Managing Partner, Cramer Multhauf LLP
Attorney Matthew Fernholz focuses his practice on commercial litigation, trust and fiduciary disputes, business torts, trade secrets, non-compete agreements, defamation, and appellate work. In addition, he has developed one of the preeminent political and election law practices in the State of Wisconsin, and has handled several high-profile matters, from representing candidates for statewide office, successfully challenging the Governor’s emergency powers, arguing before the Wisconsin Elections Commission, and representing the Speaker of the Assembly.
Matthew frequently and successfully tries cases to verdict, and believes a lawyer unwilling to try a case should not take on a client in a litigation matter. In addition to this trial work, he has handled dozens of appeals, and countless dispositive motions.
His work has also been published in law review journals and newspapers alike.
Former Justice, Wisconsin Supreme Court
Justice Daniel Kelly was appointed to the Supreme Court by Gov. Scott Walker in 2016 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice David T. Prosser, Jr.
A native of Santa Barbara, California, Kelly grew up in Arvada, Colorado. He came to Waukesha, Wisconsin to study at Carroll College (now Carroll University), where he earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Spanish in 1986. He earned his law degree from Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia in 1991.
Before joining the Court, Kelly had 19 years' experience as a private practice attorney in Wisconsin and represented clients in cases before the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court. Kelly spent most of his private practice career at one of the largest and oldest law firms in Wisconsin. Subsequently, he served as vice president and general counsel for a philanthropic foundation, and then practiced law at a firm he owned and founded in Waukesha.
Early in his legal career, Kelly was a law clerk and then staff attorney for the Office of Special Masters of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, from 1992 to 1996. He worked as a law clerk for the late Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Ralph Adam Fine from 1991 to 1992.
Kelly is a member of the board of advisors and past president of the Milwaukee Lawyer's Chapter of the Federalist Society. He serves on the Carroll University President's Advisory Council and is a former member of the Wisconsin Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
Kelly is married and has five children. He lives in North Prairie, Wisconsin.
Partner and Chief Operating Officer, Michael Best Strategies LLC
As a senior member of the firm’s government and regulatory law team, Andrew concentrates his practice on state government and healthcare law. Clients benefit from his strong track record in resolving complex disputes and disagreements with state government agencies.
Andrew’s counsel on challenging, multidimensional issues is informed by his deep understanding of the laws and regulations that govern state government, including public records, open meetings, administrative procedure and review, ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance. He regularly helps clients navigate regulatory agency red tape so they can obtain the relief they need to advance their organization successfully.
Andrew also brings invaluable strategic experience to his healthcare practice, which focuses on governance and in helping client organizations in transition achieve their objectives. In addition, he advises clients in the area of stark and anti-kickback laws.
An experienced lawyer who has served in key leadership positions in both the state government and in healthcare organizations, he leverages his knowledge and understanding of public policy, strategic planning, relationship management, and communications to achieve client goals.
Andrew served in Governor Scott Walker’s administration as his deputy legal counsel, senior advisor and as a member of the governor’s cabinet at the Department of Health Services and Department of Administration. Prior to serving in the Walker administration, he was an assistant district attorney in the Violent Crimes Unit of the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office. After law school, he served as the law clerk to the Honorable Justice Annette K. Ziegler of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
On the healthcare side, Andrew served as director of operations at a premier senior living services company that provided long-term care to the elderly. Currently a member of the board of directors for the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Andrew is a past board member of the Wisconsin Group Insurance Board and the Wisconsin Health Information Organization.
Before attending law school, Andrew conducted cancer research at the University of Wisconsin’s McArdle Laboratory and the National Institutes of Health.
Chief Legal Counsel, Office of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker
Katie Ignatowski was appointed Chief Legal Counsel in the Office of Governor Scott Walker in September 2015. She had served as Deputy Legal Counsel since December 2013. Prior to working in Governor Walker's office, she served as Division Administrator at the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).
Professor of Political Science, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Ryan Owens is a Professor of Political Science and Affiliate Faculty in the Law School. He also is an Honorary Fellow in the Institute for Legal Studies. Owens studies law and courts and American political institutions. His work analyzes the United States Supreme Court, the United States Courts of Appeals, legal institutions, and judicial behavior. Professor Owens's work has appeared in the American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Politics, Political Research Quarterly, the Georgetown Law Journal, the William & Mary Law Review, the University of Illinois Law Review, Law & Society Review, and the Journal of Law and Courts.
