Kohn Law Firm

Law Firm Photos

Operations and Administration
Operations and administration is charged with the overall management of the firm's policies, procedures and planning.

Brenda A. Majewski
BrendaM@kohnlaw.com
Director of Operations Direct Dial: (414) 276-4608 Ext. 3065

Brenda is the firm's Director of Operations and has been with the firm since 1976. She is a member of the National and Wisconsin Association of Legal Administrators, having served three terms as state President. She was WALA's first recipient of its President's Award of Excellence in 2005, and currently serves on the Vendor Relations committee. Her activities at the national level include ALA's Muliticultural Committee, Vendor Relations Committee, regional speaker and judge for many of the chapter awards programs.

She is also a member of the Commercial Law League of America, having served as Co-editor of the Creditor's Rights Section newsletter, Free Press, and chair of the National Education Committee for the 2008-2010 term. She is currently Chair of the Midwestern Region District Council and serves on the Creditors Rights Section Executive Council, representing the Council on the Board of Associate Editors. She has served on the League's Nominating Council and chaired various committees.

Brenda is a frequent speaker and author on topics related to law firm management in the collection industry. She attended Milwaukee Area Technical College and has a Certificate in Management from Marquette University.

Kathleen A. Johnson
kathyj@kohnlaw.com
Administrator Direct Dial: (414) 276-4608 Ext. 3030

Kathy is the firm's Administrator responsible for all benefits and payroll administration and facilities management for over 100 firm members. She assists in the management of the firm's Paralegal Department. She is a graduate of Concordia University. Joining KLF in 2005, Kathy brought over 20 years of law firm management experience to the firm. She is a member of the National and Wisconsin Association of Legal Administrators. She has served the association in a number of officer roles including Vice-President of Membership, Vice President at Large, Treasurer, President and Past President. She was the association's 2007 Award of Excellence recipient. Kathy is currently a member of the Office Technology Advisory Committee of Milwaukee Area Technical College and is again serving on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Association of Legal Administrators as Vice-President at Large.

Cash and Accounting Department
Client statements, billings, banking processes, electronic transfers, daily posting, bank deposits, audits and reconciliations are handled in this department.


	Carrie Conner carriec@kohnlaw.com Cash and Accounting Manager Extension 3070 Carrie manages the accounting department staff and is the firm's main contact for client statements, electronic cash maintenance transfers or accounting reports. Carrie has been with the firm since 1999. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin--Stout.		Stacie Ruska stacier@kohnlaw.com Accounting Assistant Extension 3037 Stacie is the supervisor in the cash department. She handles day- to-day accounting transactions including posting, client statements and handles various electronic and online banking functions of the department. She has done coursework at Northern Michigan University.





	Thippayaphun (Thip) Eurkittiroj thipe@kohnlaw.com Ext: 3087 Thip is an accounting clerk within the department. She has a degree in mathematics from Alverno College and has recently received her MBA with project management concentration from Lakeland College.		Colleen Hill colleenh@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3078 Colleen is an accounting clerk within the department. She was a loan servicing representative in the banking industry prior to joining the firm. She handles day-to-day posting and IDD scanning of deposited checks.





	Kay Xiong klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3050 Kay is an accounting clerk within the department. She is also an accounting major at UW-Milwaukee. She posts and processes electronic checks.		Michael L. Day klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3127 Michael is the newest member of the Cash Department. He is a finance student working towards his degree in the evenings.





	Kate Hering klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3063 Kate Hering has joined our Cash Department on a part-time basis. She has previous experience in accounting and data entry through her work at a credit service as well as a library. She is also currently attending classes towards an accounting degree.

Collection Management
The firm has a staff of qualified collectors representing a diverse background of experience. Our collection staff is charged with both pre-suit and post-suit collection investigations. They are responsible for calling, skip tracing and asset locating on all claims placed. After judgment, they facilitate the collection process through additional contact and post judgment remedy recommendations.


	Eric Repka ericr@kohnlaw.com Extension 3034 Collection Supervisor Eric is the supervisor of our municipal and commercial collection teams in the firm.		Scott Makkos scottm@kohnlaw.com Extension 3059 Collection Supervisor Scott supervisors the firm's premium credit card and Capital One credit card staff of collectors. He handles initial collector training and is responsible for the team's goals monthly and collector productivity. Scott has a BS degree in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin.





