Before Dane County Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi drew State ex rel. Ozanne v. Fitzgerald in her docket, she never imagined any case in her court would thrust her so completely into the national spotlight.

Whether she’s spearheading diversity efforts at Foley & Lardner LLP or donating time through pro bono work, Maureen McGinnity’s commitment to the law profession is sustained by a strong sense of fairness and her desire to solve problems.

For the 10th consecutive year, the Wisconsin Law Journal is privileged to to turn the spotlight on attorneys and judges who consistently give their best to their clients, work hard on the administration of justice and provide enrichment to the organizations they support through their outside efforts.

Jeff Pitman found his calling in 2001.

It’s difficult not to like Brian Butler.

To hear her boss tell it, Deanna Weiss summons the “righteous fury of a Biblical prophet” as an attorney and child advocate for the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee.

Steven Nelson sets aside real-life litigation for one day every year for a mock trial that attracts hundreds of attorneys from around the state.

Cruising along a rural Georgian causeway in the late 1980s, Maxine Aldridge White was singing out loud to the country music station dialed up in her rental car, en route to represent the federal government on a Department of Defense contract.

After more than three decades as a public defender, Samuel Benedict still looks to fellow lawyers — young and old — for advice, collaboration and shared knowledge.

Working with immigrants is a mission that brings Barbara Graham a great deal of satisfaction, along with challenges.

The modifiers “ground-breaking,” “high-profile” and “big-money” often are used to describe Madison lawyer Michael Fox’s cases.

The late Gerald “Jerry” Kahn, who helped found one of the largest law firms in Wisconsin, is remembered as a smart, talented lawyer with a very caring, approachable nature.

Michael McCauley makes his living in the gray area where business and the environment meet.

Never underestimate the power of strong role models.

In addition to a busy practice in complex commercial litigation, attorney Michael Cohen, of Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols SC, Milwaukee, plays a leading role in the legal community.

J. Michael End doesn’t wilt in the face of daunting, yet worthwhile tasks.

Steve Kailas never sought to be a frontrunner.

Justice, at its core, is the same to Ellen Berz from highbrow discussions on national ethics with Janet Reno to children passionately representing the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy in mock trials.

Not so long ago, it was difficult to find an attorney in Wisconsin to handle immigration matters.

Business litigation and securities law doesn’t often lend itself to a personal touch or even recognition that there is a person behind the mountains of documents.

Roger LeGrand has always tried to find ways to make the legal system better.

The complete list of our previous honorees 2003 Barrett Corneille, Merrick Domnitz, William Gansner, J. Ric Gass, Janine Geske, Robert Habush, W. Stuart Parsons, Meredith Ross, Nancy Sennett, Ann Ustad Smith 2004 C.M. “Chuck” Bye, John Clancy, Keith Findley, Matthew Flynn, Lance Grady, Larry Hanson, Arthur Harrington, Daniel Hildebrand, Robert Jaskulski, John Pray, Dean Richards, Pamela Schmidt, Deborah Smith 2005 ...

Inspiration to team up on real estate revitalization projects in Milwaukee never has been more than a car ride or fish fry away for attorney Michael Hatch. In the almost three decades since planting his roots in the Midwest as a real estate attorney with Foley & Lardner LLP, Hatch has been involved sub rosa with projects that have reshaped ...

Robert Burns, managing shareholder at Davis & Kuelthau SC, is living in interesting times, both in his professional and civic life.

The justice system is no place for a child.

Garden-variety Wisconsin Supreme Court arguments involve two parties, arguing for a half hour.

2012 Leaders showcase strength and variety For the 10th consecutive year, the Wisconsin Law Journal is privileged to to turn the spotlight on attorneys and judges who consistently give their best to their clients, work hard on the administration of justice and provide enrichment to the organizations they support through their outside efforts. Full Story >> . Benedict strives to ...