Class Notes fall2026
Marianne and Sheldon Lubar ’53 received the Distinguished Service Award from University of Wisconsin–Madison. The award recognizes alumni and supporters who exemplify the Wisconsin Idea, enhancing the positive influence of the university on campus as well as beyond its borders.
1970s
Mark Nordenberg ’73, chancellor emeritus of University of Pittsburgh, retired in March, ending a nearly five-decade run shaping and leading Pitt.
Linda Balisle ’79 has joined Turke & Steil S.C. to lead the firm’s family law practice. Leveraging 46 years of experience, Balisle will serve as an advisor and strategic consultant to individuals, business owners, families and other attorneys and professional advisors in complex, high-asset, family-related legal matters, including divorce, custody, child and spousal support and the impact of these issues on businesses and trusts.
1980s
John Hawley ’82 was named to the Green Bay Area Public School District’s Hall of Fame.
Mary Hannah Terzino ’82 published her debut short fiction collection, “Secrets and Other Hobbies,” on Oct. 20. The book was chosen by publisher Cornerstone Press as part of its Legacy Series of short story collections that focus on the Midwest. The manuscript was shortlisted by Dzanc Books and was a finalist for publication by Summit Press.
Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw ’85 wrote “Backtalker: An American Memoir,” published by Simon & Schuster in May. The memoir traces the way Crenshaw’s lived experience made her see things others didn’t as the daughter of a strong-minded teacher and a pathbreaking public servant, and as the sister of a protective yet bullying older brother.
David John Ceci ’88 completed the first draft of a new period drama, “Arsinoë IV,” based on the true story of Cleopatra’s younger sister and chief rival for the throne of ancient Egypt. His work was selected by Emerging Artists Theatre, a New York City-based developmental theater company, for its Spark Theatre Festival. This first public reading of Act I of “Arsinoë IV” took place at The Chain Theatre in Midtown Manhattan in September 2025.
1990s
Eleonora di Liscia ’91 authored the practice guide, “Illinois Pretrial Civil Litigation,” now available at LexisNexis.
Chris Taylor ’95 was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in April.
Todd Ziegler ’95 was appointed to the Court of Appeals — District IV by Gov. Tony Evers in July. The appointment fills a vacancy created after Judge Chris Taylor was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court earlier this year.
2000s
Jennifer Peterson ’01 was named chief legal and people officer at Manitowoc Co.
Ruben Garcia ’02 was named the Inaugural Leonard Hoshijo Endowed Chair in Labor Law at University of Hawaii.
Kathryn (Katie) Blom ’03 was promoted to managing partner of DeWitt LLP‘s Green Bay office. Blom focuses her practice on complex business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, commercial real estate, succession planning and corporate governance.
Nicki Vander Meulen ’04 was re-elected to the Madison School Board. Vander Meulen, a criminal defense attorney, will return for her fourth term on the board.
Amy Ebeling ’08 was elected to the board of directors of Meritas, a global alliance of independent law firms that serves the legal needs of companies across major jurisdictions and global markets. Ebeling was elected to the position from the more than 9,200 attorneys in the Meritas member network and will serve a three-year term with six other lawyers from around the world.
Judge Ashley Morse ’09, Rock County Circuit Court, received the State Bar of Wisconsin’s 2026 Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazer Award. The award recognizes an individual who contributes to and enhances diversity and inclusion within the Wisconsin legal profession.
Janell Wise ’09 received the UW–Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication‘s 2026 Distinguished Service Award. Wise is vice president and assistant general counsel at Paramount Skydance, where she advises CBS News and Stations on contracts, rights and pre-publication clearance.
2010s
Crystal Banse ’10 joined London-based Spencer West LLP as a partner in the firm’s Employment Law & Dispute Resolution practice in New York City, where she is leading the growth of the firm’s U.S. employment law practice.
Katy Ramsey Mason ’10 was elected to the Clinical Legal Education Association board of directors. Ramsey is associate professor of law, director of experiential learning and director of the Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic at the University of Memphis School of Law.
MaiVue Xiong ’10 was named one of Wisconsin’s 22 most influential Asian American leaders for 2026 by Madison365. Xiong is executive director of the Pablo Foundation, an Eau Claire-based grantmaking nonprofit focused on housing, health, education and community sustainability in the greater Chippewa Valley. She has led the foundation since January 2020.
Jay Pucek ’11 was appointed to Milwaukee County Circuit Court – Branch 34 by Gov. Tony Evers in August. The appointment fills the vacancy created by Judge Glenn H. Yamahiro’s ’91 retirement. Pucek will complete a term ending July 31, 2027.
Samuel Crowfoot ’12 was elected chief and council for the Siksika Nation.
