people are all the same. - e-justice.org

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In the matters of Truth and Justice there is no difference between large and small problems,

for issues concerning the treatment of

people are all the same.– Albert Einstein

Thirteenth AnnualHoward B. Eisenberg Lifetime

Achievement Award DinnerSATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2015 AT THE INTERCONTINENTAL MILWAUKEE HOTEL

RECEPTION 5:30 PM DINNER 6:30 PM

4 Thirteenth Annual Howard B. Eisenberg Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner4 Thirteenth Annual Howard B. Eisenberg Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner

THANK YOU FORBELIEVING THAT matter for ALL

Wisconsin citizens.&JUSTICETRUTH PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of our Board of Directors, thank you for attending the 13th annual Howard B. Eisenberg Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner. Howard Eisenberg’s passion for justice and commitment to the poor were a beacon of hope for those individuals whose lives he touched. We are grateful to Phyllis Eisenberg and her children Nathan, Adam, and Leah for allowing us the privilege and honor of hosting this event in Howard’s name.

Tonight’s honorees, Tom Hochstatter and Judith Stern, have selflessly given their time and talents to help provide access

to the justice system for Wisconsin’s most vulnerable citizens. I know that you’ll join me not only in congratulating them on their achievements, but in thanking them for their dedication to the ideals of the practice of law.

Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the law firms, corporations, foundations, and individuals who have generously supported this event. I’m proud to report that our 2015 campaign has raised over $200,000 thus far to support civil legal services.

While we’re pleased with our success, we know that there is still much work to be done to overcome the shortage of funding for civil legal services. Last year, our three legal services providers were forced to turn away over 20,000 income-eligible Wisconsin citizens seeking services due solely to a lack of resources.

As public funding declines, our legal services providers depend more than ever on the generosity of private donors. My wish for tonight is that each of you will consider what you can do to help WEJF shine a light on the great need for increased private funding of pro bono civil legal services.

Together, we can continue Howard Eisenberg’s legacy of providing a beacon of hope to those in need.

Sincerely,

Troy A. Mayne

Dewitt Ross & Stevens S.C.

President, WEJF Board of Directors

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Troy Mayne President Dewitt Ross & Stevens, SC

Mark Backe Northwestern Mutual

Pamela Barker Appvion, Inc.

John R. Behling Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci SC

Thomas W. Bertz Anderson, O’Brien, Bertz, Skrenes & Golla

John Claypool Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd.

Carmen Couden Foley & Lardner LLP

Scott S. Cramer Dean Dietrich Ruder Ware

Kathleen Donius Rockwell Automation

Nicole J. Druckrey Quarles & Brady, LLP

Karen Duke AO Smith Corp.

John Flanagan

Hon. Ness Flores Flores & Reyes

Hon. Patricia Gorence US District Court, Eastern District

Kimberly Haas Wisconsin Judicare, Inc.

Christopher G. Hanewicz Perkins Coie LLP

Art Harrington Godfrey & Kahn, SC

Margaret Wrenn Hickey Becker, Hickey & Poster, SC

Thomas S. Hornig von Briesen & Roper, SC

Daniel Idzikowski Disability Rights Wisconsin

Ann Jacobs Jacobs Injury Law, SC

William Jennaro Cook & Franke SC

David Kirtley Johnson Controls, Inc.

Jeremy Levinson Halling & Cayo, SC

Matthew Lynch Foley & Lardner LLP

E. Michael McCann

Michael J. Modl Axley Brynelson LLP

Paul Norman Boardman & Clark LLP

Jose Olivieri Michael, Best & Friedrich, LLP

David Pifer Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc.

John Scripp Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek SC

John A. Shutkin Clifton Larson Allen LLP

James Sickel Hinkfuss Sickel & Petitjean

John Skilton Perkins Coie LLP

Laura Skilton Verhoff Stafford Rosenbaum LLP

Dennis Sullivan Chilton Yambert & Porter LLP

Joe Thrasher Thrasher, Pelish, Franti & Smith Ltd.

Karen L. Tidwall Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.

DeEtte Tomlinson Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation

David Weber Law Firm of Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry, SC

Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund would like to thank the following law firms, corporations, and individuals for their generous support:

CORPORATE SPONSORS:

($25,000 +)Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

($20,000 - $24,999)Foley & Lardner LLPPerkins Coie LLP

($15,000 - $19,999)von Briesen & Roper, S.C.

