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WAAL EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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The Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers welcomes attorneys, law students, and community supporters to join the organization as members for the 2018-2019 year! Membership benefits include, but are not limited to exclusive job announcements, free and discounted CLEs, free and discounted community events, networking opportunities, inclusion in our attorney directory, and more!
Learn more about the Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers here: https://youtu.be/ycunOMGYJDA.
Membership is free for law students and at a discounted rate for new law school graduates. Membership begins October 1, 2018 and ends September 30, 2019.
JOIN HERE
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Milwaukee's premiere African-American professional organizations, the Talented 10, invite you to celebrate the holidays at the 7th Annual Holiday Social. Mix and mingle with your favorite professionals, and dance to music by DJ LoLo. Come in your best holiday party attire and join us for a night of fun and celebration.
Admission is free for active members of WAAL and other host organizations and $20 for guests. Tickets can be purchased online via Eventbrite or at the door (cash only).
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Greetings and Happy Holidays!
As we near the end of 2018, it seems like an opportune time to reflect on WAAL’s goals in anticipation of the New Year. This month we held our annual Saturday strategic planning meeting, where we discussed, outlined, and developed events for 2019 in line with the “Three Cs” plan, and in light of our mission. Below are a few key outcomes of the meeting:
- Member Meetings – In an effort to provide you with more opportunities to network with members of the legal community, we will begin piloting member meetings some time in 2019. If your firm or corporation is interested in hosting one of these meetings, please email me at KDHardy@RockwellAutomation.com or WAALawyers@gmail.com.
- New Committee – We have recently established a Special Projects Committee that will be led by our Treasurer, Will Sulton. The purpose of this committee is to help plan and execute important projects that require heavy lifting. WAAL members are invited to join the committee to assist with a variety of projects, such as CLEs and networking mixers. Please email us at WAALawyers@gmail.com if you are interested in joining this committee.
- More Pro Bono Opportunities – One of WAAL’s fundamental goals is to advocate legal and judicial reform to make justice available to all people. Consistent with this goal is our obligation to participate in pro bono services as often as feasible. So beginning in 2019, we are offering members the opportunity to join WAAL monthly for the Driver’s License Reinstatement Clinic, led by Legal Action of Wisconsin. Be on the lookout for information pertaining to training in January. For our Dane County members, we will continue to participate in the Expungement Legal Clinic in Madison on an ad hoc basis.
As always, we will continue to create and present opportunities for the professional improvement of our members and the community. We welcome opportunities to collaborate with other bar associations, firms, and companies throughout Wisconsin, and invite members and allies to donate to the WAAL Educational Fund to support scholarships for law students in the state. I hope that our new committees and commitments will encourage WAAL members, allies, and community partners to get more involved in a way they deem beneficial. After all, there is tremendous strength in numbers.
Sincerely,
Kristen D. Hardy
WAAL President
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ATTY. ASHLEY SMITH
Job Title: Attorney
Employer: Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
Practice Area: Corporate
College: University of Pittsburgh; Major: Psychology; Minor: Political Science
Law School: Marquette University Law School
Highlight: I grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago, specifically Olympia Fields, IL, and all of my extended family is from the south side of the city. I am one of five children and growing up my parents instilled in us the importance of education. Through my sophomore year of college, I had a strong STEM background. In fact, for high school, I attended the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, a boarding school in Aurora, IL. There I was exposed to organic chemistry, microbiology, and scientific research. In spite of all that, when I went to college I was not sure what I wanted to major in, but the idea of becoming a lawyer seriously crossed my mind. However, it was 2011 and the market for lawyers was not great so I was encouraged to pursue other interests, and I became a psychology major. In fact, I was completing the requirements to go to medical school, made it through Organic Chemistry, and decided after shadowing psychiatrists through schizophrenia research I was doing that my heart was not in it. Plus, I don’t know how I would have made it through medical school when I cringe during Grey’s Anatomy. I decided I had to find another way to help people and I revisited the idea of becoming a lawyer. Fast forward, I graduated from Marquette University Law School in May 2018 and became the first lawyer on both sides of my family. I now work for Godfrey and Kahn, S.C. as a corporate associate. Our corporate team focuses on mergers and acquisitions. Based on what I have been exposed to, I like working on deals. Further, as I develop my practice I would like to do work for startup companies, an interest I developed in law school. When I am not working, I am either spoiling my two dogs, Lulu and Lola, or hanging out with friends. Now that I am going to be a Wisconsinite for the foreseeable future, I am also actively looking for various ways to give back to the community. As lawyers we have skills that are invaluable, which must be used to service those in need around us. Beyond that, I am interested in being a mentor and finding ways to teach about financial literacy.
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WAAL Members named 2018 Super Lawyers
Congratulations to WAAL Past President Atty. Jessica Butler, Atty. Emile Banks, Jr., Atty. Michelle Behnke, Atty. Nate Cade, Atty. Eric Andrews, and Atty. Emil Ovbiagele!
