The state Supreme Court on Thursday took up ground-water seepage, rotting timber pilings and years of court battles over whether a public entity can be held liable for millions of dollars of alleged private property damages.

Madison attorney Pat Fiedler, of Axley Brynelson LLP, won the race for president-elect of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is ready for battle.

The state Supreme Court's decision to hear a deep tunnel lawsuit has placed the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District at risk of spending at least $16 million to resolve the dispute.

Thomas Burmeister, Nicholas Castronovo, Ryan Gehrke and Eileen Kelley joined von Briesen & Roper SC, Milwaukee.

Attorneys Lisa Nester Kass, Rebecca Frihart Kennedy, Joseph Voiland and Nathan Wautier were named shareholders at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren SC, Milwaukee.

In a competitive market for legal services, more attorneys are willing to pay for leads and marketing services than in years past, said Larry Bodine, former Madison attorney and legal consultant.

Marney Hoefer has joined Stafford Rosenbaum LLP as a senior associate. Hoefer’s practice focuses on environmental law and governmental affairs. She received her law degree, cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2000.

Shana Lewis has joined the Labor & Employment law practice group at Davis & Kuelthau SC’s Madison office. Lewis practices in the areas of labor and employment, and school and municipal law.

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren announces that attorneys Nathan K. Johnson, Amy L. Lindner and Lucas J. Pagels have been named shareholders in the firm. Johnson, a member of the firm’s Trusts and Estates Practice, serves a wide range of clients including individuals, closely held businesses and charitable organizations. Johnson received his law degree, cum laude, from Marquette University Law School. ...

Attorney James D. Friedman vividly remembers walking into his office to find a stack of pink message slips on his desk from clients who called during the lunch hour.

von Briesen & Roper announces the addition of two attorneys: Shareholder Bryan M. Becker and Associate James J. Wawrzyn.

Former State Representative Joe Handrick has joined the Government Relations Team at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren. Handrick will work out of Reinhart's Milwaukee and Madison offices.

Managing partners of law firms have traditionally served as the first and last word on everything from hiring and firing to marketing and budgeting.

Total attorneys (in Wisconsin): 200 Addresses in Wisconsin: 1000 N. Water St., Suite 1700, Milwaukee, WI 53202; 22 E. Mifflin St., Suite 600, Madison, WI 53703; N16 W23250 Stone Ridge Drive, Suite One, Waukesha, WI 53188 Office phone: Milwaukee: 414-298-1000; Madison: 608-229-2200; Waukesha: 262-951-4500 Out-of-state offices: Rockford; Denver Firm’s Web site: www.reinhartlaw.com Managing partner: Jerome M. Janzer Hiring partner: Albert ...

Law firms have traditionally ignored recruiting third-year law students in favor of making offers to summer associates.