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ruder ware announces addition of david knaff to attorney team
“David’s decade of experience in the legal field is an asset to Ruder Ware as it has exposed him to the practice of law in applications in the private sector and within a law firm. David has a strong work ethic that will serve our clients well and is most recently witnessed by working full-time through law school as a paralegal,” states Attorney Matt Rowe, Chair of the firm’s Business Transactions Practice Group. A Dean’s List graduate of Marquette University Law School, Mr. Knaff also has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to entering law school, Mr. Knaff spent a number of years in the legal department of Metavante Technologies, Inc. a public company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which provided technology and other services to financial institutions. At Ruder Ware, Mr. Knaff’s practice involves business organizations, commercial contracts, corporate finance and securities, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate matters. FOUR RUDER WARE ATTORNEYS SELECTED TO JOIN FELLOWS OF THE WISCONSIN LAW FOUNDATIon December 4, 2009 — The Wisconsin Law Foundation recently selected Attorneys Lon Roberts, David Anderson, Joseph Mirr, and William Tehan to join the Fellows. The Wisconsin State Bar describes the Fellows as, “an honorary program, which recognizes members of the profession in Wisconsin who are known by their peers for high achievements in their profession and outstanding contributions for the advancement and improvement of the administration of justice in the State of Wisconsin.” These four attorneys join Lane Ware, Mark Bradley, and Dean Dietrich also Fellows. Lon Roberts, managing partner at Ruder Ware, states, “It’s an honor for Ruder Ware to have seven attorneys as members of the Fellows. We strive for excellence in our profession and this achievement is humbling to each of us.” ATTORNEY MELISSA KAMPMANN RECEIVES UP AND COMING LAWYER AWARD The award recognizes those attorneys who are on the fast track to making a significant impact on the legal profession. Per WLJ, “They show determination – in legal work, in community betterment, and in improving their own law firms.” “Melissa is a shining example to all young professionals, including those who also want to raise children. She is focused on what fulfills her and that includes being a wife, mother, lawyer and dedicated community member,” states Attorney Mark Bradley, Shareholder and Chair of the Trusts & Estates practice group. Ms. Kampmann advises individuals and families on a variety of personal legal needs including sophisticated trust and estate planning, premarital agreements, guardianship, and probate and trust administration work. She also assists business owners with the creation of new businesses and business succession planning.
“Patrick’s background in finance and real estate provide a practical backdrop for his practice of law and adds to the depth and breadth of services offered at Ruder Ware. He works closely with the firm’s practice group chairs and various attorneys utilizing his skills in the areas of law we practice,” states Attorney Mark Bradley, Shareholder and Co-Chair of the Trusts & Estates Practice Group. A graduate of the Marquette University Law School, Mr. Bodden is a cum laude graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee with undergraduate degrees in Finance and Real Estate. Before entering law school, Mr. Bodden worked in the institutional trading department of a Midwest brokerage firm, where he maintained his Series 7 and Series 66 licenses. At Ruder Ware, Bodden will advise business owners and individuals in all aspects of business and personal planning, including the formation, operation, and growth of closely held businesses, and the design and implementation of estate planning and asset protection techniques.
July 7, 2009 – Attorney Dean R. Dietrich was recently honored with a special award of appreciation at the 2009 Volunteer Lawyers Project Awards Reception hosted by Legal Action of Wisconsin. The annual reception honors distinguished pro bono achievement by Wisconsin attorneys. Mr. Dietrich spent countless pro bono hours negotiating with the Wisconsin Bankers Association and appearing before the Wisconsin Supreme Court in a successful effort to obtain a court rule that will result in banks paying interest on lawyers’ trust accounts that matches the interest paid on comparable bank products. Leveraging his board of director role with the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation (WisTAF), Mr. Dietrich was able to roughly double the foundation's revenue which in turn increases WisTAF’s grants to legal services firms. The primary goal of WisTAF is ensuring access to civil legal services for low-income individuals and families. WisTAF provides funds to legal service agencies to assist people with legal needs, such as family, housing, employment, disability and consumer issues. John F. Ebbott, executive director at Legal Action, states, “The time and effort involved in this, and the dogged persistence it required, were tremendous. The entire Wisconsin legal services community is profoundly grateful to Dean Dietrich for his tireless dedication to equal justice."