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Congrats to WAAL members Attorney Emery Harlan and Attorney Kori Ashley for being named 2018 Legal Innovators !
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Attorney Clyde Tinnen recently authored an article, "Mergers & Marriages: How to Get to Know a Partner," in the latest edition of the Wisconsin Lawyer. Read the article here.
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On November 5th, Attorney Dewey B. Martin was sworn in as Judicial Court Commissioner by Chief Judge Maxine A. White. Congratulations to Attorney Martin!
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Attorney Makda Fessahaye was recently interviewed by Voice of America Tigrigna to speak about her experiences as a first generation Eritrean-American lawyer.
Click here to view the interview.
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Whether you've recently been promoted, started your own firm, or been appointed to a non-profit board, we want to share your recent professional accomplishments and milestones! Don't be shy - send an email with your name, law school/graduation year, and other relevant details to waalawyers@gmail.com for a chance to be featured in our newsletter and social media outlets.
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LEGAL NEWS, UPDATES, & EVENTS
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FREE CLE OPPORTUNITY
The LGBT Bar Association is excited to announce that we will be providing a free CLE on December 6, 2018. The CLE will provide a constitutional law update on LGBTQ+ individuals under the law.
Click here for event details and registration!
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The Fee Arbitration Program at the State Bar of Wisconsin is looking for volunteer arbitrators for their District 1 which consists of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth, Racine, Kenosha, Washington or Ozaukee counties. Fee arbitration is a private hearing between a lawyer and their client before a one-to three-member panel of arbitrators in an informal setting to resolve billing disputes. The State Bar of Wisconsin considers this an extremely important program on behalf of the public interest and the legal profession in Wisconsin.
Please contact Michelle Sherbinow if you are interested in volunteering or would like more information.
msherbinow@wisbar.org
608-250-6184
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7th Annual Wisconsin Statewide Pre-Law Diversity Day
Friday, February 22, 2019
This event is free to college students and advisors and will be held on Friday, February 22, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison, Wisconsin.
If you know a college student who would be interested in this event, details and registration can be found here: https://law.marquette.edu/prospective-students/wisconsin-statewide-pre-law-diversity-day-2019
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Summer Youth Institute (SYI)
July 18-19 & 22-26, 2019
The Marquette Law School & Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association co-sponsor an annual Summer Youth Institute (SYI). The SYI is designed to introduce middle and high school students from the City of Milwaukee to the legal system, expose them to careers in law, and provide them with practical tools for achieving their educational goals. The SYI is open to students who will enter the 8th, 9th, or 10th grade next fall. Enrollment is limited to approximately 24 students. This program seeks to enroll students who demonstrate motivation, maturity, and a genuine interest in pursuing academic goals. Students must live and go to school in the City of Milwaukee.
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State Bar of Wisconsin Seeking Authors for Law of Damages in Wisconsin Update!
The State Bar of Wisconsin is seeking a new authors for the following chapters: Disability and Loss of Enjoyment of Life, and Defamation.
If interested, contact Margie DeWind, Attorney Editor, Professional Development Department State Bar of Wisconsin www.wisbar.org at (608) 250-6111 or mdewind@wisbar.org.
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Marquette University Law School
First Generation Professionals
First Generation Professionals (FGP) is a new organization at Marquette University Law School, aimed at supporting students who face the unique challenges associated with being a first-generation law student.
FGP is hosting a Brown Bag Lunch Networking Program to allows students to connect with local attorneys in a small group setting.
If you would like to be involved in this program or have any questions, contact Outreach Chair Amanda Kerr.
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ELECTIONS, NOMINATIONS & APPLICATIONS
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PROMOTE, RECOGNIZE, AND CELEBRATE EACH OTHER
Please assist WAAL in attaining our goal to promote the professional improvement of our members. If there are any other awards, elections, programs, or honors you would like WAAL to promote, please email us at waalawyers@gmail.com.
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Honor the Exemplary: Nominate a Lifetime Jurist, Judge of the Year
Nominations are needed for the 2019 Lifetime Jurist and Judge of the Year awards. These awards, from the State Bar of Wisconsin Bench and Bar Committee, honor judges who demonstrate outstanding service from the bench.
The Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award recognizes a jurist who has served more than one full term as a circuit court judge and has demonstrated outstanding, long-term judicial service during his or her years as a sitting judge. The nominee may currently hold a judicial position or be retired.
Lifetime Jurists nominations: Due Jan. 31
The Judge of the Year Award recognizes a sitting circuit court judge who has improved the judicial system during the past year through leadership in advancing the quality of justice, judicial education, or innovative programs. High ideals, personal character, judicial competence, and community involvement are hallmarks of the award recipient.
Judge of the Year nominations: Due Jan. 31
To nominate a judge for the Judge of the Year Award, submit the application on WisBar.org.
