Who’s Doing What: Michael Best gives back to the community; new hires

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AWARDS & HONORS

Eric Farnsworth received the Robert L. Habush Trial Lawyer of the Year Award from the Wisconsin Association for Justice at its annual dinner in Milwaukee.

Farnsworth is a 1978 graduate of the UW-Madison Law School and is a partner at Dewitt, Ross & Stevens in Madison. He was presented with the Robert L. Habush Trial Lawyer of the Year award for his work on the Fiez v. Keevil where he represented a family in which the husband/father died as a result of medical negligence at the UW Hospital.

• Michael Best & Friedrich LLP raised more than $7,000 for “Girls on the Run,” a non-profit organization that pairs girls ages eight to 14 with adult “running buddies” to promote fitness and personal enrichment. The donations were used to sponsor multiple teams as they culminated their 10-week program with a celebratory 5K community run.

• Michael Best’s Women’s Development Group organized fundraising campaigns in the firm’s Chicago, Madison and Milwaukee offices in support of their local Girls on the Run chapter. Employees participated in a series of events, including a giving tree program, soup and salad bar luncheons and a jeans and running shoes day. The overall contributions were used to purchase running shoes, water bottles, race entry fees, finisher medals and program scholarships for several girls.

• The State Bar of Wisconsin recognized the Wisconsin Association for Justice for its donation to the 2014 National High School Mock Trial Championship, which will be hosted by the State Bar in Madison in May.

• The State Bar and its charitable arm, the Wisconsin Law Foundation, have set a $200,000 fundraising goal to help cover the cost of venues, awards, activities and materials for participants, who in recent years have hailed from 46 states, Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and South Korea. WAJ is being honored as a Silver Gavel level sponsor ($10,000-$24,999).

ON THE RISE

Jon Anderson of Godfrey & Kahn SC was appointed as its Madison office managing partner.

Anderson began his career with the firm in 1991 as a shareholder and is chair of the firm’s labor & employment law practice group. He earned his law degree in 1981 from Marquette University Law School.

• Amy Collins of Stafford Rosenbaum LLP was named to the Order of the Coif. The Order of the Coif is an honorary group selected from those graduating law students with the highest grade points. Collins practice focuses on family law and estate planning and is a 2012 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School.

YOU’RE HIRED

Jack Carver, Nida Shakir and Ariane Strombom joined Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.

Carver is a member of the commercial finance team. He earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

Strombom is a member of the technology law, corporate transactions and health care law teams. She earned her law degree from Marquette University Law School.

Shakir is a member of the business and commercial litigation team. She earned her law degree from Marquette University Law School.

• Gerald Mowris joined Stafford Rosenbaum LLP’s Madison office. Mowris is a partner in the firm’s litigation practice. He is also a member of the firm’s family law group.

Prior to joining the firm, Mowris was a partner at Pellino & Mowris, SC. His practice includes all areas of criminal defense and family law. He earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin.

• Julie Seno joined Davis & Kuelthau SC’s corporate and real estate practice in its Milwaukee office.

Seno’s primary clientele are corporations, real estate owners, investors, developers, and financial institution lenders. She earned her law degree in 2002 from Marquette University Law School.

• Emilu Starck joined Ruder Ware LLSC, Wausau. She earned her law degree from the University of St. Thomas Law School. Starck advises clients on a wide variety of business transactional matters, including the organization of business entities, financing, sale and acquisition transactions, and related matters.