The Racine County Bar Association held its annual meeting this past Monday, May 21, 2018, at Corner House Restaurant in Racine. We were treated to a presentation on Cyber Security and upcoming legal obligations for firms and businesses dealing with confidential information by JoAnne Breese-Jaeck of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. 

The RCBA also conducted annual business. We recognized Attorney Matthew Johnson as he completed his year as Bar President and transitions to Past-President.  We also recognized Attorney Peter Wyant as he transitions from President-Elect to President. Lastly, we recognized Attorney Jennifer Hemmer, as the incoming President-Elect. The remaining officers shall continue their roles within the RCBA: Carrie Michelson as Secretary, Eric Markusen as Treasurer, and Brian Dimmer as Technology Officer.
 
Second, we confirmed the election and re-election of RCBA Board of Governor positions.  Both Attorneys Jillian Scheidegger and Devin Stasek will continue as board members, as they complete partial terms and now begin a three-year term of their own. Additionally, Joe Kremkoski has been nominated by the RCBA nominating committee to complete Jennifer Hemmer’s board seat, which expires in 2019.
 
Lastly, we voted on the amended by-laws, which were unanimously approved. We're looking forward to another great year of dinner meetings, networking events, CLE's, and community service opportunities!

RACINE— A family man divorce lawyer.


The idea certainly seems antithetical. But if it does, you didn’t know attorney Gerald M. Crawford.


A former Assistant Racine County District Attorney and longtime partner of the former law firm Stewart, Peyton and Crawford, Gerry Crawford passed way in February.


On Thursday, local judges and around 200 local attorneys packed the Fourth Floor Ceremonial Courtroom at the Racine County Courthouse to honor Crawford and three other attorneys who passed away in the last year: William Dye, Patrick Lloyd and Robert G. Riegelman.


While the legal profession might be the one of the most maligned, members of the Racine County Bar Association have made it part of their mission each year to honor the vocation and its departed practitioners.


Dubbed “The Call of the Calendar” the annual gathering began in 1997 and takes its name from the days when the bar association would memorialize deceased attorneys before the beginning of the fall and spring judicial schedules, explained Racine County Bar Association President Robert W. Keller.


Time was also set aside to welcome new members of the bar association and have them sign the association’s membership book which dates back to 1848.


“The Racine County Bar Association has held fast to the tradition of remembering attorneys that have left our ranks, (leaving us with memories) of their friendship, their wit, their humor, their talents and their legal acumen,” Keller said delivering the introduction to the event.

Taking the podium, local attorney Timothy Crawford recalled the work his brother and former colleague did to negotiate fair divorce settlements but also keep families together.


“Gerry was well respected and will be remembered by his fellow attorneys in the Racine area as being firm but fair in his negotiation involving his divorce cases,” said local attorney Timothy Crawford, Gerry Crawford’s brother and former colleague.
“A number of attorneys have told me that he saved many marriages with the advice he gave to his clients; many of which reconciled with their spouses (instead of) divorcing. He was very, very proud of that record.”


A common thread through many of the eulogies was a dedication to family and community, as well as college sports.


“At all times Gerry had his priorities in order: God, family, law and Marquette basketball,” quipped his brother.


Delivering the eulogy for Robert G. Riegelman, who died in December, attorney Robert J. Riegelman noted his father’s devotion to family, saying that what he learned most from him was how to treat people.


Following the remembrances, the bar association welcomed new members, including Tony Dunn, Devan Stasik, Abigail Gilman, Ann Cohen and Josh Blakely.

-Via the Racine Journal Times, Cara Spot. Direct Link: http://journaltimes.com/news/local/racine-county-attorneys-honor-former-colleagues/article_beab86bd-c50d-51a2-9901-a3196a4c00b1.html

Here are the new inductee names:
 
Josh Blakely J.D. Johnson Bank
Devin Stasec J.D. Foley, Shannon, Powers & Rusch, S.C.
Ann Cohen J.D.  O.P.D. Racine county
Abigail Gilman J.D. Murphy, Johnson & Trampe S.C.
Alexandra Tillmann J.D. Director of Finance Racine County
Tony Dunn J.D. Habush, Habush and Rottier S.C.

​Thank you to all who joined the RCBA for the August Happy Hour at the Racine Zoo. We enjoyed a beautiful summer evening! Thank you again to our sponsors! 

Sponsored by:
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Hostak, Henzl & Bichler s.c
Hostak, Henzl & Bichler, s.c. focuses on the practice areas of real estate, family law, estate and tax planning, business law, probate and elder law.  HHB offers the expertise and high quality services of a large firm with the personal attention and value of a small firm. 
​
Devine and Hahn s.c
Devine Hahn is a boutique litigation firm partnering with clients to aggressively protect their rights.  With over 50 years of combined experience covering civil litigation, insurance defense, employment, discrimination and municipalities, Devine Hahn’s client-centric approach ensures better-than-most performance, truly a unique experience.
 
Cafferty Law Office, s. c
Experience! Excellence! Results! Cafferty Law Office has been obtaining favorable results for clients since 1994.  Cafferty Law Office offers a variety of criminal defense services on the state and federal levels.  For experienced, aggressive Racine Defense Attorneys, Cafferty Law Office.

Rebecca Mason Law, LLC
Attorneys Rebecca Mason and Lauren Devine provide sound advice with regard to their clients’ legal needs.  The firm focuses on Estate Planning, Estate Administration/Probate, Guardianships, and advising small businesses and nonprofits.  The firm’s clients receive a high level of disciplined, personal commitment and professional expertise.

Thank you to Wyant Law Offices!
​
On behalf of the RCBA and its members, we want to send a thank you to Wyant Law Offices for hosting the latest social/happy hour in June at Uncorkt. Thank you to all who attended--we had a great turnout! And congrats to Peter Wyant, who is taking over Wyant Law Offices when mother and father retire this summer!


Again, anyone interested in hosting a future RCBA social/happy hour should contact either Kelly Mould at kmould@johnsonbank.com or Brian Dimmer at bpd@racinedefense.com