WAJ Committees

 AAJ GOVERNORS

• Noah D. Domnitz, Milwaukee (Term ends February 28, 2022)
• Robert L. Jaskulski, Milwaukee (Term ends July 31, 2021)
• Jay A. Urban, Milwaukee (Term ends July 31, 2021)

Past AAJ Governors

2011: Robert L. Habush (AAJ President)
2010: Edward J. Vopal
2007: John C. Peterson
2006: M. Angela Dentice
2003: Daniel A. Rottier
2000: Thomas K. Guelzow
2000: D. James Weis
1994: Paul J. Scoptur
1992: Merrick R. Domnitz
1991: George W. Curtis
1991: Willard P. Techmeier
1989: Raymond E. Schrank
1988: Curtis M. Kirkhuff
1985: James A. Johnson
1980: David A. Saichek
1978: Michael I. Tarnoff

AAJ STATE DELEGATES

• Robert J Welcenbach, Milwaukee (Term ends July 31, 2020)
• Edward E. Robinson, Brookfield (Term ends July 31, 2021)

Past State Delegates

2017 Heath P. Straka
2016 Thomas W Kyle
2012 Jill A. Rakauski
2011 Jeffrey  Zirgibel
2010 Mark L. Krueger
2009 Scott B. Taylor
2008 Jeffrey  Zirgibel
2006 Howard S. Sicula
2005 Jason T. Studinski
2004 Mark L. Krueger
2003 Steven H. Schinker
2002 Frank T. Pasternak
2001 Jay A. Urban
2000 Joel W. Brodd
1998 Ralph J. Tease
1997 Jeffrey A. Pitman
1996 John D. Murray
1995 M. Angela Dentice
1994 Robert B. Moodie
1994 Christine Bremer  Muggli
1993 Paul J. Scoptur
1992 Mark A. Peterson
1991 Douglas W. Kammer
1989 John C. Peterson
1988 George W. Curtis
1987 Michael F. Hupy
1986 Phillip M. Steans
1985 Thomas K. Guelzow
1985 Raymond E. Schrank
1984 James A. Johnson
1983 Howard A. Davis
1983 James J. Murphy

AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF COMMITTEE
Purpose:  Review issues of interest to WAJ members, which are on appeal and file amicus curiae briefs in appropriate cases. Additionally, the Amicus Committee will keep other committees informed of issues and particular areas of interest which would affect their activity. 

Amicus Executive Committee:

• Co-Chair, Lynn R. Laufenberg, Waukesha
• Co-Chair, Jesse B. Blocher, Waukesha

Members:

• Michael Cerjak, Milwaukee
• William C. Gleisner, III, Milwaukee
• Martha H. Heidt, River Falls
• Robert L. Jaskulski, Milwaukee
• Edward E. Robinson, Brookfield
• Mark L. Thomsen, Waukesha
• Scott B. Thompson, Madison
• Susan R. Tyndall, Waukesha
• Peter M. Young, Wausau

WAJ Liaison - Jim Rogers, Government Affairs Director (608) 210-3391 

 

WAJ DIVERSITY COMMITTEE 

Beverly Wickstrom, Eau Claire, Chair

The Committee will look at diversity within WAJ’s membership and Board of Directors and identify appropriate methods by which the Association may act to improve the participation of women, minorities and attorneys in areas of the State that are otherwise under-represented within its activities and leadership.  The Committee will also strengthen relationships with statewide ethnic and gender-based bar associations, seeking opportunities to promote common interests and to explore collaborative opportunities.

        WAJ liaison - Bryan Roessler, Executive Director, bryan@wisjustice.org

EMPLOYMENT/CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITTEE
Purpose:  The Wisconsin Association for Justice Employment/Civil Rights Committee consists of lawyers with a practice emphasis in employment law and civil rights. These same lawyers have a passionate desire to see justice done for those harmed in the workplace or by an abuse of government power. The chief function of the Employment/Civil Rights Committee is education. Its members will regularly write articles for themselves and for the WAJ’s larger membership, keeping the members appraised of new developments in the law and new strategies for a better law practice. The Committee will also speak at WAJ seminars and interact with other like-minded organizations. The Committee will meet by phone four times per year, roughly six weeks before each of the WAJ’s major seminars. The Committee’s members will make themselves available as “sounding boards” to the other Committee members, and they will answer questions from the broader membership as they arise.

