FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michelle M. Friedman (262) 754-2877
mmf@dewittross.com
MADISON – Jack R. DeWitt, one of the founding partners of DeWitt Ross & Stevens S.C., passed away peacefully at home in Madison, Wisconsin on February 21, 2012 at the age of 93.
Born in Oklahoma in 1918, Jack moved to Wisconsin when he was 14-years-old. From a young age he was committed to excellence and determined to succeed. He obtained his B.A. and L.L.B. (now referred to as a J.D.), degrees from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. At the age of 23 he finished his law degree one semester early so that he could voluntarily enlist in the military in 1942 during the height of World War II.
Jack wasn’t just any soldier; he was an ambitious young man and after a short stint as an enlisted soldier, he set his sights on becoming a commissioned officer. He quickly worked his way up the military ranks and finished his officer candidacy training in three months. Jack was eventually sent to France in 1944 where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. By the end of his tour as an infantry officer Jack had earned a number of prestigious medals for his valor and bravery.
Jack received the second highest military decoration that can be awarded for extreme valor -the Distinguished Service Cross as a First Lieutenant (Infantry), in the U.S. Army, for his extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 14th Armored Division in action against enemy forces in 1945. The Army noted his “intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplified the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflected great credit upon himself, the 14th Armored Division, and the United States Army.” At the time he received the Distinguished Service Cross he was told, “You’re a lucky man. I usually put these on caskets.”
Jack also earned the Silver Star in 1944 for gallantry in action in France. He went on to receive the Purple Heart when he was wounded in action and was one of fewer than 2,000 World War II, non-British officers who received the British Cross from the United Kingdom in recognition of his distinguished and meritorious service during battle.
His history with the military extended beyond the war. He continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserves and eventually retired as a Brigadier General and as the Assistant Division Commander of the 84th Division of the U.S. Army.
Jack’s legal career was successful as well. He was one of the five founding partners of the firm Immell, Herro, Buehner, DeWitt and Sundby in the 1950s which evolved throughout the years to become DeWitt Porter and eventually merged with Ross & Stevens in 1994 to become DeWitt Ross & Stevens, one of the top ten largest law firms in the state. He practiced in the areas of Business, Litigation, Legislative, and Estate Planning. He was a prominent civil litigator who authored the interpretive commentaries in West’s Wisconsin Statutes Annotated and co-authored West’s Wisconsin Practice Methods and served as a mentor to many young lawyers throughout his career. He also was the Chair of John F. Kennedy’s campaign in Wisconsin in 1960.
During his career Jack played an important role in the enactment of numerous legislative acts and court rules involving court organization and administration. He handled civil litigation and appellate work for state agencies, municipal corporations, school districts, national and state veterans’ organizations, major business corporations, and professional organizations such as the American Bar Association. He provided legislative representation for professional organizations, veterans’ organizations, and major corporations, and was a leader in working for successful adoption of some state constitutional amendments. Jack also represented businesses and municipalities before the Public Service Commission, the Aeronautics Commission, and the Interstate Commerce Committee. He served as an acting District Attorney in Dane County, an adjunct Professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School. Jack also served as the chairman of the Advisory Committee of Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.
He was the President and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Wisconsin, the President of the Dane County Bar Association, and Trustee of the National Conference of Bar Foundations. Jack received the Charles L. Goldberg Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin Bar Foundation, the Leonard L. Loeb Award from the State Bar of Wisconsin, the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Wisconsin Law School Alumni Association and the McNulty Service Award from the Fellows of Wisconsin Law Foundation.
Although Jack retired from the active practice of law in his mid 80’s, he continued to be an important and valued member of DeWitt Ross & Stevens S.C. “Jack set the standard for all of us,” said the firm’s President and Managing Partner, Bradley W. Raaths. “He exemplified what it means to be a leader through his professionalism, his commitment to helping others and his relentless pursuit of excellence. Jack will be deeply missed by all of us.”
