Briefcase: Lawyers recognized [The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis.]

Dec. 6--Nominations sought for Paragon awardThe Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corp. is accepting nominations for the 2010 Paragon Economic Impact Award.The recognition is given to a local business each year; any business in Eau Claire County is eligible. Past winners were Menards, 2009; Minnesota Wire, 2008; Luther Midelfort-Mayo Health System, 2007; Sacred Heart Hospital, 2006; Hutchinson Technology Inc., 2005; Huebsch Services, 2004; Nestle, 2003; and RCU, 2002.Winners will be chosen based on creation of quality job opportunities, recent expansion or construction of a facility, commitment to the continued education and training of their workforce, support or involvement in community economic development activities, and/or innovations in the development of new technologies and products.To nominate a business, visit www.eauclaire-wi.com and click on "Nominate a Business." The deadline for nominations is Dec. 31, and the award will be presented at the EDC's annual luncheon Feb. 15.Call the EDC at 834-0070 for more information.Manpower survey relatively optimisticMILWAUKEE -- Employers in the U.S. estimate a moderate increase in hiring plans for the first quarter of 2010, according to the quarterly Manpower Employment Outlook Survey."There is still a lot of ground to make up in the labor market, but the overall increase in hiring intentions is clearly a positive," Jeff Joerres, chief executive officer of Manpower, a Milwaukee-based staffing firm, said in a news release. "The first quarter is a seasonally slow hiring quarter. To see an increase over the fourth quarter is unusual and seems to indicate increased confidence levels from employers."More than 28,000 employers were surveyed in the study. Twelve percent anticipate an increase in staff levels in the first quarter of next year, while 12 percent expect a decrease. Seventy-three percent expect no change and 3 percent are undecided. The seasonally adjusted net employment outlook is a positive 6 percent.Employers in the mining, durable goods manufacturing, information and government sectors expect a moderate increase in hiring. Slight increases are expected in nondurable goods manufacturing, transportation and utilities, professional and business services, education and health services, leisure and hospitality, and other services. Construction and wholesale and retail trade anticipate slight decreases, while the financial activities sector expects little change.Visit www.manpower.com for the full report.Retired area dentist awarded a patentArden Thorsbakken of Eau Claire, a retired area dentist, recently was awarded a patent for a "Shoaling Water Energy Conversion Device" and has a patent pending for a "Water Wheel Barrage Energy Converter."The former involves a hydro turbine that is activated by flowing water, and the latter features a design that Thorsbakken believes "will be the standard for water wheels in the coming years."Thorsbakken, a part-time dental hygienist instructor at Chippewa Valley Technical College, is seeking a business or entrepreneur to secure both patents and move them toward commercial energy production. He may be reached at 832-2603.Magazine recognizes area Super LawyersSuper Lawyers magazine recently released its lists of top attorneys in each state as chosen by their peers and through independent research.The publication also names Rising Stars -- each state's top up-and-coming attorneys. Visit www.superlawyers.com for the complete lists.Following is a list of area attorneys named Super Lawyers, followed by the category in which they were recognized and law firm. Many were named Super Lawyers in more than one category.Daniel Freund, bankruptcy and creditor/debtor rights, bankruptcy: consumer, consumer law, Freund Law Office, Eau Claire. Thomas Graham Jr., business litigation, civil litigation defense, personal injury defense: general, Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci, Eau Claire. Peter Grosskopf, elder law, bankruptcy and creditor/debtor rights, Grosskopf & Black, Eau Claire. Thomas Guelzow, personal injury plaintiff: products, personal injury plaintiff: general, Guelzow & Winston, Eau Claire. Webster Hart, business litigation, civil litigation defense, personal injury plaintiff: general, Herrick & Hart, Eau Claire.Steve Jackson, workers' compensation, Social Security disability, Siedow & Jackson, Eau Claire. Jane Lokken, elder law, estate planning and probate, real estate, Ruder Ware, Eau Claire. Thomas Misfeldt, personal injury defense: general, personal injury plaintiff: general, Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci, Eau Claire. Randi Osberg, banking, bankruptcy and creditor/debtor rights, business/corporate, Ruder Ware, Eau Claire. Peter Reinhardt, business litigation, employment and labor, intellectual property litigation, Bakke Norman, Menomonie.David Richie, alternative dispute resolution, Richie, Guettinger & Manydeeds, Eau Claire. J. Drew Ryberg, general litigation, personal injury plaintiff: general, professional liability: defense, Ryberg & Happe, Eau Claire. Thomas Siedow, workers' compensation, Social Security disability, Siedow & Jackson, Eau Claire. Phillip Steans, criminal defense, personal injury plaintiff: general, Phillip M. Steans, Menomonie. Glenn Stoddard, employment and labor, environmental, land use/zoning, Eau Claire. Stephen Weld, administrative law, employment and labor, schools and education, Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci, Eau Claire. John Wilcox, estate planning and probate, real estate, John F. Wilcox Law Office, Eau Claire.Business event seeks presenters, sponsorsMENOMONIE -- The Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center and its partners are accepting applications for presenters and sponsors for the third annual "Manufacturing Advantage: Resources to Survive and Thrive ... Discovered!" conference scheduled for April 29 at UW-Stout.Nearly 200 people last spring attended the event, which provided 40 demonstrations, simulations and workshops for small to midsized manufacturers. The deadline to sign on as a presenter or sponsor is Friday.Visit http://nwmoc.uwstout.edu or contact Joni Geroux, event chairwoman, at 874-4610 or [email protected] for more information.Local adviser hosting tax update webcastAndy Cooper, an Eau Claire financial adviser, is hosting a webcast titled "Tax Update for the Small and Medium-Sized Business" from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday at Edward Jones, 419 E. Clairemont Ave.The program focuses on new tax benefits and planning strategies for businesses. It's worth three continuing-education credits for certified financial planners and enrolled agents.The course materials cost $60. Call 833-3986 to register.Short takesn Paul Woita of the Eau Claire Business Center of the Principal Financial Group has earned, for the fourth time, membership in the Million Dollar Round Table, an association of financial professionals that recognizes industry knowledge, expertise and client service. Woita also qualified for Principal Financial's Premier Club for sales achievements.n Davenport, Iowa-based Per Mar Security, which has an Eau Claire location, has earned four awards for its sales and service from First Alert, a household safety product manufacturer.n The Wisconsin Safety Council is hosting the Ergonomics Conference Dec. 15-16 in Madison. Visit www.wisafetycouncil.org or call 800-236-3400 for more information.How to submitbusiness news itemsThe Leader-Telegram's Business Bytes and Briefcase columns, published every Sunday, include news about business-related events, promotions, awards and business openings, closings, sales and expansions.The information must arrive by 5 p.m. Wednesday to be considered for Sunday's newspaper. Photos of individuals who have been promoted or honored are welcome.Mail information to Liam Marlaire, Business Editor, Leader-Telegram, P.O. Box 570, Eau Claire WI 54702; fax 858-7308; or e-mail [email protected] staff reportsTo see more of The Leader-Telegram or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.leadertelegram.com.Copyright (c) 2009, The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis.Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.