The Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association
WHLA Mission Statement
The purposes of the Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association shall be to advance the professional development of its members, to advise on issues of interest to the Hispanic community on a local and national level, and to carry on such other purposes as set forth from time to time in its Articles of Incorporation and its By-laws.
Declaración de la misión de WHLA
La Asociación de Abogados Hispanos de Wisconsin (WHLA) tiene por objetivo adelantar el desarrollo profesional de sus miembros, asesorar con respecto a temas de interés a la comunidad Hispana a nivel local y nacional, y de llevar a cabo todos los demás objetivos que dispongan sus Artículos de Incorporación y sus Estatutos.
Past Presidents
| President | Term |
|---|---|
| Cain W. Oulahan | 2016-2018 |
| Craig A. Mastantuono | 2014-2016 |
| Micabil Diaz-Martinez | 2012-2014 |
| Adria D. Maddaleni | 2010-2012 |
| Carlos A. Ortiz | 2009-2010 |
| Kristela L. Cervera | 2008-2009 |
| Carmen Ortiz-Babilonia | 2007-2008 |
| Micabil Diaz-Martinez | 2006-2007 |
| Neifor B. Acosta | 2005-2006 |
| David A. Westrup | 2004-2005 |
| Ana M. Berrios | 2003-2004 |
| Francisco Araiza | 2002-2003 |
| Ernesto Romero | 2001-2002 |
| Margaret Aguayo Asterlin | 2000-2001 |
| Pedro A. Colón | 1999-2000 |
| Israel Ramon | 1998-1999 |
| Andrew J. Chevrez | 1997-1998 |
| Edward A. Fallone | 1996-1997 |
| Peter L. Ramirez | 1995-1996 |
| Harold O.M. Rocha | 1994-1995 |
| Michael Reyes | 1990-1994 |
| Ness Flores | 1988-1990 |
| Jose A. Olivieri | 1986-1988 |
| Joseph M. Rivas | 1984-1986 |
Meet the Board
| Name and Contact Info | Title |
|---|---|
| Atty. Michelle L. Velasquez Civitas Law Group 2224 W. Kilbourn Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53233 Phone: (414) 949-5266 Fax: (414) 255-3018 Email: michelle.velasquez@clgmke.org www.clgmke.org Term: 7/1/2018 – 6/30/2020 | President |
| Atty. Gia M. Pionek Valle Pionek Valle Law Group LLC 1535 E Racine Ave Waukesha, WI 53186 Phone: (262) 208-5291 Fax: (866) 214-0154 Email: gpionek@outlook.com www.pionekvalle.com Term: 7/1/2017 - 6/30/2019 | Vice President |
| Atty. Maria I. Lopez Maria I. Lopez Immigration Law, LLC 5032 W Forest Home Avenue Ste 4 Milwaukee, WI 53203 Phone: (414) 210-5420 Fax: (844) 764-8458 Email: maria@lopezimmigrationlaw.com www.lopezimmigrationlaw.com Term: 7/1/2018 - 6/30/2020 | Treasurer |
| Atty. Cynthia Herber CRH Legal LLC 700 W Virginia St Ste 302 Milwaukee, WI 53204 Phone:(414) 331-2679 Fax:(414) 755-7731 Email: cynthiaherber@gmail.com www.crhlegal.com Term: 7/1/2017 - 6/30 /2019 | Secretary |
| Atty. Elizabeth Rodriguez Lanzhammer Hill Glowacki LLPC 5250 East Terrace Drive, Suite 130 Madison WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-1354 Fax: (608) 244-4018 Email: elizabeth@hill-law-firm.com www.hillglowacki.com Term: 7/1/2018 - 6/30/2020 | Director |
| Atty. Rebeca M. Lopez Godfrey & Kahn SC 833 E Michigan St Ste 1800 Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone:(414) 287-9634 Fax:(414) 273-5198 Email: rlopez@gklaw.com www.gklaw.com Term: 7/1/2017 - 6/30/2019 | Director |
| Atty. Craig A. Mastantuono Mastantuono & Coffee SC 219 N Milwaukee St Ste 5B Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone:(414) 276-8662 Fax:(414) 276-8661 Email: cmast@cmrc-law.com www.milwaukeecriminallawyers.com Term: 7/1/2018 - 6/30/2020 | Director |
| Atty. Benjamin Reyes Pitman, Kalkoff, Sicula & Dentice SC 1110 N Old World 3rd Street, Suite 320 Milwaukee, WI 53203 Phone: (414) 212-0000 Fax: (414) 212-0004 Email: ben@pksd.com www.pksd.com Term: 7/1/2018 - 6/30/2020 | Director |
| Atty. Pamela M. Ritger Clean Wisconsin 634 W Main St Ste 300 Madison, WI 53703 Phone:(608) 251-7020 x 18 Fax:(608) 251-1655 Email: pamela.ritger@gmail.com www.cleanwisconsin.org Term: 7/1/2017 – 6/30/2019 | Director |
| Atty. Jair Alvarez Alvarez Law 995 Applegate Rd Ste 8 Madison WI 53713 Phone: (608) 358-7975 Fax: 608) 836-1427 Email: jairalvarezattorney@gmail.com www.alvarezattorney.com Term: 7/1/2018 - 6/30/2019 | State Bar Board of Governors Liaison |
Committees
Professional Development
This space is reserved for verbage describing the Professional Development committee.
Diversity
This space is reserved for verbage describing the Diversity committee.
Judicial Selection Committee
This space is reserved for verbage describing the Judicial Selection committee.
Community Service
La Rosa Blanca Award
La Rosa Blanca honors and recognizes a person who has demonstrated courage and leadership regarding legal issues affecting Hispanics.
Selection criteria include:
- Advancement of principles important to WHLA, such as access to justice, interpreters in the justice system, diversity.
- Whether the candidate's contributions involved personal or professional sacrifice.
- Whether the candidate's achievements went beyond his or her normal work duties.
Nominations for the Rosa Blanca:
WHLA President should remind WHLA members on or about August 1 that the nomination period is open. The notice should be in writing or by electronic mail and should include the selection criteria. Nominations are open to any person, including past or present WHLA members. Any WHLA member may submit a nomination at any time during the month of August. Nominations shall be in writing or by electronic mail and shall include a brief summary of why the nominee is worthy of the award.
Selection:
Selection will take place at the September meeting of the WHLA Board with all Board members having an equal vote. Standing WHLA Board members are ineligible for the award. The WHLA Board is not required to present the Rosa Blanca Award if it determines there are no candidates that meet the criteria to receive the award for any given year.
WHLA Scholarship Fund
For information regarding the WHLA Scholarship Fund please click here.