Page 10 - Phoenix Vol 11 No 1

At a Glance
Wieneke Law Group
1095 West Rio Salado Parkway, Suite 209
Tempe, AZ 85281
(602) 715-1868 www.wienekelawgroup.com
FOUNDED
September 2017
PRACTICE AREAS
Government Civil Rights Defense Road Design and Transportation Tort Liability
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor with High Distinction, University of Arizona, 1986
Bachelor of Arts, Summa cum Laude, Arizona State University, 1983
RECOGNITIONS
AV-Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell Top 10 Civil Defense Verdicts, 2012,
2015, 2017
U.S. News, Best Lawyers, Personal
Injury Litigation Defendants America’s Top 100 Attorney U.S. News, Best
Law Firm, 2019
ADDITIONAL ATTORNEYS AND
LEGAL STAFF
Partner, Christina Retts Partner Tara Zoellner Paralegal, Lindsey Piasecki Legal Assistant, Kim Penny
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
American Board of Trial Advocates Federation of Defense & Corporate
Counsel
State Bar of Arizona, Past Member
Executive Council, Trial Practice
Section
Arizona’s Finest Lawyers
PHILANTHROPIES
Wills for Heroes
State Bar Foundation
Boy Scouts of America, Law Merit
Badge Counselor
CHRISTINA RETTS, KATHLEEN WIENEKE AND TARA ZOELLNER
Her main focus, though, is o ering her expertise to train law en- forcement agencies regarding use of force, law enforcement interac- tion with the mentally ill, and use of social media. In fact, she recently helped with training for the City of Scottsdale Police Department re- garding the use of force and the mentally ill.
“Ensuring that the nation’s o cers are adhering to their training and understand the di erence between excessive and necessary force is imperative,” explained Wieneke, “It is my job to explain the legal rami cations of such a determination.”
CREATIVE OUTLET
Working in such politically-charged practice areas could take their toll on even the most hardened attorney, which is why, for Wieneke, it’s imperative to have a creative outlet to divert the stress of the job. For her, that diversion is music.
Wieneke’s devotion to music took hold in junior high when she rst began to play the violin. rough the years, she re ned her art and earned her place in the rst violin section of many local symphonies, eventually securing a partial scholarship and a minor in music for her e orts.
“While many kids grow up pursuing athletic activities, I utilized my free time to study music and learn how to play the violin,” explained Wieneke. “Many people attribute life lessons such as team work, net- working, time management and respect for authority to athletic par- ticipation; I can say the same for my years cultivating my passion for music.”
Wieneke never had her sights set on becoming a professional mu- sician and she slowly retired from actively pursuing violin chairs in local symphonies while focusing on obtaining her three children and her law career. About 10 to15 years ago, however, she joined what she jokingly refers to as a “lawyer band,” created by a then appellate court judge, called “ e Stilletos” as backup singer and electric violinist. Wieneke and her bandmates play Motown music at charity events, lo- cal bar association events, and Christmas parties. ey have even been presented with the “People’s Choice Award in a State Bar talent contest!
A multi-talented, renowned attorney and musician, Wieneke’s repu- tation precedes her in terms of her dedication, passion and knowledge of law. She has earned the respect of her clients, colleagues and the judiciary.