Matthew Rowe, chair of Ruder Ware’s Business Transactions practice group states, “Jeremy’s commitment to the firm and dedication to our clients is deserving of his promotion to shareholder. Over the course of his eight-year tenure with the firm, Jeremy’s contributions have been significant, and we look forward to the leadership he will bring as shareholder.” Mr. Welch is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. In addition to his legal practice, he is involved in a number of civic organizations, including service as a board member for both the United Way of Marathon County and the Woodson YMCA. Ruder Ware’s Business Transactions practice group advises businesses of all sizes in a wide range of areas. Among other services, Ruder Ware attorneys assist with the sale and acquisition of businesses, provide tax counseling to businesses and individuals, and advise clients with regard to all aspects of business transactions. The firm has extensive experience in the negotiation and preparation of commercial loan documentation and the representation of lenders and other creditors in workouts and bankruptcy proceedings. Additionally, Ruder Ware is one of the few Wisconsin law firms with attorneys who practice in the areas of securities and employee benefits.
NAELA’s annual meeting, held in Washington, D.C., draws attorneys practicing elder law from across the United States. The nonprofit organization’s mission is to establish its members as the premier providers of legal advocacy, guidance, and services to enhance the lives of people with disabilities and people as they age. “I’m honored to be selected amongst my peers to present at the annual meeting of an organization that represents the gold standard in the practice of elder law and all facets related to it,” comments Munson. In addition to practicing in the areas of elder law and special needs planning, Ruder Ware's Trusts & Estates group of attorneys advise business owners and individuals in all aspects of business and personal planning, including the formation, operation, and growth of closely held businesses and the adoption and implementation of sophisticated succession and estate planning techniques.
“Finding the right law firm was very important to me, as I am grateful for the opportunities afforded me by my clients. I felt it important to affiliate with a firm that operates by the same standards and priorities as I do. I found that in Ruder Ware,” states Schrage. Schrage will work with Ruder Ware Attorney Linda Danielson, and her team of estate planning attorneys, through most of 2009 to familiarize them with his clients, procedures, and expectations. Danielson, who has practiced law in Eau Claire for twenty years, concentrates her practice on tax and estate planning and business law. “I’m honored to be selected as the main contact point for Steve’s clients. I’m aware of his solid reputation in Ruder Ware’s Trusts & Estates group of attorneys advise business owners and individuals in all aspects of business and personal planning, including the formation, operation, and growth of closely held businesses, and the adoption and implementation of sophisticated succession and estate planning techniques.
In reflecting on the task ahead, Laehn said, “The chamber’s volunteer leadership team rotates on an annual basis while the chamber’s mission to foster business growth and success remains constant. I feel privileged to join the ranks of past chamber presidents; I’m inspired by their leadership and achievements and I hope to continue their progress.” Ruder Ware has a long-standing commitment to our community, beginning with the philosophy of George Ruder, the firm’s founder. “Mr. Ruder felt that if we make our living here, it’s our responsibility to give back to our communities. John Laehn is the fourth chamber president since 1981 to serve from Ruder Ware. We’re honored that our own leaders are elected by their peers to serve in this important role,” stated G. Lane Ware, chairman of the board at Ruder Ware.
“With the addition of Mark, our department is fully diversified in all areas of planning for an individual’s and a family’s legacy. Mark’s nine-year legal career has focused solely on all aspects of estate planning; our team welcomes his experience and perspective,” states Attorney Mark Bradley, Shareholder and Co-Chair of the Trusts & Estates practice group. A graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Law, Mark holds a bachelor of science from the Carlson School of Management (University of Minnesota – Twin Cities) in general management. Licensed to practice in both Wisconsin and Illinois, Mark will continue to concentrate in the areas of asset preservation and protection, taxation, estate planning, and estate and trust administration at Ruder Ware. Attorneys within the Trusts & Estates department of Ruder Ware advise and counsel business owners and individuals in all aspects of business and personal planning, including the formation, operation, and growth of closely held businesses, and the adoption and implementation of sophisticated succession and estate planning techniques. In addition, our attorneys often represent corporate and individual trustees and personal representatives. In certain situations attorneys in our group serve as trustees through Ruder Ware's Fiduciary Services Department. With our experience in all aspects of business planning, income and estate tax planning, and trust and estate administration, our attorneys are able to advise and implement creative and flexible strategies that fulfill a client's business needs while at the same time achieving the client's personal goals and objectives. Business Transactions practice group chair, Matt Rowe, states, “Through Steve’s eight-year tenure as an associate with our firm, I have been able to witness his development into an attorney with a sophisticated law practice. I look forward to the leadership that Steve will bring to the firm as a shareholder.” A graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School, Steve divides his professional and civic involvement amongst a number of state and community-based organizations.