Ben Jones ’12 was elected to the Dane County Circuit Court. Jones will serve a six-year term as the Dane County Circuit Court’s Branch 1 judge after winning the seat in April.
Blake Roter ’12, a partner at Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C. in Chicago, was named 2026 Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year by JUF Evelyn R. Greene Legal Services Clinic. Roter serves as co-chair of the firm’s Insurance Recovery practice group and is a member of its Litigation practice group.
Corey Mehlos ’14 was elected president of the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Mehlos is focused on advancing the organization’s impact throughout the state of
Wisconsin on behalf of over 400 criminal defense lawyers through delivering high-impact professional development programming, spurring criminal justice reform and protecting the constitutional rights of people accused of crimes.
Jordan Rohlfing ’14 was named managing partner of DeWitt LLP‘s Madison office. She is a member of DeWitt’s Labor & Employment Relations, Litigation and Background Screening practice groups.
Travis Romero-Boeck ’14 was promoted to vice president and associate general counsel of Industrial Powertrain Solutions (IPS) at Regal Rexnord Corporation (RRX). In this role, he serves as general counsel for IPS, RRX’s largest operating segment with about 11,000 employees across about 160 global sites.
Casey Faucon ’15 was promoted to professor of law with tenure at UConn School of Law. Faucon joined the UConn Law faculty in 2023 and is director of the Transactional Law Clinic, where she works with students to provide pro bono legal services to small businesses, nonprofits and entrepreneurs.
Adam M. Schecter ’15 joined Casner & Edwards as an associate in the Real Estate pratice. Schecter focuses his practice on commercial real estate, representing property owners and developers in a broad range of matters including the acquisition, financing, sale and leasing of properties for retail, office and residential use. His practice includes assisting with the development of condominiums ranging from two-unit residential projects to mixed-use projects of more than 45 units.
Will Wetzel ’16 joined McCarty Law LLP‘s employment law practice. He advises clients on workplace policies, discrimination and harassment complaints and all stages of litigation.
Joia Wodarczyk ’18, shareholder at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., was named one of Madison’s 40 Under 40 by In Business Magazine. The annual award honors 40 of the most impactful and civic-minded young professionals under the age of 40 in the Greater Madison area.
Christopher Logel ’19 joined Hurley-Burish in Madison as an attorney in April.
2020s
Margaret Ginocchio ’22, Rock County assistant district attorney, was honored by the Wisconsin Victim Witness Professionals with the Professional of the Year Award. Ginocchio was chosen for the statewide honor for her extraordinary service and dedication to victims of crime.
Hannah Balder ’23 joined DeWitt LLP‘s Madison office as an associate attorney in its Litigation and Employment Relations practice groups.
Dylan P. Burdelik ’23 joined Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. as an associate attorney. Burdelik will work out of the firm’s Chicago office and will represent clients in cases involving catastrophic personal injury, medical negligence, mass torts and bad faith claims.
Miranda Tichareva ’24 was named the State Bar of Wisconsin‘s Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year. After graduation, Tichareva, of Nash Law Group in Wisconsin Rapids, built an immigration law practice to serve underserved communities in rural and central Wisconsin.
Joshua Topel ’24 joined Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice as an associate in the firm’s Madison office, where he practices in the areas of insurance defense and personal injury litigation.
Devin Paoni ’25 has joined The Law Center, S.C. She will practice in the areas of divorce, paternity and child custody, as well as school law and LGBTQ+ matters.
Matthew D. LeVene ’26 joined the Law Firm of Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry, S.C.
Jason Sutherland ’26 joined the Law Firm of Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry, S.C.
A Generous Donation
Below is an excerpt of a letter of donation sent by Sandra Lee Esrael. We thank Sandra and her husband, Peter C. Williams, for their generous donation.
After reading an article in the Gargoyle about the University of Wisconsin Law School and the State Democracy Research Initiative fund (SDRI), I was moved to give a gift to SDRI, along with my husband, Peter Williams.
Peter graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1971, and I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1976. It is my 50th Reunion this year and Peter’s 55th Reunion.
We thought it was a perfect time to give another gift to the UW Law School.
When I reviewed articles about the work of SDRI, I agreed with Barbara Arnold’s statement in tribute to her late husband, Paul Turley: “State laws and constitutions give us important tools in the fight against the various forces attacking our democracy, and its most important pillar, the rule of law.”
Peter and I cared deeply about fighting for vulnerable people and the SDRI fund seems the right place for our gift.
We welcome this opportunity to support the University of Wisconsin Law School in its continuing emphasis on education and through SDRI, supporting research, publications and presentations on states limiting federal government overreach.
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