May 26, 2021 – It was a day years in the making – with part of those years involving a global pandemic. On May 24, 158 graduates of Marquette University Law School took the last two steps in becoming Wisconsin lawyers, at the Wisconsin State Capitol Building.

After taking the Attorney’s Oath before the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the Assembly Chamber – a room that allowed for social distancing – and signing the Book of the Attorney’s Roll, these new lawyers celebrated the beginning of the next step in their legal careers.

Practicing with Truth, Honor, and Courage

Speaking during the ceremonies to the soon-to-be-lawyers, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Patience Roggensack referred to one paragraph in the Attorney’s Oath, which lawyers must take before the Supreme Court before being allowed to practice in Wisconsin:

“I will employ, for the purpose of maintaining the causes confided to me, such means only as are consistent with truth and honor, and will never seek to mislead the judge or jury by any artifice or false statement of fact or law.”

A law license, Justice Roggensack said, bestows many responsibilities – including those outlined in the oath. “If you maintain truth and honor as central principles that guide your legal services, you will be a credit to our profession, and you will provide a benefit to society that goes far beyond the service you give on behalf of others,” Justice Roggensack said.

Being a lawyer also requires courage, she said. “Courage is ‘grace under fire,’” which fits with the practice of law. “The practice of law will put you into conflicted situations where you will be under fire. But with grace, along with truth and honor, you will support the oath you just took with courage.”

COVID Reflections

The Class of 2021 was just past halfway through their law school years when the pandemic hit and classes turned virtual.

“It was such a big change,” Jonathan Major said. “Law school is rigorous enough even without COVID.” He ended up getting COVID-19 in December. “I lost my sense of smell for months,” he said. “It was hard.”

“I never thought I’d be doing law school online,” said Kaitlyn Gradecki. In a small apartment where she and her husband both needed space for work and class, “we made it work out because we had to,” she said. The struggles of the pandemic “made me learn how to adapt.”

The sudden shift to online learning involved Jana Budet’s entire family, including her two school-age daughters – who were attending school via computer – and two younger daughters who could not attend day care.

“My husband was an essential worker, not able to work from home, so I had to do a lot in the beginning,” Budet said. “Thankfully, everyone’s lives are getting slowly back to normal, but I still continue to have extra challenges with child care. People have asked how I did it, and I do not know how I made it through! It was the most difficult situation and challenging obstacle that I had to overcome in my life.”

“If I could, I would tell the March 2020 me that I should prepare for this to last longer than I expect, but that I will get through it, I will become stronger, and I will soon come to realize that my potential is limitless,” said Budet.

In March 2020, Claude-Allan Milhomme was president of the student organization First Generation Professionals that flew to New Orleans over spring break for pro bono work. They found out while there that they were not returning to in-person classes. “That was a pretty wild experience,” he said.

Xavier Jenkins became a father during COVID. The silver lining: he was able to attend classes while at home during his son’s first year.  

The COVID pivot was difficult, said Robert Maniak. “The uncertainty of everything was like a constant hum in the background, and one of the biggest losses was the lack of in-person communication,” he said.

“You could no longer causally bounce ideas off a friend in the common area, but had to send an email, or text, or message, which added a degree of separation to even casual conversation. Looking back, I would tell myself that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

To Milwaukee from New York, Puerto Rico, and Elsewhere

The Marquette graduates chose to come to Milwaukee for law school for many differing reasons – but in the end, all enter the legal profession with lofty goals.

Jonathan Major is the first in his family to graduate from college, and is now the first lawyer in his family. He grew up in Rochester, New York, and attended St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, New York. Jonathan considered a career in medicine before settling on law. “Law is a very versatile degree, and opens the doors to many career options,” he said. Looking for a law school, he discovered Marquette and is now headed to Crivello Carlson S.C. in Milwaukee, to practice in insurance law and personal injury defense. “I’m very excited to begin,” he said.

Kaitlyn Gradecki grew up in Milwaukee, and got her undergraduate degree at U.W.-Milwaukee. Law was “something I always wanted to do,” she said.