($10,000 - $14,999)Northwestern MutualQuarles & Brady LLPReinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C. ($5,000 - $9,999)A.O. Smith CorporationAxley Brynelson, LLPBoardman & Clark LLPCrivello Carlson, S.C.Stafford Rosenbaum LLPWhyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. ($1,000 - $2,499)Becker, Hickey & Poster, S.C.Disability Rights WisconsinHurley, Burish & Stanton, S.C.Law Firm of Conway, Olejniczak

& Jerry, SCLegal Action of Wisconsin, Inc.State Bar of WisconsinThe Previant Law Firm, S.C.Wisconsin Judicare ($999 & under)Consigny Law Firm, S.C.Jacobs Injury Law, S.C.Kasieta Legal GroupMiller & Miller, LLCRoethe Pope Roethe LLPStroud, Willink & Howard, LLC

INDIVIDUAL DONORS:

($2,500+)Matthew & Aly Lynch ($1,000 - $2,499)AnonymousJohn & Sharon BremerScott CramerKaren K. DukeDavid Harth & Hon. Julie GenoveseBob & Jill HeathJonathan & Marjorie MargoliesJohn & Katherine ShutkinMary L. StaudenmaierDavid Walsh ($500 - $999)Frank Daily & Julianna EbertMichael H. Lappin ($250 -$499)Christy A. BrooksDoris Brosnan & Robert SullivanRalph CagleDaniel E. ConleyHon. Patricia J. GorenceDaniel T. HardyWilliam T. HendersonCookie & Isaac RoangEric SchulenburgVictor John SchultzJohn F. Waldschmidt ($100 -$249)Kathryn R. AndersonAnonymous (7)Jim AulerRichard J. BakerRobert E. Bellin, Jr.Keith Belzer

Mary Lynne DonohueJohn F. EbbottPhyllis EisenbergJ. Michael EndHon. James A. GramlingCharles E. HansonHannah JahnJohn A. KaiserJean KiesWilliam H. LevitMichael Levey & Linda Gorens-LeveyMatthew J. LinnFrederick A. MuthWilliam J. ReddinMichael RileyDavid B. RussellWilliam L. SeymourL. William StaudenmaierDavid & Chiana ValenciaDavid Weber ($1 -$99)Rose Marie BaronMichael M. BerzowksiRosemary ElbertMaureen Feran FreedlandRobert GaganKenneth & Katharine GeigerBernard & Barbara HammesKerry JackelenDavid L. LangeJeffrey J. MartinsonAndrew McDonaldPaddy McMahonR.L. McNeelyBill SchalkJoseph R. WallLynn WolterStephanie Zeman

*Based on donations received between April 1, 2015 and October 30, 2015

DONORS*2015

Thirteenth Annual Howard B. Eisenberg Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner 5



Wisconsin citizens.&JUSTICETRUTH

This Evening’s Program

Musical entertainment provided by Jeff Hamann’s jazz trio. Jeff is a faculty member at The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music

and bassist on the nationally broadcast NPR show “Whad’Ya Know.”

Award recipients will receive Raku pottery created by Bonnie Joseph-Coonan. If you’d like more information about

her work, Bonnie can be reached at (414) 530-3729.


In the matters of Truth and Justice there is no difference between large and small problems,

for issues concerning the treatment of

people are all the same.– Albert Einstein

Thirteenth AnnualHoward B. Eisenberg Lifetime

Achievement Award DinnerSATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2015 AT THE INTERCONTINENTAL MILWAUKEE HOTEL

RECEPTION 5:30 PM DINNER 6:30 PM

PRE-DINNERWelcome

Troy A. Mayne

Partner, Dewitt Ross & Stevens, S.C., Madison

President, Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund

Distinguished Service Award

Presenter: Kimberly Haas

Executive Director

Wisconsin Judicare, Inc.

