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Bitar conquers constitutional matters

By: Alison Henderson//February 18, 2016//

Bitar conquers constitutional matters

By: Alison Henderson//February 18, 2016//

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Staff photo by Kevin Harnack
Staff photo by Kevin Harnack

As the nephew of a lawyer and the son of a blue-collar immigrant who stressed the importance of higher education, Remzy Bitar knew early on he was headed for law school.

But it was his time as a clerk for the Missouri Supreme Court that shaped his practice and solidified his interest in federal and constitutional law. Bitar enjoyed observing the judicial process from behind the bench of the highest court in Missouri.

Working with Supreme Court Judge Laura Denvir Stith, he assisted with memos and research in death-penalty cases. He even had a hand in drafting the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision – Roper v. Simmons – that helped determine whether capital punishment would be constitutional for someone who was a juvenile at the time he committed a crime.

Now, as a new partner at Arenz, Molter, Macy, Riffle & Larson, Bitar’s civil practice involves defending local governments in various matters, including cases involving free speech and religious liberties, equal protection, open records and the excessive use of police force.

“Remzy has placed his fingerprints on municipal law throughout the state,” John Macy of Arenz, Molter, Macy, Riffle & Larson, said in a statement.

His talents as an attorney are apparent from the community accolades he has received, having been named “Best Lawyer,” an attorney at the “Best Law Firm” and a “Rising Star.” In his 14 years of practice, Bitar has taken part in a number of cases that have gone before the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He is now preparing for a land-use case – Murr v. State of Wisconsin and St. Croix County – to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Although the case involves a host of state regulations, eminent domain and constitutional principles, the complexities keep Bitar on his toes. His ambitions are piqued not only by the difficulties of learning new laws and navigating technicalities, but also by conveying his new knowledge to his clients.

Beyond bringing honesty and devotion to his practice, he believes a leader is someone who wants to be not only a student learning and absorbing as much as possible, but also a teacher who passes information on to others. To his colleagues, these are the traits that most show his expertise.

“I don’t think there is anybody in the state that knows constitutional issues like civil rights and due process better than Remzy,” Macy said.

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