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​”Evers’ judges” is our effort to present information about Gov. Tony Evers’ appointees to the bench. The information is taken from the appointees’ own judgeship applications.

Italics indicate direct quotes from the application.​ Typos, including punctuation errors, come from the original application even though we have not inserted “(sic)” after each one. WJI has left them as is.

Name: David O. Hughes

Appointed to: Kenosha County Circuit Court

Appointment date: Dec. 23, 2025, to term ending July 31,

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Continue Reading Evers’ judges: David O. Hughes

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Explore the evolution and impact of legal blogging with Kevin O’Keefe, CEO of LexBlog Inc., as he shares insights on how lawyers can leverage blogs for reputation, niche authority, and adapting to AI advancements. The LexBlog Library “indexes and archives legal commentary published across the web, providing the structure and metadata required to power the AI-driven web.”

O’Keefe, who started his legal career as a trial lawyer in La Crosse, discusses his path into the legal tech world, the…
Continue Reading Bottom Up Episode 30: Legal Blogging with LexBlog CEO Kevin O’Keefe

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When you own a business, it becomes more than a paycheck; it is your life’s work. The business can be immensely personal, and the sale of it can be life altering and emotional, even in the best situations. You may be asking yourself: “Do I really need to hire a lawyer to sell my business?” While you are the expert on your company, we are the experts on the legal ramifications, liabilities, and protections you and your family need…
Continue Reading I Am Selling My Business – Now What?

Lisa M. Lawless headshot

Lisa M. Lawless

Anna F.C. Muñoz headshot

Anna F.C. Muñoz

Basil J. Buchko headshot

Basil J. Buchko

Joseph M. Cardamone III headshot

Joseph M. Cardamone III

Saveon D. Grenell headshot

Saveon D. Grenell

Jason D. Luczak headshot

Jason D. Luczak

Dec. 5, 2026 –
Lisa M. Lawless and
Anna F.C. Muñoz have accepted nominations to run for 2026 State Bar of Wisconsin president-elect.

Both candidates are lawyers active in Milwaukee. Lawless (Indiana 1992) is with Husch Blackwell LLP, and Muñoz (Marquette 2005) is with Brookdale Senior Living Inc.

The president-elect serves a one-year term before becoming president on July 1,

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Continue Reading Your Vote Matters – Introducing the 2026 Officer Candidates

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Through the Assigned Counsel Program, the Wisconsin State Public Defender (SPD) appoints private bar attorneys to handle overflow and conflict cases, providing attorneys with courtroom experience in criminal cases representing clients charged with misdemeanors and felonies across the state. “You can absolutely do it,” said attorney Kathleen Pakes, director of the Assigned Counsel Program.

Pakes is talking about new or newer attorneys who may be interested in taking assigned cases, noting SPD provides training and other resources. Learn more…
Continue Reading Episode 29: Private Bar Assigned Counsel Program, State Public Defender with Kathleen Pakes and Melissa Lamb

Jesse Blocher is the author of a recently published book, “Wisconsin Tort Law: Products Liability,” published by State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE®. He’s also an award-winning author for Wisconsin Lawyer magazine. In this episode of the Bottom Up Podcast, produced by the State Bar, the conversation explores Jesse’s journey into law, the challenges faced by young lawyers, the decline of jury trials, and the intricacies of product liability law.   A partner at Habush, Habush & Rottier, Jesse shares…
Continue Reading Episode 28: Product Liability Law and Legal Writing with Trial Attorney Jesse Blocher

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Jesse Blocher is the author of a recently published book, “Wisconsin Tort Law: Products Liability,” published by State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE®. He’s also an award-winning author for Wisconsin Lawyer magazine. In this episode of the Bottom Up Podcast, produced by the State Bar, the conversation explores Jesse’s journey into law, the challenges faced by young lawyers, the decline of jury trials, and the intricacies of product liability law.   A partner at Habush, Habush & Rottier, Jesse shares insights…
Continue Reading Bottom Up Episode 28: Product Liability Law and Legal Writing with Trial Attorney Jesse Blocher

Mark L. Thomsen’s path to law is unlike any other story. In this episode of the Bottom Up podcast, host Emil Obviagele dives deep with Mark, a veteran Milwaukee-based litigator and partner at Gingras Thomsen & Wachs LLP. The episode explores Mark’s unique upbringing in Nigeria, his return to America, and the cultural shocks he experienced. They discuss his journey into law, activism, and the importance of fighting for justice. The conversation delves into the role of lawyers in…
Continue Reading Episode 27: From Steelworker to Civil Rights Lawyer – Veteran Litigator Mark L. Thomsen's Unique Journey

