2012 Leaders in the Law

2012 Leaders showcase strength and variety

For the 10th consecutive year, the Wisconsin Law Journal is privileged to to turn the spotlight on attorneys and judges who consistently give their best to their clients, work hard on the administration of justice and provide enrichment to the organizations they support through their outside efforts.

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Benedict strives to learn more

After more than three decades as a public defender, Samuel Benedict still looks to fellow lawyers — young and old — for advice, collaboration and shared knowledge.

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Berz driven by sense of justice

Justice, at its core, is the same to Ellen Berz from highbrow discussions on national ethics with Janet Reno to children passionately representing the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy in mock trials.

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Grappling with political change

Robert Burns, managing shareholder at Davis & Kuelthau SC, is living in interesting times, both in his professional and civic life.

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Butler uses skills of persuasion

It’s difficult not to like Brian Butler.

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Cohen leads by example

In addition to a busy practice in complex commercial litigation, attorney Michael Cohen, of Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols SC, Milwaukee, plays a leading role in the legal community.

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No task too great for End

J. Michael End doesn’t wilt in the face of daunting, yet worthwhile tasks.

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Fox blazes legal trails

The modifiers “ground-breaking,” “high-profile” and “big-money” often are used to describe Madison lawyer Michael Fox’s cases.

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Serving those in need

Working with immigrants is a mission that brings Barbara Graham a great deal of satisfaction, along with challenges.

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Increasing representation options

Not so long ago, it was difficult to find an attorney in Wisconsin to handle immigration matters.

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Building a community

Inspiration to team up on real estate revitalization projects in Milwaukee never has been more than a car ride or fish fry away for attorney Michael Hatch.

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Making the best of sad situations

The justice system is no place for a child.

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Krawczyk puts clients first

Business litigation and securities law doesn’t often lend itself to a personal touch or even recognition that there is a person behind the mountains of documents.

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Improving the process

Roger LeGrand has always tried to find ways to make the legal system better.

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Strong role models, strong results

Never underestimate the power of strong role models.

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Balancing business, environment

Michael McCauley makes his living in the gray area where business and the environment meet.

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Fighting for fairness, diversity

Whether she’s spearheading diversity efforts at Foley & Lardner LLP or donating time through pro bono work, Maureen McGinnity’s commitment to the law profession is sustained by a strong sense of fairness and her desire to solve problems.

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Practice makes perfect

Steven Nelson sets aside real-life litigation for one day every year for a mock trial that attracts hundreds of attorneys from around the state.

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Fighting for residents’ rights

Jeff Pitman found his calling in 2001.

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St. John’s year in the spotlight

Garden-variety Wisconsin Supreme Court arguments involve two parties, arguing for a half hour.

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Tackling a tough year

Before Dane County Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi drew State ex rel. Ozanne v. Fitzgerald in her docket, she never imagined any case in her court would thrust her so completely into the national spotlight.

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Weiss focuses on children

To hear her boss tell it, Deanna Weiss summons the “righteous fury of a Biblical prophet” as an attorney and child advocate for the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee.

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Paying it forward

Cruising along a rural Georgian causeway in the late 1980s, Maxine Aldridge White was singing out loud to the country music station dialed up in her rental car, en route to represent the federal government on a Department of Defense contract.

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Founding a legacy

The late Gerald “Jerry” Kahn, who helped found one of the largest law firms in Wisconsin, is remembered as a smart, talented lawyer with a very caring, approachable nature.

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Kailas finds success in the lead

Steve Kailas never sought to be a frontrunner.

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10 years of Leaders in the Law

The complete list of our previous honorees

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