Baker Sterchi Members Mark Budzinski and David Pliner have been named to the 2025 Wisconsin Super Lawyers list, and attorneys Aaron Baratz and Katherine Cortesy have been selected for the Rising Stars list in the Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense category. Budzinski is also included on the Top 10 and Top 50 overall attorney lists. Budzinski is based in the firm’s Green Bay office and Pliner, Baratz and Cortesy are based in the Madison office.
Budzinski has litigated hundreds of cases in Wisconsin state and federal courts, including more than 70 jury trials. He has represented a wide range of clients, including individuals, small businesses and Fortune 500 companies, handling matters involving catastrophic injuries, wrongful death claims and contract disputes. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel and National Board of Trial Advocacy. Budzinski is licensed to practice in Wisconsin, Michigan and before the United States Court of Federal Claims.
Pliner handles medical malpractice, insurance and civil litigation matters in Wisconsin state and appellate courts. He is a member of the Wisconsin Defense Counsel and has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for appellate practice and insurance law in the Madison area since 2013. Pliner is admitted to practice in Wisconsin and before the Supreme Court of the United States.
Baratz focuses his practice on medical malpractice in state and federal courts, and professional licensure matters before the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. He is a member of the Wisconsin Defense Counsel and earned his law degree from Marquette University Law School. He is admitted to practice in Wisconsin.
Cortesy handles insurance defense litigation with an emphasis on personal injury, products liability and medical malpractice. She is a member of the Wisconsin Defense Counsel’s Women in the Law Committee and Young Lawyer Committee. She earned her law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School and is licensed to practice in Wisconsin.
Super Lawyers recognizes no more than 5 percent of attorneys in each state based on peer nominations, evaluations and independent research.
Rising Stars honors the top 2.5 percent of attorneys who are 40 or younger or in practice for 10 years or less.
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