POST-DINNERHoward B. Eisenberg Lifetime Achievement Award

Presenter: Gail K. McCarthy

Shareholder

Hochstatter, McCarthy, Rivas & Runde, SC

Presidential Service Award

Presenter: Melissa Sullivan

Executive Director, Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund

JUDITH STERNDISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

Prior to graduating from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1982, Judith Stern was a Social Worker for the Kenosha County Department of Social Services, specializing in pre-sentence investigations of delinquent youth for the Juvenile Court. During those years, she also was a founding

board member and later chairperson of Women’s Horizons, the domestic violence shelter in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Judith received a recognition award on February 24, 2006, from Women and Children’s Horizons, Inc., of Kenosha, Wisconsin, in appreciation and

recognition of her work in providing victims with shelter and support.

Within a year of graduating from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1982, Judith Stern was employed as Assistant Family Court Commissioner in Kenosha County and served three years in that capacity. In addition to presiding over hearings for domestic violence injunctions as Assistant Family Court Commissioner, Judith co-led a batterers’ education group on Saturdays in conjunction with local social service agencies.

Judith then spent five years as a managing partner in the private practice firm of Stern, Caviale & Stern, where she practiced family law and general practice in Kenosha, Wisconsin. During those years, she served as a Guardian ad Litem for Kenosha County and as a magistrate for the Department of Social Services Medical Appeals.

In 1991 Judith was hired as Family Court Commissioner for Walworth County, Wisconsin, and served in that capacity for 14 years, until 2005. Judith co-founded the Parenting After Separation program in Walworth County in 1995. The program was designed to aid parents in divorces to address their children’s needs during the process of divorce. The program was a cooperative effort between the Walworth County Bar Association and the local tech school psychologist, and it remains a program that is functioning today at a high level of success. Judith remained Director of this program until 2005. During her years in Walworth County, Judith also spearheaded the establishment of the Local Assistance to Impaired Lawyers’ Program in conjunction with the State Bar Association. Judith served as secretary, treasurer, and president of the Walworth County Bar Association from 1997 to 1999. Judith also served on the Supreme Court Gender Equity Committee from 1992 to 1995. The


THOMAS C. HOCHSTATTERHOWARD B. EISENBERG LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

primary task of the Gender Equity Committee was to identify policies, practices, and procedures that could be modified to improve gender equality in the agencies that interacted with the Wisconsin Courts.

Judith joined Wisconsin Judicare in June 2006 as a staff attorney, where she continued her innovative ideas. She was designated Special Projects Director for Wisconsin Judicare in 2008. She worked to revitalize Wisconsin Judicare’s outreach to the Women’s Community, the Marathon County Domestic Abuse Organization, and received a recognition award from the Women’s Community in 2010 for her advocacy and outreach efforts. Judith has spearheaded the Wisconsin Judicare Pro Se Pretrial Project, which is offered to the Circuit Courts of counties surrounding Wausau, Wisconsin. Pro se litigants are ordered by the courts to attend a “pretrial” where Wisconsin Judicare attorneys and paralegals assist them in the preparation of their documents for their final divorce hearings. Both the courts and the litigants are highly satisfied with the service provided by Wisconsin Judicare at these pretrials. Judith also

initiated the creation of a Medical-Legal Partnership with Bridge Community Clinic in Wausau, Wisconsin. On alternating Wednesdays, a Judicare volunteer attorney has appointments with Bridge Clinic patients whose legal issues are impairing their health. Judicare staff attorneys then take steps to alleviate the legal problems of Bridge Clinic patients and thereby improve the health outcomes for both the patients and the community. Judith’s family law clients have benefited not only from the depth of her experience of 30 years in family law but also from her unique style and determination to empower clients to the best of their ability.

Judith understands the importance of treating indigent people with dignity and respect in explaining the way the law affects them. She applauds the courage of her clients and, wherever possible, gives them hope that things can improve. Judith’s depth of knowledge about family law and her experience in general legal matters is a resource that Wisconsin Judicare gladly utilizes to mentor younger staff attorneys.

Thomas C. Hochstatter’s legal credentials are as impressive as his pro bono commitment and his high ethical standards.

Tom graduated from Maryknoll College, Glen Ellyn, Illinois in 1966 with a B.A. in philosophy. He received his M.A degree in international relations from the University of the Americas, Mexico City in 1971 and then received his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1974. Between 1968 and 1971, prior to attending law school, he taught in store-front academies with the Urban League in New York City.

For the first eight years of his practice, Tom worked as a legal services attorney for migrant farm workers, six of these years as Director of the Migrant Project of Legal Action of Wisconsin. He trained and mentored many paralegals, law interns, and new lawyers in unique and challenging areas of laws, such as migrant housing, crew leader regulations, minimum wage, and migrant education. Many of the people he mentored have become prominent leaders in the Wisconsin legal community.

