Sponsorship/Expo Information

WAJ Board / Welcome Reception is Thursday, July 16th from 5pm to 7pm
(all attendees are welcome to attend)

Golf Scramble: Friday, July 17 at 1 pm

Tennis Tournament: Friday, July 17 at 1 pm

All attendee and family tailgate: Friday, July 17 at 5:30 pm

 

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Summer Seminar Program Chairs and Moderators

     

 

Amy Risseeuw, Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C.

Scott Butler, Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC

Kristen Lonergan, Cross Law Firm S.C.

Corey G. Lorenz, Habush Habush & Rottier

 

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Summer Seminar CLE Schedule
Friday, July 17, 2026: Carrington Building

7:30 AM: 

Breakfast Buffet: Included with registration and open to all attendees. (State Room)

• Women's Caucus Breakfast Meeting (Friday, July 17th)
• Worker’s Compensation committee Breakfast Meeting (Friday, July 17th)

 

8:30 AM:  Egg Harbor Room

Welcome & WAJ Update

 

Danielle Schroder, WAJ President 
MacGillis Law Group, LLC
 

Danielle is a partner with MacGillis Law Group, LLC working out of the firm’s Madison office. Danielle has civil litigation experience in employment law, ERISA long-term disability disputes, employee benefits cases, and torts. Currently, her practice is devoted exclusively to personal injury work, representing individuals across the state in car, bike and motorcycle crashes as well as premises liability claims. Danielle also serves as guardian ad litem for minors who have been injured.

Danielle is the past chair of the Wisconsin Association for Justice’s Women’s Caucus, and she has led panels and given seminar presentations on important legal topics for both individuals and practitioners. Danielle is a volunteer for the Wisconsin Lawyer Assistance Program and a member of Trial by Woman. She is strong proponent for lawyer wellbeing and is committed to raising and maintaining women leaders in the law.

Danielle was born in Madison, raised in Rhinelander, and she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for both her undergraduate studies and law school. During law school, Danielle participated in mock trial, the Wisconsin International Law Journal and the Wisconsin Vis Moot Court team, which competed in Vienna, Austria. She graduated magna cum laude.

Danielle lives in Verona, a suburb of Madison, with her husband Mark and their three children and dog.

 

8:35 to 9:35AM: 

When Criminal and Civil Law Intersect

Hon. Kristin Cafferty, Racine County Circuit Court Judge and
Patrick Cafferty, Cafferty & Scheidegger, S.C.

 

Kristin Cafferty is a Wisconsin circuit court judge serving on the Racine County Circuit Court. She began her tenure on the bench in 2021.

  

 

 

 

Patrick K. Cafferty is a premier criminal defense attorney in Racine, Wisconsin, with over 32 years of experience defending clients against complex state and federal charges. Recognized as a ‘Lawyer of the Year’ for Criminal Defense in Wisconsin, Patrick Cafferty brings unmatched trial experience to every case. Since 1994, he has built a reputation for aggressive litigation and strategic defense in high-stakes cases, including homicides, major drug violations, and white-collar crimes.

 

 

 

 

9:35 AM - 9:50 AM  Break with Exhibitors

9:50 AM - 11:00 AM

2026 Tort Update

Edward E. Robinson, Attorney
2019 WAJ President
Cannon & Dunphy, SC, Brookfield, WI

Synopsis:   Stay up-to-date with this quick-hitting session which will survey the most important supreme court and appellate court decisions from this past year on a wide range of topics that may impact your practice. 

