Committees

WDC maintains substantive law committees which are dedicated to conducting research, finding speakers for programs, and authors for the Wisconsin Civil Trial Journal in their respective topic. Members with questions or suggestions in a particular substantive area are encouraged to submit them to the Chair of the appropriate committee. Contact information for each Chair and/or Vice-Chair is listed below. 

For committee involvement, please contact [email protected].

Amicus Curiae Committee

Chair: Erik Gustafson
von Briesen & Roper, S.C.
411 E. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1000
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-287-1293
[email protected]

Vice Chair: James Biese
SECURA Insurance
1500 Mutual Way
Neenah, WI 54956
920-364-8561
[email protected]

Awards Committee

Chair: Christopher Bandt
Nash, Spindler, Grimstad & McCracken, LLP
1425 Memorial Dr.
Manitowoc, WI 54220
920-684-3321
[email protected]

Bylaws Committee

 

Chair: Megan McKenzie  
American Family Insurance
3805 Paunack Avenue
Madison, WI 53711
608-249-9777
[email protected]

Vice Chair: Caleb Gerbitz  
Meissner, Tierney Fisher & Nichols, S.C.
111 E. Kilbourn Ave., 19th Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-273-1300‬
[email protected]

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee

Chair: Roger Flores
Crivello, Nichols & Hall, S.C.
122 West Washington Avenue
Suite 600
Madison, WI 53703
[email protected]

Vice Chair: Alexander Gordon
Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C.
45 W Washington Ave., #302
Madison, WI 53703
[email protected]

Employment Law Committee

Chair: Storm Larson
Boardman & Clark, LLP
1 S Pinckney St.
Madison, WI 53703
608-286-7207
[email protected]

Vice Chair: Nicole Marklein
Cross Jenks Mercer & Maffei, LLP
221 3rd Ave., P.O. Box 556
Baraboo, WI 53913
608-356-3981
[email protected]

In-House Counsel Committee

Chair: Ariella Schreiber
Rural Mutual Insurance Co.
1241 John Q Hammons Drive
Suite 2
Madison, WI 53705
[email protected]

Vice Chair: Grace Kulkoski
Wisconsin Mutual Insurance Co.
8201 Excelsior Drive
Madison, WI 53717
[email protected]

Insurance Law Committee

Co-Chair: Mollie Kugler
von Briesen & Roper, S.C.
411 East Wisconsin Avenue
Suite 1000
Milwaukee, WI 53202
[email protected]

Co-Chair: Joshua Cronin
von Briesen & Roper, S.C.
411 East Wisconsin Avenue
Suite 1000
Milwaukee, WI 53202
[email protected]

Law School Committee

Chair: John Pinzl  
von Briesen & Roper, S.C.
10 E. Doty St.
Suite 900
Madison, WI 53703
608-287-3930
[email protected]

Vice Chair: Brad Markvart
American Family Insurance Co.
6000 American Parkway
Madison, WI 53783
608-893-5729
[email protected]

 

Litigation Skills Committee

Chair: Andrew Hebl
Boardman & Clark, LLP
1241 S Pickney St., Suite 410
P.O. Box 927
Madison, WI 53701
608-283-1772
[email protected]


Membership Committee

Chair: John R. Shull, Jr. 
Kramer Shull Reeths LLP
210 McClellan St., Ste 400
P.O. Box 1386
Wausau, WI 54402-1386
920-224-3859
[email protected]

Vice Chair: Amy Freiman
Hills Legal Group, Ltd.
N19W24075 Riverwood Dr. Suite 333
Waukesha, WI 53188
262-347-0167
[email protected]

Website and Social Media Committee

Chair: Ashleigh Johnson
American Family Insurance
P.O. Box 77055
Madison, WI 53703
608-249-9777
[email protected]


The social media committee regularly updates WDC members on the latest developments of relevant case law. The committee also strives to expand the organization’s social media footprint by highlighting the organization’s services on a variety of social media platforms. We hope to continue to highlight the great work our members are doing within their local communities, so please tag us in your law firm’s social media posts.

Wellness Committee

Chair: Ryan Johnson
Everson, Whitney, Everson & Brehm, S.C.
414 S. Jefferson St.
Green Bay, WI 54305
920-435-3734
[email protected]

Vice Chair: Grace Kulkoski
Wisconsin Mutual Insurance Co.
8201 Excelsior Drive
Madison, WI 53717
608-836-4663
[email protected]

The purpose of the Wellness Committee is to promote a culture within the Wisconsin Defense Council of physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being for our members by providing activities, information, and support that will result in healthier lifestyles. The legal field is wrought with sleepless nights, high stakes, stress, and burnout and can be a generally sedentary profession. 

Wisconsin Civil Jury Instructions Committee Representative

Amy Freiman
Hills Legal Group, Ltd.
N19W24075 Riverwood Dr. Suite 333
Waukesha, WI 53188
262-347-0167
[email protected]

The Civil Jury Instructions Committee receives periodic updates from the Wisconsin Civil Jury Instructions Committee on potential amendments to existing jury instructions or the creation of new jury instructions. If there are specific case opinions, topics, or concerns the Wisconsin Defense Counsel wants the Wisconsin Civil Jury Instructions Committee to consider, we work with the Wisconsin Civil Jury Instructions Committee to review those matters. 

Women in the Law Committee

Chair: Megan McKenzie  
American Family Insurance
3805 Paunack Avenue
Madison, WI 53711
[email protected]

 

Vice-Chair: Vanja Pemac  
Corneille Law Group
3113 W Beltline Highway, Suite 100
Madison, WI 53713
[email protected]

 

 

Young Lawyer Committee

Chair: Ryan Johnson
Everson, Whitney, Everson & Brehm, S.C.
414 S. Jefferson St.
Green Bay, WI 54305
920-435-3734
[email protected]

 

Vice Chair: OPEN POSITION