“Every movement, and this is a movement around the country, needs people like these two that will take the resources and use it for events like today, that can make a real difference.” – Mark Thomsen
“I am extremely honored to attend and speak at the Team Up for Change event,” said, Thomsen. “Working with organizations like the Milwaukee Bucks and the Sacramento Kings to drive awareness of civil rights issues can only help foster change in both of our cities, and across the country.”
Mark Thomsen, Gingras, Cates & Wachs (GCW) Lawyers civil rights attorney, known for his representation of Milwaukee Bucks guard, Mr. Sterling Brown, spoke at the NBA event, Team Up for Change, on February 27 in Sacramento. Thomsen was part of a three-person panel that included Mark Lasry, Co-Owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, and Vivek Ranadivé, owner of the Sacramento Kings, to discuss how sports can help communities achieve racial equity.
“Every movement needs people like these two (Lasry and Ranadivé) that will take their resources and use them for events like today that can make a real difference,” said Thomsen. But for Ranadivé, the movement is bigger than basketball and he hopes it will go viral, not just within the NBA, but through all professional sports leagues.
“Whenever the team can do something as big as this for the community, it’s important,” Brown said the day of the summit. “It definitely lets some of the community members know that it is a push to make change, especially for myself, I’m pretty big on that where I stand and my situation and the platform I have. I’m looking to make significant changes in the community to help the urban, the black community progress.”
Inspiring Change
Team Up for Change brought the two NBA teams together after their two cities experienced similar social justice injustices last year. Milwaukee Buck’s guard, Sterling Brown, was wrongfully tased and arrested by Milwaukee police over a parking violation in January, and Sacramento police shot and killed Stephon Clark, a young unarmed black man, in his grandmother’s backyard in March. The Stand Up for Change Summit is part of a two-year partnership between the Bucks and the Kings to inspire and encourage change in both cities. Next year’s Team Up for Change Summit will be held in Milwaukee when the Bucks host the Kings at Fiserv Forum.
In honoring his commitment to making changes in Milwaukee, Sterling and his brother, Shannon Brown, have started a non-profit S.A.L.U.T.E. (Sacrifice, Ambition, Loyalty, Unlimited, Truth & Education) that will be funded by the proceeds of his federal lawsuit against the Milwaukee Police Department, if he wins.
In Sacramento, the Kings are also promising to give back. Fifty high school seniors will receive $1,000 scholarships starting this fall thanks to the Sacramento Police Foundation Criminal Justice Magnet School Academy and the Sierra Health Foundation.
GCW Rights the Wrong
GCW and Thomsen have represented civil rights cases in Milwaukee and across Wisconsin for years, recently seeking justice for two Milwaukee pastors who were allegedly racially profiled in Waukesha County, and the civil case of Adam Trammell. With an influx of cases in Milwaukee, GCW continues to right the wrong that plagues local community members, and Team Up for Change helps advance these critical social injustice issues. Contact us today if you have been a victim of racial profiling or discrimination.
https://gtwlawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/mt4-main-blog.png440660Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gtw-attorneys-logo_white.pngGingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP2019-03-02 19:43:152026-05-26 22:24:16RECAP: Mark Thomsen Speaks at Team Up for Change Summit
On Friday February 1, 2019, GCW attorney, Robert Gingras, filed a lawsuit with the Dane County Circuit Court on behalf of a Wausau woman against a plastic surgeon with UW Health Transformations. According to the lawsuit, John W. Siebert, M.D. “failed to use the degree of care, skill and judgment that reasonable physicians would use in the case and treatment of a patient.”
The complaint stated Siebert purposefully inserted the incorrect size breast implants into a female patient, and was negligent in handling followup appointments that were needed due to post-surgery complications. When asked about the breast implant sizes, the patient said Siebert told her they were “larger because of the swelling.” The complaint also mentioned that Siebert had inappropriately touched the woman’s shoulders, legs, and face, while calling her inappropriate names like “babe” and “sweetie.” The patient is claiming sexual exploitation and medical negligence by Siebert, as well as negligent hiring by UW Health.
“We hope to make medical institutions be more forthright with their patients,” said GCW attorney, Robert Gingras.
Siebert was being investigated for an alleged sexual relationship with a married patient while working in a hospital in New York from 2006-2008. In 2011, Siebert was hired by UW Health Transformations while the investigation was ongoing. When the New York State Office of Professional Medical Conduct concluded its investigation in 2013, the New York medical board issued a suspension of his medical license and ordered that he be accompanied by a chaperone while attending to female patients.
Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP medical malpractice attorney is working to seek justice for this female patient and prevent this from happening again.
UPDATE: In an interview in TODAY’S TMJ4 News at 6pm, GTW Attorney Mark Thomsen continues to speak out against the city’s response saying Mr. Brown was “treated less than human” by the Milwaukee police. He believes the encounter didn’t have to end like it did and that the city needs to do more, and not just for Sterling Brown. “If you don’t name the problem or identify it, you can’t fix it,” says Mark Thomsen. “And if you continue to bury it, you promote it.”