After completing her MBA, she had just started a job as an administrative assistant when she determined to “be on the other side of the desk” via a law degree. She is now headed to Green Bay with the Everson Law Firm, practicing in insurance defense and criminal defense. “I’m ready for this next chapter in my life.”

Annie Louk admits that her interest in law was “out of the blue.” Born and raised in Puerto Rico, her family members are small-business owners. “Growing up, I was a total book nerd, so I wanted to major in English literature. I figured this major fit quite nicely if my end goal was to end up in law school,” she said.

Interested in criminal law, Louk explored both defense and prosecution. “I want to help people. I want to listen to them and be their voice,” she said. Taking a proactive role as a prosecutor also appeals to her most. “I absolutely loved my experience at the law school’s Prosecutor Clinic with the misdemeanor team,” so much so that she has now joined the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office as an assistant district attorney. “Three years ago, I wouldn’t have imagined being where I am right now, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Jose Gonzalez Lopez came to Wisconsin to study computer engineering at Marquette for his undergraduate degree. A native Spanish speaker with a few English classes growing up, he worked on his language skills while also studying at Marquette.

“It was a challenge to take classes entirely in English,” he said. Plus, there were the Wisconsin winters. “The first minus 38 day almost made me go back to Puerto Rico,” he said. After 10 years in the state, he’s gotten used to it. “I really enjoy Wisconsin.”

Following three years working in health care software development and fascinated by the area of intellectual property, Gonzalez Lopez decided to return to Marquette for his law degree. “I want to study how technology affects people, not just the technology itself,” he said. He’s now the second lawyer in his family – his father is a lawyer in Puerto Rico. “I always said I was never going to study law … and here I am,” he said with a grin.

Gonzalez Lopez is headed to Washington, D.C., to earn a master’s degree in Intellectual Property at George Washington University. “It’s a new adventure,” he said.

Nathaniel Cullen is a full-time police officer with the City of Waterloo. Now 50, he attended law school part-time for five years, to have a second career after his retirement at age 53. He chose law to have a career that “provides service to people” and that he can practice for years to come. “This is the long game right here,” he said.

In order to attend classes, Cullen worked third-shift – 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. – despite having the seniority for a day shift. “We’re a small department, so we do everything. When you have a case, you work it from start to finish,” he said. While “chipping away” at his law degree, he received a lot of support from his wife and children. “It has been challenging.”

A veteran of the Navy, he obtained his undergraduate degree after his service. “I’ve been an adult learner most of my life,” Cullen said. He will be starting his own solo firm, practicing part time in workers’ compensation and family law, and going full-time after his retirement as a police officer.

Jana Budet enrolled in law school immediately after leaving military service. “After the initial shock of the law school experience while parenting, I realized I made the right decision,” she said. She is joining Husch Blackwell’s Milwaukee office later this fall as an associate in its real estate development tax and finance planning group. “My four daughters and my husband have truly been my rock and support system throughout all of this. They have been a part of this journey just as much as I have. I am so proud that I get to show them that hard work and perseverance will take you far, even if it takes a different or longer path.”

Xavier Jenkins says becoming a lawyer “feels amazing. It’s been a dream of mine for so long, it almost feels surreal,” he said. “I’ve come a long way.” Jenkins pursued law after his mother, Monica Cail, became a Wisconsin lawyer in 2015 while raising two young children and working full time. “She is an inspiration to me,” he said. Jenkins will join Godfrey and Kahn to practice in litigation. “I could not be more excited about that,” he said. He chose litigation because he loves advocacy, “picking a side and going to bat.”

“I’m nervous, but I’m excited to get out there,” said Aleina McGettrick. From Sheboygan, she attended Marquette for her undergraduate and law degrees. An English literature major, she worked at a bankruptcy law firm and “just fell in love” with learning about law. In her family, she is the first with both a four-year college degree and a law degree. McGettrick is headed to Cordell & Cordell for family law.