“Ruder Ware is pleased to welcome an associate attorney of Mike’s caliber to our firm. Our department works to secure and transfer the business and other financial legacies of our clients. Mike’s diverse experience, such as his position as Articles Editor and published author for the prestigious Wisconsin Law Review and his internship with Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson, make him a valued member of our team and an asset to our clients,” states Attorney Sam Geraci, Shareholder and Co-Chair of the Trusts & Estates practice group. A cum laude graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School, Ahrens also holds an M.S. in Entomology from the University of Wisconsin and is a summa cum laude graduate from Western Michigan University with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. At Ruder Ware, Ahrens will advise business owners and individuals in all aspects of business and personal planning, including the formation, operation, and growth of closely held businesses, and the adoption and implementation of sophisticated succession and estate planning techniques.
Rutlin, chair of the firm’s Employment, Labor & Benefits practice group, has been practicing law in the state of Wisconsin for over thirty years. Rutlin is chief spokesman in collective bargaining negotiations with many medium to large clients and handles grievance arbitrations, employment discrimination cases filed with state and federal fair employment practice agencies, and counsels clients on a broad range of employment law issues. Rutlin also provides regular advice and counsel with respect to a wide range of employee relation problems, including employee disciplinary issues, formulating and drafting policies and work rules, handbooks, severance agreements, union elections and decertifications, and unfair labor practice charges. Dietrich, a shareholder with Ruder Ware, and member of the firm’s Employment, Labor & Benefits practice group, has been practicing law in the state of Wisconsin for just over 30 years. Dietrich practices in the areas of labor and employment law, representing public and private sector employers in the many aspects of employment law and labor relations. Dietrich has extensive experience in representing employers in collective bargaining and proceedings before state and federal administrative agencies. Dietrich is also Chair of the Wisconsin State Bar’s Professional Ethics Committee. The selection process is complex with over 24,000 lawyers in the United States submitting more than two million evaluations confidentially rating their professional peers. The Best Lawyers in America® 2008 guide contains 29,769 lawyers in 77 specialty legal areas, in all 50 states including the District of Columbia. "We’re pleased at the caliber at which our attorneys regularly hold themselves, Ron and Dean are no exception. These two attorneys are active within the community and daily provide insightful legal advice to their clients. We appreciate being recognized in this legal specialty area," comments Ruder Ware’s COO, John Laehn. The Employment, Labor & Benefits department of Ruder Ware consists of seven attorneys assisting private and public sector employers of all sizes with the employment, labor and benefits aspects of their business. Service areas include: federal and state discrimination laws; state and federal family medical leave laws; state and federal wage and hour laws; contract negotiations; employee discipline and discharge; employee handbooks and personnel policies; drug and alcohol testing policies; sexual harassment policies and training; corporate downsizing; employment, labor and benefits aspects of corporate mergers and acquisitions; union elections and decertifications; unfair labor practice charges; maintaining nonunion status; plant closing laws; employment/severance agreements; affirmative action plans; supervisory training; workers' compensation and unemployment compensation; and arbitration.
Ware currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Ruder Ware law firm, headquartered in Wausau, Wis. with an additional location in Eau Claire, Wis. “Lane’s passion for the legal profession continues to be an inspiration for everyone here in our firm. Savvy in marketing, customer service, and strategic direction, we continue to be shaped by Lane’s vision for what he wanted the firm to aspire to become,” comments Lon Roberts, managing partner. True to George Ruder’s enduring philosophy, “We make our living here, we have a responsibility to give back to our communities,” Ware’s deep commitment to the community is best illustrated through the breadth of organizations advanced by his leadership. To highlight a few organizations, Ware presently serves on the board for the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum and the Aspirus Health Foundation. He previously served as a council member for the Wisconsin Humanities Council and as President of the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin. An accomplishment to credit Ware’s leadership skills includes the formation of The Performing Arts Foundation (PAF). Created to encourage entrepreneurial efforts at the local level, the PAF undertook the purchase and renovation of the existing Grand Theatre in 1972. On May 16, 2008 at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee, Wis., Ware will be honored among twenty other legal professionals, from practicing attorneys, to judges and educators.
