Who’s Doing What? 10/22/07

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The law firm of Gass Weber Mullins LLC has been accepted into membership by the International Society of Primerus Law Firms, a highly selective alliance of small to medium-size, independent law firms.

Gass Weber Mullins LLC, headquartered in Milwaukee, is a defense litigation firm representing clients in major litigation matters. Founded in 2004, the firm handles cases in state and federal courts in Wisconsin and throughout the country. The firm has 15 attorneys.

The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP announced it has been selected by Yale Law Women as the nation’s No. 1 law firm for family-friendly policies. Yale Law Women and a coalition of seven other top-tier law schools recently announced their second annual list of the top 10 most family-friendly law firms based on employment policies that facilitate work-life balance for attorneys.

The Yale rankings are based on criteria such as weeks of maternity/paternity leave available and whether the time was actually used by attorneys in the past year, compensation policies relating to alternative schedules, and whether attorneys working alternative schedules have made partner.

Earlier this year, Quarles & Brady was awarded the “2007 Professional Dimensions Pathfinder Award,” from the largest business and professional women’s organization in Milwaukee. The award was given for the firm’s “Women in Leadership Program” diversity initiatives which support and advance women in the firm.

The firm also was recognized in the 2007/2008 edition of the Vault Guide to the Top 100 Law Firms. Quarles & Brady was ranked No. 17 in the Best Firms for Diversity category and No. 10 in the Best in Diversity with Respect to Women category.

The firm announced that Chuck Leeck has joined the firm as an associate on the Intellectual Property team. Before joining the firm, Leeck worked for Godfrey & Kahn. He earned a law degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Ben Peirce has joined the firm as an associate on the Intellectual Property team. Before joining the firm, Peirce worked for Boyle Fredrickson. He earned a law degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Francine Felske has joined the firm as an associate on the Milwaukee Public Finance team. Before joining the firm, Felske worked with Hurtado S.C. in Wauwatosa, focusing her practice on public finance and commercial real estate development. She holds a law degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

John Drury has joined the firm as an associate. Drury is a member of the firm's labor and employment team. Before joining the firm, Drury worked for Jenner & Block LLP in Chicago. Drury earned his law degree from the Northwestern University School of Law in 2004.

Chad Wiener has joined the Firm as an associate. Wiener is a member of the Firm’s Corporate Services team. Before joining the firm, Wiener worked for Cane Clark LLP in Las Vegas. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Marquette University.

The law firm of Godfrey & Kahn is pleased to announce that Brian T. Grill has joined the Securities Practice Group in the firm's Milwaukee office. Grill received his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Sven E. Skillrud has joined the Tax Planning Practice Group in the firm's Milwaukee office. His practice will focus on tax law and executive compensation. Skillrud received his law degree, cum laude, from Marquette University Law school.

Jennifer B. Herzog has joined the Business Finance and Restructuring Practice Group in the firm's Milwaukee office. Her practice will focus on asset protection, bankruptcy, and restructuring. Herzog received her law degree, cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law.

Christine M. Genthner, Marquette University 1988, has joined the law firm of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. as an associate. She will be working in the firm's Kenosha office.

David Crass, Managing Partner of Michael Best & Friedrich’s (MBF) Madison office and Chair of the Firm's Agribusiness, Food Processing & Distribution practice group, has been selected to serve a four-year term on the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences’ (CALS) Board of Visitors.

Crass has agriculture-related experience representing family farms, agribusinesses and renewable energy producers utilizing agricultural inputs.

Foley & Lardner LLP announced that Anne E. Ross will be honored by Madison Community Foundation’s A Fund For Women (AFFW) as the first woman partner in Madison at an international law firm.

Ross is one of the founding members of AFFW created 14 years ago by 100 women who donated $1,000 each to the Fund, which provides grants to women and girls in the Madison community that enhance education, employment and self-esteem. Last year, the Fund’s permanent endowment bypassed the $1 million mark and is now focused on reaching the $2 million level.

In addition to her role with AFFW, Ross was named managing partner of Foley’s Madison office and recognized as a “Woman of Distinction” by the Madison YWCA in 2007.

DeWitt Ross & Stevens announced the addition of Eric P. Joranson to its Madison office.

Joranson is a May 2006 graduate of Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. His law practice focuses on Government Relations and Litigation, and additionally he is licensed to practice law in Minnesota.

Michael R. Fitzpatrick has received two appointments to committees governing the professional conduct of attorneys.

He was appointed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court to serve on the Grievance Committee of the Office of Lawyer Regulation.

He was also appointed to the Wisconsin State Bar Committee on Professional Ethics.

Fitzpatrick is Chair of the Litigation Practice Group of the law firm Brennan, Steil & Basting, S.C., Janesville.

The Milwaukee Repertory Theater announced some additions to its Board of Trustees. The new members will serve an initial three-year term. One new board members is Kathleen A. Gray, Brookfield, Quarles & Brady. George Dionisopolous, Pewaukee, Foley & Lardner has been chosen for a second three-year term.