Attorney Lindsey Anderson

Lindsey Anderson received the Jack DeWitt Pro Bono award for the 2019 | 2020 calendar years. Lindsey Anderson was instrumental in a ground-breaking victims’ rights victory across Wisconsin. As the attorney on the case, she filed a complaint with the Crime Victims’ Rights Board (“CVRB”), through the Department of Justice, alleging a victim’s privacy and protection rights were violated when the Clerk of Courts disclosed the victim’s full name in multiple CCAP entries. The Complaint also alleged the Clerk of Courts violated the victim’s rights when the Clerk of Courts required the victim to disclose her full legal name and address in a written request to view her perpetrator’s court file. Extremely concerning was that this document became public record and was accessible by the offender.

“What is most concerning is that the crime was a sexual assault of a child, and the perpetrator was such a danger to society that he was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison. That type of sentence is atypical. The minor victim later changed her name and the perpetrator did not know her new name,” Anderson explains. “The timing of the results was imperative because, despite being a 15+ year old case, the perpetrator requested information regarding his appeal rights (for the underlying sexual assault case) in the middle of our complaint process with the DOJ. The next step for the perpetrator would likely be to request the entire court file for review before filing an appeal. We needed to get certain documents sealed immediately.”

The CVRB determined the Clerk of Courts violated the victim’s rights on both claims. Ultimately, the victim’s name was removed from CCAP and every document in the court file, including the criminal complaint, that had the victim’s identifying information, were all sealed without notice to the perpetrator.

The Report, in part states:

Everyone with contact with the victim from the first interaction knew she feared for her safety if the offender could locate her. . . The [Clerk of Court’s] policy led directly to unnecessarily posting the victim’s personally identifying information on a public website accessible to the offender. [The Clerk of Court] regretted that the victim’s name was entered into CCAP but still endorsed the practices that resulted in the disclosure and did not offer a solution that would be protective of victims in similar situations in the future. Her conclusion appeared to be that the only course of action is to correct such errors after the fact, if they are brought to the attention of the office.

The state – public employees, public agencies and public officials – all share in the responsibility to enact and promote policies that ensure the protections enumerated in the state constitution in a manner that treats crime victims with fairness, dignity and respect for their privacy. . . All too often, the rights of victims are an afterthought or incorrectly viewed as a suggestion or “best practice” or even a courtesy to provide if possible. It is imperative that those with authority over policies that impact victims are cognizant of, and take action to protect, victims’ rights with a sense of purpose befitting a constitutional mandate.

“This CVRB determination paves a way for future victims to receive the privacy and protection that, to me, seems like common sense. The Board correctly determined that the Clerk of Court, and other State actors must take proactive measures to ensure a victim’s constitutional and statutory rights are protected,” says Anderson. “A retroactive approach is no longer acceptable.” The CVRB Report will be dispersed to all 72 counties in Wisconsin and posted on the DOJ website for training and precedence value.

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Pro Bono Award Winners

2018 Jack DeWitt Pro Bono Award Recipient - Laura Davis

Laura Davis’ passion for Pro Bono legal service began in undergraduate school when she volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and continued into law school while working with the Wisconsin Innocence Project. One of her most rewarding representations at the Innocence Project involved obtaining a new trial for a prisoner convicted of sexual assault based on newly discovered DNA evidence. The State ultimately decided to dismiss the charges against this prisoner, and Laura has assisted with efforts to obtain compensation for his wrongful conviction.
Carrying that same passion for justice into the firm, she contacted Brad Fulton in the summer of 2017 with an idea, one which would formalize a culture of Pro Bono activities within the firm by establishing a Pro Bono Policy and Committee. Although the firm and its attorneys have always been active and passionate about Pro Bono activities, Laura’s idea of formalizing and centralizing the firm’s efforts resonated on a number of levels.
She pointed out that by coordinating the firm’s efforts it could provide a wealth of opportunities for our communities and attorneys as well as elevate the firm’s marketing and recruiting efforts. Laura took it upon herself to research Pro Bono activities at other firms, studies by law schools and legal recruiters, and existing Pro Bono policies, which illustrated the importance of Pro Bono initiatives for law firm recruitment, retention, development and morale.
Laura also discussed with Brad her experience at the firm when she started as a first-year associate. She took a Pro Bono appointment from the Western District of Wisconsin with Megan Senatori and Deborah Meiners to represent a prisoner in a federal lawsuit. Through that experience she noted the exceptional relationships she built with fellow attorneys, the exposure she gained to federal litigation, and the valuable insight she obtained into the courts.
Laura suggested and developed a task force to assist in drafting a formal Pro Bono Policy and establishing a Pro Bono Committee for the firm. Over the course of 12 months, she met with a number of firm leaders and shareholders to discuss centralizing Pro Bono activities. With assistance from Troy Mayne, Scott Paler, Wes Webendorfer, and Megan Senatori of our Madison office, Beth Morrison previously from our Minneapolis office, and Lindsey Anderson of our Brookfield office, she worked diligently to draft a formal Policy for the firm.
The policy was presented and approved by the Executive Committee this summer. The next step in the process will be to establish the Pro Bono Committee to help implement the Pro Bono Policy within the firm. Laura dedicated countless hours to assisting the firm with our Pro Bono Policy and we commend her passion and dedication towards assisting not only the firm, but more importantly providing legal services to persons of limited means and charitable organizations that support them
2017 Jack DeWitt Pro Bono Award Recipient – Raluca Vais-Ottosen

