About Us

The Wisconsin Civil Justice Council’s mission is to promote fairness and equity in Wisconsin’s civil justice system, with the ultimate goal of making Wisconsin a better place to work and live. WCJC achieves this objective through policy development and legislative lobbying. WCJC’s positions are set by its 18-member board that consists of representatives from Wisconsin’s leading business and professional organizations.

WCJC also has an Appellate Program to monitor Wisconsin Court of Appeals and Supreme Court decisions of import to the business community. On certain vital cases, WCJC will file amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs. WCJC also publishes a biennial Guide to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Judicial Evaluation, which highlights the most important business decisions issued by the court over the past two years.

Contributions to the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council, a 501(c)(6) organization, are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposed, but may be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses. The percentage of your 2013 contribution that represents nondeductible lobbying costs is 50 percent. Please consult your tax advisor if you have any questions.

Officers

President – Bill G. Smith
State Director
National Federation of Independent Business

Vice-President – Jerry Deschane
Executive Vice President
Wisconsin Builders Association

Treasurer – Andrew Franken
President
Wisconsin Insurance Alliance

Secretary – Scott Manley
Vice President, Government Relations
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce

Board Members

John Mielke
Director of Government Relations
Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin

James Boullion
Director of Government Affairs
Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin, Inc.

Beata Kalies
Director of Government Relations
Electric Cooperatives

Gary Manke
Executive Vice President-CEO
Midwest Equipment Dealers Association

Nickolas George
President
Midwest Food Processors Association, Inc.

William Sepic
President
Wisconsin Automobile & Truck Dealers Association, Inc.

Laurie Fischer
Executive Director
Wisconsin Dairy Business Association

Bryce Tolefree
American Family Insurance
Wisconsin Defense Counsel

Peter Thillman
Vice President of Workforce and Economic Development at Lakeshore Technical College
Wisconsin Economic Development Association

Eric Borgerding
Executive Vice President
Wisconsin Hospital Association

Mark Grapentine, Esq.
Senior Vice President, Government Relations
Wisconsin Medical Society

Thomas Howells
President
Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association

Matthew Hauser
President
Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association

Edward Lump
President and CEO
Wisconsin Restaurant 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.