A group of Milwaukee attorneys provided services in a child abuse case for VLP. Reinhart lawyers and paralegal, Eileen Revers Linzmeyer, obtained an injunction to protect three children from their father, who reportedly is addicted to drugs and is marginally homeless.
Reinhart has achieved several victories in its collaborative effort for the Domestic Abuse Injunction (DAI) project. Such victories include securing injunctions for clients including an abused woman with a history of mental illness, an abused woman, who had been battered by a family member for years, and a client whose former boyfriend began threatening and assaulting her after she became pregnant. Participating Reinhart attorneys included Becky Frihart Kennedy, among several others.
Over a one year period, Robert Jones obtained four separate Domestic Abuse Injunctions on behalf of clients referred by VLP, who had suffered physical abuse or harassment at the hands of spouses or significant others. Bob also negotiated several temporary placement agreements for clients who shared children with their abusers while the parties worked towards a permanent resolution.
Milwaukee District Attorney's Office
Each year, Reinhart donates the services of a litigator to the Milwaukee District Attorney's Office for eight weeks, as part of our ongoing partnership. Last year, Bill Noorlander tried seven cases including disorderly conduct, operating while intoxicated, delivery of drugs, burglary, reckless endangerment, child pornography and sexual assault. In addition, he handled a number of evidentiary hearings. Bill said his most interesting experience was his involvement as second chair to Assistant District Attorney Miriam Falk on the Joseph Hallows trial, the defendant being the son of former Wisconsin State Supreme Court Justice Hallows. ADA Falk recently wrote a letter thanking Reinhart for Bill's services, noting she had "never worked with a pro bono attorney who was equal to Mr. Noorlander in energy, commitment, diligence and skill."
Most recently, Amy Lindner served as a pro bono prosecutor at the Milwaukee County DA's office she first-chaired five felony jury trials including first degree attempted homicide, endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon, recklessly endangering safety, possession of a short-barreled shotgun, and felon in possession of a firearm. Amy reports that she gained valuable experience and particularly was proud to have the Court enter substantial sentences against two defendants who had endangered Milwaukee's citizens by gunfire.
U.S. District Court Appointments
Bill Noorlander and Becky Frihart Kennedy were appointed by the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin to represent on a pro bono basis an inmate pursuing a 42 U.S.C. 1983 action in federal court. The case claims his Eighth Amendment right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment was violated when prison medical personnel deliberately ignored his serious medical needs. The appointment was made shortly after the state had moved for summary judgment on procedural grounds. Bill and Becky filed an opposition brief and shortly after the brief was filed, the state withdrew its motion, citing Reinhart's brief as part of the reason for the withdrawal. The case is now proceeding into the discovery phase.
Andrew Heinisch was appointed plaintiff's representative in a pro bono prisoner civil rights case in the Northern District of Illinois. The prisoner filed suit due to delays in receiving medical and dental treatment while incarcerated. Michael Baima and Rockford legal secretaries Nancy Kloster and Pat Volkert assisted Andrew.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit periodically appoints pro bono representation for those who cannot afford a lawyer on their own.
Reinhart represented an incarcerated petitioner challenging a trial court's dismissal of his civil rights complaint alleging a denial of the right to practice the Catholic faith and the right to access the courts. Overturning the dismissal, the Seventh Circuit issued a written decision that outlined a trial court's role in reviewing such complaints and clarified the law applicable to claims by prisoners regarding the freedom of religious exercise and access to the courts. Reinhart litigators Sarah Huck and Anthony Trillo briefed and argued the matter before the court. It was a team effort, as legal secretaries Sheila Angotti and Danette Heracovici assisted in putting the brief together and communicating with the client.
In another civil rights case in the The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Reinhart litigators Antonio Trillo and Joseph Voiland successfully conducted a jury trial, pro bono on behalf of a pretrial detainee who claimed his civil rights were violated when a police officer used excessive force.
Wauwatosa Historical Society
Bill Cummings represented the Wauwatosa Historical Society (WHS), preparing and negotiating a lease with the City of Wauwatosa for The Little Red Store. The Little Red Store, the oldest building in Wauwatosa, is owned by the city but had been allowed to fall into disrepair until the WHS came to its rescue. It now will be used as a welcome and information center for the city.
Hometown Heroes
Anthony Handzlik, Lucien Beaudry, Ben Suesskind and Amy Arndt provided general legal counsel to Hometown Heroes, Inc. Hometown Heroes is an organization that recently organized the renovation of a home for a family in Grafton, Wisconsin that was stricken with many health issues and needed their home modified to accommodate their growing special needs.