I am a shareholder and litigator with Cannon & Dunphy, S.C., where my practice focuses on trucking crashes, complex personal injury litigation, products liability, and medical malpractice.  I was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and am the youngest of three children.  My childhood church was located next door to Graceland Mansion.  Although I was too young at the time to remember it now, my mom has told me about times that Elvis would be in the backyard of his property and walk over to the fence line separating the two properties to talk with us.  Naturally, being born in Memphis, I grew up listening to Elvis, and have shared his great music with my own two children.  As a testament to how Elvis is considered a God in Memphis, following his death, my childhood church was converted into the offices for Graceland/Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., proving that Elvis outranks God in Memphis.  And it’s not open to debate:  Memphis has the best barbecue.  I moved with my family to the Chicago suburbs on Thanksgiving Day in 1977 during blizzard conditions, traveling in a rear-wheel drive Ford Torino that most definitely was not designed to drive in snow.  My first job was cutting lawns at age 12, and beginning at age 16 and continuing through college, I worked in a restaurant, first as a dishwasher, then as a bus boy, and later as a waiter.  I attended Marquette University, and then went to the University of Wisconsin Law School.  If I were not a lawyer, I would love to be a high school history and civics teacher.  I am a music buff, and the way my brain is wired, song lyrics matching the moment frequently pop into my head throughout the day.  It’s ironic, then, that my wife is one of those individuals who constantly mishears lyrics, but then cannot be convinced that what she thinks the lyrics are, they most definitely are not!

 

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Federal Legislative Update

Bruce Plaxen, AAJ President and Founding Partner of
Plaxen Adler Muncy, Maryland

 

Bruce Plaxen is a founding partner of Plaxen Adler Muncy in Columbia, Md., Mr. Plaxen served as President-Elect in 2024-25, Vice President in 2023-24, Secretary in 2022-23, Treasurer in 2021-22, and Parliamentarian in 2020-21. He serves on the National Finance Council, Evergreen Advisory Board, Trial Lawyers Care Committee, and the Stalwarts/Hall of Fame Committee. He has chaired the Convention Planning Committee and the Organization Review Committee. He was president of the Maryland Association for Justice from 2001-02. Mr. Plaxen earned his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany and his J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law.

 

 

 

11:30 - 12:00 PM   

Get Your Clients Paid While You Litigate: The LTD Playbook for PI Attorneys

Naomi R. Swain, Hawks Quindel S.C.

Naomi Swain is a senior associate attorney with Hawks Quindel in Madison, where her practice focuses extensively on short- and long-term disability insurance claims and worker’s compensation matters. She represents disabled workers in complex LTD claims, administrative appeals, and litigation against disability insurance carriers, with a particular emphasis on securing income replacement benefits for clients during periods of prolonged inability to work. In 2026, Attorney Swain was recognized for her commitment to public service as both the Dane County Bar Association Pro Bono Attorney of the Year and a recipient of the Wisconsin Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award.

 

 

 

Starting at 1:00 PM on Friday:

• Golf Scramble: (SEE DETAILS BELOW) at The Orchards in Egg Harbor with 1:00 start.
• Tennis Tournament: at the Landmark Tennis Courts next to main lodging check-in at 1:00 start.
• Other Activities:  Explore & Experience Door County

Starting at 5:30 PM on Friday (OUTSIDE CARRINGTON BUILDING / STATE ROOM)

• Join us for Dinner (see details below with special pricing for kids)
• Friday Dinner is included with the seminar registration (be sure to register those joining you for dinner when you register for the seminar)

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SATURDAY SESSION SPEAKERS 

CARRINGTON BUILDING

7:30 AM: Breakfast Buffet with the Exhibitors: Included with Registration (STATE ROOM)

• New Lawyers Section Breakfast Meeting (Saturday)

 

8:30 AM

Opening / Good Morning (EGG HARBOR ROOM) 

 

Danielle Schroder, WAJ President 
MacGillis Law Group, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

8:35 to 9:45 AM   

Another One Bites the Dust: Lessons from Wisconsin Bad Faith Cases

Christopher MacGillis, MacGillis Law Group, LLC and
Mackenzie Campbell, Doar, Drill & Skow

 

Christopher J. MacGillis is a founder and partner at MacGillis Law Group, LLC. Chris focuses his practice on personal injury law and representing first responders, including police and firefighter unions throughout Wisconsin.

Outside the office, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife, Ann, daughters Grace and Josephine, and son Owen. An avid outdoorsman, he has a lifelong passion for Wisconsin’s woods and waters, including fishing, hunting, and conservation. He has appeared on John Gillespie’s Waters & Woods and remains actively involved in outdoor organizations throughout the state.