October 2007 - State Bar of Wisconsin Features G. Lane Ware In Volunteer Opportunities Ad Campaign.
“Meritas stipulates a periodic recertification process as a membership requirement to ensure that member firms continue their compliance to the high-standards set forth by Meritas. Every firm must re-earn their membership,” states Lon E. Roberts, president of Ruder Ware. The rigorous recertification process examines such factors as adherence to standards set by clients, the timeliness and quality of a firm’s client service, and its professional conduct. That translates into such specifics as enabling clients to benefit from multijurisdictional client management teams. “Our membership in Meritas means we can provide clients - from the smallest business to the largest corporations - with access to legal expertise throughout the world. As more companies do business worldwide, both large and small companies alike are finding they need coordinated, trustworthy global legal services.”
A cum laude graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School, Rauckman also holds a B.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. Rauckman will advise clients on labor and employment law-related issues including employee discipline and discharge, discrimination, drafting of handbooks, contract negotiations, arbitration and all other aspects of state and federal labor and employment laws. In addition, he will represent our business and municipal clients before state agencies, and in state and federal trial and appellate courts, on employment and labor related issues.
A magna cum laude graduate of Michigan State University College of Law, Smith will advise our clients on a wide variety of business transactions, including the formation of business entities and the negotiation of contracts documenting real estate and other sale and acquisition transactions. In addition, she will assist our clients in addressing executive compensation, employee benefits and securities issues.
Ruder Ware President Lon Roberts commented, “We are confident this will help us continue providing exceptional value to our clients. We feel it is the best decision for our firm’s future success. We have been located in downtown Wausau since our firm’s inception in 1920. We’re thrilled that First Wausau Tower, LLC has provided us the opportunity to remain located here for a long time to come in such an outstanding facility. This is a tremendous project for our local economy, our downtown, our clients, and our firm.” Dick Dudley, the Chairman of First Wausau Tower, LLC added: “We are very pleased that Ruder Ware has committed to this new, state of the art, Class A building. The firm has been a major asset to the area for many years, and we are confident that their participation will enhance the success and regional recognition of our project.” Ruder Ware traces its roots in Wausau back to 1920, when George L. Ruder began practicing here. On July 14, 1920, the Wausau Daily Record-Herald carried a public statement that “Messrs. Karl A. Schmidt and George L. Ruder respectfully announce the formation of a law partnership under the name of Schmidt and Ruder…for the general practice of law.” Ruder and Schmidt’s law offices were located in the First National Bank building in downtown Wausau at Third and Jefferson streets. In 1933, George Ruder moved into the bank building at Third and Scott streets. Here the firm grew to become trusted counsel to many of the area’s businesses and businesspeople. Following the untimely death of George Ruder in 1970, the remaining members of the firm, led by G. Lane Ware, determined to continue Mr. Ruder’s tradition of community service and standards of professionalism. By the time the firm moved into the new First American Center in January of 1976, seven attorneys practiced with the firm in estate planning and business law. Over the next 29 years, the firm’s areas of practice expanded to include areas of emphasis such as employment, labor, and benefits; commercial litigation; securities; fiduciary services; municipal; school; real estate; intellectual property; and environmental law. In 1990, the firm became an inaugural member of Meritas Law Firms Worldwide, which now provides clients access to screened, like-minded business law firms in nearly 200 cities around the world. Led by current president, Lon Roberts, on July 1, 2005, Ruder Ware merged with Garvey Anderson, a business law firm in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This added depth to many existing areas of practice, but also new capability in patent law, as well as a downtown Eau Claire location. Today, Ruder Ware has 44 attorneys with substantial experience in a broad range of business law areas, is the 11th largest law firm in Wisconsin, and the largest Wisconsin business law firm headquartered north of Madison and Milwaukee.
“As I have in the past, I have assembled a task force of distinguished Wisconsin legal minds and community leaders to give me their best advice and counsel during this process,” Kohl said. “It’s important that reason and thoughtfulness prevail over partisan influence as we weigh this important decision.”
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