Local Legal Leaders 2022

LOCAL LEGAL LEADERS

INJURY •

BYE, GOFF & ROHDE

LEVELING THE FIELD

GOFF & ROHDE

A desire to achieve justice for clients by leveling the playing field is what motivates the partners of western Wisconsin-based Bye, Goff & Rohde. The law firm has represent ed victims in personal injury cases across the region for over 50 years.

Over the years, Bye, Goff & Rohde attorneys like Tracy Tool and Brian Laule have gone to court to win settlements for people who have suffered because of motor vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, defec tive products, nursing home neglect, and much more.

“Jury trials are the great equal izer,” said Tool, a University of Min nesota law graduate who practices in state and federal courts in both Wisconsin and Minnesota.

“Once you’re standing in the courtroom, it’s not up to them,” Tool said of powerful defendants in per sonal injury cases. “It’s up to the 12 people in the jury box.”

Personal injury cases often involve a power imbalance between an injured party whose life may have been radically altered and a defendant who wants to minimize what occurred and to pay as little as possible. “I think we achieve for our clients – and I achieve in particular for my clients – great results in the face of odds that may at first blush appear to

be strongly against us,” said Laule, who in 2017 was named Outstand ing Young Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Wisconsin Association for Justice as well as being chosen 2023 Lawyer of the Year, Personal Injury Litigations – Eau Claire from Best Lawyers.

While both attorneys are licensed to practice in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, they spend most of their time advo cating for clients on the Wisconsin side of the state line. Like all other partners at Bye, Goff & Rohde, Tool and Laule have been certified as trial specialists by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Only 3 percent of attorneys have such board certification.

Laule said his interest in be coming an attorney was sparked by watching the TV series L.A. Law as a child as well as the fact that several family members are social workers.

He was attracted to the legal field, he said, but in a way that would allow him to help individuals. Likewise, Laule was drawn to Bye, Goff & Rohde because of the firm’s commit ment to its clients.

“I really pride myself on getting to know my clients throughout their case,” he said. “I know the ways in which a traumatic injury has really derailed their lives and the ways in which they can be – and the law best account for – putting them back to where they would have been and as best you can getting their life back on track.”

Clients can count on Bye, Goff & Rohde’s willingness to take cases to trial, rather than simply seek outof-court settlements. If a defendant knows that a plaintiff has retained an attorney who isn’t willing to go to court, they will make a business deci sion and not pay a fair amount on those cases, Laule said. “In our view, it is only attorneys who try cases that get the best results for their individ ual clients,” he said.

Tool agreed that a commitment

to fighting for fairness and a track record of success are key to Bye, Goff & Rohde.

“The biggest motivator in our field, at least to me, is seeing unfairness to the average person, especially if you can see that what’s happening to this average person is happening to other average people in the same situation,” Tool said. For example, he’s seen circumstances –such as patterns of neglect in nursing homes – in which the powers that be would rather ignore or minimize problems than rectify them.

“There’s nothing I’d rather do than make the guys sitting on the money piles and in the ivory towers actually be reasonable and be real with the people who are being harmed,” Tool said.

“We can’t hide from the fact our system operates in dollars,” he added. “But that’s not really what it’s all about. It’s about helping people get back on their feet, get justice, get treated fairly by the insurance companies, and take worries off their minds.”

Jury trials are the great equalizer.

“

BYE, GOFF

DEFENDING YOUR RIGHTS MICHAEL COHEN COHEN LAW OFFICES• CRIMINAL DEFENSE •

FREEDOM

I know what I’m talking about. They may not agree with my argument. They may make a different decision, but they don’t say, ‘Well, that’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard of.’ ”

Michael Cohen was born to be a defense attorney, and he’s dedicat ed his life to providing a vigorous defense of those who stand to lose their constitutional rights in the face of government power.

“My personal philosophy about why I do what I do stems from the idea that the law is meant to mean something, and that the power of the government needs to be checked before they put people in cages,” explained Cohen, who has practiced law for 32 years.

While no one in his family is an attorney, Cohen was drawn to the field from an early age. “I never wanted to do anything other than criminal defense law,” said Cohen, who grew up near Washington, D.C., but earned his law degree from UW-Madison. “I don’t do anything other than criminal defense work.”

