Patti is a regular attendee of the DE&I meetings and is very involved, often providing thoughtful comments during our robust discussions. Committee members were particularly struck by her sharing her experiences and providing her perspective as a Jewish woman. Her experiences were eye-opening and thought-provoking, which is a large part the purpose of the DE&I Committee. In addition, Patti volunteered to speak on the DE&I Panel at the Winter Conference, despite having already presented independently at the Summer Conference. Her commitment to the DE&I Committee's activities and noteworthy participation make her deserving of this award.

Patti is a Shareholder at Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C. in Madison. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from Bryn Mawr College in 1984 and her Juris Doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School in 1989. She moved from New York City to Madison in 1995. Patti's practice area relates to the defense of all types of civil litigation. This includes defense of physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals in medical malpractice cases, as well as in licensing, disciplinary and credentialing disputes. She regularly defends personal injury and wrongful death actions, including automobile accidents, premises liability, products liability, insurance agent negligence as well as insurance coverage disputes. Patti has had numerous jury trials throughout the state, has litigated in federal courts and appellate courts and has argued before the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. Patti is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Defense Counsel, and the Dane County Bar Association. She also started a group called “Lawyer Moms” for working women lawyers with children.