Tom opened his own law practice, which later grew into the firm of Hochstatter, McCarthy, Rivas & Runde, S.C. The firm provides a full range of immigration law services to individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and local governments throughout the United States.

It is impossible to count the number of pro bono hours Tom has accumulated or the number of attorneys he has mentored in the area of immigration law. As an attorney mentor, Tom has always made himself available to legal services attorneys, Public Defenders, and private practitioners, and he also has been a reliable and trusted source of advice to many community and religious organizations.

In mentoring new lawyers as they struggle to open their own immigration practices, Tom is raising the quality of legal services in

a community in which there is much need. After 41 years practicing law, you’ll still find Tom talking to callers every day, at no charge, to help them wade through their complicated immigration cases. He knows in the vast majority of cases he will not be able to offer a legal solution because of the current limitations of U.S. immigration law, but he takes these calls anyway to make sure people receive competent advice.

Recently, Tom agreed to represent two unaccompanied teenage age girls from Central America, which required him to do a guardianship action in state court and to drive hundreds of miles to the farthest reaches of Northern Wisconsin for the hearing. The case was also logistically challenging because the client family was moving around and had to appear in Immigration Court in Chicago as well as in a Northern Wisconsin court, within a short period of time. Tom also was one of the pro Bono attorneys who helped the families of the victims of the Oak Creek Sikh Temple shootings with their immigration issues, together with four other attorneys from his firm. In addition to his work in his successful practice, Tom volunteers regularly at the Marquette Volunteer Lawyers Clinic. While the MVLC is understood to be an advice and referral service only, Tom routinely follows up with the people he sees at the clinic, either to provide them with a more extended consultation (for free) or to offer them representation at no cost or at a much reduced fee.

Tom is also one of only a few immigration leaders who are expert in legal ethics in this unique area of law. Besides teaching countless ethics seminars, Tom regularly advises other immigration lawyers on difficult ethical issues.

Tom served as the chair of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association from 1986 to 1988 and as treasurer from 1991 to 1996. He was appointed to serve on the Wisconsin Migrant Council, a statutory advisory body, by three successive Wisconsin governors, from 1977 to 1986. He has appeared as a panelist on television programs, commenting on immigration issues, both in English and in Spanish. He also regularly speaks on immigration issues before attorney and community groups.

He has been selected by his peers as a Best Lawyer in Immigration Law and a Super Lawyer year after and year, and is regularly named in the International Who’s Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers, Wisconsin Super Lawyers, and Chambers USA.



Wisconsin citizens.&JUSTICETRUTH

Howard B. Eisenberg Lifetime Achievement Award

2014 W. David RomoserW. David Romoser LLCMilwaukee

2013 James BotsfordWisconsin Judicare, Inc.Wausau

2012 Lynn BreedloveDisability Rights WisconsinMadison

2011 Tom CannonLegal Aid Society of MilwaukeeMilwaukee

2010 David J. HarthPerkins CoieMadison

2009 Honorable C.A. RichardsReserve JudgeHudson

2008 Honorable James A. Gramling, Jr.Milwaukee Municipal Court Judge

(Retired)Milwaukee

2007 James & Gilda ShellowShellow & Shellow, SCMilwaukee

2006 John F. EbbottLegal Action of WisconsinMilwaukee

2005 Richard P. PerryHawks, Quindel, Ehlke & Perry, S.C.Milwaukee

2004 Honorable Patricia D.

McMahonCircuit Court JudgeMilwaukee

2003 John S. SkiltonHeller Ehrman LLPMadison

ABOUT THE AWARDS

H oward Eisenberg exemplified the best in the legal profession by consistently maintaining a prodigious pro bono law practice. In his honor, Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund recognizes two individuals each year for their dedication to serving

others through the provision or advancement of pro bono legal services.

The Howard B. Eisenberg Lifetime Achievement Award honors an individual who has demonstrated a lifelong dedication to the development and delivery of pro bono legal services. This may be through direct provision of services to underserved segments of the population, legislative or litigation based initiatives, development of innovative service methods, or advocacy for the need for the provision or funding of pro bono legal services.

