Jensen provides smooth transitions for pro-bono domestic abuse, guardianship projects

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Staci Jensen’s juggling act is not for show.

The 44-year-old works behind the scenes to balance her duties as a legal secretary at Quarles & Brady’s Madison office with her volunteer work with two of the firm’s pro bono endeavors.

Because of her ability to organize, administer and motivate, she was approached by her boss, Emily Feinstein, to be the point of contact for an injunction initiative that works with Madison’s Domestic Abuse Intervention Services. These efforts have her serving as a liaison among victims of domestic abuse or harassment who are being represented by Quarles & Brady, the nonprofit legal firm Community Justice, three local firms, seven separate attorneys and the University of Wisconsin Law School.

In addition, Jensen said she does whatever she can to prepare attorneys before they meet with clients, including research, conflict checks, engagement letters, coordinating and scheduling to make sure the clients have coverage.

Since July of 2015, Jensen said she has coordinated and scheduled attorneys to represent DAIS clients in more than 130 domestic violence injunction hearings.

She also volunteers with the firm’s new legal guardianship program that began earlier this year. Through the Dane County Department of Human Services, the program connects low-income, mentally challenged adults to guardians who will care for them.

Obtaining the forms, preparing documents for the attorneys, scheduling the hearings, filing the documents with the court and sending certified copies to the client, Jensen has already handled five guardianship requests since the program’s inception earlier this year.

“It can literally be a mountain of paperwork,” said Director of Pro Bono & Professional Development Dawn Caldart, “but with Staci’s keen organizational skills and calm demeanor, it all results in the smooth transfer of a file folder to the attorney on the case.”

Jensen said she is honored to work for a firm that is dedicated to providing pro bono services, adding that without these programs, many would not be given the opportunity to have support on their side. As for her colleagues, they said without her many attorneys would not be able to do the work they do for the programs.

“Staci is amazing,” Feinstein said. “I know

I can give her something she has never done before — maybe she asks a question or two — and then she just makes it happen. She is self-directed and gets things done.”