Brussels-Union Emergency Responders
Nathan Wautier and Christine Rew Barden are providing pro bono services to the Brussels-Union Emergency Responders, based in Nathan's hometown in Door County. This group is organizing emergency medical responders to keep its local ambulance service. It needs to become a 501(c)(3) organization to receive grant money. Nate and Christine are assisting the group in obtaining 501(c)(3) status.
Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic
Co-founded by a former Reinhart attorney, the Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic at the Milwaukee Justice Center will assist self-represented litigants by providing limited legal advice and referral services. It is staffed by volunteer Marquette University Law School students working with and supervised by volunteer members of the Wisconsin Bar. Several Reinhart attorneys donate their time to this clinic including Larry Burnett, Jessica Culotti, Fran Deisinger, Stephen Elliott, Jessica Farley, Rebecca Greene, David Hanson, Mark Hill, Stacie Kalmer, Becky Frihart Kennedy, Rebecca Leair, Brittany Lopez, Alicia Mohn, Lucas Roe and Pam Schaefer.
Southeastern Wisconsin Bioterrorism Preparedness Group, Inc.
Established following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Southeastern Wisconsin Bioterrorism Preparedness Group represents a public-private partnership among hospital, emergency management, emergency medical services, and public health organizations to prepare to respond to bioterrorism and other mass casualty events. The Group's aims are to develop, implement and maintain effective, integrated preparedness initiatives; improve emergency and medical responses to such events; integrate local, regional and national preparedness activities; and to educate and train emergency response and medical personnel. Reinhart shareholder Jeffrey Clark has been involved on a pro bono basis since soon after the Group's inception, performing hundreds of hours of legal services at no charge in the intervening years. Jeff serves as legal counsel to the Group's Board of Directors who represent hospitals, health centers, emergency management agencies, public health departments and other stakeholders in the region. In November of 2011, Jeff's efforts were featured in a Brookfield Crusader cover article.
Reinhart Pro Bono Attorneys of the Year
Each year, the firm recognizes a Reinhart attorney (or attorneys) who best demonstrated a commitment to serve those unable to otherwise obtain needed legal services. The firm announces the award annually in conjunction with National Pro Bono Week in late October.
2009
In 2009, Colleen Fielkow was named Reinhart's Pro Bono Attorney of the Year. In addition to her professional practice, Fielkow is one of the founding members of the Reinhart Women's Forum, a female attorney affinity group at the firm. She also manages the firm's Domestic Abuse Injunction Project, a Reinhart pro bono effort in partnership with Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc. to provide free legal representation to low-income persons seeking court-ordered injunctions in domestic abuse cases, and is a coordinator for Legal Action's Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP). Fielkow is an administrator of the firm's Pro Bono Program, which establishes guidelines and practice expectations for those who do pro bono work at the firm.
Reinhart CEO Jerry Janzer presents the 2009 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year
Award to Colleen Fielkow
2010
Anthony Trillo and Joseph Voiland were named Reinhart's 2010 Pro Bono Attorneys of the Year. Trillo is active in pro bono service on several fronts. He frequently represents individuals who feel their constitutional rights have been violated by state or federal employees. Trillo has been interested in civil rights since law school and took several classes on the subject. In addition to civil rights litigation, Trillo handles domestic abuse injunction referrals as part of the Legal Action of Wisconsin's Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP). Voiland has had a career heavily involved with public service, first as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, later as law clerk at the Wisconsin Supreme Court to the Honorable Diane S. Sykes, and most recently as appointed Public Service Special Prosecutor for the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office. He has handled numerous pro bono trials and appeals, including one matter pro bono before the Wisconsin Supreme Court involving the constitutionality of certain parental rights statutes.
Jerry Janzer, Joseph Voiland, Colleen Fielkow, Anthony Trillo and Mark Cameli
2011
In 2011, Jesse Ishikawa and Robert Jones were named Reinhart Pro Bono Attorneys of the Year. Ishikawa, a shareholder in Reinhart's Real Estate practice, works in the firm's Madison office. Ishikawa was selected for his substantial efforts on behalf of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, in addition to his work for other pro bono clients. Jones, a Litigation associate in Reinhart's Milwaukee office, was chosen for his continued dedication to pro bono work on behalf of domestic abuse victims and indigent persons facing family law issues.
2011 award recipients Jesse Ishikawa and Robert Jones, with CEO Jerry Janzer