American lawyer and politician

Dana John Wachs (born August 25, 1957) is an American lawyer and politician who represented the 91st District in the Wisconsin State *embly. Wachs was a candidate for Governor of Wisconsin in 2018.

Contents

• 1 Early life and legal career
• 2 Eau Claire City Council
• 3 Wisconsin State *embly
• 4 Run for Governor
• 5 Personal
• 6 References
• 7 External links

Early life and legal career

Born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Lucille (a teacher) and Ray Wachs (former Eau Claire City Attorney and City Manager), Wachs graduated from Eau Claire Memorial High School, Marquette University and received his J.D. degree from Valparaiso University School of Law.

Wachs has practiced law in Eau Claire for 30 years. He has achieved the highest rating, AV, by Martindale-Hubbell for legal ability and ethical standards. He has been named a Wisconsin Super Lawyer. He has also been recognized as one of the top lawyers in Wisconsin by Milwaukee Magazine and was named to the National “Top 100 Lawyers” list by the National Trial Lawyers Organization. Wachs is a member of the Wisconsin State Bar *ociation, the American *ociation for Justice, the Wisconsin *ociation for Justice, the American Bar *ociation and the National Trial Lawyer Organization. Wachs practices at Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs in Eau Claire.

As an attorney, Wachs has negotiated $6 million, $2.9 million, and $1 million settlements in separate medical malpractice cases. He also successfully argued before the Wisconsin Supreme Court for an expansion of medical malpractice law.

Eau Claire City Council

Wachs served as a member of the Eau Claire City Council from 2009-2012. During his time on the City Council, Wachs served on the City/County Health Committee, Transit Commission, Affirmative Action Committee, Parks and Waterway Committee, Library Board, and Economic Policy Advisory Committee.

Wisconsin State *embly

In November 2012, Wachs was elected unopposed to the Wisconsin State *embly as a Democrat. He was re-elected unopposed in 2014. In 2016, Wachs was elected to serve on the Credentials Committee at the Democratic National Convention.

During his first term in the Wisconsin State *embly, Rep. Wachs served on the *embly Committees on Colleges and Universities, Cons*ution and Ethics, Criminal Justice, Judiciary, and Workforce Development. He was also the Vice-Chair of the Legislative Council Study Committee on the Transfer of Structured Settlement Payments.

In 2013, Wachs introduced *embly Bill *embly Bill 51, the "Revolving Door" bill. This proposal would have prohibited any former legislator from working as a lobbyist for 24 months after they leave office. In 2014, he introduced *embly Joint Resolution 80, which would have called for a statewide advisory referendum on whether or not Wisconsin should adopt a nonpartisan system of redistricting.

For the 2015 legislative session, Rep. Wachs served as the ranking Democratic member on the *embly Committees on Judiciary and Colleges and Universities. He also served on the Cons*ution and Ethics Committee.

Run for Governor

Wachs was one of ten declared candidates for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Wisconsin in 2018, but was the second to drop out, leaving the race in June and endorsing Tony Evers for the nomination.

Personal

Wachs has three adult children with his first wife, Tina.He is currently married to Beverly Wickstrom.

References

External links

• Campaign Website
• Representative Dana Wachs at the Wisconsin State Legislature
  • cons*uency site
• Profile at Vote Smart