March 2009 e-Newsletter

March 18 , 2009
Volume 2 Issue 1
614 W. National Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53204
(414) 384-7900
www.centrolegalwisconsin.org
THE ADVOCATE
Open House: Centro Legal,
Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee,
and the Council for the Spanish Speaking
Centro Legal
Board Member
Domingo Cruz, Dr.
Tony Baez from
the Council for the
Spanish Speaking,
and Centro Legal
Board Member
Jessica Poliner
visit with each
other during the
open house.
The three organizations located in the “Spanish
Center” hosted an open house on January 22, 2009. Guests
were invited to travel through the building to learn about the
services offered by each organization.
La Merenda, La Quimera Cocina Boricua, Lopez
Bakery, “The National” Café, and WOW Distributing/
Miller donated the appetizers and beverages.
Guests began their evening on the second floor,
tasting appetizers and learning about Centro Legal’s family
law and criminal defense services. Guests tested their legal
knowledge at a criminal law trivia game. Elm Grove Junior
Guild graciously presented a grant of $5000 to Centro Legal
at the event.
Guests then moved to the mezzanine for dessert and
coffee and to learn about services offered by the Council for
the Spanish Speaking. To conclude the tour, guests visited
the offices of the Hispanic Professionals of Greater
Milwaukee, and were invited to enter a raffle.
Centro Legal Board
President, Harvey
Kurtz, and Centro
Legal Interim Director,
Lisette Khalil, accept a
grant check from
representatives of the
Elm Grove Junior
Guild. The $5000 will
be used to fund Centro
Legal services for
domestic violence.
The open house brought together active community
members to support the missions of these three
organizations whose efforts reach thousands of Milwaukee
citizens.
The following is a letter from a recent client. “David” was charged with Operating After Revocation (of his driver’s
license). David wanted a fast resolution case, but Centro Legal criminal attorney, Michael Balter, encouraged him to
take the time to try to get his license back. Attorney Balter, and volunteer attorney Ilana Avital, helped guide David
through many unexpected obstacles and, as David writes below he is pleased with the results.
“Dear Centro Legal,
Hello Michael Balter and Ilana Avital. I want to thank you for all that you have done for me with my case. I much
appreciate the time and effort that you two have provided and recommend you and Ilana to other clients that
may have similar issues. I just want to talk about the last court date; that Michael Balter was extremely helpful
and got me through what could have been disastrous. I had no idea that the things that Michael did for me were
even possible.
I cannot stress enough that you two were awesome, and very professional. Even though my intentions were to
finish court as soon as possible, I now realize that it was all worth it. Thank you again. Now that court is all done, I
can concentrate on school and my career. Keep up the great work, and I wish you two the best in the future.”
Centro Legal Luncheon a Success
Thanks again to our sponsors:
On February 18, 2009, Centro Legal hosted its first
annual luncheon at the Italian Community Center. Nearly 200
people attended the event, and attendees helped to raise just
over $10,000 that will fund services for low-income clients.
The program included a presentation of Centro Legal’s
services and accomplishments, results from the Supporting
Families Research Project, and keynote speaker, Judge Michael
Dwyer. Judge Dwyer spoke on the causes of the high number of
pro se litigants in Milwaukee County Courts and emphasized
Centro Legal’s efforts to helping these litigants through free
consultations, family law classes, and representing clients who
without affordable representation would likely go to court alone.
MC Daniel Vaccaro,
Michael Best &
Friedrich, presents
Centro Legal Attorney
Michael Balter with his
plaque for the
“Outstanding
Advocate Award.”
The “Centro Legal Excellence Award” was presented to
MayTong Chang, former Centro Legal client and current
Executive Director of the Hmong American Women’s Association,
for her embodiment of Centro Legal’s mission of helping clients
turn hope into action. The “Outstanding Advocate Award” was
presented to Centro Legal attorney Michael Balter for his
outstanding contributions in the area of criminal law.
Thanks to the efforts of the Luncheon Planning
Committee, the generous sponsors, and the attendance of many
new and current supporters, the luncheon was truly a success!