	Siena Naylor klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3008 Siena has recently been promoted and is supervising our specialty and medical teams		Douglas G. Smyth dougs@kohnlaw.com Collection Manager Ext. 3006 Doug is Kohn Law Firm's Collection Manager. Joining the firm in 2006, he brought over 10 years of collection and management expertise to Kohn Law Firm. Doug has a BA in Economics from the University of Arizona.





	Antar Green klf@kohnlaw.com Antar is a supervisor of our purchased debt department.

Collection Staff


	Terrance Williams klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3026 Terrance is a member of our Capital One credit card collection team.		Jenny Thomas klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3015 Jenny is our Municipal Team Lead. She has held positions in other areas of the collection department since she joined the firm. Jenny has a BA in Political Science with an emphasis in Law Studies from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.





	Ryan Osten klf@kohnlaw.com Extension 3045 As a senior member of the Kohn collection staff, Ryan handles a large portfolio of clients including Target, Discover and Wells Fargo. He has over 14 years of collection experience at the firm.		Alice Hammers klf@kohnlaw.com Collector Extension 3011 As a senior member of the Kohn collection staff, Alice handles a large portfolio of TSYS/NAN clients including Target, Capital One and GE and is a member of our Premium collection group. She has over ten years of collection experience at the firm and has a degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.





	Charisse Williams klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3032 Charisse is a member of our Purchased Debt Team.		Abdi Ismail klf@kohnlaw.com Ext: 3071 Abdi is a member of our Capital One Credit Card team. He worked inhouse collections at Target Financial Services before relocating to Milwaukee.





	Dennis Erickson klf@kohnlaw.com Extension 3076 Dennis has been on staff at KLF since 2004. He brought four years of collection agency experience with him. He has worked in our credit card and purchased debt areas, and helps train our commercial collectors. He currently works on our Specialty Team to handle the Commercial and Miscellaneous clients.		Michael Coy klf@kohnlaw.com Ext: 3058 Mike brought over 25 years of collections experience to KLF in 2005. He currently handles a large portfolio of purchased debt accounts.





	Orlando Rodriguez klf@kohnlaw.com Extension 3032 Orlando is a member of our premium card team, having previously handled pay day loans and Capital One credit card collections at the firm. He had five years of collection agency experience before joining KLF. He is completing his degree at the University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.		Angel Quiroz klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3078 Angel has been a member of our Cash Department until recently. When he decided to return to school, he was able to work his hours around classes by working in the Collection Department.





	Shaneka Luster klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3085 Shaneka is a member of our purchased debt collection team.		Sally Cervera-Pries klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3047 Sally has been with our firm since 2008. She has over 20 years of customer service experience and is bilingual with Spanish being her second language. Sally was most recently promoted to our Premium Collection Team.





	Amy Fredrick klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3095 We are pleased to welcome Amy back to the firm. Amy is returning to the collection position she previously held.		Glenn Willis klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3083 Glenn was on assignment through KLF's partnership with an Emerging Business Enterprise, Victory Personnel Services, before being hired on to the KLF staff. He has worked in our municipal and medical areas, and now handles purchased debt collection accounts.





	Jeanette Royske klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3028 Jeanette has been with us since April of 2009 having previously worked for us through a temporary agency. She has worked on both the Municipal and Purchased Debt Temas and currently handles collection of personal property taxes as part of our Municipal Team.		Larry King klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3014 Larry is a member of our Capital One credit card collection team.





	Adam MacDougall klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3015 Adam is currently handling a queue relating to our dormant judgments.		Brenda Zak klf@kohnlaw.com Brenda Zak start with us as a skip tracer and has since moved into our purchased debt area.





	Molly Messplay klf@kohnlaw.com Molly is a member of our medical and pay day loan collection unit.		Lisa Hodkiewicz klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3108 Lisa is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Madison with a degree in History and History of Science. Prior to joining KLF, Lisa worked for the City of Madison and taught English overseas. She is a member of our Tort Team.





	Robert Bergeron klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3093 Robert is a member of our medical and payday loan team.		Eric Edelblute klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3091 Eric is a member of our collection department, handling a specilized que of post lawsuit accounts.





	Kimberly Ramos klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3064 Kim is a member of our Muncipal Team, having been a part of our Purchased Debt Team in the past. Kim has been with the firm since 2007 and came to us with previous collection experience. She has a B.A. degree in Criminal Justice Management with a minor in Cultural Studies.		Tasha Scribner klf@kohnlaw.com Tasha is a member of our cash advance loan collection team.





