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Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, with offices in Madison and metro Milwaukee, announced that Anne Schacherl has joined the firm as Of Counsel. Schacherl’s practice focuses on estate planning and administration.

Schacherl earned her law degree from University of Wisconsin Law School and she has been practicing law for more than 30 years. Prior to joining Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, Schacherl practiced law at Anderson & Kent, S.C.

Two senior managers with the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office (SPD) were recently elected to leadership posts with the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA).

Kelli Thompson, Deputy State Public Defender, and Mike Tobin, SPD’s Trial Division Director, were elected for three-year terms to the NLADA’s Board of Directors and Defender Policy Group, respectively.

NLADA is a leading voice in the national arena on issues that impact the civil and defender legal services communities. The association has been an advocate for equal justice since its inception in 1911.

Thompson is Wisconsin’s Deputy State Public Defender. Starting with the SPD in 1996 as an intern while attending law school, Thompson has also served the SPD as Training Director and Legal Counsel. Thompson has also been elected to the Board of Governors of the Wisconsin State Bar.

Tobin has served as the SPD’s Trial Division Director for the past 16 years. Tobin has been recognized as a Leader In The Law by the Wisconsin Law Journal, and Volunteer of the Year as well as Author of the Year by the State Bar of Wisconsin. The SPD is an international leader in indigent defense. Using a statewide model, the SPD provides constitutionally-mandated legal services in all 72 Wisconsin counties.

The Association for Women Lawyers has announced its new Board of Directors. Board members, who will serve for one year, are:

President: Sheila Heitzig, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; President-Elect: Natalie Remington, Quarles & Brady LLP; Secretary: Jennine Sonntag, Hannan & Associates, LLC; Treasurer: Caroline Spongberg, The Marcus Corporation; Past President: Catherine Ritterbusch, Mt. Mary College; Director of Membership: Nancy Shue, Storm, Balgeman, Miller & Klippel, s.c.; Director of Professionalism: Laura Schulteis Kwaterski, Foley & Lardner LLP; Director of Programs: Lindsey Grady, Milwaukee County Probate Division; Director of Special Events: Jennifer Allen, Alan C. Olson & Associates, SC.

The Association for Women Lawyers is a 450-member bar association based in Milwaukee with the purpose of promoting the welfare, interests and professional development of lawyers who are women; promoting the legal interests of women generally; maintaining the honor and integrity of the legal profession; and advancing justice for all individuals. Membership is open to licensed attorneys and students currently enrolled in accredited law schools.

The Milwaukee Bar Association announces the recipients of its 2010 Pro Bono Publico awards:

Hon. James A. Gramling, Jr. – In his three years of retirement, this former municipal judge has devoted more than 3,000 hours working with the Center for Driver’s License Recovery and Employability (CDLRE), which provides a unique legal services delivery system which substantially improves access to justice for low income Milwaukee residents who are in driver’s license trouble.  In addition, Judge Gramling volunteers at the Marquette University Volunteer Legal Clinic at the House of Peace.

Foley & Lardner LLP – The firm advocates that every attorney in the firm dedicate 60 or more hours per year on pro bono projects.  In 2009, this resulted in Foley & Lardner donating more than $4 million in professional services through participation in the firm’s pro bono program. Attorneys volunteer for Wills for Heroes, Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative, Milwaukee Foreclosure Mediation Program, Milwaukee Justice Center, the Kids First guardianship and intervention program, and the Legal Aid Society, among others.  Foley & Lardner also sponsors Ks for Cause at home Brewers games where partners, associates and staff pledge to donate to Hunger Task Force for every regular-season strikeout recorded by a Brewers pitcher.

Stacie Lamb – A third year law student, Lamb has worked as student coordinator at the Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic and student coordinator for the small claims clinic at the Milwaukee Justice Center.  She is a student leader and mentor who opens up pro bono opportunities to new students and encourages them to engage in pro bono service.

The selection committee evaluated dozens of nominations employing general criteria as follows: developing innovative ways to deliver volunteer legal services or improve access to justice, participating in activities that provide legal services to the poor or increase access to justice, and working on legislation that increases access to justice.