To see more photos from the luncheon, visit www.centrolegalwisconsin.org
MayTong Chang, former Centro Legal client and
Executive Director of the Hmong American
Women’s Association, accepts the “Centro Legal
Excellence Award”
Centro Legal Board of Directors
Event Planning Committee Volunteers
Aliah Berman, Foley & Lardner LLP
Yvonne Brodsky, Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee
Noah Domnitz, Domnitz & Skemp, S.C.
Sara Harvey, Marquette University
Lauren Luke, Foley & Lardner LLP
Lou Pieh, Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP
Jessica Poliner, Metavante Corporation
Caroline Torres, La Causa
Daniel Vaccaro, Michael Best & Friedrich
Volunteer Highlight:
Maureen Post
Pick N’ Save “We Care” Program
Visit the Customer Service counter at any local Pick N’ Save and
register your Advantage Card with our account number 109070. A
percentage of your purchase will benefit Centro Legal.
Volunteer Opportunity:
After returning from Central America in 2007,
Maureen Post searched for a volunteer position that would
allow her to continue to use her Spanish. At the same time,
Centro Legal received a grant to begin the Supporting
Families Research Project and needed volunteers to serve
on the committee and conduct client surveys. This
opportunity seemed like the perfect match for Maureen’s
goals.
Maureen was able to use her Spanish to conduct
phone interviews with clients throughout their cases. She
was surprised how willing clients were to share their stories.
As a former social worker, Maureen was able to provide a
sense of comfort for the clients so they could give honest
answers to often difficult questions.
“I strongly believe in the mission of Centro Legal,
but more so, I believe in the individuals who stand behind
and are committed to the much needed cause each and
every day,” said Maureen. “I was able to work with such
passionate people on the research committee. There was a
range of professionals; individuals working in health care,
academics, law, and social work. I believe the diversity of
the committee greatly benefited the study.”
As a staff writer for OnMilwaukee.com, an online
daily news magazine, Maureen is able to incorporate her
interests of social justice, international politics and urban
development into her professional career, and also by
volunteering at Centro Legal.
“My experiences at numerous non-profits and
family-based organizations in Milwaukee allows me to say,
without reservation, that Centro Legal’s reality meets the
ideal. The staff is giving, kind, and most importantly,
respectful to the client. They do their jobs with grace and
humility. Centro Legal provides a service for individuals,
often in desperate situations, who would otherwise be
forced to face an intimidating system on their own,” said
Maureen.
SAVE THE DATE!
Women Helping Women
August 6, 2009 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Intercontinental Hotel
For more information or to register visit
www.centrolegalwisconsin.org
Community Network Committee
Centro Legal is looking for outgoing volunteers to help form relationships
with other organizations in Milwaukee. These relationships will improve
the referral process between Centro Legal and other organizations.
Committee members will also help find new locations for family law
classes, and new opportunities to participate in community fairs.
The first meeting is April 4th from 10 a.m. to noon
at Centro Legal’s office 614 W. National Ave. Second Floor.
If you are interested, please contact Lisette Khalil:
lkhalil@centrolegalwisconsin.org
Centro Legal is on
Facebook and Twitter!
Become a fan on Facebook!
Follow us on Twitter!
You are Invited!
Centro Legal On Tap
April 30, 2009 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Lakefront Brewery
Beer Tasting, Brewery Tours, Live Music,
Silent Auction
Price: $40 per person
Register online at www.centrolegalwisconsin.org
Sponsors: UPS, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.,
Gass Weber Mullins LLC, Milwaukee Young Lawyers
Association, and Davis & Kuelthau S.C.
Board Highlight:
Domingo Cruz
Board of Directors:
Robyn Arnold
Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
Domingo Cruz
Northwestern Mutual
Noah Domnitz
Domnitz & Skemp, S.C.
When Board Member and Northwestern
Mutual In-House attorney Domingo Cruz
wanted to find an organization that would
let him reach out to low-income individuals in
Milwaukee, he found Centro Legal.
Chris Ford
Chris Ford Law
Richard Gallun
Fiserv. Inc. (Retired)
Nadelle Grossman
Marquette University Law School
His career as a lawyer, and his interest in the Latino
community were what encouraged Cruz to join the
Board of Directors in December of 2006. Since then,
Cruz has served as the chair of the Development
Committee and Finance and Human Resources
Committee.