 

 

Mackenzie Campbell is recognized as a top-rated personal injury and civil litigation attorney. She prides herself on delivering exceptional results for her clients. She is hired by other law firms to assist with complex cases. She has a deep understanding of the law, is able to navigate complex claims, and works with her clients within all points of the legal system; from pre-suit to verdict, and if necessary, up through the Supreme Court.

Mackenzie relishes in spending her free time with her daughter, her partner, and his son. She enjoys fitness, boating, meeting up with friends and family for a delicious meal and conversation, and settling down with a good book.

 

9:45 AM - 10:00 AM: Break with Exhibitors

10:00 AM to 10:30 AM:    

Wisconsin's Peer Review Privilege: Scope, Limits, and Litigation Strategies 

Corey G. Lorenz
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. 

 

Corey Lorenz is a shareholder in the Madison office of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C.® Her primary practice areas are personal injury and nursing home negligence. Throughout her career, Corey has litigated matters in both state and federal court, ranging from individual injury claims to complex product liability matters against large corporations. In this capacity, Corey has worked to represent plaintiffs throughout Wisconsin and across the country. She is involved in numerous organizations and previously served on the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Wisconsin from 2019 to 2023. Corey currently serves as the Secretary for the Wisconsin Association for Justice. 

 

10:30 AM to 11:00 AM:   

Legislative Update and the Latest on Electronic Medical Records 

 

James Rogers
Government Affairs Director
Wisconsin Association for Justice

 

 

 

 

 

 

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: 

Ethics Session

Legal Ethics Update 2026

Stacie H. Rosenzweig
Halling & Cayo, S.C.

Stacie H. Rosenzweig’s practice at Halling & Cayo, S.C. focuses on counseling and representation of lawyers throughout their careers, from bar admission to retirement, with an emphasis on defending lawyers facing disciplinary action and malpractice claims.  She is also well versed in Wisconsin and federal election and political law, working with candidates and committees at the local, state, and national level. She currently serves as the chair of the Courts Committee for the Milwaukee Bar Association, and is on the Board of Directors for the Association for Professional Responsibility Lawyers. She is also on the Board of Directors for Street Angels, a nonprofit serving unsheltered individuals through mobile outreach in Milwaukee County.  She blogs about legal ethics and law practice regularly at Ethicking.com   

 

12:00 PM:  Seminar Concludes

 

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Seminar Information:

Included with Registration: Breakfast Buffet (7:30 am to 8:30 am) Women's Caucus Breakfast Meeting (Friday).  New Lawyers Breakfast Meeting (Saturday) Weblink to Seminar Materials Break Refreshments & Snacks Friday Night Dinner /  Tailgate Friday afternoon Tennis Tournament

Extra Items: Golf: $95 (Clubs are also available to rent) Kids and Guest Friday Night Dinner (see registration page)

Join us for dinner on Friday Night! Food, Drinks, Games/Bean Bag Toss Tournament and Entertainment! 5:30 PM start outside Landmark Hotel's  Carrington Pub & Grill (bar and bonfire will be in front of the building) Open to the whole family!! Tailgate, Games/Tournament, Bonfire (s'mores), Networking, Sponsored Bar

WAJ Golf Scramble:  Friday @ 1:00pm The Orchards at Egg Harbor $95/golfer Includes: 18-Hole Scramble, Cart, Drink Cart Tickets, and Box Lunch. Activities for Non-Golfers:  Explore & Experience Door County

Lodging Information

Preferred Capital Funding

American Association for Justice

The Settlement Tax Group

Signature Bank

Ringler

Market JD

Robson Forensic

Filevine

The National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals

Eve

Western Alliance Bank

EmotionTrac Legal

EvenUp

Physician Life Care Planning

Supio

Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company

Esquire

Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company

EmotionTrac

Skogen Engineering Group

SmartAdvocate

Premier Settlement Services

Engel Metallurgical