 2008, Manista has led the charge to diversify both the com-
panys legal department and the legal profession in general.
For us, its really about recognizing that diversity and
inclusion is good for our community, he said. From a busi-
ness standpoint, its good for engagement and getting bet-
ter outcomes.
Manista says his work of promoting diversity is driven
by his knowledge that even small steps can lead to good
outcomes.Its exciting, he said. It leads me to want to
do more.
Manista has taken that same approach in his involve-
ment in the larger Milwaukee community. He has served on
nonprofit boards, including the Milwaukee College Prepa-
ratory School, which is dedicated to improving educational
opportunities for underprivileged students.
He said his involvement required hardly a second thought
because when he came to Milwaukee to attend Marquette
University Law School, he enjoyed it, felt a deep sense of
community and started to realize there were things that
could be done better.
I like to spend my time doing my part in small ways to
make a bigger impact in society, Manista said. Small ges-
tures and small steps can make a significant impact. We
can become overwhelmed by the problem as a whole.
Erika Strebel

IN THE LAW
2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW v 19 v WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL
Marsha Mansfield
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MADISON
Mansfield sheds parachute jumps into law, teaching careers
When Marsha Mansfield decided to be-
come a lawyer, she was taking an unexpect-
ed career turn.
After receiving a bachelors degree in el-
ementary education, she went on to teach
for four years before questioning if a change
was needed.
Mansfield read the book What ColorIs
YourParachute? and learned from a per-
sonality test that her talents were best suit-
ed for work in the law.
I decided to take the LSAT and imme-
diately started studying, Mansfield said.
After doing well, I applied to law school
and never looked back.
Mansfields first job after law school
at a plaintiffs litigation firm helped shape
her career. Later, her desire to have more
court experience led her to become a clini-
cal professor at the University of Wisconsin
Law School, where she teaches family law
and supervises students in the clinic.
With my teaching background I thought
WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL
I was well suited to represent the best inter-
est of children in family law matters, Man-
sfield said.
Her primary goal today remains making
sure the justice system is open to all. She
also aims to have close relationships with
her students.
Mansfield is the director of the schools
Economic Justice Institute, where she
oversees legal clinics dedicated to serving
low-income and other clients who need help
with housing, employment, family issues and
consumer law. She also supervises students
who work in the local family court clinic,
which helps low-income clients who need
help with paternity cases, restraining orders,
divorce and post-divorce matters.
She helps her clinical students become
competent in interviewing, negotiating,
investigations and litigation. At the same
time, theyre learning about how barriers
that sometimes prevent people from taking
advantage of the justice system.
v 20 v
IN THE LAW
Marsha leads by example, said Marga-
ret Raymond, dean of the University Wiscon-
sin Law School. Her work advancing the
profession and focusing on the importance
of access to justice encourages her stu-
dents to become involved professionally and
use their skills and talents to benefit those
less fortunate.
Mansfield was at the forefront of at-
tempts to create a pro bono program in 2011
to instill in budding lawyers at the UW law
school a sense that they have an obligation
to perform public service. The program pro-
vides students with opportunities to work
together with attorneys to deliver law-re-
lated services to community members.
It has so rewarding to work with stu-
dents, Mansfield said. I have served as a
mentor for many students after they grad-
uate and maintain wonderful relationships
with them. I treasure this aspect of my work.
Emily Bultman
2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW
James McKeown
FOLEY & LARDNER
McKeown continues his learning path while teaching the next generation
Jim McKeown may have established him-
self as a leading lawyer in antitrust cases.
But he still recognizes that theres always
something new to learn.
When McKeown, a partner at Foley &
Lardner and a member of the firms Man-
agement Committee, isnt working on an
antitrust case as he did the time he rep-
resented Major League Baseball Proper-
ties in a case involving a challenge of the
leagues centralized trademark licensing
he might be found helping to teach a
course in professional-sports law at Mar-
quette University.
Ive always enjoyed teaching, and it is
interesting in several respects, McKeown
said. One, its the next generation of law-
yers coming up.
2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW
Beyond that, he said, the classes provide
important insights. At times, the lessons
can be just as informative to the lecturer as
the students. He said the classes have ex-
posed him to aspects of sports law he might
not have otherwise encountered.
Then there are the students discussions,
which can be lessons in themselves.
Theres some really smart folks coming into
the profession, McKeown said. They really
challenge you on issues and that forces you
to focus on why arguments should (prevail).
McKeowns accomplishments dont stop
at the centralized-licensing case. He repre-
sented MLB in a lawsuit involving owner-
ship rights and the use of the Washington
Nationals name by the baseball team pre-
viously known as the Montreal Expos. He
v 21 v
IN THE LAW
also represented a defendant in an antitrust
case brought by American Express alleging
that VISA/MasterCard rules violate anti-
trust laws by preventing certain banks from
issuing other brands of credit cards.
McKeown was even the author of an
amicus brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme
Court in the antitrust case of American
Needle Inc. v. National Football League.
In many of these cases, McKeown has
found himself drawing on his background
in economics. He studied the dismal sci-
ence in graduate school at the University
of Minnesota while attending law school.
Now he gets to flex his econometric mus-
cles in cases involving damages and regres-
sion models.
Alex Zank
WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL
Charles Neider
NEIDER & BOUCHER
Neiders open-door policy keeps the firms doors open
One of the perks of starting your own firm is
that you get to set its goals and mission.
Thats exactly what Charles Neider and
Joe Boucher did when they formed Neider
& Boucher. Some of those goals include pro-
viding the highest quality services, always
being professional, and working as a team.
Twenty-one years later, the firm is stand-
ing strong.
Neider, the firms president, credits his
and his partners strict adherence to those
principles for the firms success.
People dont buy what you do, they buy
what you believe in, he said. Thats what
attracts clients to come here.
But that means the firm as a whole also
has to believe in those goals, something
Neider has achieved while at the helm.
Every day you have to look at those goals
and say, Those are what motivate us, those
are why weve formed the firm, and if we ad-
here to those goals we will be successful,
WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL
he said. This will be a fulfilling place to work
and the firm will be successful.
But leading the firm is only one component
of Neiders job. The experienced business
attorneys clients include everything from
real estate firms to life-science companies.
I like to help clients reach their goals,
he said. I like to solve problems and act as
a counselor. And I enjoy being among one
of the clients most trusted advisors. I con-
sider myself successful if they consider me
to be that.
Balancing his role as both a leader and
practicing lawyer for the firm, however, is
the biggest challenge for Neider. But he has
the firms management team behind him, as
well as others.
We work as a team and we have a terrif-
ic support staff that helps implement those
leadership decisions, said Neider. That
makes the leadership management role
easier to accomplish.
v 22 v
IN THE LAW
Neider has also taken young lawyers un-
der his wing. The firms mentoring program
places an emphasis on helping young law-
yers develop their careers long-term.
He noted that as a young lawyer, more ex-
perienced lawyers were open to giving him
advice. But a forward-looking program like
Neider & Bouchers just didnt exist then.
The program goes a step further than
just creating an open-door policy for young
lawyers who are seeking advice. It pairs
shareholders with younger lawyers and
calls for monthly meetings where goals are
set and performance is measured.
My door is always open and when
someone has an issue or someone needs
to talk about something theyre trying to re-
solve, they know theyve got someone they
can go to, Neider said. They can talk to
me or one of the shareholders.
Erika Strebel
2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW
2017
Reprints
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 Timothy Nettesheim
HUSCH BLACKWELL

