Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Additional Unsung Heroes – Award Winners

By: WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL STAFF//November 15, 2009//

Additional Unsung Heroes – Award Winners

By: WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL STAFF//November 15, 2009//

Listen to this article

Salina Carr, Tiffany Greenheck, Rose Lubcke and Kim Salas
Auditing Staff, Wisconsin State Public Defender

Salina Carr, Tiffany Greenheck, Rose Lubcke and Kim Salas
Salina Carr, Tiffany Greenheck, Rose Lubcke and Kim Salas

The auditing staff in the State Public Defender’s Assigned Counsel Division has the challenging task of reviewing the thousands of bills submitted for work done by private bar attorneys. They review each one to ensure that it complies with the agency’s rules and policies. When things don’t look right and cuts are made to bills, they have the unenviable task of contacting the lawyers to let them know about the changes.

Through it all, they handle the job with professionalism and courtesy, according to their supervisor and many of the attorneys that they deal with.

Deborah Smith, director of the Assigned Counsel Division, says her staff — Rose Lubcke, Kim Salas, Salina Carr and Tiffany Greenheck — spends a lot of time on the phone with attorneys making sure their bills are complete and accurate. They even go so far as to put their names and direct numbers on billing responses so that attorneys can call with any questions.

“They really go out of their way to help people do their billing properly and get paid what’s owed to them,” Smith says.

Many attorneys have sent statements agreeing. One writes, “I have always found you and your staff to be remarkably responsive and professional, especially considering the difficult budget and staffing conditions under which you operate.”

“My auditors review and process a staggering 5,000 attorney invoices a month. The State Public Defender does not pay much to the private bar, but the auditors do what they can to make sure we pay as quickly as possible. … They always maintain their professionalism even though lawyers can be demanding and hard on non-attorney staff. Their work is not glamorous, but it is the foundation that keeps the private bar program running,” writes Deborah Smith, Director, Assigned Counsel Division, SPD.

Honorees

Peter Anderson
Training Officer,
State Public Defender’s Office

“Peter has been responsible for developing and implementing the agency’s Leadership Development Program (LDP) since 2001. … Peter has not only developed the program content and handled all the logistical details, he has worked closely with the participants in creating and refining their projects and has assisted the mentors in their key role. … Peter is an example to all of us with his positive attitude and his passion for the work he does on behalf of poor people,” writes Nick Chiarkas and the SPD Agency Leadership Team

Sharon A. Hawes
Docketing Manager,
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

“Our intellectual property docketing software is the life blood of our IP practice. … Recently, we decided to upgrade our software and convert to a new docketing software package. … Sharon worked tirelessly to ensure that no dates or actions were missed as a result of the conversion. … Our firm owes Sharon a deep debt of gratitude for her efforts to protect the firm and our clients under very difficult circumstances,” writes Thomas A. Miller, Intellectual Property Practice Group Chair, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP.

Polls

Should Steven Avery be granted a new evidentiary hearing?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Legal News

See All Legal News

WLJ People

Sea all WLJ People

Opinion Digests