DeWitt’s Best Lawyers® in America and Lawyers of the Year 2025 Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DeWitt LLP
Nuzhat Noor
nnoor@dewittllp.com | 262-439-2362

DeWitt’s Best Lawyers® in America and Lawyers of the Year 2025 Announced

MADISON | MILWAUKEE, Wis. and MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (August 15, 2024) – Today DeWitt LLP announced the 28 attorneys from the firm who were included by the Best Lawyers® in America in its 2025 edition. Additionally, three DeWitt attorneys were named as Lawyer of the Year in the 2025 edition.

For more than 40 years, Best Lawyers publications have garnered respect from the legal profession, media, and the public as the most dependable and impartial source for legal referrals. All candidates are nominated and evaluated by their peers. Lawyers cannot pay to be listed, making recognition by Best Lawyers a unique and prestigious honor.

Best Lawyers in America 2025

Greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Brookfield

• Douglas H. Frazer (2007) – Litigation and Controversy -Tax Law
• Jeffrey J. Liotta (2012) – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Real Estate
• Brian R. Smigelski (2013) – Construction Law
• John P. Yentz (2013) – Corporate Law

Madison, Wisconsin

• Brian L. Anderson (2005) – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
• Jon P. Axelrod (1997) – Commercial Litigation
• Frederic J. Brouner (2005) – Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Tax Law
• Stephen A. DiTullio (2007) – Commercial Litigation, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Bryan C. Esch (2011) – Real Estate Law
• Eric A. Farnsworth (2005) – Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Jeff A. Goldman (2016) – Trusts and Estates
• Stuart C. Herro (2005) – Real Estate Law, Trusts and Estates
• Joseph T. Leone (2007) – Copyright Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law
• Anna L. Loess (2024) – Family Law, Trusts and Estates
• Troy A. Mayne (2005) – Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
• William E. McCardell (2007) – Construction Law, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
• Michele L. Perreault (2024) – Family Law
• Ronald R. Ragatz (2006) – Commercial Litigation, Environmental Law
• Theresa L. Roetter (2013) – Collaborative Law: Family Law
• Wrede H. Smith, Jr. (1995) – Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Trusts and Estates
• Timm P. Speerschneider (2006) – Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law

Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Eric H. Chadwick (2016) – Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent
• Rachel Dahl (2024) – Real Estate Law, Trusts and Estates
• Matthew A. Drewes (2022) – Community Association Law, Construction Law, Real Estate Law
• Robert W. Due (2014) – Family Law
• R. Leigh Frost (2021) – Family Law
• Kathleen M. Newman (1993) – Family Law
• Brian R. Pollack (2023) – Patent Law

(Year) First year the lawyer was listed in the published practice area.

Lawyer of the Year – Best Lawyers in America 2025

Madison, Wisconsin

• Brian L. Anderson – Trusts and Estates
• Joseph T. Leone – Patent Law

Greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Brookfield

• Jeffrey J. Liotta – Litigation – Real Estate

About DeWitt

Founded in 1903, DeWitt LLP is one of the ten largest law firms based in Wisconsin, with an additional presence in Minnesota. It has more than 130 attorneys practicing in Green Bay, Madison and Greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Minneapolis, Minnesota and has the experience to service clients of all scopes and sizes. DeWitt is known for its work in a variety of legal areas including family law, background screening, business law, employee stock ownership plans, employee benefits, intellectual property, patents, trademarks and copyright law, construction litigation, employment relations, environmental, estate planning, family business, litigation, real estate, tax law, and more. Additional information is available at dewittllp.com.

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One Community Bank: Jamie Balsiger Promoted to Marketing Communications Director

August 14, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Ameilia Abraham
One Community Bank
608-838-3141
aabraham@onecommunity.bank

Jamie Balsiger Promoted to Marketing Communications Director

(August 2024) – One Community Bank is thrilled to announce the promotion of Jamie Balsiger to Marketing Communications Director.

“It has been wonderful to see Jamie grow in her role over the last 2 years. Jamie has a passion for creating great marketing content and has elevated the OCB brand. I look forward to seeing Jamie continue to excel in her new role,” said Jeff Versluys, EVP and Chief Strategy Officer.

Jamie joined OCB in 2022 with an experienced background in marketing and communications. As Marketing Communications Director, Jamie will manage the bank’s overall communications including content creation, social media strategy, internal communications, public relations, and creative design across all platforms.

“I am excited to begin this new role, where I have the opportunity to grow as a leader and continue supporting the expansion of OCB’s brand. It’s wonderful to be a part of an organization that truly gives back to the communities it serves,” said Jamie.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Jamie likes to volunteer and attend events in the community. Additionally, she enjoys photography, attending concerts, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.

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One Community Bank is one of the largest community banks in south central Wisconsin. The locally owned bank has 16 bank locations and $2.1 billion in assets. It provides both personal and business banking solutions, with an intense focus on serving clients, supporting colleagues, and investing in its communities. Six years in a row named one of Madison’s best places to work, One Community Bank serves the communities of Oregon, McFarland, Cottage Grove, Waunakee, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Middleton, Adams, Oxford, Grand Marsh, Hillsboro, La Farge, Readstown, Wonewoc, and Union Center. Member FDIC.

M3 Insurance’s 2024 Health Care Trend Report

The M3 Health Care Trend Report is M3 Insurance’s annual review, highlighting costs and plan designs for employer-sponsored health insurance.

The 2024 Health Care Trend Report shares the trends we are seeing across M3’s book of business, which encompasses employers ranging in size from three to more than 10,000 employees in a variety of major industry sectors. We’ve categorized the data based on geography, employer size, private vs. public sector, and plan structure. For more than 20 years, we’ve gathered data to provide valuable insights to the business community.

