Prior to his retirement in 2018, Mr. Bertz was an attorney at Anderson O’Brien, LLP for 39 years and tried over 100 civil trials. Tom is a 1959 honors graduate of St. Thomas and went on to receive his law degree from Marquette University (J.D. 1962). While at Marquette, he served as the Assistant Editor of the Marquette Law Review. He gained legal experience as the Law Clerk to Chief Justice Timothy Brown, Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Prior to retirement, Tom’s professional activities included Litigation Section, State Bar of Wisconsin; Wisconsin Supreme Court, Preliminary Review Committee (Office of Lawyer Regulation); Western District of Wisconsin Bar Association, Past President (Federal Bar Association); American Bar Association; Portage County Bar Association, Past President; Board of Governors, State Bar of Wisconsin – Liaison to Professional Ethics Section and Real Property, Probate and Trust Section; Wisconsin Association of Worker’s Compensation Attorneys, President 2006; and State Bar of Wisconsin – Board of Governors 2004-2006. Tom was elected to the Wisconsin Judicial Council in 2009 and re-elected 3 times. He served as the chair of the council from 2010-2018. Tom’s activities also included the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Backcourt Club, President, Coach’s Committee, and the Stevens Point Rotary Club – Paul Harris Fellow.

Currently Tom is a Waunakee Rotary Member.

Over the span of his career as an attorney, Maurice Rice has given free legal assistance to those in need. He obtained funding to support pro bono services in Portage County through his work with the Portage County Legal Aid Society. He also served as President and is a past Board member of the Portage County Legal Aid Society.

Maury was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Gaylord Nelson Poverty Warrior award at the 46th annual CAP Services Awards Reception on May 30, 2012 in Waupaca. He received this award for his pro bono efforts. CAP Services is a private, nonprofit community action agency that has been helping low-income people in Marquette, Outagamie, Portage, Waupaca and Waushara counties attain economic and emotional self-sufficiency since 1966.

In addition, Maury was presented with the 2011 John Klismet Justiceworks Award at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Community Celebration on January 17, 2011. The award is presented by Justiceworks, Ltd. in recognition of an individual’s contribution to the justice system and honor volunteers whose efforts advance programs and practices of justice that secure right relationships within communities.

Maury has also served as an elected official and Board member for what is now called the Wisconsin Disability Rights Organization and is a current member of the United States Power Squadron, a non-profit boating education organization.