As LLG settles into its second year, we take time to reflect not only upon our business successes, but also our efforts to make a difference in our community by sponsoring and participating in a variety of charitable causes. By design, a portion of our website is dedicated to our fine city and explains why LLG—which has a national law practice—chose Milwaukee as its home base.
In February, the firm sponsored a fundraiser for the American Civil Liberties Union in response to Executive Order No. 13769: “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry,” commonly known as the “travel ban.” While there is diversity of political thought surrounding President Trump’s travel bans, LLG chose to support the ACLU’s work focused on the constitutional rights of our fellow Milwaukeeans. LLG believes in the fundamental principle that lawyers serve the justice system before politics and that constitutional rights always warrant meaningful advocacy. We are proud to have supported the ACLU’s efforts on this initiative.
Also in February, LLG Managing Partner and President of the Dane County Humane Society, Joseph S. Goode led DCHS’s efforts for “Toto’s Gala,” the shelter’s main fundraising event of the year. 2017 was a record year in both attendance and dollars raised. Along with LLG, Goode and DCHS are truly committed to the mission of “helping people help animals.”
Spring saw LLG as the presenting sponsor of the Cream City 5K, a run started by Jesse Pagels, husband of LLG attorney Sarah Thomas Pagels, to raise awareness of and support for organ, eye, and tissue donation. As a lung transplant recipient himself, Jesse launched the annual 5K run in 2015, and donates the proceeds to the Blood Center of Wisconsin, home of the Wisconsin Donor Network, a federally-designated organ procurement organization supporting the transplant community in eastern Wisconsin. All of us at LLG continue to be inspired by the strength and dedication of the Pagels family.
The same day as the Cream City Run, some of our staff changed into their finest black-tie attire and attended The Milwaukee Art Museum’s premiere fund raising event: Bal du Lac. LLG was proud to be a Silver Sponsor of this event that annually sells out, with over 400 patrons, community leaders, and representatives from local foundations and philanthropic organizations. All proceeds support the Museum and its work to collect, preserve, and present world-class art to the community and to provide diverse educational programs for all ages. Certain LLG partners and spouses may or may not have been the last ones to leave (or have their picture taken by the current Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele).
In June, LLG was proud to be a Gold Sponsor of “Centro LeGala,” the main fundraising event for the vitally important Centro Legal. Located in the Walker’s Point neighborhood, Centro Legal provides free and low-cost legal services for individuals and families in Milwaukee County. One of Centro Legal’s core programs includes a class that teaches participants about the processes and procedures of family court, and breaks down common myths and misconceptions about family court. Centro Legal provides these classes in both English and Spanish.
In August, to celebrate our first year, we took time away from a busy summer schedule to revel with clients, friends, family, and each other at “Live@the Lakefront,” Milwaukee’s free Wednesday night concert series held in the Rotary Amphitheater at Discovery World. With fabulous food, a few drinks, an over-the-top ice cream sundae bar, and great music by Reverend Raven and the Chain-Smoking Altar Boys, it was more fun than should be allowed on a stormy Wednesday night.
We don’t stop our charitable efforts during the holiday season. The staff member who has the most fun during this time is Lisa Morrissett, our firm administrator. Last year, she collected a generous amount of funds from our team members, braved the Monday before Thanksgiving at a big box retail store (where funds would stretch a bit further), purchased a car-load of food and delivered it to Capuchin Community Services’ House of Peace. We were pleased to learn that many deserving families enjoyed a nice meal that otherwise would not have been possible. A few weeks later, Lisa cracked her knuckles, took to Amazon.com, and burned up the keyboard ordering more than a sleigh-full of toys, games, crafts, books, and sports equipment to make Christmas a little brighter for our neighbors’ children.
As for this year’s holiday season, in addition to sponsoring a local family with much-needed gifts and groceries, LLG donated funds to the holiday celebration party for LadLake, an organization that supports children who are aging out of the foster care program. Laura Wojciuk, the program’s resource manager, says “I try to make this a major event because for most of the foster youth this can be the only celebration they attend and only gift for the Holidays they receive. I make a big deal out of the Holiday party.”
We are already looking forward to 2018. LLG is continuing its support of the arts by sponsoring “Gallery Night and Day” in our Third Ward home. A 30-year tradition, the event comprises a fall weekend featuring nearly 50 locations of galleries to discover, museums to explore, and shops to browse for enthusiastic art lovers and connoisseurs—all in the ever popular Third Ward. On January 19, 2018, we are opening our office doors to the public and hosting local watercolor artist Judy Gahn Murphy. Join us.
As ever, we remain dedicated to our core principles: relentless, inspired, committed, authentic. And we love doing all this in Milwaukee.