For Nettesheim, learning

is the pathway to greatness
If you ask Tim Nettesheim, hell say his career has been
defined by his willingness to change and learn new things.
After leaving law school, a series of unexpected turns
and career changes including a shift from tax to corpo-
rate law followed before Nettesheim ended up at Husch
Blackwell, where he is now a partner.
It seems, however, the secret to success for the 60-year-
old Brookfield native, who is a member of the firms Finan-
cial Services and Capital Markets team, is not just in how
he responds to change, but also how he anticipates it.
Every time you have change, you have opportunity, he said.
Nettesheim is the only Husch Blackwell lawyer to have
been formally trained in negotiations at the Harvard Nego-
tiations Institute, ENS, Northwestern and the Camp Nego-
tiation Institute. Those experiences helped him introduce
a negotiations training program which, he says, has now
been presented to thousands of clients.
And thats not the last innovation he wants to bring about.
Another proposal, this one on the cusp of adoption, would
apply a multidisciplinary approach to legal practice.
The goal here, Nettesheim said, is to make a firm more
efficient and expand the services it provides rather than re-
ducing internal costs.
Thats the future that I saw and thats whats happening
now in the marketplace, he said.
And although he has yet to wrap up this latest project,
he is already thinking about his next: artificial intelligence.
I think its going to change the face of the industry in the
coming years, he said, noting that he is building a library
and reviewing programs to become an expert in the field. I
take the desire to learn more as an everyday challenge in
the effort to be great.
His colleagues have emphasized the contribution he has
made to the offices commercial success and the firms po-
sition as a go-to regional resource for help with corporate
transactions. Theyve also acknowledged his external com-
mitments to the economic development of Milwaukee and
Waukesha counties, aiming to rejuvenate manufacturing by
connecting the areas academic resources with business
owners; and to his support of community endeavors such as
the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer and the Suc-
cinic Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase Deficiency Association.
Nettesheim said his desire to be great reflects the high ex-
pectations his mentors set for themselves and for him. But
how does he feel when he reflects on the work hes done?
It makes me feel like I can do more, he said.
IN THE LAW Alison Henderson
WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL v 24 v 2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW
Albert Orr
REINHART BOERNER VAN DEUREN