Raluca Vais-Ottosen, of our Madison office, received the 2017 Jack DeWitt Pro Bono Award for her efforts in a compelling, life or death, immigration pro bono matter. She assisted a foreign family facing a life-threatening medical issue that would subject one of their children to severe persecution in the event of returning to their home country.

Attorney Vais-Ottosen compiled and submitted an extensive asylum package on very short notice. The application is under review and brought the family a sense of security that their child could remain in the United States legally, while also receiving vital medical treatment.
2016 Jack DeWitt Pro Bono Award Recipient – Beth T. Morrison

When it comes to pro bono efforts, Beth Morrison previously from our Minneapolis office has dedicated herself to providing as much legal assistance and leadership as she can to help stem domestic violence and sex trafficking around the state of Minnesota. In addition, she leads the Women’s Rotary in Minneapolis and works to help kids get ready for the Special Olympics as a volunteer at Gigi’s Playhouse.
Beth serves on the Board for the Battered Women’s Legal Advocacy Project (BWLAP). Since 1983 BWLAP has sought ways to improve the legal systems’ response to battered women and children, whether through the passage of new legislation, or the enforcement of current laws. BWLAP takes a leadership role in several state-wide collaborative efforts to address the legal and community needs of battered women and children. Its activities are aimed at reducing barriers, eliminating discrimination and creating long-term change through multiple programs designed to inform and deter.

She also serves as a Safety Project volunteer at Tubman where she offers free legal representation to low-income victims of domestic violence. The victims have a need for legal assistance and are seeking Orders for Protection (OFP). Legal advocates at several area domestic abuse agencies refer clients to this program through Tubman. Beth helps them to file the OFP’s.

The statistics in Minnesota related to domestic violence are sobering. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 homeless women in Minnesota is homeless because of domestic violence. In 2011, Minnesota courts adjudicated more than 27,999 cases of domestic violence. Nationally, on a typical day, domestic violence hotlines receive 21,000 calls – more than 15 calls per minute. Intimate partner crime accounts for 15% of all violent crimes. As the statistics indicate, this is an issue which requires our efforts and Beth is representing the firm, and the victims well, through her pro bono service.

Another area Beth volunteers her time is serving as the President of the Minneapolis Women’s Rotary. The Minneapolis Women's Rotary began in 1911 and is the only all-female rotary in the United States. Each year the Women’s Rotary picks two non-profits to assist and this year as its President, Beth helped to raise more than $20,000 to help fund scholarships for women and to help fund the Jeremiah Program – a program which offers one of the nation’s most successful strategies for transforming families from poverty into prosperity two generations at a time.

Beth does save some time for more light-hearted volunteering through her efforts as a volunteer at GiGi’s Playhouse, where she helps children prepare for the Special Olympics. GiGi’s Playhouse is a national program and is a one-of-a-kind achievement center for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community. It offers more than 25 therapeutic and educational programs that advance literacy, math skills, motor skills and more; all of which are free of charge. Significantly, its founder, Nancy Gianni, was named a 2016 CNN Hero.
2015 Jack DeWitt Pro Bono Award Recipient – Megan Senatori

In 2015 the firm awarded Megan Senatori its first annual Jack DeWitt Pro Bono award for her efforts to not only assist people, but also animals through her pro bono efforts. Megan founded a 501(c)(3) organization, Sheltering Animals of Abuse Victims (SAAV) nearly 15 years ago. Since that time, the organization has helped to shelter nearly 200 animals, providing victims of domestic abuse temporary shelter for their animals so that they can get the assistance they need to escape from their abusers. Research shows that up to 48% of domestic abuse victims delay leaving an abusive relationship because they have no safe place for their animals. Countless victims stay with their abuser to protect their animals. Domestic abuse shelters typically cannot take animals into shelter and, if they can, it is only for a brief time. SAAV offers a shelter for animals of victims of domestic abuse and is a vital resource in Dane County for domestic abuse victims. Studies show there is a direct connection between animal abuse and domestic abuse. Another one of SAAV’s missions, in addition to offering temporary shelter for animals, is to raise awareness of that connection.