Over the decades, Cohen has represented defendants from across northern and western Wisconsin, from circuit and appellate courtrooms all the way to the state’s Supreme Court. He has built a practice in the Chippewa Valley, which now includes three other attorneys: Karleigh Miller, Christopher Wilhelm, and Alicia Linz meier. He has also built a reputation as a dogged defender of clients facing a gamut of criminal charges, from driving while intoxicated to violent crime and sexual assault.

“I don’t represent the people that I represent because I agree with what they do or are accused of doing,” Cohen said. “My job is to make sure

that regardless of the situation, before they receive consequences from the government that affect their liberties, their rights to due process are guaran teed to them by the Constitution are upheld. It’s really that simple.”

Of course, knowing the law and providing a successful defense isn’t a simple matter. It requires years of experience, which Cohen has accumulated in countless cases. It

also requires a willingness to put in the time necessary – whether early in the morning, on weekends, or even while on vacation – to prepare for the courtroom.

“My clients know that we are attentive to their cases,” he said. “Judges know that I’m prepared. Pros ecutors know that I’m prepared when I walk into court and I make my argu ments. It is not B.S. People know that

Cohen’s dedication in the court room has earned him the respect of his colleagues in the legal community. Among other things, he currently serves as president of the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, is a founding member of the Driving Under the Influence Defense Lawyers Association, has served on the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s Professional Review Committee, and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer for the past five years. Cohen has also been an active member of the Chippewa Valley community, serving on the board of a youth soccer associ ation, presiding over his Rotary Club, volunteering as a scoutmaster, and much more.

Cohen’s dedication to the com munity reflects his dedication to his clients – whoever they may be. “I’ve represented people in every profes sion that you could probably think of: doctors, lawyers, judges, police officers, accountants, veterinarians, chiropractors,” he said. “You name it, I’ve represented them. That does not mean in any way, shape or form that they are bad people or that they are have some character flaw. It simply means that everyone potentially has a situation that they may be faced with where they need the assistance of someone like me.”

Whatever the client, and whatever they are accused of doing, Cohen and his team will work to resolve the situ ation, whether that’s through settling before a trial or by going before a jury.

“I never take a case thinking, ‘Well, let’s just cut a deal,’ ” Cohen said. “You start thinking like that you’re already working for the govern ment –your client’s already halfway into the jail cell. My job is to make sure they never go there.”

DECORATED

THE TEAM THAT WALKS THE WALK

With four offices located through out Wisconsin and nearly 40 years of legal experience, Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs is one of the only personal injury law firms in the Eau Claire area willing to take cases to trial. Every case begins with at least two lawyers assigned, ready to help cli ents navigate a sometimes complex and overwhelming system.

If you choose to work with GTW, you might recognize a familiar face in law partner Dana Wachs, who has been a lifelong Eau Claire resident. Frequently in the downtown area, whether perusing The Local Store or arts scene, Wachs also represented Wisconsin’s 91st Assembly District from 2013-2019 and was recently appointed to the UW System Board of Regents by Gov. Tony Evers.

Newer to GTW but still wellversed in law and the Eau Claire community, Jessie Weber completes this local duo, coming to Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs with nearly 20 years of criminal defense experi ence.

“We’ve got two lawyers at every trial; two lawyers on every case. That’s a huge advantage with us,” Wachs explained.

In addition to local attorneys on every case, clients have the opportu nity to receive assistance beyond the

Eau Claire of fice. Thanks to daily commu nication with additional GTW locations in Madison, Milwaukee, and Waukesha, there is a team of 10 attorneys available for further insight and strategy.

While some area law firms don’t take cases to trial, GTW prepares for the courtroom to ensure that clients get justice in their situations —

whether by settlement or jury verdict.

“From the first minute that a client is here, we’re doing indepth memos and analytics on each and every case,” Wachs said.

“We get ready to try the case from day one.”

“People shouldn’t be afraid to call and just talk to a lawyer; it’s always worth the call,” Weber explained. “If

you have questions or think, ‘I really should look into this,’ we’re here.”

Throughout the fight, there will always be someone at GTW to help — even the office labrador, Artie. “Artie comes in every day and can kind of lighten the atmosphere,” Wachs said. “Sometimes we have to talk about very serious things, and it’s great how dogs can be a source of comfort.”

With a team-centered approach, proven results, and roots right here in the Eau Claire community, Gin gras, Thomsen & Wachs is all in to win for every single client.

