Boardman Law Firm

Lawrie J. Kobza, Partner

Municipal Law • Utility Law • Construction Law • Environmental Law

Lawrie teams with clients to help them achieve their goals. She works with clients in identifying objectives, developing strategy, implementing plans, and reaching goals. She assists clients with the strategy that will be most effective - whether that be negotiating, contracting, lobbying, or litigating. She knows there is more than one way to get things done. Lawrie is equally comfortable with directing a client's chosen effort, or working as a team member on an effort directed by the client or others.

Education

• Law School, University of Wisconsin, 1985; Order of the Coif, Wisconsin Law Review
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1982

Practice Experience

• Boardman Law Firm, Madison, Wisconsin
• Partner, 1992 to Present
• Associate, 1987 to 1991
• Firm Executive Committee, 1992 to 1997

Professional Involvement

• Municipal Environmental Group - Water Division
• Legal Counsel and Lobbyist for coalition of Wisconsin municipalities that lobby on drinking water legislation and regulation, 1991 to Present
• Governor's Workgroup on the Great Lakes Compact, 2007 to 2008
• Wisconsin's Groundwater Advisory Committee, created pursuant to 2003 Act 310, 2005 to 2007
• Governor's Global Warming Task Force, Water Subcommittee, Stakeholder, 2008
• Wisconsin Water Association, a/k/a Wisconsin Section of the American Water Works
• Chair, 2005
• Board of Trustee Member, 2001 to 2006
• DNR Workgroup on NR 809, 810 and 811, 2007-2009
• Water Conservation Symposium, Stakeholder, 2006
• Groundwater Quantity Legislation Workgroup, formed by Sen. Kedzie and Rep. Johnsrud which lead to the creation of 2003 Act 310, 2004
• DNR/Water Industry Liaison Committee, 2002 to present
• PSC/Water Industry Liaison Committee, 1998 to present
• DNR Water System Capacity Workgroup, 1998-1999
• DNR Ad Hoc Council on Safe Drinking Water Act implementation, 1997-1998
• Safe Drinking Water Regulatory Affairs Seminar Planning Committee, 1992 to present
• Municipal Utility Legislative Rally Planning Committee, 2005 to present

Awards

• Outstanding Service Support Organization Recipient, 2006 - Presented by the Kenosha Water Utility
• Pro Bono Individual Service Award Recipient, 2001 - Presented by the Dane County Bar Association

Speeches & Presentations

• (2003 to Present) Promoting Sustainable Cities Through Energy and Water Initiatives, League of Wisconsin Municipalities Annual Conference, October 2008 (with Anita Gallucci and Richard Heinemann)
• Setting up a Pharmaceutical Collection Program, Wisconsin Water Association Annual Conference, September 2008
• Great Lakes Compact -- What Does It Mean for Water Utilities? Safe Drinking Water Regulatory Affairs Seminar, May 2008
• Groundwater Management, Wisconsin Water Association, Groundwater Seminar, February 2007
• Requirements of Act 310, Wisconsin's New Groundwater Law, Presentation to Dane County Water Utilities, February 2007
• Changing Law of Water Conservation, Wisconsin Water Association, Water Efficiency Seminar, April 2007
• Alternative Revenue Sources Using a Public Utilities Model, State Bar Association Annual Conference, May 2007
• Municipal Fees, Wisconsin Section of the Public Works Association, November 2007
• Public Bidding, Wisconsin Water Association, Management Conference, September 2007
• Groundwater Management Areas, Wisconsin Water Association Annual Conference, September 2006
• Groundwater Management Areas, Safe Drinking Water Regulatory Affairs Seminar, May 2006
• Diggers Hotline Legislation, Safe Drinking Water Regulatory Affairs Seminar, May 2006
• Municipal Fees, League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Local Governmental Officials, October 2005
• Municipal Fees, League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Municipal Attorneys Institute, May 2005
• Stormwater Utilities, Fox Wolf Basin Watershed Group, October 2004
• Public Bidding, Wisconsin Water Association, Management Conference, August 2004
• Stormwater Utilities, League of Wisconsin Municipalities, March 2004
• The Unprivatizing of the Beloit Water System, Wisconsin Water Association Annual Conference, August 2003
• Groundwater Legislation, Safe Drinking Water Regulatory Affairs Conference, May 2003
• New Directions in Groundwater Management, University of Wisconsin Water Law Conference, May 2003
• Protecting the Right to Pump, Groundwater Management Seminar, sponsored by the Wisconsin Water Association, February 2003

Board Member

• Madison Metropolitan School District, Madison, Wisconsin
• Elected School Board Member, 2005 to 2008
• Board Vice President, 2006 to 2008
• Performance and Achievement Committee Chair, 2007 to 2008
• Finance Committee Chair, 2006 to 2007
• Business Education Partnership, 2007 to 2008
• Common Council/School District Liaison Committee, 2005 to 2007

Other Memberships

• American Bar Association
• Section member of Environment, Energy & Resources Section
• Public Utility, Communications & Transportation Law Section
• State and Local Government Law Section
• Construction Industry Forum
• State Bar of Wisconsin
• Section member of Environmental Law Section
• Administrative & Local Government Law Section
• Construction and Public Contract Law Section
• Dane County Bar Association
• Legal Association for Women
• American Water Works Association & Wisconsin Water Association (chair 2005)
• Wisconsin Rural Water Association
• Wisconsin Wastewater Operators Association
• American Public Works Association