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Wisconsin, like most states, has a growing shortage of skilled civil trial lawyers, especially in rural areas throughout the state. Jeffrey Muszynski discusses the steps Wisconsin is taking to address this issue and urges members of the bar to do more to keep alive the tradition of highly skilled advocates in the state.

For many younger attorneys in Wisconsin, trial work can feel increasingly out of reach. This is especially true outside of criminal cases, as civil trials become

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Continue Reading To Build Trial Lawyers, Give Young Attorneys Their Day in Court

By Erik Reinthaler
WJI Intern

Growing opposition to proposed data centers, persistent concerns about the cost of living, and renewed public opinion on Act 10 were among the findings in the latest Marquette University Law School Poll, released Wednesday.

The latest poll gathered information from 838 Wisconsin registered voters from July 8-16.

Poll Director Charles Franklin presented the survey results at an event hosted by Derek Mosley, director of the law school’s Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and

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Continue Reading Marquette Poll Results Beyond the Governor’s Race

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René Jovel, an assistant general counsel, shares his inspiring journey from L.A. to Milwaukee, with a pit stop at Northwestern University, navigating multiple cultural environments and forging a unique legal career path. Discover insights on the realities of law school, the impact of constituent services in the U.S. Senate, and the evolving landscape of in-house legal roles.

Host Emil Ovbiagele leads this lively discussion, which centers on René’s road less traveled, the power of staying true to oneself, and…
Continue Reading Episode 31: René Jovel’s Unique Journey from L.A. to Milwaukee, from Political Sphere to In-house Counsel

​”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.

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Name: Samuel T. Berg

Appointed to: Walworth County Circuit Court

Appointment date: Nov. 7, 2025, to term ending July 31, 2027

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Continue Reading Evers’ Judges: Samuel T. Berg

​”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: Whitney A. Healy

Appointed to: Outagamie County Circuit Court

Appointment date: Nov. 7, 2025, to term ending July 31, 2027

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Continue Reading Evers’ Judges: Whitney A. Healy

​”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

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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

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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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

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

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