Michael Best is pleased to announce that Daniel Gawronski, Elizabeth Odian and Katelyn Pellitteri have been named 2022 Rising Star in Law by BizTimes Media. This award recognizes up-and-coming lawyers leaving a mark on both Southeast Wisconsin and their firm with proven success with clients, leadership within the firm, and a commitment to community involvement.
Gawronski is an approachable and energetic lawyer with a practice focusing on startups and other general business matters. As a Partner and member of the firm’s Venture Best® Team, he primarily advises startups and investors on venture capital and other early-stage financings, corporate reorganizations and buyouts, and mergers and acquisitions. Outside of his robust practice, Gawronski regularly volunteers his time to speak to startups on legal and other practical issues that arise during a startup’s lifecycle. From hosting and mentoring gener8tor cohort companies to leading Michael Best’s Summerfest Tech efforts, his extracurricular activities are dedicated to living out his mission of continuing to make Milwaukee a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
As a Partner in the firm’s Labor & Employment group, Odian defends businesses in employment ligation matters involving a variety of topics including discrimination and harassment, retaliation under Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Odian also serves as the firm’s Assistant General Counsel, working alongside Michael Best’s HR department and Firm Leadership on employment matters ranging from employee leave to discipline to contracts. In addition to counseling her clients, Odian has a passion for driving change in the community, particularly in empowering women and advancing equality. Odian serves as a board member and advocacy committee chair for the Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee, a group committed to activating philanthropy to advance equity for women.
As a Senior Associate in the Corporate practice group, Pellitteri assists private companies with a variety of corporate and transactional matters, including corporate governance, business structuring, mergers and acquisitions, and succession planning. Additionally, she works closely with Michael Best’s Healthcare practice to help health industry clients navigate governance, transactional, and information security matters. Outside of her growing practice, Pellitteri is active member in Michael Best’s Women’s Development Group and regularly supports the Firm’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, including being selected to participate in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s (LCLD) elite Pathfinder Program, a seven-month professional development course focused on foundational leadership and relationship-building. Outside the office, Pellitteri is a strong advocate for women’s health issues and regularly participating in efforts to keep Milwaukee’s urban parks clean and accessible.