Michael Keller, Assistant Dean of Career and Professional Development
Trisha Fillbach, Esq., JD Advisor
Sara Durston, Esq., JD Advisor
Kate McMahan, Administrative Assistant
Joanna Binsfeld, Administrative Assistant
Michael Keller
Assistant Dean
Office: 3221J
Phone: (608) 890-4651
Email: mekeller4@wisc.edu
Michael Keller recently joined Dean Margaret Raymond’s leadership
team at the University of Wisconsin Law School as assistant dean of
career and professional development.
Keller comes to UW Law from Indiana’s Maurer School of Law, where he
directed their Office of Career and Professional Development for nearly a
decade. He managed staff, developed employer relations, directed a
judicial clerkship program, presented workshops, and counseled students.
Prior to that, he spent over six years in career services at the
Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
At UW Law, he aims to create the kind of programming and professional
interactions necessary for students to succeed, emphasizing a strong
start for first-year law students. Keller and his staff are developing a
professionalism contract and self-assessment tools to set expectations
and lay groundwork from the beginning. Accordingly, the Law School has
changed the name of the office from “Career Services” to “Career and
Professional Development,” reflecting this more holistic approach.
“I’m excited to join UW Law School at this critical time in legal
education,” Keller says. “There’s a solid foundation to build on with
excellent students, shaped by one of the best experiential learning
programs in the country, a large and active alumni network, experienced
staff in my office, and a dean whose leadership inspires confidence and
support.”
Keller graduated summa cum laude from University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point and received his MPA with highest honors from Indiana University.
“With Michael leading the Office of Career and Professional Development, we’re exploring ways to help our students bring new value to employers and position themselves to be successful in the current challenging employment market,” said Dean Margaret Raymond. “We’re thrilled to have one of the best at the helm.”
Trisha Fillbach, Esq.
J.D. Advisor
Office: 3221H
Phone: (608) 262-6444
Email: tfillbach@wisc.edu
Trisha provides career counseling to students and alumni. Trisha graduated from UW-Madison in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Journalism. In 2000, she received her Juris Doctor from Hamline University School of Law. Following graduation, she served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Debra Jacobson in Rochester, Minnesota. Following her clerkship, Trisha joined the litigation group at DeWitt Ross & Stevens, s.c. in Madison, practicing primarily family law. In 2004, Trisha moved to California and began working for the Career Development Office at Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu. She served as the Assistant, then Associate Director of Career Development. In 2005, Trisha moved back to the Midwest and served as the Director of Career Development at Drake University Law School. Trisha served in this capacity for almost six years. As Director, Trisha managed all aspects of the Career Development Office (CDO) from counseling and programming to employer outreach. She counseled students interested in private, public and alternative careers and managed all of the on and off campus recruitment programs. She also provided judicial clerkship advising and organized numerous networking events. Under her management, the Career Development Office received rankings significantly higher than peer schools using the Law School Survey of Student Engagement. Trisha twice received the Student Bar Association President's Award for Faculty/Staff Member of the Year. Trisha is very happy to be back in Madison and working for her undergraduate alma mater.
Sara Durston, Esq.
JD Advisor
Office: 3221A
Phone: (608) 262-8554
Email: sdurston@wisc.edu
Sara joined the Office of Career and Professional Development in June, 2012. Since 2009, she worked as an Attorney Advisor for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in San Francisco. At HUD, Sara worked in the litigation practice group, focusing on fair housing, employment, and general defensive litigation. She received her J.D. in May 2009 from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall), where she served as the Supervising Editor for the Berkeley Journal of International Law. During law school, Sara worked as a student legal intern at the East Bay Community Law Center and as a law clerk for Foley & Lardner LLP in San Francisco. Prior to and during law school, Sara worked as a legal advocate for victims of domestic violence. Sara received a B.A. in International Studies and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2005.
Kate McMahan
Administrative Assistant
Office: 3221
Phone: (608) 262-7856
E-mail: kemcmahan@wisc.edu
Kate joined the Office of Career and Professional Development in February 2004 and, along
with Joanna Binsfeld, is the initial front-desk contact. Before coming
to OCPD, Kate and her husband, Tom, owned and managed a
small business in the outdoor industry for 32 years. As manufacturers'
reps, they represented such outdoor lines as The North Face, Mountain
Hardwear, and Asolo Boots.
Joanna Binsfeld
Administrative Assistant
Office: 3221
Phone: (608) 262-7856
E-mail: binsfeld@wisc.edu
Joanna joined the Office of Career and Professional Development in February 2012. Before that, since 2005, she worked in the Curriculum and Academic Affairs department at the Law School, most recently serving as Curricular Coordinator. Joanna has a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and a Masters degree from Ohio University.