This year’s edition follows a similar pattern to the 2023 edition: the trendline continued for overall benefit plan premiums and costs per employee continued, with some notable regional shifts.

ACCESS THE REPORT >>

Kraus-Anderson Madison names Marissa Young Director of Business Development

MADISON, Wis. (August 2024) – The Madison office of Kraus-Anderson (KA) has hired Marissa Young as director of business development. 

Young comes to KA from commercial contractor JP Cullen, where she was director of business development in Southwest Wisconsin.  Prior to JP Cullen she was the residential portfolio manager for Urban Land Interests in Madison.

Young received a B.S. in Sport and Recreation Management from North Dakota State University.  She serves on the boards of Downtown Madison Inc., Wisconsin Innovation Awards, Kids Building Wisconsin and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

About Kraus-Anderson

Established in 1897, Kraus-Anderson (www.krausanderson.com) is an integrated construction management and real estate development enterprise working independently and in collaboration with a family of companies and services, including facilities assessment, K-12 pre-referendum planning, strategic facility planning, sustainability and insurance operations. Kraus-Anderson, an EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability employer, is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. and has regional offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wis., Fargo and Bismarck, N.D., Duluth, Bemidji and Rochester Minn. and Phoenix, Ariz.

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Multi-Unit Spherion Franchisee Honored as a 2024 Franchise Rock Star by Franchise Business Review

31-Year-Old Millennial Spherion Franchise Owner Recognized for Impressive Sales Growth and Community Impact

MADISON, Wis. – Austin Kassner, a local business leader and multi-unit franchise owner with Spherion Staffing & Recruiting (Spherion), recently earned recognition from Franchise Business Review as a 2024 Franchise Rock Star. This trusted publication named Kassner to the ‘Millennial’ category for his significant contributions to the communities his offices serve in Madison, Wisconsin and Rockford, Illinois.

“It’s an honor to be featured by Franchise Business Review as a 2024 Franchise Rock Star. This award is recognition of the incredible service that our tenured team provides to both candidates and clients across our markets ,” said Kassner. “I strive to create an environment where everyone has a seat at the table and feels encouraged to share their perspectives. I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to do this as part of the Spherion organization with the support of their leadership team.”

Kassner was selected from more than 36,000 franchisees, representing 360 brands that participate in Franchise Business Review’s research. Notably, Kassner’s Spherion offices in Wisconsin and Illinois have grown significantly since he took over franchise ownership in 2022. Under his leadership, his teams have secured 28 new clients, expanded services for existing clients and increased revenue growth by more than 9%.

Beyond his business accomplishments, Kassner is committed to giving back to the communities that his businesses serve through organizations such as The River Food Pantry, United Way, YWCA,  and the Regional Access Mobilization Project Inc.

“I’ve had the pleasure of watching Austin grow and expand his business since joining us, and his innovative ideas have brought a fresh perspective to our brand,” said Kathy George, president of Spherion. “He has quickly emerged as a standout leader within our franchise system and is always willing to advise other business owners looking to capitalize on opportunities for growth in their local markets. On behalf of Spherion, we congratulate him and the entire team in Madison and Rockford for this well-deserved recognition.”

The Franchise Rock Stars were nominated by their franchise brand’s leadership in one of eight categories. They’re franchisees who set admirable examples when it comes to leadership, business acumen, financial and professional success, and contributing to their community.

Spherion brandishes the “power of local” through a network of independent and empowered franchisees. Each Spherion franchisee enriches their communities by connecting and facilitating employment opportunities every day—and when they’re successful together, their investments flow back into the neighborhoods where they live and work. The power of Spherion is in its local roots.

To learn more about Spherion’s franchising opportunity, visit spherion.com/franchising.

Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com to see the full list of 2024 Franchise Rock Stars.

About Spherion – Madison, WI

Driving careers. Growing businesses. Bettering the community. These tenets have been at the core of Spherion Madison since its doors opened over 30 years ago. Locally owned, Spherion provides comprehensive staffing & recruiting services, including: flexible staffing, temp-to-hire, professional direct-hire placement, and workforce management solutions. The Spherion Madison team invests the time to develop relationships with everyone they work with to deliver differentiated results. Its tenured team understands the greater Madison market and has a proven history of matching the right candidates for the right role across a wide array of industries.

About Spherion

With more than 75 years of staffing and recruiting experience, Spherion stands out as a leader in the industry, leveraging the power of “local” to support its vast network of independent franchisees. True to its tagline, Let’s Get to Work, Spherion provides temporary, temp-to-hire, direct hire, and managed hiring services to more than 4,000 businesses nationwide across 200+ locations. With a 4.8/5 star Google review score and recognition as a Top 100 Staffing Company to Work for by World Staffing Awards, a Top Franchise by Franchise Business Review, and ranking #63 on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2024 Franchise 500 list, Spherion capably caters to the ever-changing demands of America’s workforce. Backed by the world’s most equitable and specialized talent company, Spherion provides superior staffing and recruiting solutions through its franchise model.

To learn more about Spherion, visit spherion.com.

About Franchise Business Review

Franchise Business Review (FBR) is a leading market research firm serving the franchise sector. FBR measures satisfaction and engagement of franchisees and franchise employees and publishes various guides and reports for entrepreneurs considering an investment in a franchise business. Since 2005, FBR has surveyed hundreds of thousands of franchise owners and over 1,200 leading franchise companies. To read our publications, visit https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/digital-guides/. To learn more about FBR’s research, please visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com