2018 Year In Review & 2019 Commitment

We close our 85th year at the end of 2018.

This year we were pleased that we were able to advise, assist, and give peace of mind to our many clients, and that we were able to continue our firm’s long history of giving back to the community.  As we close 2018, we take time to reflect on events and accomplishments that made the last year another memorable year.

Some highlights of 2018 were:

Notable Transactions
In 2018, we helped countless businesses and families through all stages of their life, from putting in place an estate plan with the birth of their first child to selling a successful business. There are a few transactions that are especially memorable.  One especially memorable transaction involved the sale of a local successful manufacturing business. Specifically, we were pleased we could assist this business some years ago with its initial successful business transition from the first founding generation to second generation ownership, and this year we were pleased to assist the second generation with a successful sale of the business to a strategic buyer in the industry.  Thank you to all of our clients for letting us assist you in these most important matters!

Our litigation attorneys James Danaher and Laura O’Gorman also assisted our business clients navigate litigation proceedings and successfully resolve business and contract disputes, employee conflicts, landlord/tenant matters, collections cases, personal injury claims, and family law matters.

Speaking Engagements
Our attorneys have presented to professional and community groups, on topics from business succession planning, to estate planning, to legal career advice.  Attorney Charles Williams and Attorney Amanda Follett presented at the UW Extension Program, Cultivating the Farm Business Future: Farm Business Succession.  Attorney James Danaher and Attorney Amanda Follett hosted an estate planning seminar at the Kettle Moraine YMCA.  Finally, Attorney Andy Niebler presented career expectations to a Paralegal class at Moraine Park Technical College.

New Faces & Good-byes
2018 has been a year of growth, as we welcome Attorney Isaiah Richie and Paralegal Courtney Fetzer.  Attorney Richie will focus his practice on business, tax issues, real estate, estate planning and trust administration at the West Bend and Kewaskum Offices. Prior to joining Schloemer, Attorney Richie clerked for judges at the Arizona Court of Appeals and the Colorado Court of Appeals and worked for an insurance subrogation firm.

We also welcomed, Courtney Fetzer, Paralegal. Courtney received her Associate’s degree in paralegal studies from Milwaukee Area Technical College and lives in Neosho.

Finally, two of our employees welcomed new little ones to their families, and Attorney Jim Spella welcomed his 16th grandchild!

We also sadly said good-bye to our long time bookkeeper, Marcela, who moved to sunny California. We miss her and continue to wish her the best in her new adventure! Paralegal Amy Betz has assumed her accounting duties.

Community Involvement
To serve our community, we have continued to look for ways to invest in our community and support local nonprofits.  Notably, Schloemer Partner James Danaher continued our strong history of supporting youth sports and served as the head coach for the West Bend West Varsity Soccer Team.  We welcomed opportunities to provide pro bono legal services to those in need in our community, and first responders through the “Wills for Heroes”.  We also sponsored many local teams and community events, including the Kewaskum KEYS Run/Walk, Allenton Lions Club Car Show, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Washington County Golf for Kids, St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church Entire Hole Sponsorship, St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Parish, Holy Angels Catholic Church, West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce – Sporting Clay Shoot, Kewaskum Fire Department – Soup Sampler, Threshold Incorporated – Green Bay Packers Tailgate Tour, the Kettle Moraine YMCA Golf Outing, the Kettle Moraine YMCA Adult Hockey League, and the Kewaskum Chamber of Commerce Cookie Hunt.

Civic Nominations
In January 2018, Attorney Jim Spella joined the Board of Directors at the West Bend Country Club. Attorney Spella was also re-appointed to the Washington County Ethics Board by the Washington County Board of Supervisors.

Attorney Amanda N. Follett continued Schloemer Law Firm’s long standing leadership in the Rotary Club of West Bend when she was elected President-Elect of the Rotary Club of West Bend. Attorney Jim Spella is a former President of the Rotary Club.

Attorney Andy Niebler continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the West Bend Chamber of Commerce and on the Advisory Committee for Human Resources and Leadership Development for Moraine Park Technical College.

Kewaskum Office
We are starting our third year at the Kewaskum Office, and Renee Dahman, Paralegal, at our Kewaskum Office, looks forward to connecting clients with the multi-talented attorneys at our firm.  We’ve also been growing our roots in Kewaskum.  In addition to sponsoring local events, Attorney Amanda Follett volunteered with the Kewaskum High School Mock Trial Team, where the team successfully competed in their first State Tournament in Madison.

Thanks for a great year, and here’s to looking at 2019!

More Important Reading

Disclaimer: The information contained in this post is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Due to the rapidly changing nature of law, Schloemer Law Firm makes no warranty or guarantee concerning the accuracy or completeness of this content. You should consult with an attorney to review the current status of the law and how it applies to your unique circumstances before deciding to take—or refrain from taking—any action.  If you need legal guidance, please contact us at 262-334-3471 or [email protected].