2023 was an active year for FOS and our clients.
During an exciting year filled with new hires and attorney recognitions, FOS reaffirmed its focus on our main priority—providing high quality legal services for our clients.
While inflation remained high, worker shortages continued, and supply costs increased, our corporate clients similarly reaffirmed their focus on starting, maintaining, expanding, and, as appropriate, selling their business operations.
When clients started new businesses, FOS prepared their organizational documents.
When clients made agreements with vendors and customers, FOS drafted their contracts and terms and conditions.
When clients bought or sold real estate, FOS ensured clear title and appropriate deeds.
When clients expanded operations by acquiring other businesses, FOS prepared asset purchase agreements, engaged in due diligence, and oversaw critical closings.
And when clients transitioned ownership of their businesses to younger generations of family, or third-parties, FOS shepherded these transactions to successful conclusions.
FOS also provided estate planning services for existing and new clients.
Our attorneys drafted wills and trusts, health care and financial powers of attorney, account beneficiary forms, and other related documents.
When the unfortunate need arose, we helped administer the assets of bereaved individuals’ deceased family members.
The firm’s litigation practice members engaged in a steady stream of civil matters and criminal investigations.
In all litigation matters, efficient practicality, rather than expensive overtrial, was the watchword.
In addition, FOS continued to maintain clients’ important trademark registrations, counsel clients on sensitive employment matters, and engage in diverse contract reviews and negotiations.
In September, FOS welcomed Attorney Kelly Gorman to its business groups.
As expected, Kelly has already provided valuable support in several commercial transactions.
FOS also welcomed Attorney Olivia Hansen who, like Kelly, has provided valuable input, this time for the firm’s taxation and business groups.
As our motto states, “Our clients come first.” All clients, and all matters, big and small.
That motto extends beyond providing legal services requested by our clients, to timely informing clients regarding relevant developing legal issues.
To that end, FOS continues to issue Client Alerts regarding important legal issues via social media posts, emails, and on our website, foslaw.com.
A complete collection of Client Alerts and other timely and informative articles can be found at https://foslaw.com/news-views/.
The firm also continues to publish our quarterly regular newsletter, FOS News, and our biannual estate planning newsletter, The EP Express. A complete collection of our newsletters can be found at https://foslaw.com/news-views/newsletters/.
To support FOS’s continued efficient provision of services, our business manager, Jason Koehler, oversaw the firm’s implementation of heightened security programs designed to enhance the security and privacy of firm and client information.
The firm is also in the process of streamlining its data programs to enhance administrative efficiencies for the benefit of all clients.
As 2023 progressed, FOS, its staff, and its attorneys achieved multiple recognitions.
Shareholders Matthew O’Neill and Jacob Manian and of-counsel Ken Barczak were named to the list of Super Lawyers.
Shareholders Mike Koutnik, Laurna Kinnel, and Lauren Maddente were named to the list of Super Lawyers Rising Stars.
We also congratulated FOS shareholders Kinnel (business organizations, corporate law, family law, mergers and acquisitions, and trademark law), Koutnik (business organizations, corporate law, land use and zoning law, and real estate law), Maddente (business organizations and corporate law), Manian (general, white collar, and DUI/DWI criminal defense), and O’Neill (appellate practice, arbitration, commercial litigation, and corporate law) for being included in the 30th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.
Shareholder O’Neill achieved the ultimate honor of being named “Top 10 Influential Commercial Litigation Lawyers to Watch in Wisconsin” by Business Today.
Shareholder Manian, for his part, received the Martin Hanson Advocates Prize from the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, an honor only awarded to an attorney who obtains an acquittal in a criminal murder trial.
And this month, FOS will celebrate legal assistant Karen Nimz as she is honored by the Wisconsin Law Journal as an Unsung Hero (not unsung to FOS; we have long lauded Karen’s professionalism, grace under fire, and collegiality).
While we are grateful for these recognitions, our attorneys and staff do not act for awards or commendations.
We do so to serve you – our clients – and the community.
FOS, for example, engaged in a food drive to benefit Feeding America.
In memory of the late, great FOS shareholder Bruce O’Neill, Bruce’s son Matt O’Neill spearheaded the annual movie night at The Times Cinema, with proceeds benefitting the ALS Foundation.
As always, we end 2023 grateful for your trust in FOS, our attorneys, and staff.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with you in 2024.
Call, Zoom, email, or text us. We’re here for you.