Orr exhibits three

decades of compassion
More than anything, Albert Orr enjoys the close relation-
ships his practice fosters. Some of those relationships date
all the way to 1988.
For nearly 30 years, Orr has advised clients on the struc-
turing and negotiation of complex acquisitions and financ-
ing cases.
This area of law has become more sophisticated and
more enhanced by technology, but at heart it is still the re-
lationships that matter most, he said.
He serves as co-chairman of Reinhart Boerner Van Deurens
corporate law practice, leads its private equity group, and is a
member ofthe firms Board of Directors. Orr has provided ad-
vice to business owners hailing from a wide variety of indus-
tries. Because every deal is different, he is constantly striving
to come up with new answers.
The best way to cultivate relationships with clients is by
investing time, Orr said. This means getting out of the office
and going to them instead of relying on technology to stay in
touch. You never really know a business until you walk the
plant floor and meet employees. Small-business owners take
their businesses so personally. They really value the time we
as attorneys demonstrate and how much we care.
Jerome Janzer, CEO and a shareholder at Reinhart, said
that clients appreciate the collaborative way that Orr goes
about his work. Most lawyers are far more adversarial.
Al has integrity and he is a great decision-maker who
can remain calm under pressure. Through everything he
keeps a positive attitude that inspires others, Janzer said.
We recognized early on he was a leader for our firm and
his peers continue to look up to him.
Orrs thoughtfulness extends beyond the walls of his of-
fice. He, for instance, is a long-time, dedicated member of
the board of directors of Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin.
For Orr, a good leader is someone who holds himself out
as an example to others.
When leaders say one thing but do another it can erode
trust, he said. Being a leader is more about actions than
words.
Emily Bultman

IN THE LAW
2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW v 25 v WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL
 Tamara Packard
PINES BACH

Packard empowers
clients facing challenges
Growing up, Tamara Packard said she wanted to make
a difference. She now gets to do that through her work at
Pines Bach in Madison.
An attorney who specializes in civil litigation and ap-
peals, Packard primarily handles cases involving employee
and civil rights.
I am glad I can make a difference where I can in my cases,
she said. I like being able to empower people and help them
get out of a situation where they feel like they have no control.
Packard got to meet those goals last year in the case of Buk-
stein v Dean Health System. The dispute had Packard working
as the co-counsel for a plaintiff who ultimately received $2.21
million from a jury for the breach of an employment contract.
Packard also represents licensed health-care profession-
als in misconduct investigations and proceedings before
Wisconsins licensing boards and helps recent law school
graduates and out-of-state attorneys who have trouble se-
curing admission to the Wisconsin bar.
Tamara is a passionate advocate who achieves out-
standing results for her clients, said Lester Pines, senior
partner at Pines Bach. But more importantly, Tamara has
acted fearlessly in defense of our constitutional rights when
they have been threatened or denied. Without a doubt, she
will continue to do so in the future.
In addition to her busy practice, Packard has handled nu-
merous pro bono cases for the ACLU, Lambda Legal Defense
Fund and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. In one of her
most recent pro bono cases Torres v. Seemeyer she
successfully argued the state of Wisconsin was required to
issue birth certificates that list both same-sex parents as be-
ing the parents of a child born to one of the spouses.
That case was a great fit. Lambda were the subject ex-
perts on the birth certificates, but not the trial process here
in Wisconsin, so that was where I came in, Packard said.
I am happy to contribute my skillsets on cases where they
are needed.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin School
of Law, Packard started working at Legal Services Corp. in
Michigan.
When I heard there was an opening at Lester Pines firm
I saw that as my dream job and I quickly applied, she said.
I love being able to do trials as well as research. It has
been such a good fit for my skills.
MaryBeth Matzek

IN THE LAW
WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL v 26 v 2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW
Dawn Rablin
STATE PUBLIC DEFENDERS MILWAUKEE TRIAL OFFICE