	Nicole Gaspardo klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3080 Nicole is a member of our Capitol One collection team.		Cory Peplinski klf@kohnlaw.com Cory is a member of our subrogation unit handling both pre and post lawsuit collection calls and payment plans. He has returned after being deployed with the U.S. Marines overseas.





	Patrick D. Leaf klf@kohnlaw.com Patrick has been with our firm since May of 2009 and works on the Capital One Credit Card Team.		Elizabeth Huggins klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3118 Elizabeth spent many years as a Customer Service Representative for JPM Chase Bank in the Annuity Support Division. She brings with her a great amount of experience and knowledge in working with the public. She is currently part of our Municipal Debt Team.





	Heidi Fuller klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3182 Heidi comes to us from the restaurant arena with a Culinary Arts and Business Management degree. She is part of our Purchased Debt Team.		Pierre Rembert klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3201 Pierre is working towards his degree in economics at UW-Milwaukee. He has previously spent time in sales and customer service. Pierre is part of our Capital One Team.





	Mai Vang klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3207 Mai is a skip tracer in our firm. She is attending UW-Milwaukee as a finance major and is bilingual in both English and Hmong		Philip Rippke klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3129 Prior to joining KLF, Phil worked as a collector at The CBE Group Inc. in Waterloo, Iowa. He has a BA degree in communication studies from the University of Northern Iowa. Phil will be working on our Purchased Debt Team.





	Sharonda Duncan klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3203 Sharonda comes to KLF with previous collection experience having worked as a collector at Van Ru Credit Corp. in Brookfield and most recently at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.		David Seth Hill klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3055 David Seth Hill. Seth is an attorney licensed to practice in the state of Michigan and will be studying for the Wisconsin bar exam. In the meantime, he will be working as a law clerk in the collection department handling muni files. Seth is a graduate of Montana State University and Thomas M. Cooley Law School.





	Shawn J. Anderson klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3063 Shawn has joined our collection department working on the Cap One team. He is a graduate of Viterbo University in La Crosse with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and Psychology and his MB.A in Business Administration.		Matthew R. Kobylinski klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3017 Matt is working on the medicash team. He is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin Whitewater with a B.S. in Sociology with a Criminal Justice Emphasis. Matt has spent several months interning with the Walworth County District Attorneys office in Elkhorn.





	Temps Plus Personnel Services klf@kohnlaw.com Periodically, Temps Plus supplies additional collection staff members, working under a City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County Emerging Business Enterprise contract at the Kohn Law Firm. They handle municipal collections with KLF. We currently have two employees from Temps Plus working on our city files this year.		Victory Personnel Services klf@kohnlaw.com Contract collector Periodically, Victory Personnel Services supplies additional collection staff members, working under a City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County Emerging Business Enterprise contract at the Kohn Law Firm. They handle municipal collections with KLF.

Compliance Department
The firm's Compliance Department handles all facets of firm and client compliance related to work flow and work product.


	Jane Lyons janel@kohnlaw.com Compliance Manager Extension 3012 Jane is responsible for managing the compliance testing of the firm related to work flow and work product across all departments. On staff with KLF since 2002, Jane supervised and managed our collection staff for four years before helping to create the Compliance Department. Jane brought over 20 years of collection supervisory management to the firm, primarily in the banking industry. She is a past board member of the Wisconsin Collectors Association, having served on the Budget and Audit Committee.		Scott Sprague klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3036 Scott is a member of our compliance department, assisting with the entry of new case matters as well account auditing. He has a degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.





	Tony Verkulien tonyv@kohnlaw.com Client Services Assistantr Extension 3004 Tony has worked as a collector, and collection supervisor, prior to transferring to our compliance department. He is responsible for client compliance standards and reporting. He has a degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.		Kristine Maksen kristinem@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3060 Kristine is a member of our compliance department handling new client intake processes, work flow auditing and client documentation. She has a BS in business administration and communications from Lewis-Clark State College, and an AA from North Idaho College.





	Patty Aude pattya@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3090 Patty has been with our Support Department for many years and has handled inventory and supplies for the firm, and many of the overflow projects from the compliance, paralegal and support departments. She has recently been recruited to become a member of the Compliance Department and will be handling our suit review list as well as auditing other compliance diary lists.		Nathan Steevens klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3101 Nathan is handling the intake of new client matters in the compliance department as well as some of the file monitoring.