The Distinguished Service Award honors an employee of one of WEJF’s three member legal services providers who is a zealous advocate for the civil and human rights of those in need and displays an exemplary commitment to serving disadvantaged clients.

WEJF celebrates tonight’s honorees, Judith Stern and Thomas Hochstatter, and recognizes the achievements of these past honorees:

Distinguished Service Award

2014 Robert J. AndersenLegal Action of Wisconsin(Madison)

2013 Kit KerschensteinerManaging AttorneyDisability Rights Wisconsin (Madison)

2012 Elizabeth CorbettAttorneyWisconsin Judicare, Inc. (Wausau)

2011 Jeff MyerAttorney/WEJF Client Advocacy ChairLegal Action of Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

2010 Joan KaranAssistant DirectorDisability Rights Wisconsin (Madison)

2009 James BotsfordDirector, Indian Law OfficeWisconsin Judicare, Inc. (Wausau)

2008 Robert G. HendersonManaging AttorneyLegal Action of Wisconsin (La Crosse)

2007 Monica MurphyAttorneyDisability Rights Wisconsin (Madison)

2006 Marka A. HenkelmanPro Bono DirectorWisconsin Judicare, Inc. (Wausau)

2005 Kevin MageeManaging AttorneyLegal Action of Wisconsin (Madison)

2004 Jeffrey Spitzer-ResnickManaging AttorneyDisability Rights Wisconsin (Madison)



Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc. Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc.

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Here are just some of the new site features:

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OFFICES IN MILWAUKEE, MADISON, WAUKESHA, GREEN BAY AND APPLETON, WISCONSIN AND WASHINGTON, D.C. © 2015 Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.

To us, the only true measure

of our successis yours.


Priorities By Organization

Disability Rights Wisconsin

(Serving all of Wisconsin)

• Abuse and neglect • Patient rights • Deinstitutionalization • Long-term care • Special education • Voting rights • Discrimination in employment and housing • Barriers to accessibility • SSI managed care • Medicare Part D Helpline • Program attorney services to disability benefit specialists • Assistive technology • Access to services

Legal Action of Wisconsin

(Serving Wisconsin’s 39 southern counties)

• Physical, emotional and financial abuse • Basic needs such as food, shelter, health care and income protection • Housing stability such as preventing eviction and helping clients keep their Section 8 housing eligibility (once this eligibility is lost, they remain ineligible for years) • Access to employment, including discrimination and barriers to employment such as loss of a driver’s license

Wisconsin Judicare

(serving Wisconsin’s 33 northern counties and 11 federally

recognized Native American tribes)

• Bankruptcy • Child care • Consumer protection/finance • Education • Employment • Family law • Health • Housing • Income maintenance • Indian tribal law • Individual rights • Landlord/tenant • Medicaid/Medicare • Public benefits • Social Security • Tax law • Veterans benefits • Wills/estates & advance directives/ powers of attorney

An incorrect record is whereDennis Teague’s story and aLegal Action lawsuit begins.

Dennis Teague grew up in Milwaukee. After going away to college in Tennessee, he graduated in

2007 and returned home to Milwaukee to build a career. He applied for jobs at numerous companies, and says he was getting a lot of interviews, but wasn’t getting hired anywhere. Teague didn’t find out until March 2008 that a criminal record was being delivered to prospective employers when they ran background checks on him. With some checking,

Teague pieced together that a relative had used his name while Teague was away at college and was arrested numerous times on a slew of charges – all while using Teague’s name. Teague has never done anything wrong. This is the point where Teague

contacted Legal Action’s Road to Opportunity Project. One of the project attorneys, Sheila Sullivan, took Teague’s case. She had been seeing clients with similar problems: people couldn’t fi nd jobs or were being fi red because of a background record problem. Sometimes, the records being released by the State were somewhat accurate but were still misleading, and other times, they were simply all wrong. Sullivan learned that the State knows that it is systematically reporting information about a person other than Teague and about others in similar situations. But, it has steadfastly refused to change its reporting practices saying that it would be too burdensome to change them. The State’s practice of knowingly releasing inaccurate information is the heart of Teague’s lawsuit, which is now working its way through the court system. “It’s been three years and has taken a part of my life,” says Teague. “But I’m not giving up. I’m not doing this just for me, but for all the people before me who had just given up, and all the people who are going to come after me. Giving this false info, confusing matters in a criminal record, especially when it comes to employment, but also when looking for places to live, is hindering lives,” says Teague.

