Member Spotlight - ACC Wisconsin

Name: Michelle Dama

Company and Title: EatStreet, Inc. - Chief Legal Officer

Years of Service: 20 years of legal experience

College/University and Law School: University of Wisconsin - Madison, University of Wisconsin Law School (Badger fan for life. Go Bucky!)

How long have you been a member of the ACC of Wisconsin? Why did you join the ACC-WI? I joined ACC- WI when I transitioned to in-house counsel in 2020. ACC-WI has allowed me to connect and collaborate with peers who tackle similar challenges on a daily basis. It is the perfect first stop for any legal need from templates, webinars, live conferences, or a readily available network of trusted peers.

Member Spotlight

Name: Scott M. Engstrom

Company and Title: Krause Financial Services - Corporate Counsel and Chief Operating Officer

Years of Service: 2.5 years

College/University and Law School: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities (B.A. Political Science), Penn State Law (J.D.).

How long have you been a member of the ACC of Wisconsin? Why did you join the ACC-WI? I joined the ACC of Wisconsin in 2019, shortly after joining the company. Because this was my first in-house role, I wanted to ensure that I had the appropriate resources necessary to effectively represent my corporate client. ACC is the premier legal association for in house attorneys, so joining the organization as a member was an easy choice.

Member Spotlight

Name: Cynthia Alberth

Company and Title: Fairbanks Morse Defense - VP, General Counsel

Years of Service: 9 months current company, 34 years as an attorney... yikes!

College/University and Law School: Minnesota State Mankato and University o Minnesota Law School

How long have you been a member of the ACC of Wisconsin? Why did you join the ACC-WI?
1 year for ACC-WI, but I have been a member of ACC for 20+ years; first in Minnesota and then in Illinois as part of the Chicago Chapter. ACC is an amazing organization so now that I live and work in Wisconsin, I joined ACC-WI. The resources available from ACC are a huge life saver with information at your fingertips for a huge array of legal and compliance issues. Plus, the networking the with other in-house lawyers is  invaluable - whether it is just bouncing off an issues for their take or getting a template for a document that just been requested of you. And, the networking with outside counsel and vendors is the best way to get a relationship with the right people that can make your job easier as quickly as possible. And, I cannot forget the CLE programs and amazing events. I encourage every in-house attorney I meet to join ACC-WI. Seriously.

Member Spotlight

Name: Sandra Kallis

Company and Title: SPX Transformer Solutions, Inc.; Manager, Commercial Contracts

Years of Service: 19+ years with SPX TS, in practice 30 years

College/University and Law School: University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Dickinson School of Law – Carlisle, PA (now the Law School of Penn State)

How long have you been a member of the ACC of Wisconsin? Why did you join the ACC-WI?
I have been a member of the ACC-WI since 2016. I joined the ACC-WI for CLE focused on the unique issues faced when working in-house and the opportunity to network with members in similar roles.

Member Spotlight

Name: Kushal Desai

Company and Title: Sargento Foods Inc., Associate Counsel

Years of Service:
3.5 years with Sargento and 5.5 within the practice of law

College/University and Law School:
Case Western Reserve University School of Law, JD 15’,University of Miami, BS’12

How long have you been a member of the ACC of Wisconsin? Why did you join the ACC-WI?
I have been a member of ACC Wisconsin for three years. I joined ACC Wisconsin for the networking &CLE opportunities available to its members. Being a transplant, it can be difficult to meet other attorneys in the community, ACC-WI makes that a little easier.

Member Spotlight

Name: Denna Flemming

Company, Title, and Years of Service: AF Group, Assistant General Counsel. I've been an attorney or almost 14 years. In October, I will celebrate my 6th anniversary with AF Group. Prior to joining AF Group, I worked for 8 years at Kasdorf, Lewis & Swietlik, S.C. in Milwaukee, where I ultimately became a shareholder.

College/University and Law School:
University of Wisconsin-Madison; Drake University Law School.

How long have you been a member of the ACC of Wisconsin?
I joined ACC of Wisconsin in April 2021.

Why did you join the ACC-WI?
I went to a few virtual CLEs and participated in virtual trivia. I won a gift card playing trivia. I especially enjoyed the First Amendment CLE series followed by a wine tasting. Based on my experiences, I thought this is a great group of people the programming is outstanding, I want to be part of this organization, so I joined.

Member Spotlight

Name: Anza D'Antonio

Company, Title, and Years of Service: Fiskars Brands Inc. Legal Director and Secretary, fewer than 1

College/University and Law School:
Temple University School of Law

How long have you been a member of the ACC of Wisconsin?
I have been a member of ACC-WI since 2012 when I moved to Southeastern Wisconsin.

Why did you join the ACC-WI?
I joined ACC-WI because I was told that I could expect interesting CLEs, programming uniquely tailored to in-house counsel, and the opportunity to meet other in-house lawyers. That certainly has been the case!

Member Spotlight

Name: Devon Daughety Leinberger

Company, Title, and Years of Service: Associated Counsel - Compliance, Landmark Credit Union, 1.5 years (almost 5 years as an attorney overall).​​​

College/University and Law School:
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (undergrad)
University of Arkansas at Little Rock (law)

How long have you been a member of the ACC of Wisconsin?
Two years

Why did you join the ACC-WI?
When I came in house at Landmark 1.5 years ago, our General Counsel encouraged me to join. She is on the Board and raved about the members, networking opportunities, and high quality CLEs.

Member Spotlight

Name: Paul B Junius

Company, Title, and Years of Service: Risk Retention Services, Inc., President, 20 years

College/University and Law School:
Saint Louis University
Kent College of Law

How long have you been a member of the ACC of Wisconsin?
Ten years

Why did you join the ACC-WI?
Mike Mulcahy, one of the original board members, encouraged me to get involved in the late 90's when Risk Retention relocated from Chicago to WI. Sometime around 2008 I joined the Board. Being a member of the ACC-WI afforded me the opportunity to work with some great people and broaden my legal and personal perspective while contributing to the efforts of the local chapter.

Member Spotlight

Name: Jessica J. Marquez

Company, Title, and Years of Service: Hy Cite Enterprises LLC, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer, 15+ years of legal experience. 6 ½ years working as a General Counsel at Hy Cite Enterprises.

College/University and Law School:
University of Texas el Paso, University of Wisconsin Law School

How long have you been a member of the ACC of Wisconsin?
Ten years

Why did you join the ACC-WI?
I joined the ACC in 2011. While we each face unique challenges related to our clients, there are many common practice issues and topics that we share with our in-house corporate counsel peers. ACC has allowed me to connect with attorneys facing similar needs and who are willing to share and teach. Having access to that group of professionals has been invaluable.

Member Spotlight

Name: Brittney Cornillaud

Company, Title, and Years of Service: First Supply LLC - Corporate Counsel - 5 years

College/University and Law School: University of Wisconsin - Madison New England Law – Boston

How long have you been a member of the ACC of Wisconsin?
Two years

Why did you join the ACC-WI?
One of my favorite things about being the only lawyer at First Supply is not dealing with other lawyers’ hot air all day. However, there’s something to be said for JD camaraderie and masterful wit. So, my answer is networking; the ability to connect with those who understand the perks and challenges of my unique role and who might have a tip or two to share. Educational programming tailored to in house counsel is a close second.

Member Spotlight