Wagner Named 2025 Trial Lawyer of the Year

The Wisconsin Association for Justice (WAJ), Wisconsin’s largest voluntary Bar Association, has named Attorney Benjamin S. Wagner of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. the 2025 Robert L. Habush Trial Lawyer of the Year.

Wagner earned the honor for securing justice for Helen Ende, an 89-year-old assisted living resident who died after being left outside for hours. His work exposed systemic failures at the facility, leading a Kenosha County jury to issue a rare, multiple seven-figure punitive damages verdict—believed to be the first of its kind in Wisconsin for elder neglect under current law.

“Ben’s precedent-setting jury verdict against a nursing home clearly qualifies him for the award,” said Robert L. Habush, for whom the award is named. “He represents those attorneys who are willing to take cases to trial.”

Tim Trecek, President and CEO of Habush Habush & Rottier, added: “Great trial attorneys have the fortitude to take cases to trial and the advocacy skills to turn facts into justice. Ben did just that in the Ende case.”

The Robert L. Habush Trial Lawyer of the Year Award, established in 2000, recognizes Wisconsin attorneys who make significant contributions to the trial bar through precedent-setting litigation or exceptional service to the legal community. Wagner will be honored on December 5 at WAJ’s President’s Dinner and Reception at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.