Recent News
Pro Bono Service Recognized
Attorney Julie Short was recently
recognized by the State Bar of Wisconsin, through its Pro Bono Initiative,
for her pro bono service over the past year. The Bar's Legal Assistance
Committee thanked Julie "for all the good work that you have done
and continue to do in order to enhance access to justice for low income
and vulnerable Wisconsin residents." May 2008.
Court of Appeals Victory
Attorneys Lester Pines and Tamara Packard won an appeal before the Wisconsin Court of Appeals early this month. The case was brought on behalf of a northern Wisconsin telephone cooperative, Chibardun, against telecommunications giant Wisconsin Bell (d/b/a AT&T), over Wisconsin Bell's refusal to pay for services that the co-op provided to it. Earlier, a trial court had dismissed the case on procedural grounds without considering the merits of Chibardun's case. The Court of Appeals reversed the dismissal and sent the dispute back to the trial court for further proceedings. Read the Court of Appeals decision here. April 2008.
Founding Partner Honored
The YWCA of Madison has named CWPB founding partner Cheryl Rosen Weston
a 2008 "Woman
of Distinction." Weston is the CEO of Wisconsin's largest woman-run
company, The Douglas Stewart Company, and is also a professor at the
UW Law School. She continues her relationship with CWPB in "of
counsel" status. The YWCA began recognizing Women of Distinction
in 1974 to commend Madison women who exemplify the organization’s
mission of “empowering women and eliminating racism.”
March 2008.
Powered by 100% Renewable Energy
As of January 8, 2008, Cullen Weston Pines & Bach is the second
largest law firm in the country to have committed to purchasing 100%
Green Power through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Green Power
Partners program. Only the Washington DC law firm Arnold & Porter
is larger. Cullen Weston Pines & Bach is the only Wisconsin law
firm that has made this commitment to our planet and our future. For
more information about the Green Power Partner program, including a
list of all 100% Green Power Partners, click
here.
February 2008.
Right to Information Enforced
The Citizens Utility Board and Clean Wisconsin, represented by Attorney
Kira Loehr, received an award
of sanctions of $10,500 against the Wisconsin Electric Power Company
for its failure to fully reply to requests for information. The rare
order came from a Public Service Commission administrative law judge,
who also granted CUB and Clean Wisconsin's motion to compel.
February 2008.
Labor Arbitration Victory Affirmed
The Wisconsin Court of Appeals affirmed an arbitrator's decision that a Madison teacher was wrongly disciplined for sharing redacted student special education records with her attorney while challenging a disciplinary action. Attorney Tamara Packard achieved this latest victory for Madison Teachers Inc., after first prevailing before the arbitrator and then in the Dane County Circuit Court. To read the Court of Appeals decision, click here. February 2008.
Building Consensus for Energy and Education
On behalf of client Johnson Controls, Inc., Attorney Curt
Pawlisch partnered with a consortium of school districts in Wisconsin
to secure unanimous passage of a bill in the State Assembly allowing
school districts to construct or acquire renewable resource (i.e., "green
energy") facilities. Such facilities will provide a unique educational
opportunity for Wisconsin students to learn about renewable energy,
generate additional revenue for school districts in the state, and promote
clean energy technology.
January 2008.
We Are Fighting Global Warming
Cullen Weston Pines & Bach has been named by the federal Environmental
Protection Agency as a “Green
Power Partner” for using 100% renewable energy for our operations
effective January 1, 2008. Reflecting our dedication to finding creative
solutions to complex problems, we have enrolled in Madison Gas and Electric
Company’s "Green
Power Tomorrow" program, enabling us to secure clean energy
sources to power our offices.
January 2008.