Walter F. Kelly, Co-Chair, Milwaukee 
Paul A. Kinne, Co-Chair, Madison

• Robert Kasieta, Madison
• Gordon R. Leech, Milwaukee
• Amy F. Scarr, Madison 
• Scott L. Schroeder, Janesville
• Mark L. Thomsen, Brookfield

WAJ Liaison - Jim Rogers, Government Affairs Director (608) 210-3391      
            
JURY INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
Purpose:  To provide a network to discuss changes/ modifications to civil jury instructions; and provide an informational clearinghouse to the membership relating to civil jury instructions. 

Michael L. Laufenberg, Co-Chair, Milwaukee 
Jesse B. Blocher, Co-Chair, Milwaukee 

• Michael C. Ablan, LaCrosse
• Michelle F. Achterberg Welch, Eau Claire
• David Deda, Phillips 
• Kenan J. Kersten, Milwaukee 
• Lynn R. Laufenberg, Milwaukee
• Jeff Scott Olson, Madison
• Amy M. Risseeuw, Appleton
• Timothy T. Sempf, Amery 
• Keith R. Stachowiak, Milwaukee
• Willard P. Techmeier, Milwaukee
• Kent A. Tess-Mattner, Brookfield
• Mark S. Young, Milwaukee

WAJ Liaison - Jim Rogers, Government Affairs Director (608) 210-3391 

JUSTICE FUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Purpose:  This committee will exist for the purpose of soliciting, receiving, holding, administering and disbursing political contributions from lawyers and other persons to candidates for political or public office who express support for the purpose for which this trust is established. 

LAW PAC BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Purpose:  This committee will exist for the purpose of soliciting, receiving, holding, administering and disbursing political contributions and gifts from lawyers and other persons to candidates for political or public office who express support for the purpose for which this trust is established. 

Heath Straka, Madison, Chair

WAJ Executive Committee

• Beverly Wickstrom, Eau Claire
• Kristin Cafferty, Racine
• Kevin R. Martin, Oak Creek
• Amy M. Risseeuw, Appleton
• Noah Domnitz, Milwaukee
• Jay Urban, Milwaukee
• Gregory J. Egan, III, La Crosse  
• Allan M. Foeckler, Brookfield     
• Christopher J. MacGillis, Wauwatosa
• Kristen Scheuerman, Appleton
• Michael S. Siddall, Appleton 
• Brad Yanke, Stevens Point 

Worker Compensation Section Chair

• Charles Domer, Milwaukee  

Women's Caucus Chair

• Rebecca Domnitz, Milwaukee

New Lawyers Section Chair

• Kate Metzger, Milwaukee

Past Presidents

• Bruce R. Bachhuber, Green Bay          
• Christine Bremer Muggli, Wausau 
• Kristin Cafferty, Racine                      
• George W. Curtis, Oshkosh
• M. Angela Dentice, Milwaukee
• Ric R. Domnitz, Milwaukee   
• Patrick Dunphy, Brookfield
• J. Michael End, Milwaukee
• Paul Gagliardi, Salem              
• Russell T. Golla, Stevens Point      
• Thomas K. Guelzow, Eau Claire         
• Robert L. Habush, Milwaukee 
• Ann S. Jacobs, Milwaukee  
• Robert L. Jaskulski, Milwaukee 
• Lynn R. Laufenberg, Milwaukee          
• Kevin Lonergan, Appleton 
• Jeffrey  A. Pitman, Milwaukee
• John C. Peterson, Appleton
• Edward Robinson, Brookfield
• Daniel A. Rottier, Madison 
• Heath Straka, Madison   
• Will Techmeier, Milwaukee
• Mark L. Thomsen, Milwaukee 
• D. James Weis, Rhinelander
• Christopher D. Stombaugh, Platteville 
• Edward J. Vopal, Green Bay
• Benjamin S. Wagner, Milwaukee

WAJ liaisons: Jim Rogers, Government Affairs Director (608) 210-3391 

NEW LAWYERS SECTION
The New Lawyers Section was created in order to provide greater opportunities for new lawyers within WAJ to exchange ideas, formulate programs and network within the profession in an effort to become better advocates for injured consumers. 