Rablin fulfills goal

of making a difference
As a young social worker right out of college, Dawn Rablin
would sit in courtrooms and feel dismayed by what she was
witnessing.
My boss finally told me if I didnt like what I saw I should
go to law school and do something about it so thats
what I did, said Rablin, a regional attorney manager at
the Milwaukee Trial Office of the State Public Defender. I
found my calling in the defenders office.
In addition to handling a wide variety of cases every-
thing from misdemeanors to homicides Rablin also leads
and manages the offices attorneys and professional staff.
The work is not easy, Rablin acknowledged.
I cry, I get angry, I get frustrated, she said. But I stay
because we give a voice to those who otherwise might not
have one.
Besides her regular responsibilities, Rablin is the lead de-
fense attorney for Milwaukee Countys Early Intervention
Program, where she works with other justice professionals
to divert people from the criminal justice system. She said
the program helps participants get their lives back on track,
whether its by staying sober or taking medications.
Paige Styler, an attorney with the State Public Defenders
Office in Milwaukee, said the Early Intervention Program
makes a big difference.
Her advocacy has helped hundreds of Milwaukee Coun-
ty residents live productive lives without the debilitating
consequences of a criminal record, she said.
Rablin has also spent the past several years trying to
spread awareness of the role race plays in the criminal jus-
tice system. After hearing a speaker discuss the topic at the
State Public Defenders annual meeting, she wondered why
more people werent spreading the same message.
I then started talking with prosecutors and judges in
Milwaukee County and we formed a small group on the top-
ic, Rablin said.
She called for the countys criminal courts to be tempo-
rarily closed so that participants in the legal system could
get together and talk about race and the criminal-justice
system; about 350 people were in attendance.
Rablin said its hard to get people to discuss race.
I hope we are changing hearts and minds, she said.
This year will be the fourth that the countys criminal courts
have been temporarily closed to allow for a similar discussion.
For her part, Rablin feels like shes doing what she can to
make the system better something she wanted to do as
a young social worker.
I definitely feel like I am making a difference, she said. IN THE LAW
MaryBeth Matzek
2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW v 27 v WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL
 Erin Strohbehn
GIMBEL, REILLY, GUERIN & BROWN