Robert Maniak says he has always wanted to help people. “After serving in the Marine Corps, I wanted to continue to give back to society,” he said. He interned with the Wisconsin Legislature, and realized he wanted to be involved with learning and understanding the legal structure of our society. “From that moment, I saw a law degree as a tool to further service my community and society at large.” Maniak is joining Everson, Whitney, Everson, and Brehm in Green Bay in June, practicing in criminal and civil defense.

From south Florida, Claude-Allan Milhomme came to Milwaukee for Marquette’s law program, and is first in his family to be a lawyer. Growing up in Florida, he was determined to help people in difficult situations. His focus is criminal law, and he will start in June with the Public Defender’s Office in Racine. Being a lawyer “still hasn’t hit me yet,” he said.

While being a lawyer is a family tradition, it wasn’t always Jack Orton’s plan to become a lawyer. The grandson of two judges and son of lawyers John and Catherine Orton of Mauston, Jack admits “I always had it in the back of my mind,” but took a break after his undergraduate degree to explore other options before choosing law school. “We are thrilled it was his choice,” Catherine said. “When he was arguing in third grade with kids going down the slide, I knew he was going to be a lawyer,” said John Orton said with a laugh.

Taking the final steps to become a lawyer “feels finally complete,” said Wilfredo Navarro. Such a great achievement is all about family, he said. Navarro’s uncle is a lawyer in Miami. “He gave me a lot of pep talks,” he said. His mother, who came to the U.S. from Cuba, attended Marquette’s law school graduation ceremony with him and his father. “She taught me to be honest and do the right thing,” which are important traits for a lawyer. “That’s the type of lawyer I want to be.”

Welcome to these Wisconsin Lawyers

Jeremy Andereck, Milwaukee Matthew Ashton, Easton, Pennsylvania Brent E. Aussprung, Whitefish Bay Rachel Babinat, La Porte City, Iowa Claire Barth, Milwaukee Mikayla E. Becherer, Norwalk Michael Becker, Milwaukee John Bennett Jr., Milwaukee Adam Joseph Best, Milwaukee Amanda Bethel, Milwaukee Madeline Bitto, Milwaukee Carly B. Boder, Pewaukee Emily C. Boylan, Milwaukee William Austin Brookley, Milwaukee Jana Budet, Elm Grove Hannah Busch, Shawano Cherish Buss, Shawano Deborah Wyn Cain, Greenfield Alexander Vincent Calpino, Milwaukee Casey Campos, Milwaukee Maggie Cash, Milwaukee Edgar Ceniceros-Herrada, Whitefish Bay Denver Cherms, Warwick, Rhode Island Sherre K. Chevalier, Milwaukee Olivia L. Clark, Elm Grove Amanda E. B. Collins, West Allis Austin Crist, Milwaukee Nathaniel Cullen, Oconomowoc Andrew David, Milwaukee Ruby De Leon, Milwaukee Luami Diaz, Milwaukee Ryan Dietrich, Milwaukee Lindsay T. Dodovich, Chicago Jennifer F. Dombrowski, Milwaukee Caitlyn Doyle, Oak Creek Megan L. Drury, Milwaukee Alec R. Durand, Waukesha Curtis Edwards, Traverse City, Michigan Richard Esparza, Milwaukee Mario Fiumefreddo , Milwaukee Joshua M. Frieser, Milwaukee John Charles Fuller, Milwaukee Jaime Garcia-Montes, Miami, Florida Robert A. Gentile, Milwaukee David Goldman, Eagan, Minnesota Jose A. Gonzalez Lopez, Saint Francis Kaitlyn M. Gradecki, New Berlin Gabriel Grahek, Milwaukee Derrick A. Gress, Milwaukee Zachary A. Hatfield, Milwaukee Kayla M. Gribble, Sauk Centre, Minnesota Emma L. Guthrie, Milwaukee Andrew Guzek, Milwaukee