Visit the Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs website (www.gtwlawyers.com) to get more details about the firm’s Eau Claire team and what they can do for you.

DIVORCE IN A DAY

OTTO & STEINER, LAW S.C IS THERE FOR ALL OF THE HARD MOMENTS

OTTO & STEINER, LAW

not your situation, you should go the contested route – which Otto & Stein er Law also excels at.

“It provides people with options,” Lauren Otto, founder and owner of Otto & Steiner Law, said. “They still get professional help with their di vorce, but it gives people the option to save money and it helps them cap their costs. It’s predictable, which is a huge contrast from contested divorces.”

Every year, hundreds of married couples in Eau Claire County get divorced. In fact, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health and Services, nearly 250 divorces were filed in 2020 just in Eau Claire County alone.

Divorce is a huge finan cial and emo tional stress on any family and should be handled the right way. That is why Otto & Steiner, Law S.C. created the Divorce in a Day program. Divorce in a Day is for cooperative couples looking for a quicker, more affordable way to go through the divorce proceedings.

In contested divorces, both people would have to hire their own lawyers. With Divorce in a Day, you can go the mediation route and only pay the flat fee from Otto & Steiner. While you may still have to pay some court costs and expert fees (depend ing on your situation), Divorce in a Day may save you a lot of money compared to the cost of hiring two attorneys for a contested divorce. Mediation works well for couples at all income levels who still get along and can trust each other. If this is

Whether your divorce is going the mediation or the contested route, Otto said one of the most important things to do when preparing for divorce is to gather all your finan cial documents together. You need to know what you have, – with your spouse and separate – assets, debts, and retire ment accounts. Know where they are, what they are, and what’s in them.

While the attorney-me diators at Otto & Steiner Law cannot give legal advice, they provide couples with helpful infor mation on Wisconsin divorce law and advice regarding areas in which cou ples need to make decisions. They also draft all the papers necessary for the divorce and assist in getting them filed with the court.

“The best part about Divorce in a Day is working with people and knowing you’re making the divorce experience easier and more peaceful,” Otto said. “Divorce is a really stressful time for couples and families. There are lots of changes and big emotions. The process itself shouldn’t make it more difficult.”

Otto has been practicing law in Wisconsin since 2010 and opened her

Eau Claire firm in 2011. She got into family law because of her desire to work with people and help them in whatever way she can. She and her staff treat their clients with the care and respect they deserve.

“We get to know our clients at a more intimate level than other

practices of law,” Otto said. “Because this is the law that affects the family. It doesn’t get any more personal than your family.”

To learn more about Otto & Stein er Law, S.C. and about their Divorce in a Day program, you can go to ottosteiner.com.

It’s predictable, which is a huge contrast from contested divorces.

“

NEXT LEVEL LAW, NEXT LEVEL LEADERSHIP

RILEY,

3624 OAKWOOD HILLS

CLAIRE

That cohesive community was what made Sam intrigued by the firm, though he initially found out about Weld Riley while in Black River Falls.

Weld Riley has long been a go-to law firm in the Valley, serving the community through estate planning, environmental law, business, family law, and more for decades. The same Weld Riley that folks have come to know as the perfect balance of per sonal and professional is continuing that legacy through their practice, and with rising leaders in the firm.

“Weld Riley has 52 employees, four offices (Eau Claire, Menomonie, Black River Falls, and Wausau), and roots in the Valley going back for decades,” John Behling, Weld Riley President and Attorney, said. “(Being local legal leaders), I don’t want to focus on me as company president, but the next level of leaders.”

One of those next-up leaders is Weld Riley Attorney, Samuel Bach-Hanson. Coming up on his fourth year at the firm, what drew him to Weld Riley is the same thing that brings in many of its clients: the people.

“After graduating from law school many of my classmates went to different firms and organizations. A lot of them felt, almost immediate ly, burnt out because they weren’t given support as a young lawyer,” he recalled. “I never felt like that at Weld Riley.”

As a collaborative team, every attorney and assistant in the office is on-deck to help out, at every turn.

“When I was in law school, I was sitting at a coffee shop in downtown Black River and looked across the street, and there was Weld Riley’s of fice sign,” he said. After looking into the firm on his own, he went out on a limb and submitted his information to the office.