“To my friends and fellow citizens that say Mr. Brown should have done more,” says Mark Thomsen, “Look into your mind and your heart.”
UPDATE: In an interview with Shannon Sims from TODAY’S TMJ4, Mr. Brown stated that he had yet to receive a formal apology from the Milwaukee Police Department for tasing him on January 26, 2018 after parking in a handicapped-accessible spot. At this time it is unknown whether or not Mr. Brown will receive an apology.
Since the incident has happened over a year ago, Mr. Brown has revealed how he has been able to move forward since that day. “Basketball has helped me a lot,” Sterling Brown said. “It helped me keep my mind focused on something … I wasn’t able to just drift away and dwell in what happened and let it eat me up.”
GTW Attorney, Mark Thomsen, was pleased with the FPC’s decision, however he believes more needs to be done.
“That type of racist conduct is unacceptable. Until they change their legal position and admit that this was a racist attack, we’re not going to get very far,” said Thomsen.
UPDATE: A telephone conference hearing was scheduled for November 21 with Sterling Brown’s attorney, GTW’s Mark Thomsen, and Eastern District of Wisconsin magistrate judge David E. Jones. During this hearing a potential trial date would be set for Mr. Brown’s lawsuit against the city of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD).
On August 25, the city of Milwaukee and MPD took no blame in the arrest and stated that it was Mr. Brown who was entirely at fault. “Mr. Brown remains willing to work with the city to try to resolve this lawsuit in an amicable fashion,” said Mark Thomsen.
In an interview on November 8, Mr. Brown stated that he has been getting a lot of support from “notable” people throughout the NBA and he is remaining positive.
Thomsen said Mr. Brown would not be on the conference call and would not be making any further comment until the city of Milwaukee moved forward.
Meanwhile, Mr. Brown teamed up with his brother, former NBA guard Shannon Brown, to introduce a new charity foundation called S.A.L.U.T.E. (Sacrifice, Ambition, Loyalty, Unlimited, Truth & Education).
“Our foundation embodies things that should be instilled in the youth so they could lead successful lives,” said Sterling Brown. “We want them to do something for their lives to help them get out of the ‘hood and unfortunate situations.”
“If my city is serious about apologizing, addressing race relations, then they have to be sensitive of how they release documents,” said GTW attorney Mark Thomsen.
On Tuesday, August 28th, GTW Attorney Mark Thomsen held a press conference, addressing the court document filed by Milwaukee City Attorney, Grant Langley, at 11:55 p.m. Friday, August 24th. This answer is in response to Sterling Brown’s civil rights lawsuit.
Mr. Brown’s federal lawsuit was filed Tuesday, June 19th, against the city of Milwaukee and its police department for the unlawful arrest and use of excessive force on Milwaukee Bucks player Sterling Brown.
The city’s response to Mr. Brown’s lawsuit stated, “The injuries and damages sustained by the plaintiff, if any, were caused in whole or in part by their own acts or omissions.” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett did not have the chance to review the answer before it was filed by City Attorney, Grant Langley, but was surprised by the response.
Mr. Brown wants the city to admit the incident was an unlawful racial stop and is committed to making a change within the community.
“The city [Milwaukee] must admit that this was a violation of his [Mr. Brown] constitutional rights… that is the starting point of any meaningful discussions,” said Thomsen.
With cases like this, GTW has worked hard to bring the story forward and cultivate conversations around civil rights issues.
Watch the video below for a viewing of the press conference held on Tuesday, August 28th.
The ABOTA is a national organization for judges and experienced, practicing trial lawyers that are dedicated to preserving and promoting the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Membership of this national board is by invitation only and is limited to civil trial attorneys. The ABOTA carries much prestige among attorneys, legislators, and judges when selected as a member.
We are proud and honored to have Bob and Mark as part of the Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP team!
https://gtwlawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ABOTA-Blog.jpg408660Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gtw-attorneys-logo_white.pngGingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP2019-01-23 15:56:092026-05-26 22:24:21Bob Gingras & Mark Thomsen Named Members of the American Board of Trial Advocates
Williams and Patterson were on their way home from fishing in Rock County around noon in May of last year. They had pulled onto the shoulder of I-94 in Brookfield due to a flat tire on the boat trailer they were towing when a Waukesha deputy pulled up. Without asking if the men needed assistance, the deputies questioned Williams and Patterson about guns and drugs before demanding their licenses to check for arrest warrants.
“Had Plaintiffs been white this would not have happened,” the federal lawsuit alleges.
In August, a faith-based community action group, Common Ground, held a news conference to tell the pastor’s story, and ask if other drivers had these types of experiences with Waukesha County sheriff’s deputies. Another news conference was held Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at Community Baptist Church in Sherman park to announce the lawsuit.
“We want to let people know we don’t just have to take this treatment. We can push back and use the law to do it,” said Rev. John Patterson.