Owens received grants from the National Science Foundation, the Harvard Provost, the University of Wisconsin Graduate School, the Center for Empirical Research in the Law, and the George H.W. Bush Library Foundation. He also received the first undergraduate mentoring award given by the Office of the Provost.
Between 2008 and 2011, Owens was Assistant Professor of Government at Harvard University, where he taught undergraduates and graduate students and seminars in the law school. From 2003-2008, Owens earned his Ph.D. at Washington University in Saint Louis. Prior to graduate school, Owens practiced law.
Professor Owens grew up in Kronenwetter, Wisconsin. He is co-owner of the Green Bay Packers, along with roughly 360,760 others.
President, JCN
Carrie Campbell Severino is the president of the JCN, and co-author with Mollie Hemingway of the bestselling book Justice on Trial: The Kavanaugh Confirmation and the Future of the Court. As a go-to expert on the confirmation process, Mrs. Severino has been extensively quoted in the media. She regularly appears on television, including FOX, CNN, MSNBC, C-SPAN, and ABC’s This Week.
Severino writes and speaks on a wide range of judicial issues, including the constitutional limits on government, the federal nomination process, and state judicial selection. She has testified before Congress on constitutional questions and briefed Senators on judicial nominations, and regularly files briefs in high-profile Supreme Court cases. She was a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and to Judge David B. Sentelle of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and is a graduate of Harvard Law School (J.D.), Duke University (B.A., Biology), and Michigan State University (M.A., Linguistics).
Partner, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Andy excels at solving complex problems for his clients using a variety of effective strategies. As former Chief Deputy Attorney General for the State of Wisconsin, Andy Cook has extensive experience representing businesses before state Attorneys General involving investigations and lawsuits. His strong relationships with Attorneys General and their senior staff frequently facilitate the successful resolution of client issues through diplomacy and negotiations. When litigation becomes necessary, Andy effectively advocates for clients throughout the litigation process.
Andy combines his legal expertise in numerous areas of law covered by state Attorneys General, an understanding of how state AG offices operate, and vast knowledge of legal and regulatory issues facing his clients. This substantive and comprehensive legal approach is crucial to effectively representing clients before state Attorneys General. Andy also has substantial experience drafting and enacting complex civil liability reforms before state legislatures to successfully address client goals.
Andy’s main practice focuses on advising Fortune 500 companies before state Attorneys General in the areas of antitrust, consumer protection, False Claims Act, environmental law, and cybersecurity and data privacy. Andy, in collaboration with a team of attorneys, successfully navigated a client through antitrust regulatory review by state Attorneys General in one of the nation’s largest mergers of two major telecommunication companies. Andy also worked with a team of lawyers representing a large corporation involving the multistate opioids litigation brought by state Attorneys General.
Andy gained valuable experience serving as Deputy Attorney General for the State of Wisconsin where he was the second in command of the 700-plus state agency. In his role as Chief Deputy Attorney General, Andy oversaw the day-to-day operations at the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ); directed the State’s litigation strategy; negotiated, reviewed, and approved all settlements; drafted and reviewed attorney general opinions; managed the agency’s budget; oversaw civil and criminal investigations handled by DOJ; and managed DOJ’s legislative agenda.
Andy played college hockey and remains active by running, cross country skiing, and playing golf. On the weekends, Andy and his wife enjoy watching their kids’ sporting events, including soccer, baseball, gymnastics, and track. In his rare spare time, Andy reads history books.
Cory Fish served as Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce’s General Counsel & Director of Tax, Transportation and Legal Affairs from 2017-2021. In that role he advocated on his members’ behalf before the administrative state, legislature, and judiciary to help resolve statutory, regulatory, and permitting concerns and generally ensure their interests were protected. Prior to joining WMC in 2017, Cory worked for in a series of roles for the State of Wisconsin.
Most recently he worked for State Senator Alberta Darling, Co-Chair of the powerful Joint Committee on Finance, serving as her Legal Counsel. He also advised Sen. Darling on budget and policy issues ranging from higher education and regulatory reform to natural resources and transportation.
Cory earned a B.A. from UW-Eau Claire, Summa Cum Laude, and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he graduated Cum Laude. He is a licensed attorney in Wisconsin.