Nevertheless, her landlord sued her claiming she owed more than $1,400 for an unpaid water bill and property damage. She didn’t even know she was being sued until she got a letter telling her the case had already been heard in court, and that she had lost by default because she hadn’t shown

up. Nevertheless, she started making regular payments on the debt to her former landlord — until she lost her job. She soon got a letter saying her Section 8 benefits were being terminated because of the pastdue debt. Without Section 8, April couldn’t (continued on page 18)

SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS

April says a leaking pipe in the ground was the reason her water bill suddenly ballooned to more than $800.

12 Thirteenth Annual Howard B. Eisenberg Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner

— Albert Einstein

,

The treatment of people. That’s the main concern of the three legal organizations supported by the Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund (WEJF): Legal Action of Wisconsin (LAW), Wisconsin Judicare and Disability Rights Wisconsin

(DRW). They look at their work as not just solving legal problems, but solving “people problems.”

Many cases they see involve large problems such as domestic abuse, workplace discrimination, restricted access to healthcare and services, and unlawful eviction. But they also see on a daily basis how seemingly small problems can have huge impacts on the lives of people with limited means.

What may seem like small issues to some people — a traffic ticket, a reliable vehicle, obtaining a new driver’s license — for others can be barriers to a stable job, a home, or even medical care.

For example, when a LAW client tried to get her CDL to obtain a job, she was unable to do so because

of five-year old traffic tickets. When she tried to clear up the matter on her own, the court did not understand the relevance of the old traffic tickets. LAW took the case, was able to explain to the court the relevance of the traffic tickets and had them cleared. The client was then able to obtain her CDL and find a job.

By eliminating a barrier to employment, LAW helped its client obtain work and avoid potential homelessness. Solving a seemingly small legal problem avoided contributing to a much larger social issue.

By addressing both large and small legal issues, these three organizations make a significant impact in the lives of their clients and in their communities as a whole. Your generous donation can allow them to continue their work in helping Wisconsin citizens obtain the truth and justice they deserve.

NUMBERSBY THEDavid* had been assaulted by his

ex-wife and sought custody of their

minor child. The mother had also

assaulted their child. David spoke very

little English and was having difficulty

navigating the court system. The

mother was in jail on a probation hold.

In addition, she had been charged

with multiple counts of felony child

abuse, including cutting the child

intentionally with a knife. The mother

had been violent to David in the past,

including giving him a black eye

before he went to work. The assigned

social worker admitted that when

David’s ex-wife was drinking, she was

not a good mother. But the social

worker believed that when the mother

was dry and sober, she could parent

and therefore was not going to pursue

a CHIPS action. With Wisconsin Judicare representation, David obtained custody and primary placement of his child.

*Not his real name.

SPOTLIGHT ON

SUCCESS


IF YOU’D LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION AT TONIGHT’S EVENT, donation envelopes can be found at the registration desk.

1. You Donate to WEJF

2. WEJF distributes those funds to DRW, LAW and WI Judicare. It also uses those funds to raise more funds through matching grants.

3. DRW, LAW and WI Judicare uses the WEJF resources to help support programs (none of which collect program fees) such as help lines, advocacy programs, educational sessions, online resources, attorney assistance, and more that help Wisconsin citizens navigate a system that favors those with legal representation.

4. Wisconsin’s poorest and most disenfranchised citizens gain access to justice and avoid homelessness, job loss, emotional and physical abuse, discrimination, loss of access to medical resources and other services, and more.

35,937 The number of income-eligible Wisconsin citizens that sought help from LAW, DRW and Wisconsin Judicare in 2013.

$30,313 The maximum income limit for a family of four to be eligible for LAW or Wisconsin Judicare assistance. This is 125% of the Federal Poverty Level.

86% The percentage of total number of individuals seeking assistance to which DRW was able to provide legal advocacy in 2013.

20,160 The total number of income-eligible Wisconsin citizens our three member organizations were unable to assist due to lack of resources.

NUMBERSBY THE

How Your Donation to WEJF Makes


© 2015 Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (NM) (life and disability insurance, annuities) and its subsidiaries.