 Chair:  Katherine E. Metzger, Milwaukee
Vice-Chair: Kate Llaurado, Milwaukee

Past Chairs:

1. Michelle Hockers (2020)
2. Melissa Fischer (2019)
3. Patrick Bomhack (2018)
4. Kristen S. Scheuerman (2017)
5. Christopher J. MacGillis (2016)
6. Kristen Lonergan (2015)
7. Eric Knobloch (2014)
8. Noah Domnitz (2013)
9. Peter Young (2012)
10. Jeanne Ellen Bell (2011)
11. Jason R. Oldenburg (2010)
12. Erin Patterson (2009)
13. Benjamin S. Wagner (2008)
14. Lance R. Trollop (2007)
15. Jonathan P. Groth (2006)
16. Heath Straka (2005)
17. Anthony J. Skemp (2004)
18. Jason T. Studinski (2003)
19. Michael. L. Laufenberg (2002)
20. Mary Taylor Lokensgard (2001)
21. Frank T. Pasternak (2000)
22. Jay A. Urban (1999)

WAJ liaison, Bryan Roessler, Executive Director, bryan@wisjustice.org

NOMINATING COMMITTEE (2021)
Purpose: The nominating committee shall nominate a slate of candidates for Officers and Directors which shall be submitted to the membership not less than 45 days prior to the annual convention.

• Jay A. Urban, President, Milwaukee
• Beverly Wickstrom, Immediate Past President, Eau Claire
• Benjy Wagner, Milwaukee
• Ann  Jacobs, Milwaukee
• Heath Straka, Madison

WAJ liaison, Bryan Roessler, Executive Director, bryan@wisjustice.org

PARALEGALS/LEGAL ASSISTANT SECTION
The Affiliated Unit was formed to build a better attorney/paralegal-legal assistant partnership. 

Co-Chair:  Angelique Imm, Beaver Dam
Co-Chair: Elizabeth Cooney, Milwaukee

WAJ liaison - Bryan Roessler, Executive Director, bryan@wisjustice.org

Past Chairs:

• Sara Sweda, Milwaukee (2014-2017)
• Corinne Dulak, Milwaukee (2013)
• Jennifer Kovacovich, Milwaukee (2012)
• Miranda E. Grulke, Milwaukee (2011)
• Corinne R. Dulak, Milwaukee (2010)
• 2009 - Vacant
• Marianne D. Davidson, Milwaukee (2008)
• Cindy Homer, Watertown (2007)
• Nicole J. Toay, Watertown (2006)
• Brian D. Anderson, Milwaukee (2005)
• Brian D. Anderson, Milwaukee (2004)
• Diane Gitzlaff, La Crosse (2003)
• Diane Gitzlaff, La Crosse (2002)
• Cindy J. Horner, Milwaukee (2001)
• Shelly R. Stefanczyk, Waukesha (2000)
• Pamela R. Pelej, Milwaukee (1999)
• Pamela R. Pelej, Milwaukee (1998)

PROGRAM COMMITTEE

Purpose:  To coordinate and develop WAJ's continuing legal education programs. 

Spring Seminar

• New Lawyers Section Chair: Kate Metzger, Milwaukee
  New Lawyers Section Vice-Chair:  Kate Llaurado, Milwaukee
• Peter M. Young, Rhinelander
• Angelique Imm, Beaver Dam, Paralegal/Litigation Staff Section
• Elizabeth Cooney, Milwaukee, Paralegal/Litigation Staff Section

Summer Seminar

• Kristen S. Scheuerman, Appleton
• Noah Domnitz, Milwaukee

​​Woman’s Caucus Seminar/Retreat

• Rebecca L. Domnitz, Milwaukee
• Danielle Schroder, Madison

Winter Seminar

• Rachel Bradley, Spring Green
• Christopher J. MacGillis, Milwaukee
• Kevin R. Martin, Oak Creek
• Kristen S. Scheuerman, Appleton
• Noah Domnitz, Milwaukee
• New Lawyer Section Chair, Kate Metzger, Milwaukee
• Peter M. Young, Rhinelander
• Angelique Imm, Beaver Dam, Paralegal/Litigation Staff Section
• Elizabeth Cooney, Milwaukee, Paralegal/Litigation Staff Section

WAJ liaison - Bryan Roessler, Executive Director, bryan@wisjustice.org

 

REPUBLICAN CAUCUS

WAJ Liaison - Jim Rogers, Government Affairs Director (608) 210-3391 

 

THE VERDICT
Purpose:  To coordinate publication of The Verdict - published quarterly (Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall). 

