2022 was a busy year for FOS and our clients.
Thanks to medical advances, our relationship to the COVID-19 virus moved from the battlefield to a workable coexistence.
Despite facing worker shortages, higher prices, and supply chain delays, the country reopened for business.
FOS, which never closed during the pandemic, went into overdrive during 2022 to address clients’ pent-up needs and desires.
We guided clients through business acquisitions and sales, succession planning and implementation, commercial and residential real estate transactions, and operational issues and expansions. Our litigation team secured critical victories for clients.
Some measures initially implemented to prevent COVID-19’s spread, such as Zoom meetings and electronic closings, may be here to stay due to their efficiencies. Even so, the personal benefits of in-person communications cannot be overestimated.
FOS continues to issue Client Alerts regarding important legal issues. A complete collection of Client Alerts and other timely and informative articles is at foslaw.com/news-views.
Whatever the methods, FOS will continue to successfully represent you as it has done for the past 60 years. In 2022 alone, FOS:
- Shepherded clients through significant business acquisitions, encompassing over $200 million in enterprise value;
- Won a major election law victory before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, on behalf of the Racine School District’s Board of Canvassers, which preserved over $1 billion in local school district expenditures over the next 30 years;
- Completed the administration of a multimillion dollar trust established by a long-held client; and
- Obtained a not guilty verdict on a substantial criminal charge, after an eight-day trial, despite very substantial resources invested by the Waukesha County District Attorney’s office.
While these successes may be headline worthy, they are no more memorable to FOS than the hundreds of other matters undertaken for clients during 2022, including contract reviews, real estate transactions, trademark maintenance, employment issues, and estate planning.
As our motto states, “Our clients come first.” All clients, and all matters, big and small.
In another 2022 achievement, and in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the firm, FOS unanimously elected attorney Lauren Maddente to shareholder.
Maddente was also honored as a “Rising Young Lawyer” in the Wisconsin Law Journal’s “Legal All-Stars” awards.
FOS’s successes and client dedication continued to be recognized in 2022.
Shareholders Matt O’Neill and Jake Manian and of-counsel Ken Barczak were named to the list of 2022 Super Lawyers. Shareholders Laurna Kinnel, Mike Koutnik and Maddente, as well as associate Jamie Barwin, were named to the list of 2022 Super Lawyers Rising Stars.
FOS was also honored in 11 gold or silver legal categories of Shepherd Express’ “Best Of” competition.
While many law firms continued to downsize, in June FOS welcomed Attorney Kristina Frkovic to its business group. As expected, Kris hit the ground running, providing critical support in several complex commercial transactions.
In September, Jason Koehler joined FOS’s business management team. Jason, who has extensive financial, administrative and HR experience, has already added to FOS’s organizational efficiencies and client services.
And FOS is proud of the client relations Valeria Paredes, our new receptionist and legal assistant, has already established since she joined the firm in August.
We end 2022 grateful for your trust in FOS, our attorneys and staff. We look forward to continuing our partnership with you in 2023.
Call, Zoom, email, or text us. We’re here for you!