Partner, Bell Giftos St. John LLC
Kevin St. John is a partner with Bell Giftos St. John LLC in Madison, Wisconsin. From 2011 to 2015, he served as Wisconsin’s Deputy Attorney General. Prior to his government service St. John practiced law with the Madison office of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP and the Washington D.C. office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. St. John is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned his law degree from the University of Chicago.
St. John has contributed to Federalist Society as a speaker and in commentaries on topics including redistricting, free speech, and separation of powers.
President and CEO, The Buckeye Institute
Robert Alt is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Buckeye Institute where he has catalyzed exponential growth since he took the organization’s helm in 2012. He has since founded Buckeye’s renowned Economic Research Center and established its impactful Legal Center.
Alt is a distinguished scholar and attorney with particular expertise in legal policy, criminal justice, national security, and constitutional law. He previously worked for former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese III, regularly provides commentary on television and radio programs, and his writings have appeared in countless outlets.
In 2004, Alt spent five months in Iraq as an embedded war correspondent.
Alt has testified before Congress multiple times—including at the confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan—the Federal Election Commission regarding matters of constitutional and administrative law, and numerous state legislatures.
Alt serves as an officer on the boards of The Philadelphia Society and the Federalist Society’s Columbus Lawyers Chapter. He taught national security law, criminal law, and legislation at Case Western Reserve University School of Law, as well as constitutional law and political parties and interest groups at Ashland University.
Alt earned his Doctor of Law degree from The University of Chicago Law School, where he was Symposium Editor and the winner of the Mulroy Prize for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy as well as research assistant to Professor Richard Epstein. Following law school, he clerked for Judge Alice Batchelder on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Alt graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and political science magna cum laude from Azusa Pacific University where he also won the Outstanding Senior Award in Political Science.
Alt is an accomplished high-altitude alpinist and endurance athlete who has successfully climbed 6.75 of the famed Seven Summits of the World including Mount Everest. He is the creator of PROFOUND CLIMBING™ and a frequent speaker across the country and around the world on legal and public policy topics as well as effective leadership, management, decision-making, and teamwork in contexts ranging from extraordinary life/death situations to ordinary professional/business settings.
President and CEO, The Buckeye Institute
Robert Alt is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Buckeye Institute where he has catalyzed exponential growth since he took the organization’s helm in 2012. He has since founded Buckeye’s renowned Economic Research Center and established its impactful Legal Center.
Alt is a distinguished scholar and attorney with particular expertise in legal policy, criminal justice, national security, and constitutional law. He previously worked for former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese III, regularly provides commentary on television and radio programs, and his writings have appeared in countless outlets.
In 2004, Alt spent five months in Iraq as an embedded war correspondent.
Alt has testified before Congress multiple times—including at the confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan—the Federal Election Commission regarding matters of constitutional and administrative law, and numerous state legislatures.
Alt serves as an officer on the boards of The Philadelphia Society and the Federalist Society’s Columbus Lawyers Chapter. He taught national security law, criminal law, and legislation at Case Western Reserve University School of Law, as well as constitutional law and political parties and interest groups at Ashland University.
Alt earned his Doctor of Law degree from The University of Chicago Law School, where he was Symposium Editor and the winner of the Mulroy Prize for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy as well as research assistant to Professor Richard Epstein. Following law school, he clerked for Judge Alice Batchelder on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Alt graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and political science magna cum laude from Azusa Pacific University where he also won the Outstanding Senior Award in Political Science.
Alt is an accomplished high-altitude alpinist and endurance athlete who has successfully climbed 6.75 of the famed Seven Summits of the World including Mount Everest. He is the creator of PROFOUND CLIMBING™ and a frequent speaker across the country and around the world on legal and public policy topics as well as effective leadership, management, decision-making, and teamwork in contexts ranging from extraordinary life/death situations to ordinary professional/business settings.
Partner and Chief Operating Officer, Michael Best Strategies LLC
As a senior member of the firm’s government and regulatory law team, Andrew concentrates his practice on state government and healthcare law. Clients benefit from his strong track record in resolving complex disputes and disagreements with state government agencies.
Andrew’s counsel on challenging, multidimensional issues is informed by his deep understanding of the laws and regulations that govern state government, including public records, open meetings, administrative procedure and review, ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance. He regularly helps clients navigate regulatory agency red tape so they can obtain the relief they need to advance their organization successfully.
Andrew also brings invaluable strategic experience to his healthcare practice, which focuses on governance and in helping client organizations in transition achieve their objectives. In addition, he advises clients in the area of stark and anti-kickback laws.