Megan also volunteers with and supports DAIS – Domestic Abuse Intervention Services in Dane County. Since 1977, DAIS has worked passionately and effectively to ensure the safety and well-being of domestic violence survivors and their families, and to change societal attitudes that perpetuate violence and the abuse of power. To make this happen, DAIS offers a wide array of crisis intervention and community education/prevention programs, including a 24-hour Help Line, programming for children from violent homes, legal advocacy, support groups, emergency safety planning, and the only domestic violence shelter for all of Dane County. It is through the volunteer efforts such as Megan’s that this non-profit organization survives.

Throughout the years Megan has represented a variety of individuals. Whether counseling a domestic abuse victim in relation to testifying against her abuser or working with couples to resolve placement disputes, she is constantly seeking to offer sound guidance and advice to those in need. Megan has touched countless lives through her selfless efforts and is an excellent example of how our pro bono efforts can positively impact the lives of others. For these reasons, and many more, she was presented the first annual Jack DeWitt Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award.

About the Jack DeWitt Pro Bono Award:

The Jack DeWitt Pro Bono award annually recognizes one attorney (or team of attorneys working on a matter) in the firm for his/her Pro Bono efforts. As many know, studies show that more than 80 percent of the legal needs of low-income individuals in the United States go unmet and millions of people find themselves in court each year without legal representation. Jack DeWitt was one of the founding partners of DeWitt Ross & Stevens S.C. – which became DeWitt LLP on January 1, 2019. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 93.

Born in Oklahoma in 1918, Jack moved to Wisconsin when he was 14 years old. From a young age, he was committed to excellence and determined to succeed. He obtained his B.A. and L.L.B. (now referred to as a J.D.) degrees from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. At the age of 23, he finished his law degree one semester early so he could voluntarily enlist in the military during the height of World War II in 1942.

After a short stint as an enlisted soldier, Jack set his sights on becoming a commissioned officer. He quickly worked his way up the military ranks and finished his officer candidacy training in three months. Jack was eventually sent to France in 1944 where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. By the end of his tour as an infantry officer, Jack had earned a number of prestigious medals for his valor and bravery, including the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart and the British Cross. His history with the military extended beyond the war, as he continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserves and eventually retired as a Brigadier General and as the Assistant Division Commander of the 84th Division of the U.S. Army.

Jack’s legal career was equally remarkable. He was one of the five founding partners of the firm Immell, Herro, Buehner, DeWitt and Sundby in the 1950s, which evolved throughout the years to become DeWitt Porter and eventually merged with Ross & Stevens in 1994 to become DeWitt Ross & Stevens (DRS). The firm continued to operate as DRS for 24 years until 2019, when the firm reorganized to DeWitt LLP. He practiced in the areas of Business, Litigation, Legislative, and Estate Planning. He was a prominent civil litigator who authored the interpretive commentaries in West’s Wisconsin Statutes Annotated and co-authored West’s Wisconsin Practice Methods and served as a mentor to many young lawyers throughout his career. He also was the Chair of John F. Kennedy’s campaign in Wisconsin in 1960.

During his career, Jack played an important role in the enactment of numerous legislative acts and court rules involving court organization and administration. He handled civil litigation and appellate work for state agencies, municipal corporations, school districts, national and state veterans’ organizations, major business corporations, and professional organizations such as the American Bar Association. He provided legislative representation for professional organizations, veterans’ organizations, and major corporations, and was a leader in working for successful adoption of state constitutional amendments. Jack also represented businesses and municipalities before the Public Service Commission, the Aeronautics Commission, and the Interstate Commerce Committee. He served as an acting District Attorney in Dane County and an adjunct Professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School. Jack also served as the chairman of the Advisory Committee of Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.

He was the President and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Wisconsin, the President of the Dane County Bar Association, and Trustee of the National Conference of Bar Foundations. Jack received the Charles L. Goldberg Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin Bar Foundation, the Leonard L. Loeb Award from the State Bar of Wisconsin, the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Wisconsin Law School Alumni Association and the McNulty Service Award from the Fellows of Wisconsin Law Foundation.

Mackall, Crounse & Moore, PLC has joined Dewitt Ross & Stevens S.C.

Pro Bono Award Winners

2018 Jack DeWitt Pro Bono Award Recipient - Laura Davis

2017 Jack DeWitt Pro Bono Award Recipient – Raluca Vais-Ottosen

2016 Jack DeWitt Pro Bono Award Recipient – Beth T. Morrison

2015 Jack DeWitt Pro Bono Award Recipient – Megan Senatori

About the Jack DeWitt Pro Bono Award:

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