Lt. Col. Robyn Blader honored as Law Journal’s 2012 Woman of the Year

Just days after returning to the states from her six-month deployment to Afghanistan, Wisconsin National Guard Lt. Col. Robyn Blader was honored Thursday night as Wisconsin Law Journal’s 2012 Woman of the Year.

The award capped off the evening’s 2012 Women in the Law awards, an annual event hosted by Wisconsin Law Journal with help from presenting sponsor Associated Bank. A total of 25 outstanding female members of the state’s legal community were honored at the event, which was attended by more than 300 people and held at Milwaukee’s Pfister Hotel.

VIEW VIDEOS OF THIS YEAR’S AWARD-WINNERS

Honorees were selected from more than 70 peer-submitted nominations. See below for a full list of this year’s winners.

Blader, a member of Wisconsin’s National Guard as well as a partner at Blader Law Office in Wautoma, was chosen as the Woman of the Year by the Association for Women Lawyers, Wisconsin Law Journal’s event partner.

The group’s board said it was particularly touched by the service and sacrifice Blader has shown through her work with the military and in the state’s legal community.

In the words of one judge: “She is an example of excellence and has opened doors for other women to follow. She has served her community — both large and small — with her considerable legal skill, drive and energy.”

Meet this year’s Women in the Law honorees:

Beaman finds balance between family and work

Colleen Beaman — Habush Habush & Rottier SC

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Shifting gears is part of Bensky’s leadership path

Janice Bensky — Stafford Rosenbaum LLP

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Blader dedicates her life to legal practice, military

Robyn Blader — Blader Law Office LLC

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Clauss might be retired, but she’s not done teaching

Carin Clauss — University of Wisconsin Law School

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Personal experience drives Conwell’s work

Susan Conwell — Kids Matter Inc.

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Dallet finds balance on Milwaukee County bench

Hon. Rebecca Dallet — Milwaukee County Circuit Court

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Epstein continues to color outside the lines

Patricia Epstein — Bell, Moore & Richter SC

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Fielkow makes preparation the top priority

Colleen Fielkow — Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren SC

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Fortier finds immigration law rewarding, unexpected

Kelly Fortier — Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

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Gaines turns personal victory into legal calling

Meg Gaines — University of Wisconsin Law School Center for Patient Partnerships

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Gehl takes a classic, yet unconventional path

Carol Gehl — Godfrey & Kahn SC

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Gierke relishes the risk of going it alone

Nora Gierke — Gierke Frank LLC

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Herzog provides critical support on, off the clock

Sarah Herzog — Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare

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Jacoby puts labor relations on its ear

Mary Pat Jacoby — Quarles & Brady LLP

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Janaszek takes on all challenges in long career

Barbara Janaszek — Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek SC

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Lazar grabs plenty of headlines as DOJ attorney

Maria Lazar — Wisconsin Department of Justice

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Merrell leads by example in trusts and estates

Sally Merrell — von Briesen & Roper SC

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Neary stays strong for clients of all ages

Elizabeth Neary — Grady, Hayes & Neary LLC

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Oliveto stays on the defense in decades-long career

Rose Oliveto — Wisconsin State Public Defenders Office

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Remington forged through glass ceiling

Judith Remington — Remington Law Offices LLC

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Riley makes bold move to create practice group

Leigh Riley — Foley & Lardner LLP

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Labor law gives Robbins career satisfaction

Marianne Robbins — The Previant Law Firm SC

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Appellate practioner finds her niche in brief writing

Diane Slomowitz — Fox, O’Neill & Shannon SC

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Umberger finds a patent for career success

Michelle Umberger — Perkins Coie LLP

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Vishny keeps active pace with mix of work, teaching

Deja Vishny — Wisconsin State Public Defenders Office