EDITORIAL BOARD 

• Kelly Centofanti, Co-Editor, Mequon
• Kristen Scheuerman, Co-Editor, Appleton

CONTRIBUTNG EDITORS

• David J. McCormick, Milwaukee
• James Rogers, Madison
• Elizabeth Cooney, Milwaukee
• Angelique Imm, Beaver Dam
• Jacqueline Nuckels, Milwaukee 
• Melissa Fischer, Milwaukee
• Michelle Hockers, Milwaukee
• Edward E. Robinson, Brookfield
• Rachel Bradley, Spring Green
• James Scoptur, Milwaukee
• Krista LaFave Rosolino, Milwaukee
• Anthony J. Skemp, Oak Creek
• Robin Thomas, Milwaukee 

Past Editors:

• 2015 -2019:   J. Michael Riley & Kelly Centofanti
• 2010-2014: Kelly Centofanti and Thomas Flanagan
• 2008-2009: Kelly Centofanti, Thomas Flanagan and Daniel Hannula
• 2007: Christine Bremer, Thomas Flanagan and Daniel Hannula
• 2005-2006: Christine Bremer, Thomas Flanagan and John Barry Stutt
• 2002-2004 Christine Bremer, Thomas Flanagan and Lynn Laufenberg
• 1992-2001: Thomas Flanagan, Lynn Laufenberg and Paul Van Grunsven
• 1991: Thomas Flanagan
• 1989 - 1990: Stanley Lowe and Thomas Flanagan
• 1986- 1988: Willard Techmeier & Thomas Flanagan
• 1981 - 1985: William Gleisner III
• 1978-1980 – Alan E. Gesler

​WAJ liaison, Bryan Roessler, Executive Director, bryan@wisjustice.org

 

TRIAL LAWYERS CARE (TLC)

• Edward E. Robinson, Brookfield, Chair

 

To encourage, recognize, and organize trial lawyers who contribute to their communities through volunteer and charitable activities that serve the public good.

To offer members of the Wisconsin Association for Justice (WAJ) an opportunity to enhance the value of their membership, and to renew their pride and enjoyment of being a trial lawyer by becoming involved in activities that improve the well-being of the people in their communities.

To build a team of trial lawyers across the state who are committed to the proposition of “doing well by doing good” and who are fostering positive relationships with the public by serving and giving to others in need.

WAJ liaison - Bryan Roessler, Executive Director, bryan@wisjustice.org

WISCONSIN PATIENTS & FAMILIES COMPENSATION FUND 

The Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund’s (Fund) mission is to provide excess medical malpractice coverage to Wisconsin health care providers and to ensure that funds are available to compensate injured patients. The Fund was created by legislative enactment in 1975. Health care providers obtain primary medical malpractice insurance from private insurance companies in an amount required by statute.

The Board is assisted by an Underwriting and Actuarial Committee, a Legal Committee, a Claims Committee, an Investment/Finance and Audit Committee, a Risk Management Committee, and a Peer Review Council. The Board and its committees meet quarterly.

• Kevin Martin, Oak Creek 

WAJ Liaison - Jim Rogers, Government Affairs Director (608) 210-3391 

WAJ WOMEN'S CAUCUS
The WAJ Women's Caucus was created in 2008 to provide greater opportunities for women within WAJ to exchange ideas, formulate programs and network within the profession in an effort to become better advocates for injured consumers.

• Advance WAJ’s Mission,
• Play an instrumental role in WAJ activities including legislative and political efforts, and continuing legal education programs,
• Broaden the membership base of WAJ to include women by informing them of WAJ’s membership services and Mission,
• Provide a support system of women lawyers to network, socialize, form professional relationships and develop female leadership for WAJ,
• Identify and promote women to committees and offices within WAJ,
• Strive to provide positive role models as women trial lawyers and provide fellowship and mentorship to newly-licensed female lawyers who embark on a career of trial law

Chair, Rebecca L. Domnitz, Milwaukee
Vice-Chair, Danielle Schroder, Madison

Past Chairs:

1. Whitney Healy, (2020)
2. Kristen S. Scheuerman (2019)
3. Jacqueline Nuckels (2018)
4. Sarah Kaas, Brookfield (2017)
5. Christine D. Esser, Sheboygan (2016)
6. Amy F. Scarr, Madison (2015)
7. Jeanne E Bell, Milwaukee (2014)
8. Molly Lavin, Waukesha (2013)
9. Amy M. Risseeuw, Appleton (2012)
10. Linda V. Meagher, Waukesha (2011)
11. Brenda Sunby, Wausau (2010)
12. Jill Rakauski, Racine (2009)

WAJ liaisons - Bryan Roessler, Executive Director, bryan@wisjustice.org
            
WORKER'S COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Purpose:  To keep abreast of developments in the worker's compensation area and in protecting the rights of workers under this system.  Members meet periodically to discuss legislation, Worker's Compensation Advisory changes and discuss problems and solutions involved in this area of practice.