WAJ names Heil as 2021 honoree
For the Wausau Times
MADISON – The Wisconsin Association for Justice (WAJ) has announced its 2021 award winners. The 2021 award winners will be honored on Dec. 3 at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee.
“I am excited for the opportunity to honor these outstanding legal professionals,” said WAJ President Jay A. Urban, “Each of these individuals represents the best of our profession and our state. I cannot wait to celebrate not only our award winners impressive accomplishments, but also the commitment to service and justice that each of these individuals exemplifies.”
Trial Lawyer of the Year
Benjamin S. Wagner, of Milwaukee, is a shareholder in the Habush Habush and Rottier Milwaukee office and specializes in representing victims and their loved ones in the areas of nursing home abuse and neglect, auto accidents, personal injury, wrongful death and more.
Outstanding Young Trial Lawyer
Michelle M. Hockers, of Milwaukee, is a shareholder at Murphy & Practhauser, S.C. where she practices exclusively personal injury law and specializes in motor vehicle accidents, product defects, and unsafe premises.
Paralegal of the Year
Hannah C. Heil, of Wausau, was named “Paralegal of the Year.” After graduating from the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point, Hannah took a temporary job with a law firm in Wausau. Twelve years later, she is the lead paralegal and claims manager at Bremer & Trollop Law Offices, S.C.
Hannah has been involved in all aspects of the work of the attorneys on behalf of their clients. She works as a claim manager, litigation paralegal, investigator, researcher, prepares medical summaries, and pre-suit demands. Hannah is married to Adam Heil and is the mother of the famous Newfoundland, Hank. She trains and competes with horses in her free time on the farm she and Adam share in Lincoln County, Wisconsin.
2021 President’s Award
Heath P. Straka, of Madison, is the current Legislative Task Force chair and is a Past President of the Wisconsin Association of Justice (WAJ). He is also a founding member and current president for the Cottage Grove Community Foundation, which aims to improve the quality of life of the people and the community through the promotion and facilitation of charitable giving. His legal practice focuses on personal injury cases, general litigation involving employment and construction disputes and also complex litigation and class actions involving product liability claims and wage and hour violations.
2021 Ruth Bader Ginsburg Notorious Servant Award Winner
Ann Jacobs, of Milwaukee, nominated by WAJ’s Women’s Caucus, recognizes an amazing lawyer among us who has committed herself to her community, mentoring and encouraging other women, and bettering our profession through service. Jacobs has proven to be a dedicated steward of this organization, having served as president in 2015. Her record of service continues statewide today as a member of the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
The Wisconsin Association for Justice was founded in 1957. As the largest statewide voluntary bar association, WAJ’s mission is ensuring a fair and effective civil justice system and the protection of the Constitutional right to a civil jury trial.