The Wisconsin Civil Justice Council, Inc. (WCJC) was formed in 2009 to represent Wisconsin business interests on civil litigation legislation before the Wisconsin Legislature. Our goal is to achieve fairness and equity within our judicial system to reduce unnecessary litigation costs, and enhance Wisconsin’s image as a rewarding place to live and work.
Officers
President – Bill G. Smith
State Director
National Federation of Independent Business
Vice-President – James Buchen, Esq.
Senior Vice President, Government Relations
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce
Treasurer – Andrew Franken
President
Wisconsin Insurance Alliance
Secretary – Jerry Deschane
Executive Vice President
Wisconsin Builders Association
Board Members
James Boullion
Director of Government Affairs
Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin, Inc.
Eric Borgerding
Executive Vice President
Wisconsin Hospital Association
Michael P. Crooks, Esq.
Peterson Johnson & Murray
Wisconsin Defense Counsel
Mary Ann Gerrard, Esq.
Legal Counsel and Lobbyist
Wisconsin Automobile & Truck Dealers Association, Inc.
Nick George
President
Midwest Food Processors Association, Inc.
Mark Grapentine, Esq.
Senior Vice President, Government Relations
Wisconsin Medical Society
Matt Hauser
President
Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association
Tom Howells
President
Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association
Beata Kalies
Director of Government Relations
Electric Cooperatives
Ed Lump
President and CEO
Wisconsin Restaurant Association
Gary Manke
Executive Vice President-CEO
Midwest Equipment Dealers Association
John Mielke
Director of Government Relations
Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin
Peter Thillman
Past President
Wisconsin Economic Development Association
Partners
Aggregate Producers of Wisconsin
American Petroleum Institute
Association of Wisconsin Tourism Attractions
Canadian Pacific Railway
Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin
Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Independent Business
Wisconsin Ski Industries Association
Wisconsin Utility Investors
Xcel Energy
Staff
The Hamilton Consulting Group’s lawyers and lobbyists support the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council under the direction of WCJC’s officers and board. In addition, legal staff with the Great Lakes Legal Foundation support WCJC’s appellant and judicial evaluation programs.
Robert Fassbender – Executive Director. Along with being a WCJC lobbyist, Bob is responsible for member development and day to day operations. He received his law degree from the University of San Diego and has a Civil Engineering degree from Michigan Technological University.
Andrew Cook – Legislative Director. Andy heads up WCJC’s legislative campaigns, including spearheading member, partner and other ally coalitional efforts. He has related experience with the Pacific Legal Foundation. Andy received his law degree from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago and his B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Emily Kelchen – Policy Research Director. Emily is responsible for policy research and WCJC’s web site and blog updates. She is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School and received her B.S. in Political Science from Truman State University.
Jim Hough – Of Counsel. Jim has a 40-year career in government relations and law, with extensive legal reform experience, including heading up WCJC’s predecessor organization, the Wisconsin Coalition for Civil Justice. Jim has a degree in government and international relations from University of Notre Dame and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin.
Contact Us
For questions regarding these initiatives or further information about the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council, contact Robert Fassbender or Andrew Cook or call: 608.661.9166.