Hupy and Abraham, S.C. employees were thrilled to attend the first-ever Wisconsin Law Journal Legal All-Star Awards December 8, 2022. At this event, the Wisconsin Law Journal celebrated award winners at the Grain Exchange in downtown Milwaukee during a networking and awards event. Thirty-five winners were selected in five categories including Leaders in the Law, Rising Young Lawyers, Unsung Heroes, Solo Firms and Diversity in the Law.
We are proud to have two Hupy and Abraham employees be award recipients recognized at the Legal All-Star Awards. Attorney Timothy Schelwat was a recipient of the Leaders in the Law award and Mary Sorrenti, a legal assistant supervisor, was a recipient of the Unsung Hero award.
Attorney Timothy Schelwat’s Leader in the Law Recognition from the Wisconsin Law Journal
Timothy Schelwat became a lawyer so he could help people.
Schelwat, a Hupy and Abraham attorney, enjoys “taking a situation where someone may be involved in an accident through no fault of their own and dealing with multibillion dollar insurance agencies who at face value would have the upper hand against an individual.”
“That’s where we step in, hold entities accountable and make sure they pay a price that is reasonable and fair in every respect,” he said.
He started his career at Hupy and Abraham in 2002 after graduating from Drake University Law School with a law degree in 1997. Since then, Schelwat has proven to be an integral part of Hupy and Abraham’s Milwaukee team by handling cases related to auto and motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, and administrative work managing operations in the firm’s Illinois offices.
“I’ve always been extremely interested in the law and in the indispensable role that the judicial system as a whole plays in the creation’s maintenance of civil societies,” Schelwat said.
An avid Harley-Davidson rider himself, Schelwat is a vocal advocate for motorcycle safety. He has given lectures to motorcyclists throughout the Midwest on legal and insurance coverage issues.
He has been awarded for his extraordinary work and dedication to his practice by being recognized on the Wisconsin Super Lawyers List. He is also a recipient of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers List by The National Trial Lawyers Association and is a board-certified advocate.
Additionally, Schelwat is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Hawaii State Bar Association and the State Bar of Wisconsin.
“Attorney Schelwat shows his conviction to maintain a high level of service and expert in the law, day after day,” said his colleague, Audrey Roth. “His talent, drive and hard work absolutely deserves to be recognized after his many years of service, and what is presumably going to continue for several more.”
Mary Sorrenti’s Unsung Hero Recognition from the Wisconsin Law Journal
Mary Sorrenti’s legal career began in a restaurant. While she was working behind a bar cleaning glassware, an attorney recognized her work ethic and asked for her résumé.
Soon, she was working for him as an assistant at his bankruptcy law firm. She worked in that field of law for three years, then began work at a personal injury and criminal defense firm, in which she found her niche.
When Sorrenti joined Hupy and Abraham as a legal assistant, she knew she was where she was supposed to be. She initially began working on cases in its Milwaukee office and, after just two years, she was promoted in 2020 to lead the firm’s Madison team as a supervisor, splitting her time between the Milwaukee and Madison offices.
Sorrenti was recently promoted to lead the Milwaukee team as a supervisor in June 2022, where she manages a staff of 13 legal assistants in addition to handling a caseload of 50 to 60 serious and catastrophic injury files.
“I enjoy my role as supervisor because I am able to utilize a different skillset providing direction and example for my team and supporting them in their casework,” Sorrenti said. “I still learn something new every day, which keeps the role challenging and interesting.”
Ashley Molley, manager of the Legal Assistant Department at Hupy and Abraham, said that Sorrenti’s talent and commitment to the firm is invaluable.
“Mary is someone who cares to her core about the firm, about the clients and about the staff,” Molley said. “She thinks about and puts the firm first in everything she does here. She is a true asset to the firm, and we are so lucky to have her on our team. She is a tireless advocate for both her clients and her employees.”