“Weld Riley is a very well-round ed, full-service firm for the Valley, and as a young lawyer trying to figure out what area of law I want ed to practice, it made me really interested in starting my career at Weld Riley,” he said. “I’m still here because, luckily, I was right, and the people here are collaborative and always go the extra mile to help both co-workers and clients.”

Landing at Weld Riley fresh out of law school – experienced as the Editor-in-Chief of the Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender & Society –Sam worked at the Black River Falls location until he made the move to Eau Claire in 2020 with his hus band. Since then, he has carved his own path, making genuine impacts across wider Western Wisconsin and through his work with local munici palities, like the City of Altoona.

“I really enjoy working with small businesses who are either just starting out or trying to figure out how to navigate certain areas of the law, but especially in the last year or so, I’ve really liked working with the City of Altoona,” he said. “They’re really inspired and active in getting things done, and it’s cool to see the different projects they work on.”

Sam spends much of his time outside of work in Altoona too, call ing River Prairie one of his favorite

areas since moving to the Valley. Giv ing a nod to the restaurants there, he most enjoys the family time the area helps foster. “When my nieces and nephew are in town, it’s a great place to visit because it’s different than your average park, having the creek, splash pad, and trolls to play with,” he said. “And we enjoy the live music in the summer!”

If you don’t catch him and his husband walking their dogs on the trails, you’re sure to see them downtown around Phoenix Park and the Pablo Center. “They have great shows and the Valley is starting to see some great Broadway shows coming to the Pablo Center – we got our tickets!”

After completing a leader ship summit at the State Bar, Sam was appointed to the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Diversity and Inclu

sion Oversight Committee. “I think especially as someone in the LGBTQ community, it was important that the State Bar and legal community un derstand the importance of diversity – especially across the Valley.”

Not only a leader at the local level but also at the state level, Sam continues to be excited about the work he has been able to do among the local leaders at Weld Riley. For John, too, having up-and-coming teammates like Sam only inspires the firm to continue offering topnotch expertise to the Valley.

Volume One readers seem to agree, voting Weld Riley ‘Best Law Firm’ for business, family, and real estate law just this year, landing on those lists and more for several years.

To learn more about Weld Riley’s services and team, visit weldriley.com.

SAMUEL BACH-HANSON

SAMUEL, RIGHT, AND HIS FAMILY

FIGHTING FOR THE UNDERDOG

NICOLET LAW

402 GRAHAM AVE. SUITE 305, EAU CLAIRE

(715) 377-2141

NICOLETLAW.COM

You’ve probably seen those advertisements for Nicolet, the one with the guy with the sunglass es and that fabulous beard, but what do you know about the man behind the beard?

Russell Nicolet, founder of Nicolet Law, started his firm in order to help the people in his community.

Born in Eau Claire, Nico let went to UW-Stevens Point for a double major in political science and business with a mi nor in history. While in college, he joined a Legal Society Club where he met a lawyer who would help represent students, usually with landlord disputes. This pushed Nicolet to go to law school after graduating.

While in law school, Nicolet start ed to rethink his choice after hearing from other lawyers how hard the field was and his already difficult expe rience in law school. After his first year in law school, he began working as a Law Clerk for a Hudson lawyer and really started to understand why being a lawyer was so important.

When I came in as a law clerk I had all this backlog of work to start on, and that work resulted in a lot of success for our clients. I learned a lot from my boss back then, she was a really good lawyer,” Nicolet said. “I was able to spend a lot of time writing

ence that we made in these people’s lives. That’s when I knew I made the right choice.”

Having that experience helped Nicolet determine that he wanted to work with individuals, not in a large firm. Right after passing the bar, he started taking on clients of his own. Freshly in the biz, he got a lot of hard cases, but a lot of great experience.

“I learned a lot and got to help people that other folks weren’t necessarily willing to help because the client couldn’t afford them or the firm didn’t like the potential mess iness of the case,” Nicolet said. “I took on cases where people needed help and no one else was willing to help them.”

Nicolet started with lots of real estate litigation, contract litigation, family law, criminal law, personal injury, and bankruptcy. When the 2008 recession hit, his focus ended up shifting more towards bankrupt cy and personal injury.

Now, Nicolet owns one of the most well-known personal injury law firms in Wis consin and Minnesota. Nicolet law has recovered over $51 million for its clients and has over 500 five-star reviews. They also pride themselves in their community involvement with scholarships and donations to give back.