Cruz has watched as Centro Legal’s Board has
become younger in the past three years, and with
that, he’s seen a correlating increase in energy and
enthusiasm. The Board’s goals are becoming more
ambitious. “I hope we can start formalizing and
strengthening partnerships with like-minded social
service agencies so that we can provide people in
desperate situations with service with respect to
their narrower legal problems, and also show those
individuals a path to improving other aspects of their
lives as well,” said Cruz. He also hopes that the
board and staff at Centro Legal can continue its
efforts with domestic abuse victims, and the large
number of low-income individuals who show up in
family court unrepresented.
“I have been given a lot of opportunities, and by
being involved with Centro Legal I can help other
people find ways to make opportunities for
themselves as well,” said Cruz.
Pat Kandziora
M&I Business Banking
Thomas Klein
Peckerman & Klein
Harvey Kurtz
Foley & Lardner, LLP
Jessica Poliner
Kravit, Hovel & Krawczyk S.C.
Mary Scheibel
Scheibel Halaska, Inc.
Laura Straus
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C.
Daniel Vaccaro
Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP
Jesus Villa
Community Volunteer
Rebecca Valcq
We Energies
Centro Legal to Welcome New Leadership
Current Interim Director, Lisette Khalil, will be relocating to
Tennessee in June due to her husband’s job. The Centro
Legal board and staff have been aware of Ms. Khalil’s
impending departure since she joined the agency in 2007.
Centro Legal embraces the prospect of new leadership as
an opportunity for growth.
“I am grateful for the time I spent at Centro Legal. It has
been gratifying to witness growing enthusiasm among the
Board, staff, and our many volunteers. I will miss
colleagues and friends in Milwaukee, but I am confident
that Centro Legal will continue to provide clients with
quality legal representation and will continue to strengthen
its connections with partners and the community,” said
Khalil.
The Board is in the process of evaluating candidates, and
the transition is planned for April 2009.
Centro Legal would like to thank Attorney Marcus Wester (Quarles & Brady LLC) for
volunteering his time to serve clients in our domestic violence program while Attorney
Jessica Marques Murphy is on maternity leave.
“Thus far I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet and help people from all
different walks of life. One of my immediate observations was that the attorneys at Centro
Legal are often able to offer their clients a fresh start, which is a very valuable thing and
something I cannot wait to have an opportunity to do. So far, I have most enjoyed learning
from Centro Legal's staff and providing whatever guidance and assistance I can to the
organization's often-underprivileged clients. From walk-in Wednesdays to client meetings
to court appearances, Centro Legal's attorneys (and staff) are able to provide their clients'
certainty through very tumultuous times. I am just thrilled to be a part of such an
organization, even if for such a short time, and look forward to quite the learning
experience!”
Marcus Wester
2009 Donors
Corporations & Foundations
Nadelle Grossman & Brendan Daly
Christian & Barbara Steinmetz
Davis & Kuelthau, s.c.
D. Michael Guerin
Stacey & Shane Stoffel
Elm Grove Junior Guild
Sara Harvey
Erich C. Straub
Foley & Lardner LLP
Charles & Susan Henderson
Laura Straus
Gass Weber Mullins LLC
Kadie & Steve Jelenchick
Jim Swiatko
Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
Criag R. Johnson
Kelli Taffora
Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP
Pat Kandziora
John Thompson
Herb Kohl Charities
Mark & Ginny Kannenberg
Joseph E. Tierney
Michael Best & Freidrich LLP
Hon. Joan Kessler
Lawrence Alan Towers
Milwaukee Young Lawyer's Association
Thomas & Deborah Klein
Debra Tuttle
Metavante Corporation
Carol Kracht
Daniel & Dawn Vaccaro
PPC Foundation
Clair Miller Krause
Andrew Vedder
United Way
Ileene K. & Robert A. Levine
Aida R. Vinent
We Energies
Micaela Levine
Hon. Jeffrey Wagner
Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.