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Mark L. Thomsen’s path to law is unlike any other story. In this episode of the Bottom Up podcast, host Emil Obviagele dives deep with Mark, a veteran Milwaukee-based litigator and partner at Gingras Thomsen & Wachs LLP. The episode explores Mark’s unique upbringing in Nigeria, his return to America, and the cultural shocks he experienced. They discuss his journey into law, activism, and the importance of fighting for justice. The conversation delves into the role of lawyers in…
Continue Reading Bottom-Up Episode 27: From Steelworker to Civil Rights Lawyer – Veteran Litigator Mark L. Thomsen’s Unique Journey

a group of people smiling at the cameraThe clerks of the Class of 2025 Diversity Clerkship Program. For more photos,
see the album on the State Bar of Wisconsin Facebook page.

Aug. 4, 2025 – It is a program to boost the next generation of lawyers – and also Wisconsin legal firms and organizations who employ them.

The State Bar of Wisconsin’s Diversity Clerkship Program matches first-year law students from all backgrounds from Wisconsin law schools with legal offices, firms, and corporations for a 10-week

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Continue Reading The State Bar Diversity Clerkship Program: A Win-Win for Students and Employers

Stress, migraine and motion blur with a business man in a meeting feeling frustrated, tired or overworked. Mental health, anxiety and headache with an exhausted male employee suffering from fatigue

Picture this: You’ve just submitted a project you’ve spent weeks perfecting. Instead of feeling satisfied, you’re already mentally reviewing every detail, wondering if you could have done something better. Sound familiar? You’re not alone—and you might be experiencing the double-edged sword of perfectionism in the workplace.
For professionals in Wisconsin’s competitive business environment, from attorneys to executives, these perfectionist patterns are increasingly common. Perfectionism often gets praised in business settings. After all, who doesn’t want high standards and attention…
Continue Reading When Perfectionism Becomes a Problem: Understanding Workplace Perfectionism and Mental Health

Feeling like anxiety is running the show at work? You’re not alone. Here’s a research-backed framework that’s helping professionals regain control without adding to their already packed to-do list.

Sarah stared at her computer screen, the cursor blinking mockingly in her empty email draft. The presentation to the board was tomorrow, and despite weeks of preparation, her mind was spinning with worst-case scenarios. What if they ask a question I can’t answer? What if the projector doesn’t work? What…
Continue Reading From Overwhelmed to Optimized: Evidence-Based CBT Techniques for Busy Professionals Managing Anxiety

 
The Power to Switch Off: Take Control of Lawyer Burnout
Just like a light switch, you have the power to disconnect from work stress and create boundaries that protect your well-being while maintaining professional excellence.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re feeling the weight of an unsustainable workload, the pressure of always being “on,” and the creeping sense that your legal career is demanding more than you can give. You’re not alone—and more importantly, there’s a path…
Continue Reading Running Hot Without Burning Out: A Lawyer’s Guide to Sustainable Performance

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Are you a family law attorney or want to learn more about family law as a practice area? In this episode of the Bottom Up Podcast, produced by the State Bar of Wisconsin, attorney Max T. Stephenson describes his experiences as a family law attorney with Gimbel Reilly Guerin & Brown LLP for more than a decade.

Starting as a new lawyer with no family law experience, Stephenson discusses his 12-year career path and provides insights on building and…
Continue Reading Episode 26: Building a Family Law Practice – Insights from Max T. Stephenson

alt textDan Gartzke, the State Bar’s next president starting July 1, with his wife Tracey L. Schwalbe, also an attorney.​​

June 18, 2025 – Dan Gartzke could not predict that he would become State Bar president, he said in his inaugural speech Wednesday night in Madison, but “looking backward I see how every decision, every move, led to where I am now.”

He could, however, point to how he made those choices. At each step, he was with mentors.

Gartzke,

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Continue Reading Dan Gartzke Sworn in as State Bar’s 70th President: ‘Mentorship Helps Us Now’

May 20, 2025

Much as I would prefer any other topic for my column this month, the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan was the biggest story in local law in, well, forever.

In the event you’ve been living under a rock, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested April 25 at the courthouse on charges of helping a defendant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who had a case in her courtroom, evade immigration authorities who had a warrant for his…
Continue Reading Weighing the consequences of Judge Dugan’s arrest