News

Michael Best is pleased to announce that in the third quarter of 2022, nine associate attorneys joined the firm in various practice groups including corporate, litigation and labor & employment relations.

Jake J. DeLeers is an associate in the firm’s Corporate practice group. He assists clients with a variety of business and transactional matters. Before joining Michael Best, DeLeers was a legal intern for the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) in the Division of Corporation Finance. DeLeers earned his J.D., cum laude, from Pennsylvania State University and his B.B.A., cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.  

Mason A. Higgins joined Michael Best as an associate in the firm’s Litigation practice group. Based in Madison, Higgins helps companies navigate all stages of civil litigation and reorganization. When financial disaster strikes or insolvency is unavoidable, he is prepared to guide his clients through the bankruptcy process and towards a fresh start. Higgins earned his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Southern Illinois University.

Robin A. Jackson, an associate in the firm’s Litigation practice group, focuses her practice on real estate, corporate, and commercial disputes. She brings experience from the private and the public sector, both from a prosecution and defense perspective, and she also advises and defends attorneys in a professional liability setting. Additionally, Jackson’s accounting background helps her tackle a variety of commercial and business matters. She earned her J.D. from University of Denver Sturm College of Law, and her B.A., cum laude, from the University of Mississippi.

Ena M. Kovacevic is based in the Milwaukee office and joined the firm’s Litigation practice group as an associate. She defends and advocates for clients from a wide range of industries, including healthcare, real estate, finance, manufacturing, and more. Prior to joining Michael Best, Ena was an Associate at a litigation-focused law firm, where she assisted attorneys with a variety of complex disputes. Kovacevic earned her J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Marquette University.

Adam J. Lowe joined Michael Best’s Milwaukee office as an associate. As a member of the Litigation practice group, Lowe assists businesses and individuals in navigating all aspects and phases of commercial and other civil disputes, up to and including courtroom litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Adam served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Chief Judge Pamela Pepper of the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Lowe earned both his J.D. and B.A. from the University of Wisconsin.

Audrey N. Luzader is an associate in the firm’s Labor & Employment practice groups. Based in Milwaukee, Luzader assists clients in a broad range of labor and employment matters, including employment policies and practices and immigration. Luzader began her Michael Best career as a summer associate, returned as a law clerk, and joined the firm as an associate attorney after obtaining her law degree. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Marquette University Law School and her B.A. from Arizona State University.

Veronica A. Mantilla joined Michael Best’s Litigation practice group as an associate in the Madison office, focusing her practice on litigation avoidance and dispute resolution. She started her Michael Best career as a summer associate, returned as a law clerk, and joined the firm as an associate attorney after completing her law degree. She earned her J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School, her M.S.E. from John Hopkins School of Education, and her B.S., cum laude, from Binghamton University.

Michael G. Schietzelt, Jr. joined the firm as an associate in the Litigation practice group. Before joining Michael Best, Schietzelt was the constitutional law fellow for the Robertson Center for Constitutional Law at Regent University School of Law. He earned his J.D. from Duke University School of Law and his B.M., cum laude, from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Katarina D. Stockton is an associate in the Labor & Employment Relations practice group based in the firm’s Raleigh office. Stockton was a summer associate and law clerk at Michael Best prior to joining as an associate. Before joining the firm, Stockton held internships with financial and investment services technology start-ups where she reviewed and revised contracts, helped develop contract negotiation playbooks, and ensured contracts complied with applicable regulations. Stockton earned her J.D. from the University of North Carolina of Law, and her B.S., magna cum laude, from the University of Connecticut.