Amy Linder
Stephen Waller
Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation
Rebeca Lopez
Hon. Francis Wasielewski
Lawrence & Charlene Lynch
Kathryn Weaver
Teresa Mambu Rasch
Catherine M. Young
Ray Manista
Hon. Dean & Debbie Zemel
Individuals
Justice Shirley Abrahamson
Nicole Angresano
Anonymous Donors
Hon. Carl Ashley
John Birdsall
Melissa S. Blair
Wendy Reed Bosworth &
Robinson Bosworth III
E. Michael & Barbara McCann
Katherine McCormack
In-Kind Donations
Judith McMullen
Adventure Rock
Joanne Neumann
Danceworks, Inc.
Jeremy & Suzette Newman
ESPN Deportes
Rick Ninneman
Idlewild Golf Course
Debra Olson
La Merenda
Yvonne Brodsky
Bradley D. Page
Christy Brooks
Mary H. Payne
Barbara L. Burbach
Mark A. Peterson
Lopez Bakery
William E. Callahan Jr.
Roger L. Pettit
Marquette University Spirit Shop
Mary Campbell
Hon. William Pocan
Quantum LS
Sarah & David Clark
Harvey Pogoriler
Cedric Cornwall
Quimera Cocina Boricua
Jessica Poliner
William & Therese Corrigan
Charles Post
Susan J Croft
David & Janelle Pruhs
Domingo & Sylvia Cruz
Heather Van Vugt Ramirez
Hon. Rebecca Dallet
Theresa Reagan
Dan Davis
David L. De Bruin
Samantha Dennis
Hon. John & Hon. Jean DiMotto
Ellen R. Drought
Sean Duffey
Hon. Michael & Mrs. Deb Dwyer
Bruce Edgar
Nicole A. Eull
Matthew & Debrah Falk
Chris Ford
Rachel Forman & Boaz Avital
Daniel J. Gabler
Luis Garza
Heather Gatewood
Joshua Gimbel
Peter D. Goldberg
Michael J. Gonring
Hon. Sandy Grady
Lammi Sports Management
Riveredge Nature Center
Sky Knights Prachute Club
The National
University of Wisconsin
Athletic Department
Debra Lynn Recht
Angelita Renteria
Joseph & Corrine Rivas
Kate & Jeff Ruidl
Jacquelynn Ruiz
Lesley Russell
Larry Salustro
Hon. Richard J. Sankovitz
Mary Scheibel
Jan Schiller
Victor & Jayna Schultz
Daniel Shneidman
Walter Skipper
Sarah A. Smith
Leslie Spencer-Herrera
L. William & Kathleen Staudenmaier
Harold Stein
Cathy Steinhafel
Thank you to the
Wisconsin Chapter
of the American
Academy of
Matrimonial Lawyers
for donating two
scholarships for
Centro Legal
attorneys to attend
their annual CLE
seminar.
Volunteers:
Griselda Aldrete
Tara Arnold
Ilana Avital
Aliah Berman
Melissa Blair
Yvonne Brodsky
LeKeesha Brown
Viviana Buzo
Samantha Dennis
Rachel Dubrauc
Amanda Efferson
Casey Fleming
Casey Foltz
Sylvannah Gates
Heather Gatewood
Ann Granitz
Sara Harvey
Laura Hernandez
Kadie Jelenchick
Tim Johnson
Lucy Kelly
Alex Lesko
Ben Levin
Gretchen Lindlau
Lauren Luke
Teresa Mambu-Rasch
Prof. Judith McMullen
Jennie Meyer
Kate Nugent
Lou Pieh
Dr. Charles Post
Maureen Post
Jessica Quintanilla
Megan Raynor
Angie Renteria
Amy Sanchez
Leslie Spencer-Herrera
Betty Suarez
Kelli Taffora
Notesong Srisopark Thompson
Caroline Torres
Michelle Velasquez
Christina Valeriano
Valerie Vidal
Jon Waclawski
Marcus Wester
Ashley Wise
Staff:
Michael Balter
Evelyn Campos
Lupita Campos
Lisette Khalil
Samantha Levihn
Jessica Marquez Murphy
Jason Mishelow
Jaclyn Ostronic
Ashley Wise