	Michala Eberlein klf@kohnlaw.com Michala is a member of our compliance department, assisting in client documentation requests and itemization auditing.		Karl Dauenhauer karld@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3116 Karl Dauenhauer has recently joined our Compliance Department and is assisting with the entry of new case matters and account auditing. He is a 2010 graduate of Marquette University with a degree in History and Criminology.

Legal Support
Support staff complete the services offered by the firm. Data entry, receptionist, bookkeeping, records management, mail room management and general office procedures round out the services provided by qualified staff.


	Annie Bilow-Cantrell annieb@kohnlaw.com Support Department Manager Ext. 3052 Annie is the Support Manager at KLF. She has a paralegal certificate from Carthage College and has previously managed in the hospitality industry.		Matesha Luster klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3001 Matesha is the main voice you hear when calling Kohn Law Firm. She has many years of customer service and receptionist experience. She has an associates degree from MATC in criminal justice.





	Shalisa Harger klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3002 Shalilsa is one of two voices you hear when calling Kohn Law Firm. She attended Northwestern Business College and the College of DuPage.		Samuel Laguna, Jr. klf@kohnlaw.com Sam handles all of the records and paperwork for our files, maintains our record room, and makes sure attorneys have files for court dates.





	Therronda Sloan klf@kohnlaw.com Therronda is a member of our support department, handling litigation filing. She was on staff with a temporary service prior to joining KLF full time.		Samantha Gaspardo klf@kohnlaw.com Support Department Samantha has rejoined KLF full time after graduation working in our support department's process areas. She also works closely with the collection manager on various administrative functions.





	Sierra Atkins klf@kohnlaw.com Sierra handles all of the supply ordering for the firm, helps with lawsuit documentation and helps out at our reception desk. She was on staff with a temporary service prior to joining KLF full time.		Robert Sebastian Davis klf@kohnlaw.com Sebastian is with KLF for the Summer and will be assisting the Support Department with various jobs. He is a student at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta studying graphic design.





	OCE' Management Services ocemgr@kohnlaw.com Supervisor: Edwin Tucker Extension 3061 Kohn Law Firm contracts with outsource company, OCE Business Services, for the handling of all mail room, copy, fax, shredding, and scanning applications, as well as messenger services. They are located onsite. Onsite supervision maintains a staff of four dedicated individuals handling these services. Ed, Otha, Majunga, Anthony and Jason handle those support functions.

IT Department
The IT department is responsible for all of the firm's networks, system security and client interfaces.


	Jeffery Madison jeffm@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3038 Jeffery Madison is our IT Manager. Prior to joining KLF, he was the technology director at a local school and worked for the State of Wisconsin. Jeff has his bachelors degree in Technology and Information Managerment and has recently received his masters in Business Administration. He is responsible for the hardware and software applications, network infrastrure, telecommunications equipment and data security at the firm. Jeff is currently sitting on the Technology Board at Bryant & Stratton College.		Michael Bannier MikeB@kohnlaw.com IT / CLS contact Extension 3039 Mike is a senior member of the KLF staff joining us in October, 1989. He has been through many system upgrades over the years, working in collections and client services before finding his home in the IT department. He works on all CLS programming updates and all client interface system matrix updates. He is the team member responsible for client reconciliation programs. Mike has a degree in Interpersonal Communications from the University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.





	Tom Connor thomasc@kohnlaw.com Network Assistant Extension 3040 Tom is responsible for daily edi client uploads and downloads. He also trouble shoots matrix issues as well as internal system issues and firm operator issues. He is a graduate of ITT Technical Institute with an AAS in Information Technology - Software Application Programming.		Jason Kosier jayk@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3062 Jay had been a member of our Compliance Department, handling the intake and processing of of new electronic claims, conflict research and data updates, and is now a member of our IT Department. He has a Communication Arts Degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Paralegal Staff


	Heather Lechner heatherl@kohnlaw.com Senior Paralegal Extension 3112 Heather handles some of our post-judgment work. She is in the office Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and telecommutes Tuesdays and Thursdays. Heather has been on staff since 1996, originally working part time while attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.		Jeffrey Jacobs jeffj@kohnlaw.com Paralegal Assistant Extension 3039 Jeff is a member of our lawsuit team issuing small claims lawsuits. He has a BA from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in English.





