Wisconsin Public Sector Vet Joins Milwaukee Law Firm

CHICAGO -Milwaukee-based Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek SC announced Monday the addition of Gerald J. Pace, a 10-year veteran of fiscal positions for various governmental bodies, to the firm's public finance group.

Pace, 41, will work on issues for Wisconsin-based clients, including cities, counties, towns, school districts, housing agencies, and other special districts. Pace most recently served as treasurer for Madison and previously held the position of chief financial officer for the Cleveland Municipal School District. He also has worked for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

In making the move, Pace said: "WHD's public finance practice provides me with an incredible opportunity to apply my legal skills and my public finance sector experience."

The job is his first practicing law and the firm believes Pace's history in the public sector on the finance side will give its public finance business a boost.

"Gerald adds an interesting dimension to our practice," said Kenneth R. Nowakowski, the law firm's vice president. "He worked in the public finance sector for more than 10 years prior to joining the firm. As such, he brings a unique perspective to bear on addressing the needs of our clients."

Pace earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin and a master's degree in finance from the University of Illinois. Whyte Hirschboeck employs more than 150 attorneys and other legal professionals, including seven in public finance with the addition of Pace, in its offices in Milwaukee, Madison, and Manitowoc.

The firm last year ranked fourth in Wisconsin among bond counsel, working on 26 bond deals totaling $188 million, representing 3.9% of the state's market share. Quarles & Brady LLP and Foley & Lardner LLP dominate the bond counsel business in the state, with Quarles working on 374 deals totaling $2.4 billion. Foley follows with $1.4 billion and Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP with $304 million, according to Thomson Financial.

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