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Clients, colleagues sing Bialzik’s praises

By: Melody Finnemore//June 20, 2019//

Clients, colleagues sing Bialzik’s praises

By: Melody Finnemore//June 20, 2019//

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Melinda Bialzik - Kohner, Mann & Kailas
Melinda Bialzik –
Kohner, Mann & Kailas

With a father who was an attorney, Melinda Bialzik swore she would never be one and would instead pursue acting. As she studied anthropology during college, however, she learned about different people’s perspectives and law school began to look more interesting.

After graduating from Harvard Law School, Bialzik returned to her native Wisconsin. She has developed a practice focused on trial and appellate representation of businesses and business leaders faced with critical litigation challenges. She has successfully litigated cases in federal courts, including the 7th Court and Wisconsin state courts, among others.

“I enjoy the variety and getting to learn about different businesses and kinds of life. You see every kind of case. I do a lot of work for the railroads and I like that very much,” said Bialzik, whose work for railroads includes litigation involving the Federal Employers Liability Act, crossing accidents and related federal preemption litigation.

Colleague Robert Gegios describes Bialzik as “energetic, effective, gracious and selfless,” noting her success ranges from complex litigation to handling director and trustee duties for professional associations and charitable organizations.

“Judges appreciate her high professionalism and candor, her fellow attorneys turn to her for help whenever possible, and her clients trust her to handle their most significant and sensitive needs.

Among her outside activities, she continues to reward audiences with her remarkable singing voice,” he said, adding Bialzik was accepted into the music conservatory at Lawrence University before attending Harvard.

Bialzik said her greatest professional accomplishment is the ability to build trust with her clients so they can work together to get the best possible results.

“A challenge of litigation is the fact that I am typically called when something has gone wrong or a crisis has arisen, and clients are stressed and unhappy,” she said. “Despite that circumstance, I have clients that I have worked with for many years and with whom I have developed strong and positive relationships of trust and collaboration.

“I am proud not only that I am the first phone call a client makes when a problem arises, but also to have clients who seek my input in developing strategies to avoid issues going forward.”
Bialzik’s leadership positions include serving as a member of the board of directors for the Eastern District Bar Association, past co-chair of the association’s Civil Practice Committee and a member of the Wisconsin Bar Association Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee.

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