Speakers

Tim Jacobson (Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC) Tim Jacobson, an attorney since 1992, has been recognized as a Wisconsin "Super Lawyer," as well as a regional Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker ("Decoding the Driftless" and "Mysteries of the Driftless") and a best-selling novelist. He practices in several areas of law, including environmental, business, and construction litigation, and handles personal injury claims. Not only does he help clients in Wisconsin and Minnesota with their legal needs, but he is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. Tim has served as a Major in the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary (Civil Air Patrol) in the roles of Mission Pilot and Squadron Legal Officer. He earned a black belt in karate and pilot certificates in land and seaplanes.

Christopher Shattuck Christopher C. Shattuck is the Program Director and Legal Studies/Paralegal Program Instructor at Madison College. Previously, Mr. Shattuck managed a department and litigated cases for a creditor's rights firm in Milwaukee. He then dedicated close to six years to the State Bar of Wisconsin as their Law Practice Assistant Manager. Throughout this period, Mr. Shattuck provided over two thousand consultations, authored more than fifty published articles, and delivered over one hundred presentations, all focused on practice management, technology, and their ethical implications. Mr. Shattuck earned his undergraduate and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, and completed his Juris Doctor at the University of La Verne College of Law in southern California.

Robert Krenz (Krenz Engineering, LLC) Robert J. Krenz founded Krenz Engineering in 2006 and is currently one of Krenz Engineering's primary consulting engineers. He holds both a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree from the Engineering Mechanics department at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He has worked in the field of motor vehicle accident analysis for more than 33 years. He is a licensed professional engineer and has testified as an expert witness on hundreds of occasions in Federal, State and local jurisdictions. Additionally, he has appeared as a guest speaker / lecturer for the University of Wisconsin - Madison, various Bar Association seminars, and insurance industry conferences. Mr. Krenz is regularly retained as a consultant for motor vehicle accidents by a variety of clients throughout the Midwest, including both the District Attorney's office and Public Defender's office for the State of Wisconsin.

Pete Sayner (La Crosse Lawyers) Education: B.A. (Social Work), UW-Madison, 1984; M.S. (Social Work), UW-Madison, 1985; J.D. (Juris Doctor), William Mitchell College of Law, 1993; Attorney Pete Sayner specializes in Social security disability/SSI, probate, guardianship/protective placement, estate planning, wills, trusts, and power of attorney.

Brent Smith (Johns, Flaherty & Collins, SC) Brent P. Smith is the managing partner of the La Crosse area law firm Johns, Flaherty & Collins, S.C. He has been with the firm since he graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1978. His practice centers on mediation and defending insurance claims. He is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Steve Doyle (Johns, Flaherty & Collins, SC)

Dan Arndt  (Arndt, Buswell & Thorn, SC)

Nicole Stangl (Ruder Ware) Nicole is a natural pathfinder, driven by a passion for problem-solving and a love for puzzles. She likes to be involved in shaping the outcome of things. This innate curiosity led her to the dynamic field of employment law, where she thrives on shaping outcomes. Nicole collaborates closely with HR professionals, recognizing the delicate balance between safeguarding the business and supporting employees. She equips HR teams with the tools to navigate complex situations, ensuring compliance with regulations while maintaining the business framework. Not only does Nicole provide the day-to-day employment advice that adheres to federal and state employment laws, she also provides tailored advice to clients in areas including wage and hour issues, overtime calculations, WFEA and Title VII discrimination, state and federal family medical leave, work place accommodation issues, employee handbooks, OSHA investigations and citations, and restrictive covenants (such as noncompetes and nonsolicitation). Additionally, Nicole represents employers in the defense and prosecution of various employment-related claims throughout all stages of litigation. She has significant experience representing clients in state and federal courts and has represented clients in four cases before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. She routinely engages with HR professionals through her active participation in local HR organizations. She frequently speaks at industry conferences addressing a wide range of employment issues. A sprinter in college, she was a 2017 NCAA Woman of the Year Nominee and in 2016 a National Qualifier. Nowadays, she channels her energy into chasing after her daughter whose appetite for exploration is boundless. She is happiest when with her husband, daughter, and their incredibly sweet dog.