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MILWAUKEE BUSINESS JOURNAL
40 UNDER 40 AWARDS
The Milwaukee area is filled with young talent — it’s time to let people know who they are. Nominate today for the 40 Under 40 awards for 2019.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
The Milwaukee area is full of talented young people who make significant contributions to their professions and the community. You know the ones - they're viewed as rising stars by their peers, friends and managers. Sometimes they're easy to recognize and sometimes they fly under the radar. Here's an opportunity to put them in the spotlight and share their story.
The Milwaukee Business Journal is seeking nominations for its annual 40 Under 40 awards section to be published in March 2019. This special section profiles area individuals under age 40 who are making a difference in their industries as well as in their communities. Winners also will be honored at an awards event held in downtown Milwaukee.
To be eligible, candidates must not turn 40 before March 1, 2019, and must work within Milwaukee, Kenosha, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington or Waukesha counties.
To nominate, fill out the form below, or mail or fax a statement detailing the candidate's accomplishments and qualifications along with a resume (whenever possible) and date of birth. Honorees will be chosen based on the quality of the nomination submitted, NOT the quantity of nominations.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, Dec. 7, 2018.
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ACS PRESENTS
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TWO ACS WRITING
COMPETITIONS
Submission deadlines:
2/3/2019: Richard D. Cudahy Writing Competition
2/10/2019: Constance Baker Motley National Student Writing Competition
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Richard D. Cudahy Writing Competition
ON REGULATORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
Deadline to apply is Feb. 3, 2019
ACS is pleased to announce its 12th annual Richard D. Cudahy Writing Competition on Regulatory and Administrative Law, honoring the late Judge Cudahy's contribution to the field. The competition is open to practicing lawyers, policymakers, academics, and law students. The judging committee will include judges, leading academics, and practitioners in the field of administrative law.
A winner will be selected in both the lawyer and student categories. Each winning author will receive a cash prize of $1,500, as well as special recognition at the 2019 ACS National Convention.
The deadline to apply is February 3, 2019.
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Constance Baker Motley Writing Competition
ACS STUDENTS FURTHERING PROGRESSIVE LEGAL VISION
Deadline to apply is Feb. 10, 2019
ACS’s Constance Baker Motley National Student Writing Competition honors the legacy of Constance Baker Motley as a civil rights leader, elected official, and the first African-American woman appointed to the federal bench. ACS welcomes all student papers furthering and promoting a progressive vision of the Constitution, law, and public policy. The judging committee will include judges and leading academics.
The student authors of the top three papers will receive special recognition at the 2019 ACS National Convention. The winner will receive $3,000 and an offer to publish in theUniversity of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law. The two runners-up will receive $1,000.
The deadline to apply is February 10, 2019.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
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YWCA of Southeast Wisconsin Presents
An Evening to Promote Racial Justice
An Evening to Promote Racial Justice is an annual event that highlights YWCA SEW’s unparalleled leadership in racial justice efforts in southeast Wisconsin. The evening also involves an awards presentation that honors community members for their commitment to eliminating racism and empowering women in their professional and personal lives. Each year, the event attracts more than 500 guests and features a nationally recognized keynote speaker. This years speaker is Symone Sanders. Sanders’ address will offer insight on the topic: “Women Behind Campaigns: Racism & Sexism in Politics”.
December 4, 2018 at 5:30
Marcus Center for Performing Arts
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Registration for An Evening to Promote Racial Justice opens on November 1, 2018. To register or learn more about the 14th annual An Evening to Promote Racial Justice, visit www.ywcasew.org.
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NEWaukee is excited to announce Soapbox, a new series of female-focused events starting in early 2019. Soapbox will feature stories and panel discussions with Milwaukee female community leaders in a live talk show format. The social events will feature networking, a live DJ, a cash bar, and complimentary appetizers while they last.
Each Soapbox will take place within a featured speaker’s company, to highlight interesting office spaces throughout Milwaukee. NEWaukee is proud to share that the first Soapbox will be hosted at Milwaukee-based company Diversatek and feature a keynote presentation from Meg Vierling, the company’s President and CEO.
NEWaukee is looking for speakers for the first Soapbox in early 2019.Women in corporate and social innovation, entrepreneurs, and creative community developers are encouraged to apply to speak.
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WAAL President Attorney Kristen Hardy spoke about the importance of remaining resilient as future minority lawyers at the Husch Blackwell Diversity Reception on November 15, 2018 in Milwaukee. Law students who self identify as diverse candidates were invited to participate.
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On November 10th, WAAL's board dedicated one of their Saturdays to the annual strategic planning meeting. The goal of this meeting is to develop events, programs, and content for the organization during the upcoming year. The Communication Strategist, Dorothy Enriquez McBride, gave a communication and leadership presentation as well.
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The Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers and the NAACP Milwaukee Branch partnered to host a panel discussion for members of the general public and attorney's on navigating children's court.
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On November 20, WAAL members attended the Affinity Mixer
hosted by the LGBT BAR.
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