More than a just partner,

Strohbehn the go to attorney
Erin Strohbehn never quite knows what kind of case will
cross her desk.
She likes it that way.
Whatever comes in the door is on the table, said Stroh-
behn, a partner at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown in Mil-
waukee. Im lucky to have a variety of cases and clients.
Strohbehn has a well-rounded litigation practice, repre-
senting clients in civil, personal-injury, insurance, employ-
ment and probate disputes. She also works on trial and
appellate briefs for the entire practice. She attributes her
writing ability to the wide diversity of cases she handles.
Having strong writing skills is invaluable for an attor-
ney, she said. So much of what you do today as an attor-
ney involves writing since theres not many cases that go all
the way to trial. Most of the time you are arguing your case
in front of a mediator or a judge, not a jury if the case
ever gets that far.
Her communication abilities come into play when making
arguments in front of a judge or mediator or in discussions
with opposing counsel and clients.
Strohbehn joined Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown as a
law clerk after graduating from Marquette University with
a bachelors degree in print journalism. She later attended
Marquette University Law School and eventually became
an associate at the firm.
In addition to her busy litigation practice, Strohbehn has
taken on many of the firms managing duties.
We do not have a managing partner, she said. I have
a strong, take-charge personality, and I use that to help the
firm run more smoothly. I have my fingers on the pulse of the
administrative issues of the practice.
That means if the dishwasher breaks, Strohbehn said, It
becomes my problem, but most of the time what I need to
take on is not that dramatic.
In addition to her work at the firm, Strohbehn is active
in the community as president of the Divine Savior Holy
Angels High School Alumnae Association, a volunteer for
the ALS Evening of Hope Benefit and the Milwaukee Young
Lawyers Association.
Erin is an absolutely essential part of the firms outstand-
ing reputation as well as an extremely active member of the
community, said Britt Wegner, the marketing director for
Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown. She is definitely our go to
person for many of the managing duties of the firm.
MaryBeth Matzek
IN THE LAW
WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL v 28 v 2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW
Mario White
ASSISTANT STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER
Whites classroom time gives him courtroom advantage
In the beginning, Mario White thought
he would end up working as a government
lawyer of some kind. Criminal law was the
furthest thing from his mind.
But then he joined the University of Wis-
consin Law Schools mock trial program,
which was coached by Dane County Circuit
Court Judges Ellen Berz, who at the time
was working for the State Public Defender,
and Rhonda Lanford.
The descriptions of what was happen-
ing with her client and what he was charged
with and facing really got me interested in
doing criminal defense work, White said.
He also credits the program with helping
him master the rules of evidence.
Its one thing to know the rules theo-
retically, White said. But when youre
WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL
actually sitting at the counsel table and
recognize that and deal with it, it takes a lot
of practice.
The knowledge and experience White
gained in his former work as a high school
teacher has made the idea of talking in front of
a judge and jury less daunting. For Berz, who
has watched White work not only from the
perspective of someone who was serving as
a coach but also from behind the bench, thats
a modest description of what Whites back-
ground in education does for his trial work.
Youre adding that teaching element with
exceptional communication skills and intel-
lect and creativity, said Berz. And that is
why he clearly is one of the most successful
criminal defense attorneys, or quite frankly
trial attorneys, in Dane County.
v 30 v
IN THE LAW
Nevertheless, White strives to improve
his trial abilities, watching as many pro-
ceedings as he can. He credits his col-
leagues at the office for influencing his
approach to work.
Working here is great because there
are so many attorneys with so many differ-
ent styles, White said. I try to look at how
they do things.
In the end, the most rewarding part of the job
for White is getting good resolutions for people.
Hes being a voice for the voiceless,
Berz said. He could be making a lot of
money in private practice. Instead he has
chosen to be a public defender and that
goes straight to his character and core val-
ue system.
Erika Strebel
2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW
Jeffrey Zarzynski
THE LAW OFFICES OF SCHIRO AND ZARZYNSKI
Zarzynski passes his expertise to the next generation
Jeffrey Zarzynski easily remembers the
first time he was in court working on a trial:
It was his fourth day on the job.
I was thrown into the fire, said Zarzyns-
ki, who now heads The Law Offices of
Schiro and Zarzynski in Milwaukee. I kept
thinking it would have been better for ev-
eryone if someone had mentored me before
going through that.
Since then, Zarzynski who has now
practiced law for more than 30 years has
done what he can to help new attorneys by
walking them through trial procedures. He
has helped bring along countless attorneys,
many who still call him today when they
have questions.
I take a lot of pride in sharing my skills
and what I have learned, Zarzynski said.
Matthew Falk is one of those lawyers.
2017 LEADERS IN THE LAW
Zarzynski helped prepare Falk for his first
big jury trial and later walked him through
post-trial motions.
The amazing thing is that Jeff was not my
boss. I did not work for him, said Falk, the
owner of the Falk Legal Group. He wanted
to help me because he liked me and wanted
to help me be a better lawyer.
Zarzynski said he likes litigation because
it allows him to help people who are in need.
I enjoy human interaction and providing
my clients a skill they dont have themselves
the ability to receive compensation after
they have been injured, he said.
Although Zarzynski acknowledges most
cases are settled before going to trial, he
stressed the importance of always being
prepared.
The insurance companies know if you
v 31 v
IN THE LAW
are not prepared, so you need to always be
ready to go to trial, he said. You need to
research your clients injury, talk with the
physician and talk with your client about
everything that happened. So many of my
clients feel burdened because they are in-
capacitated by their injury, and I am happy
to provide them with some relief from what
they are going through.
Zarzynskis work on a case can last for
several years.
I sometimes get involved right after an
accident, but it may be awhile before it is
fully understood the extent of the inju-
ries and thats needed before going to
trial, he said. I just want to be there for
my clients and walk them through a very
complicated process.
MaryBeth Matzek
WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL
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 P R O B L E M S O L V E R S

Gimbel Reilly Guerin Brown

LLP

10 YEARS SELECTED TO SUPER LAWYERS

R E S O U R C E F U L . D E T E R M I N E D . R E S P E C T E D .
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comprehensive preparation and skilled advocacy have
LLP
FOLLOW US ON: earned us multiple industry awards as well as high regard
Location: Milwaukee, WI 330 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 1170 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
from414-271-1440
Phone: clients, colleagues, adversaries
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Phone 414.271.1440
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Fax: 414.271.7680
52 | N O V E M B E R 3 , 2 0 1 6 have garnered the trust of our clients, who give usS Hthe EPHERD EXPRESS
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Gimbel Gimbel
privilege of helping them eff ectively navigate through
times of great uncertainty.
Reilly Reilly
Guerin Guerin
Brown Brown
LLP LLP