Speedy Trial

This feature introduces a member of Dane County's legal community as they answer five questions posed to them by DCLRCBlawg. If you would like to participate, please email Paula Seeger for more information.

Meet Anne T Wadsack, attorney at Dewitt, Ross, & Stevens.

1. What's the favorite part of your job?

• Meeting people, analyzing problems, reading

2. What's the greatest challenge facing Dane Co. courts or legal professionals today?

• Unprepared (overworked/overscheduled) judges, who are probably buried in pro-se stuff most of the time. For an attorney, it is distressing to walk into court, as I have several times in the last twleve months, only to have the judge say "Oh, and I haven't read any of the briefs." We try to make the issues clear cut, succinct, and give the court reference to its authority to do what we're asking. If the briefs haven't been read, then the whole thing is just a free for all and a terrible time waster.

3. What's the one thing that has changed the most since you took your job?

• Women in the law. (been practicing 34 years)
  

4. You would describe your legal research style as:
A: Legal Research...what's that?
B: Thank Goodness for staff attorneys and office staff!
C: Mostly at home, mostly as needed
D: All research, all the time.

• None of the above. I do my own research in most cases, although will throw a narrow question to a law clerk for depth.
  

5. What three pieces of advice would you give to someone new to your line of work?

• Your time is valuable. Charge for it.
  
• Your wisdom is a rare commodity in this world. Develop it.
  
• Your common sense is an amazing tool. Use it often.

Well said. Thanks for your thoughts!