Robert L. Habush, President of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C., was presented with the University of Wisconsin Law School's Distinguished Service Award at the annual dinner of the Benchers Society on October 21, 2003 in Milwaukee. The award honors UW Law alumni or faculty who have made outstanding contributions to the legal profession.

The annual winner of the Distinguished Service Award is chosen by a vote of the Wisconsin Law Alumni Association's Board of Directors.

Mr. Habush earned a B.B.A. in accounting at the UW-Madison in 1959, followed by his J.D. in 1961. His UW Law School honors included being a member of Law Review and Order of the Coif.

Mr. Habush has held leadership roles in the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA), serving on the Board of Governors in 1969-1970 and 1983-1986, and as President 1986-1987. He has also been instrumental in the success of the Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, serving as its President in 1968-1969 and 1971-1972.

Mr. Habush is listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World, and Who's Who in American Law, among others. He was named the recipient of the ATLA Harry Philo Award in 1999, and in 2001 he was named one of the top litigators in the United States by the National Law Journal. In 2002, he received the highest award conferred by ATLA ? the Leonard Ring Champion of Justice Award, and ATLA renamed their endowment the Robert L. Habush ATLA Endowment. In April 2003, Mr. Habush was named one of ten Wisconsin Leaders in the Law by Wisconsin Law Journal.

The Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers has additionally honored Mr. Habush by conferring his name on its annual award to an outstanding trial lawyer: The Robert L. Habush Trial Lawyer of the Year Award. He has also received the Evan P. Helfaer Donor Award from the National Society for Fundraising Executives.

Mr. Habush has taught courses at the University of Wisconsin Law School and also at Marquette University School of Law over the past 25 years. He has authored law review articles and is the editor of "Cross-Examination of Non-Medical Experts" in the Art of Advocacy series by Matthew Bender Company. He has lectured before professional groups throughout the country in the area of trial practice.

Mr. Habush practices in the Milwaukee office of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. He is admitted to practice before all Wisconsin courts and has been admitted pro hac vice in many courts around the country.

He is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (serving on the Board of Directors), International Society of Barristers, American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys, Inner Circle of Advocates, American Bar Association, State Bar of Wisconsin, and Milwaukee Bar Association. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the State Bar from 1980 to 1984, and a member of the Wisconsin Judicial Council, 1976-1979.

Submitted by on May 20, 2003

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