An experienced lawyer who has served in key leadership positions in both the state government and in healthcare organizations, he leverages his knowledge and understanding of public policy, strategic planning, relationship management, and communications to achieve client goals.
Andrew served in Governor Scott Walker’s administration as his deputy legal counsel, senior advisor and as a member of the governor’s cabinet at the Department of Health Services and Department of Administration. Prior to serving in the Walker administration, he was an assistant district attorney in the Violent Crimes Unit of the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office. After law school, he served as the law clerk to the Honorable Justice Annette K. Ziegler of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
On the healthcare side, Andrew served as director of operations at a premier senior living services company that provided long-term care to the elderly. Currently a member of the board of directors for the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Andrew is a past board member of the Wisconsin Group Insurance Board and the Wisconsin Health Information Organization.
Before attending law school, Andrew conducted cancer research at the University of Wisconsin’s McArdle Laboratory and the National Institutes of Health.
Chief Legal Counsel, Office of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker
Katie Ignatowski was appointed Chief Legal Counsel in the Office of Governor Scott Walker in September 2015. She had served as Deputy Legal Counsel since December 2013. Prior to working in Governor Walker's office, she served as Division Administrator at the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).
Professor of Political Science, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Ryan Owens is a Professor of Political Science and Affiliate Faculty in the Law School. He also is an Honorary Fellow in the Institute for Legal Studies. Owens studies law and courts and American political institutions. His work analyzes the United States Supreme Court, the United States Courts of Appeals, legal institutions, and judicial behavior. Professor Owens's work has appeared in the American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Politics, Political Research Quarterly, the Georgetown Law Journal, the William & Mary Law Review, the University of Illinois Law Review, Law & Society Review, and the Journal of Law and Courts.
Owens received grants from the National Science Foundation, the Harvard Provost, the University of Wisconsin Graduate School, the Center for Empirical Research in the Law, and the George H.W. Bush Library Foundation. He also received the first undergraduate mentoring award given by the Office of the Provost.
Between 2008 and 2011, Owens was Assistant Professor of Government at Harvard University, where he taught undergraduates and graduate students and seminars in the law school. From 2003-2008, Owens earned his Ph.D. at Washington University in Saint Louis. Prior to graduate school, Owens practiced law.
Professor Owens grew up in Kronenwetter, Wisconsin. He is co-owner of the Green Bay Packers, along with roughly 360,760 others.
President, JCN
Carrie Campbell Severino is the president of the JCN, and co-author with Mollie Hemingway of the bestselling book Justice on Trial: The Kavanaugh Confirmation and the Future of the Court. As a go-to expert on the confirmation process, Mrs. Severino has been extensively quoted in the media. She regularly appears on television, including FOX, CNN, MSNBC, C-SPAN, and ABC’s This Week.
Severino writes and speaks on a wide range of judicial issues, including the constitutional limits on government, the federal nomination process, and state judicial selection. She has testified before Congress on constitutional questions and briefed Senators on judicial nominations, and regularly files briefs in high-profile Supreme Court cases. She was a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and to Judge David B. Sentelle of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and is a graduate of Harvard Law School (J.D.), Duke University (B.A., Biology), and Michigan State University (M.A., Linguistics).
Partner and Chief Operating Officer, Michael Best Strategies LLC
As a senior member of the firm’s government and regulatory law team, Andrew concentrates his practice on state government and healthcare law. Clients benefit from his strong track record in resolving complex disputes and disagreements with state government agencies.
Andrew’s counsel on challenging, multidimensional issues is informed by his deep understanding of the laws and regulations that govern state government, including public records, open meetings, administrative procedure and review, ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance. He regularly helps clients navigate regulatory agency red tape so they can obtain the relief they need to advance their organization successfully.
Andrew also brings invaluable strategic experience to his healthcare practice, which focuses on governance and in helping client organizations in transition achieve their objectives. In addition, he advises clients in the area of stark and anti-kickback laws.
An experienced lawyer who has served in key leadership positions in both the state government and in healthcare organizations, he leverages his knowledge and understanding of public policy, strategic planning, relationship management, and communications to achieve client goals.
