Prominent conservative fundraiser and litigator increase strength of organization
The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty is pleased to announce it has added two new members to our team. Attorney Don Daugherty joins WILL as Senior Counsel and Mary Stitt will serve as Senior Advisor.
WILL President Rick Esenberg on the new additions, “Don Daugherty and Mary Stitt bring a wealth of experience, knowledge, and ability to WILL. Don has nearly 30 years of litigation experience and has been a leader in the conservative legal movement. Mary is one of the best fundraisers in the state, having worked for some of the top conservatives in elected office.
We’re very mindful of the new challenges facing Wisconsin. But with each new addition, WILL is building a team that will serve as a bulwark for limited government, economic freedom, individual liberty, and school choice.”
Don Daugherty – Senior Counsel: Previously a partner at three of Wisconsin’s largest firms, Don brings nearly 30 years of trial and appellate litigation experience to WILL. He has been consistently recognized as among the “Best Lawyers in America,” as well as Wisconsin’s “Super Lawyers.” A graduate of Madison West H.S., he received his B.A. from the University of Virginia and his J.D. from Northwestern University Law School. After law school, he served as a clerk to the Honorable Roger J. Miner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Don served on Governor Scott Walker’s Judicial Selection Advisory Committee from 2011-18, and is currently President of the Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association. He is on the Board of Advisors for the Milwaukee Lawyers’ Chapter of the Federalist Society, and on the Executive Committee of the Federalist Society’s Litigation Practice Group.
From his years of experience in business litigation, Don has gained an appreciation of the importance of free markets, entrepreneurship, and the economic rights of individuals. His practice has also included education reform issues, including representing private schools in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program against the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Mary Stitt – Senior Advisor: Mary has been a leading fundraiser in state and national conservative circles for more than 25 years. She has successfully raised funds from individuals, businesses, and corporations. Mary has served as a finance consultant for prominent politicians such as Speaker Paul Ryan, Governor Scott Walker, and Governor Tommy G. Thompson.
Her other clients have included members of Congress, Presidential campaigns, U.S. Senate campaigns, Wisconsin Assembly and Senate candidates, and non-profit organizations.
Prior to moving to Wisconsin Mary worked on the domestic policy staff at the White House under the George H.W. Bush Administration and later served as a fundraiser for the Republican National Committee.
Mary is a native of Jacksonville, Florida and graduated from the College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, New York prior to several years working in Manhattan before her move to Washington, D.C.
Daugherty and Stitt are the latest additions to the growing and dynamic team at WILL. In early January, WILL announced three new additions, including Jim Pugh as Vice President of Development and Brian Reisinger as Strategic Advisor.