If you are injured and need

friendly and knowledgeable repre sentation, you can call the Nicolet Law offices and set up a free con sultation. With 13 locations across Wisconsin and Minnesota, Nico let has got your back no matter where you are.

“I always wanted to help people,” Nicolet said. “I wanted to be in an area of practice where I didn’t have to go home and feel bad about who I may have helped or what might have happened, I just always felt like we’re truly helping people and helping the community.”

To learn more, you can go to nico letlaw.com or call them 715-377-2141 at for a free consultation.

I always wanted to help people.

“

THEY

BUSINESS

For more than a century, the at torneys at Ruder Ware have worked with clients through all parts of the business life cycle, from entrepre neurs trying to get startup ideas off the ground to those who are passing businesses on to the next generation.

With 45 attorneys, the full-service law firm has broad expertise, from banking and litigation to bankruptcy and creditors’ rights to employment law, elder law, and estate planning.

“We strive to be a one-stop shop, so whatever would come up for a business owner or a business, we feel like we can and want to help them with that,” said Paul Mirr, an attorney in Ruder Ware’s Eau Claire office who primarily focuses on business transactions such as merg ers, acquisitions, and real estate development.

Ruder Ware’s roots go back more than a century in Wisconsin. The firm was founded in 1920 by Attorney George L. Ruder in Wausau. The firm grew in size, experience, and profile throughout the 20th century, and in 2005 merged with another firm –Garvey, Anderson, Johnson, Geraci & Mirr – which had been serving the Eau Claire area since 1954. Today, Ruder Ware has offices not only in Eau Claire and Wausau but also in Green Bay and Wisconsin Rapids.

Mirr, an Eau Claire native, is a second-generation attorney with Ruder Ware: His father, Joseph Mirr, has been with the firm for 40 years. The younger Mirr’s work has made him part of major projects across

the Chippewa Valley, both public and private. For example, Mirr helped with the land acquisition and development agreements necessary to create the Pablo Center at the Confluence, downtown Eau Claire’s arts center.

“It’s not always a bad thing to go see an attorney,” Mirr said. “In my case, it means you’ve got something exciting going on in your life, wheth er you’re buying or selling or what have you, it’s usually a positive thing versus a negative thing.”

Now that he’s in his tenth year with the firm, Mirr said, “I’m getting to the point where I’ve actually helped some clients from the get-go start their companies, and now I’ve had a couple that are at the point where they’re actually selling their companies, and it’s just been really fun to see the other side of it.”

Attorney Andrew Lorenz – also an Eau Claire native – joined the firm about two years ago after serving as a clerk for a judge on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. As a litigator, Lorenz works with

clients ranging from individuals and small-business owners to large statewide entities. Whoever the cli ent may be, Lorenz seeks to find the best way to resolve disputes on their behalf. “Sometimes that is a settle ment or a quick resolution – medi ation with the other side,” he said. “Sometimes it is starting a lawsuit and sometimes it is going all the way through trial.”

If a dispute goes to trial, Lorenz said, it’s important to avoid letting emotions rule, which is a temptation in an adversarial situation. “When you end up in a courtroom, you lit erally are opposed to another party and sometimes it’s hard to want to compromise or negotiate when you’re in that position,” Lorenz said, “but sometimes it is the best solution to come to a compromise where everyone can control the outcome as opposed to letting it go on until a judge or jury has to make the deci sion for you.”

Attorney Emilu Starck, who also works in Ruder Ware’s Eau Claire office, added that the most reward

ing part of her job is speaking to a client who’s in a difficult situation and developing a plan of action to help them and to give them peace of mind. “We might not have the answer yet, but we have a strategic legal plan that’s based in sound legal reasoning, and we have a strategy to get to an answer,” she said.

Starck works with a variety of clients facing challenging situations, from partners looking to transition their businesses to firms that have suffered data security breaches. At other times, she’s helping entrepre neurs working to structuring the ownership of new firms to those who are transitioning ownership to a new generation.

Starck attributes Ruder Ware’s longevity to its success at serving the region’s businesses through multiple generations of ownership. “We have our finger on the pulse of the business needs and the business community within Eau Claire,” she said. “We can bring that perspective to help our clients because we’ve been here for a while.”

MIRR

LORENZ