	Sara Burg sarab@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3067 Assistant Paralegal Manager Sara has been on staff since 2004 and is responsible for monitoring work flow in the department. She is currently in the office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. She has a BS degree in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a Paralegal Certificate from the Minnesota Paralegal Institute.		Altha Arden althaa@kohnlaw.com Ext: 3073 Altha serves as a legal secretary to our litigation attorneys. She has an associates degree from Helena College of Technology in Legal Support Professional, has attended the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, the Garrett Theological Seminary, and has a paralegal certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. She has worked in law firms in Montana, North Carolina and Wisconsin.





	Jean Manz klf@kohnlaw.com (414276-0435 Ext. 3122 Jean is a legal secretary at the firm responsible for the transcription of litigation documents and correspondence.		Jessica Seligmiller jessicas@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3075 Paralegal Supervisor Jessica is the Paralegal Supervisor for the department. She handles much of the departmental training, along with her paralegal duties.





	Keri Stein keris@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3084 Keri is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in criminal justice. She worked for the Department of Homeland Security prior to joining the firm. She handles post judgment pleadings.		Alex Boeder klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3074 Alex is a member of the Paralegal Department handing service and publication related matters.





	Stephanie Mackey klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3105 Stephanie handles post-judgment work in the department and has graduated on the Dean's List from MATC.		Marissa Hackman klf@kohnlaw.com Est: 3081 Marissa Hackman is a newer member of our paralegal department, after spending two years in our legal support area. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.





	Kasey Schraufnagel kaseys@kohnlaw.com Ext: 3102 Kasey was a member of our Compliance Department handling client documentation for litigation files, and has now moved into our paralegal department where she issues lawsuits.		Valerie Ambrosh valeriea@kohnlaw.com Ext: 3042 Valerie is part of the garnishment team in the department. She has her bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Paltz in geology, and her masters degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton in education.





	Joseph Potrzebowski joep@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3119 Joe Potrzebowski has been a member for our firm for many years and has recently returned to us as part of our Project Management team helping to coordinate the changes to forms and processes to improve the quality of our work flow.		Nee-Yonna Williams neeyonnaw@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3211 Nee-Yonna officially joined our staff after working for us many months through a temporary agency. She is a secretary to the attorneys in our firm. Prior to joining our firm, Nee-Yonna has worked as a Paralegal and Office Manager. She is a graduate of Bryant and Stratton with an Associate in Science Paralegal Studies degree and has also obtained her Certificate in Paralegal Studies from MBTI.





	Megan Sarver klf@kohnlaw.com Ext: 3019 Megan issues some of our lawsuits and handles all bankruptcy matters for the firm. She has a degree in music education from Knox College.		Samantha Schultz samanthas@kohnlaw.com Samatha is working in our post judgment area in the paralegal department. She has her BA from Carthage College in political science and Spanish.





	Dan Carver klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3046 Dan is a member of our paralegal department handling the issuing of lawsuit paperwork.		Erin Bollis klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3066 Erin is a member of our paralegal department. One of her duties is monitoring our case files with Wisconsin's taxpayer intercept program.





	Samantha Trokan samanthat@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3110 Samantha is the newest member of the paralegal department and will be working with the pre-judgment team.		Zach Gnas klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3009 Zach works on our garnishment team handling all of the followup calls with the employers.





	Heather Vaccaro klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3068 Heather has handled a variety of work for the paralegal department and is currently handling all debtor correspondence.		Christopher Lushine chrisl@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3020 Chris is a member of our subrogation collection and litigation team, handling the litigation processes our subrogation unit. He previously handled the collection aspect of our subrogation unit. He has a degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in Political Science.





	Ashley T. Meunier klf@kohnlaw.com Ashley is part of our garnishment team. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin.		Kathryn Elefson klf@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3041 Kathryn handles some of our pre-judgment work. She has a BA in History and French from Grinnell College and a certificate from Madison Area Technical College in Paralegal Studies.





	Christopher C. Janisch chrisj@kohnlaw.com Ext. 3215 Chris joins the Paralegal Department as a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in economics. He is currently handling some of the pre-judgment work.		Kelly Longhusrt klf@kohnlaw.com Kelly handles pre-judgment paperwork as well as the follow up for lawsuits.