Williams and Patterson are represented by GCW civil rights attorney, Mark Thomsen, who is part of our Milwaukee injury law representation. The lawsuit states that white deputies Erik Michalsen, and Michael Powell violated their Fourth Amendment rights to be free of unreasonable searches and seizures, as well as their 14th Amendment right to equal protection under the law.
The men seek unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for “emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-pecuniary losses.” Thomsen said his clients also seek an admission that the deputies were “not only legally but morally wrong.”
Super Lawyers rates outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas. In order to be selected for this honor, the attorneys must go through a selection process of independent research, peer nominations and evaluations. 5% or less of the lawyers in a stare are awarded Super Lawyer status.
Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP is proud to announce that eight of our attorneys have been selected as 2018 Super Lawyers and one has been recognized as a 2018 Rising Star!
John Cates
Selected to Super Lawyers since 2006 in Personal Injury – General, Environmental Litigation, Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice
Robert Gingras
Selected to Super Lawyers since 2006 in Personal Injury – General, Employment Litigation, Class Action/Mass Torts
Paul Kinne
Selected to Super Lawyers since 2009 in Employment & Labor, Personal Injury – General
Lynn Laufenberg
Selected to Super Lawyers since 2005 in Personal Injury – General
Michael Luebke
Selected to Super Lawyers since 2006 in Personal Injury – General, Class Action/Mass Torts, Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice
William Sulton
Selected to Rising Stars since 2015 in Employment Litigation, Business Litigation, Constitutional Law
Mark Thomsen
Selected to Super Lawyers since 2005 in Personal Injury – General, Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice, Civil Rights
Dana Wachs
Selected to Super Lawyers since 2011 in Personal Injury – General, Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury – Products
At GCW, we are the most passionate and dedicated law firm. We outthink, out-strategize and outwork the opposition on our client’s behalf, and that shines through in each of our attorneys. Congratulations to these GCW lawyers for their accomplishments!
Every quarter the Wisconsin Association for Justice (WAJ) puts out a publication called The Verdict that discusses recent topics, featuring various articles written by legal professionals. In the most recent publication, GCW attorneys Whitney Johnson and Scott Thompson were spotlighted.
“Subtle gender bias is an everyday occurrence for females in the law, whether communally recognized or not.”
– GCW Attorney, Whitney Johnson
In Scott Thompson’s article, “Will Automated Vehicles Crash the Courthouse?,” he addresses the new challenges in the courtroom as technology evolves and automated vehicles become more common in this country.
“As members of this organization, we should be prepared to be vigilant in making sure that policy makers look out for safety and do not ignore the interests of injured people when making new laws governing AVs.”
-GCW Attorney, Scott Thompson
There are law firms. And then there is GCW. Our passion and dedication to our clients shines through in each of the attorneys at GCW, and we are proud to announce that not only have our team members been selected for The Best Lawyers in America 2019, but GCW has also been named Best Law Firm for employment law, medical malpractice and personal injury.
Best Lawyers recognizes attorneys based solely on peer reviews of colleagues within the same legal practice category and geographical location. The sophisticated survey process is designed to capture a consensus opinion of leading lawyers’ professional abilities and quality of legal services.
Join us in congratulating these GCW lawyers for their accomplishments!
A special congratulations to GCW attorney, Paul A. Kinne as he has been named Lawyer of the Year in Madison for employment law!
At GCW, we outthink, out-strategize and outwork the opposition on your behalf. From civil rights to personal injury cases, we work together to right the wrong. Contact Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP for a free consultation. Our team brings the fight, and we are ready for battle.
GCW Lawyer, Paul Kinne, has filed a lawsuit against the current Chairman of the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission (WERC) on behalf of a former WERC employee who was laid-off because of her gender, and in retaliation for her political beliefs and speech.
In 2016, the plaintiff, a licensed attorney who practices as a full-time mediator/arbitrator, was rehired at WERC where she was introduced to the defendant who was also an employee. During the first eight months of her return, the plaintiff experienced several occasions in which the defendant spoke of how he did not trust the plaintiff to other employees, he believed she was a liability based off of her political beliefs and they needed to get rid of her.
“This type of behavior is completely unacceptable,” said Paul Kinne. “GCW does not stand for discriminatory behavior of any kind, and we hope this lawsuit is a step towards making that stop within the workplace.”
The plaintiff is seeking compensation for both economic and emotional harm, as well as punitive damages.
Earlier in March, former Assistant District Attorney Bob Jambois filed a lawsuit alleging Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne and others in his office had harassed and retaliated against him following the DA primary election in 2016.
In front of a federal magistrate judge, a settlement of $350,000 for Jambois was reached on Wednesday, September 12th.
“He did not bring this case for the money, he brought it for the principle that stands behind our First Amendment,” said GCW Attorney Bob Gingras. “He believed his rights were violated and he wanted those rights to be resurrected and vindicated.”
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