Robert P. Hameister, Racine Nicholas S. Harkness, Milwaukee Madelyn Hebbring, West Bend Derek Hein, Milwaukee Brian H. Hendricks, Milwaukee Michaela A. Hendricks, Madison Michael Francis Godfrey Hickey, Milwaukee John F. Howard, Cedarburg Nicholas T. Hunter, Milwaukee Bennett H. Jenkins, Milwaukee Xavier O. Jenkins, Milwaukee Jeffrey William Jensen Jr., Wauwatosa Alex Jimenez, Stephenville, Texas Gary Johnson, Santa Fe, New Mexico Nikolas J. Johnson, Madison Matthew Kamine, Port Washington, New York Kathryne Elder Keough, Whitefish Bay Rebecca A. Klongland, Stoughton Michelle M. Knapp, Pleasant Prairie Mitchell Knief, Milwaukee Steven Michael Konitshek, Milwaukee Micah W. Kordik, Milwaukee Ellen Kosmatka, Milwaukee Victoria Kosobucki, Milwaukee Naomie Kweyu, Milwaukee Alexander Landy, Milwaukee Gina Leali, Elmhurst, Illinois Jordan Liff, Milwaukee Lucas C. Logic, Milwaukee Annie Louk, Milwaukee Jamie L. Lumsden, Milwaukee Ashley Taylor Madsen, Milwaukee Jonathan Major, Milwaukee Colleen E. Mandell, Milwaukee Robert Maniak, Green Bay Corinna T. Martell, Wausau David Wolff McCormack, Milwaukee Samantha M. McCoy, Mukwonago Jay McDivitt, Waukesha Katlyn McGarry, Milwaukee Aleina L. McGettrick, Milwaukee Thomas McGue, Milwaukee Wynetta McIntosh, Chicago Marilyn Olivia McQuade, Milwaukee Claude-Allan Milhomme, Milwaukee Jordan Miller, Milwaukee Megan Mirka, Milwaukee Breanna Moe, Oak Creek Katherine Muth, Milwaukee Nimrat Nannan, Milwaukee Tori Nanstad, Milwaukee Wilfredo J. Navarro, Miami, Florida Drake Nelson, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Alexis Ruth Palmbach Nemecek, Milwaukee Matthew Nevaranta, Milwaukee Phillip J. Ohrtmann, Milwaukee John William Orton, Mauston Felicia L. Owen, Milwaukee Marissa J. Pawlinski, Greendale Keyana Janel Payne, Chicago Kelsey Pelegrin, Milwaukee Kolten Pope, Madison Cooper Prindl, Milwaukee Jessica L. Puetz, Milwaukee Annalisa Pusick, Milwaukee Andrea Quade, Green Bay Anne Radosevich, Milwaukee Jazmin Itzel Ramirez Bailon, Milwaukee Merrick Ramos, Helotes, Texas Samantha Raygo, Milwaukee Kylan Reilly, Milwaukee Mathias Rekowski, Butler Morgan Risseeuw, Mukwonago Kelley Roach, Milwaukee Rachel Roberge, Milwaukee Payton Roberts, Shorewood Abby Rockendorf, Milwaukee Ashley M. Rossman, Milwaukee Kelly Ryan, Milwaukee Emma N. Schaefer, Milwaukee Luke Schaetzel, Milwaukee Azene Seifoddini, River Hills Nicole Ann Shave, Milwaukee Andrew Slaven, Stevens Point Scott A. Small, Milwaukee Bridget Mary Smith, Elm Grove Lauren Smith, Milwaukee Shakia R. Smith, Milwaukee Natalie V. Sobierajski, Muskego Brendan Sofen, Whitefish Bay Janna Sorgatz, Milwaukee Holly L. Stenz, Appleton Thomas Sucevic , Milwaukee Tucker T. Tellefson, Milwaukee McKenzie Tibbetts, Milwaukee Miguel Torres, Edcouch, Texas Charles W. Twohy, Milwaukee Alex R. Utrup, Madison Foley Van Lieshout, Milwaukee Cooper Warner, Milwaukee Theodore Wegner, Madison Haley Wentz, Milwaukee Monique Williams, Milwaukee Oniquca Ashley Wright, Milwaukee Alexandra Zdunek, Wauwatosa