THE GREATEST ASSET WE

HAVE IS OUR COMMUNITY.

That’s why we’re a proud sponsor of the Howard B. Eisenberg Lifetime Achievement Award.

Northwestern Mutual is pleased to support the important work of the Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund.

Together, we make our community a better place.

The A. O. Smith Foundation commends The Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund

and its member agencies for providing legal services to those in need.

A. O. Smith Corporation • Milwaukee, Wisconsin • www.aosmith.com


LIBERTY AND

JUSTICEFOR ALL

MADISON GREATER MILWAUKEE MINNEAPOLISdewittross.com


M A D I S O N & WA U K E S H A

WHD is pleased to supportthe Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund and encourage the delivery of pro bono legal services.

Milwaukee • Madison • Chicagowwwww.whdlaw.com

A community’s strength depends on the contributions

of its members. That’s why concern for the areas

where we live and work is an essential part of

Rockwell Automation’s philosophy.

We congratulate this year’s recipient of the

Howard B. Eisenberg Lifetime Achievement Award

for sharing this commitment to the people

of our community.

NOTHING RAISES COMMUNITY PRIDE

LIKE INDIVIDUAL COMMITMENT.


Visit us at quarles.com

At the law firm of Quarles & Brady, we are equally dedicated to every kind of client—not just the industry and business leaders of today, but those among us challenged by injustice and hardship. We are proud to serve our communities and neighbors through extensive and wide-ranging pro bono efforts, charitable contributions, and our nationwide Quarles Cares program.

Please consider making a charitable gift to our Endowment Fund a part of your financial and estate planning.

— Make a charitable bequest in your will or designate WEJF as a beneficiary of an insurance policy or retirement account

— Can be handled confidentially with your professional advisor — Protects your heirs and your legacy— Impacts lives for decades to come

facebook.com/WIEqualJusticeFund @WiEqualJustice www.e-justice.org

To learn more, contact Melissa Sullivan,

Executive Director, at

(715) 212-7585

YOUR DONATION CAN HELP MAKE


To learn more about our law fi rm, contact:

Randall D. Crocker, President, at [email protected] or 414.287.1238

For information on the services and areas of expertise that we offer, visit vonbriesen.com.

The men and women of von Briesen & Roper, s.c. are proud to continue a long-standing history of supporting the community, commitment to pro bono work and ensuring equal justice.

Just a few of the things we have in common with our friends at Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund.

(continued from page 11)

afford rent payments anywhere and faced homelessness. She contacted Legal Action of Wisconsin who handled April’s appeal. A circuit court judge ruled that April’s Section 8 assistance had been improperly terminated and should immediately be restored.

SPOTLIGHT ON

SUCCESS

Henry,* an elderly Native American confi ned to a nursing home while recovering from

significant health problems, was persuaded to transfer his home and surrounding Indian Trust land without compensation. Henry had no memory of signing a deed and only discovered the transfer when the new owners tried to evict him and his wife from the home. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) had approved the deed to the new owners, and refused to change its decision. Henry turned to the Indian Law Office of Wisconsin Judicare for assistance. Judicare insisted the BIA exercise its fiduciary responsibility to

owners of trust land and rescind approval of this deed, which was a product of fraud and elderly abuse. In response, the Agency Director rescinded the deed approval, and Henry and his wife were able to keep their home.

*Not his real name.

EXCELLENCE IN LAW

PERKINS COIE is proud to sponsor the Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund and its 14th Annual

Howard B. Eisenberg Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner. Congratulations to this year’s

honorees, Attorney Judith Stern of Wisconsin Judicare (Distinguished Service Award) and

Attorney Thomas C. Hochstatter (Eisenberg Lifetime Achievement Award).

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The firm worth listening tois the firm that listens to you.SM

Talk to Foley. We’re listening.SM

Foley is proud to support the Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund. For nearly 175 years, Foley attorneys have been deeply committed to community service. We listen closely to the needs of the Milwaukee community and respond by rolling up our sleeves to help make our city strong.

That’s why our attorneys and staff dedicate significant time and resources to supporting local organizations like the Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund. WEJF is the only private fundraising effort for Legal Action of Wisconsin, Disability Rights Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Judicare. Foley’s roots in this community run deep, and we are proud to provide pro bono services and to work hand in hand with WEJF to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people who live here.

people are all the same. - e-justice.org

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