Andrew served in Governor Scott Walker’s administration as his deputy legal counsel, senior advisor and as a member of the governor’s cabinet at the Department of Health Services and Department of Administration. Prior to serving in the Walker administration, he was an assistant district attorney in the Violent Crimes Unit of the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office. After law school, he served as the law clerk to the Honorable Justice Annette K. Ziegler of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
On the healthcare side, Andrew served as director of operations at a premier senior living services company that provided long-term care to the elderly. Currently a member of the board of directors for the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Andrew is a past board member of the Wisconsin Group Insurance Board and the Wisconsin Health Information Organization.
Before attending law school, Andrew conducted cancer research at the University of Wisconsin’s McArdle Laboratory and the National Institutes of Health.
Chief Legal Counsel, Office of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker
Katie Ignatowski was appointed Chief Legal Counsel in the Office of Governor Scott Walker in September 2015. She had served as Deputy Legal Counsel since December 2013. Prior to working in Governor Walker's office, she served as Division Administrator at the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).
Professor of Political Science, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Ryan Owens is a Professor of Political Science and Affiliate Faculty in the Law School. He also is an Honorary Fellow in the Institute for Legal Studies. Owens studies law and courts and American political institutions. His work analyzes the United States Supreme Court, the United States Courts of Appeals, legal institutions, and judicial behavior. Professor Owens's work has appeared in the American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Politics, Political Research Quarterly, the Georgetown Law Journal, the William & Mary Law Review, the University of Illinois Law Review, Law & Society Review, and the Journal of Law and Courts.
Owens received grants from the National Science Foundation, the Harvard Provost, the University of Wisconsin Graduate School, the Center for Empirical Research in the Law, and the George H.W. Bush Library Foundation. He also received the first undergraduate mentoring award given by the Office of the Provost.
Between 2008 and 2011, Owens was Assistant Professor of Government at Harvard University, where he taught undergraduates and graduate students and seminars in the law school. From 2003-2008, Owens earned his Ph.D. at Washington University in Saint Louis. Prior to graduate school, Owens practiced law.
Professor Owens grew up in Kronenwetter, Wisconsin. He is co-owner of the Green Bay Packers, along with roughly 360,760 others.
President, JCN
Carrie Campbell Severino is the president of the JCN, and co-author with Mollie Hemingway of the bestselling book Justice on Trial: The Kavanaugh Confirmation and the Future of the Court. As a go-to expert on the confirmation process, Mrs. Severino has been extensively quoted in the media. She regularly appears on television, including FOX, CNN, MSNBC, C-SPAN, and ABC’s This Week.
Severino writes and speaks on a wide range of judicial issues, including the constitutional limits on government, the federal nomination process, and state judicial selection. She has testified before Congress on constitutional questions and briefed Senators on judicial nominations, and regularly files briefs in high-profile Supreme Court cases. She was a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and to Judge David B. Sentelle of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and is a graduate of Harvard Law School (J.D.), Duke University (B.A., Biology), and Michigan State University (M.A., Linguistics).
An Interview with Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly
Milwaukee Lawyers Chapter
State Court Docket Watch: Service Employees International Union, Local 1 v. Vos
Andrew Cook, Corydon James Fish
I. Introduction In 2018, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Attorney General Brad Schimel were unseated...
Topics
How Justice Dan Kelly Has Helped Transform the Wisconsin State Supreme Court
The nation's eyes are focused on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the...
Why Proportional Representation Will Not Stem Redistricting Litigation But Will Undermine Normative Representative Values
Kevin St. John
Note from the Editor: The Federalist Society takes no positions on particular legal and public...
Criminal Justice Reform: A Survey of 2018 State Laws
Robert Alt
State legislatures across the country made significant strides in reforming their criminal justice regimes throughout...
Criminal Justice Reform: A Survey of 2018 State Laws
Robert Alt
State legislatures across the country made significant strides in reforming their criminal justice regimes throughout...
Topics
Wisconsin Enacts Laws Limiting Powers of Governor and Attorney General
On Tuesday, December 5, the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature made national headlines for enacting legislation that...
State and Federal Judicial Selection
Andrew Hitt, Katie Ignatowski, Ryan Owens, Carrie Campbell Severino
This panel examined judicial appointments in Wisconsin and at the federal level. Panelists will discuss...
State and Federal Judicial Selection
Andrew Hitt, Katie Ignatowski, Ryan Owens, Carrie Campbell Severino
This panel examined judicial appointments in Wisconsin and at the federal level. Panelists will discuss...
State and Federal Judicial Selection
Inaugural Wisconsin Lawyers Chapters Conference
Madison, WI