Who We Are

We believe that our success isn't just based on what we do, but how we do it.

Mission

Lake Effect HR & Law is in business to maximize each client’s workplace potential with a commitment to kindness, true partnership, and exceptional service.

Vision

To be thought leaders and trusted advisors on all facets of HR and employment law for organizations across Wisconsin and beyond.

To be forces for good and courageous community partners.

Values

Kindness & Respect • Collaboration • Lifelong Learning & Adaptability • Common Sense • Integrity & Authenticity • Balance • Friendship, Fun, & Laughter

Our Amazing Team

A magnificent group of HR and legal champions, bursting with knowledge & experience, packed with personality, determined to solve your puzzle, devoted to caring for your mission and vision, and dedicated to doing the right thing.

Jane D. Clark CEO & Managing Partner

Jane Clark is the Founder, CEO & Managing Partner of Lake Effect HR & Law. She can help with all facets of your Employment Law, HR, Benefits, and Training needs.

Sheila M. Conroy Partner

Sheila Conroy is a Partner at Lake Effect HR & Law. She can help with all of your Employment Law, Litigation, and Training needs.

Emily R. Gnam Attorney

Emily Gnam is an Attorney at Lake Effect HR & Law. She can help with all of your Employment Law, Litigation, and Training needs.

Jennifer Lindberg Strategic HR Advisor

Jennifer Lindberg is a Strategic HR Advisor at Lake Effect HR & Law. She can help with all of your HR and related Training needs.

Tricia Perkins Senior Strategic HR Advisor

Tricia Perkins is a Senior Strategic HR Advisor at Lake Effect HR & Law. She can help with all of your HR and related Training needs.

Leann Ploessl Strategic HR Advisor

Leann Ploessl is a Strategic HR Advisor at Lake Effect HR & Law. She can help with all of your HR, Benefits, Payroll and Training needs.

Holly Pomraning Attorney

Holly Pomraning is an Attorney at Lake Effect HR & Law. She can help with all of your Employment Law, Litigation, and Training needs.

Our Clients

Like us, our clients have diverse issues and experiences. They are multi-state and multi-national employers, small privately-owned businesses, non-profit organizations, and innovative start-ups. Despite their differences, all of our clients share the same goal: to achieve their mission, vision, and values in a dynamic workplace with high performing and engaged employees. We help them do just that. We know the questions to ask, the issues to explore, and the risks and rewards to weigh.
We are a small nonprofit without the internal expertise to fully support our leadership group with employee relations matters. We are very fortunate to have Lake Effect’s support in helping us align our human resources policies with our organizational goals and culture. Lake Effect is not a one-size-fits-all HR service provider. They take the time to understand who we are, listen to what we need and work with us to find the outcomes and procedures that best fit who we are as an organization. When we work with Lake Effect, it feels like they are part of our team, and that level of partnership is not easy to find.

Kika Barr

Deputy CEO | WiscNet

Jane is amazing! As a small business owner here in Madison, having a trusted employment attorney is absolutely invaluable, and Jane has been exactly that for Ancora. She is incredibly responsive, thoughtful, and knowledgeable, consistently providing clear guidance when navigating HR and employment matters. What sets Jane apart is her ability to balance legal expertise with genuine empathy and compassion—qualities that can sometimes be hard to find in the legal world. Jane doesn’t just help us protect our business; she helps us stay focused on doing right by our employees. She helps us stay focused on important issues while maintaining a people-first mindset and ensuring we remain compliant, fair, and operating above board. I cannot recommend Jane highly enough to any business owner looking for an employment attorney who is not only exceptionally skilled, but also truly cares about both her clients and the people they employ.

Tori Gerding

Owner | Ancora Cafe + Bakery

Jane Clark is an absolute gem and has always served our organization well.  She and her staff, invested time getting to know Urban Land Interests, our people and our values.  She combines that familiarity with her employment law expertise to deftly guide our organization through employment matters, often serving as a strategic advisor and thought partner for our executive team.  Her staff is incredibly strong, reliable and very pleasant to work with.  I value our partnership and highly recommend this firm.

Bob Bruni

President | Urban Land Interests

We love the team at Lake Effect HR and Law. Their attention to detail and finesse is incredible. They are incredibly precise, respond without delay or hesitation, and make us feel incredibly taken care of.

Shaina Robbins Papach

Creative Director & Co-Owner | The Harvey House

I also want to thank you for being such an engaging, effective facilitator. I feel like our team came away with a deeper understanding of one another and Julie and I will continue to leverage what was learned with follow up activities that apply those insights.

Jeannine Sherman

Marketing and Communications Director | Wisconsin Historical Foundation

Whether answering any HR questions our organization might have, or reviewing our policies with excellent feedback and language recommendations, they always provide top-notch support! We would recommend Lake Effect HR & Law to anyone in need of HR support!

Sara Jacobson

Comptroller | The Registry

I have known Jane and Tricia in various roles for many years. Formerly in a different role I appreciated Jane’s thorough coaching on human resource questions and currently work alongside the Lake Effect HR team in the Dane County community servicing not-for-profit organizations. I can attest to their desire for solid HR processes developed by years of experience. Their positive attitudes carry an edge of lighthearted humor that paints the HR field with a “can do” attitude for tackling challenges and employment law changes, as evidenced by the material they presented to a group of nonprofit leaders during one of our firm’s breakfast events. The event was well-attended and spurred insightful questions and recommendations related to building a strong workplace culture by providing employees with strategic, meaningful work. Their passion extends beyond the day-to-day office work into a true mission-based desire to be the one-stop resource for their clients’ HR and employment law needs.

Nick Curran

CEO | Numbers 4 Nonprofits

Tricia and Jane are nothing short of phenomenal. As longtime friends and trusted facilitators for Nonprofit Leadership Initiative, they bring a rare blend of charisma, deep expertise in Human Resources and law, and an infectious energy that lights up every room they enter. Their sessions are not only informative but genuinely enjoyable—so much so that our nonprofit leaders request them time and time again. Whether they’re breaking down complex laws and regulations, or guiding thoughtful discussions, Tricia and Jane make learning feel effortless and fun. We’re incredibly lucky to have them as part of our extended team!

Andrea Peterson

InfluencerProgram & Communications Manager | NPLI

We were thrilled with and highly recommend Lake Effect HR & Law. They have helped us through employment issues and worked with us to create a new Team Member Handbook! They are excellent communicators and great at what they do!! Like I said, I highly recommend them!

Amy Albright

Executive Director | Discover Oshkosh

Lake Effect is a true extension of our organization. They are not just HR experts—they are trusted partners who genuinely care about the success of our team and business. Trust is everything when it comes to an HR partner, and the entire team has earned ours completely. Their transparent communication and ethical approach made us feel confident that we’re in good hands.

Matt Duffy

President | Carex Consulting Group, Inc

Lake Effect HR & Law is one of the most important companies for startups in Madison. Doyenne values the work they have provided us, and has benefited by company and company culture growth because of their support. We promote their business to our members and encourage companies to seek their professional expertise at all stages of business.

Heather Wentler

Executive Director | Doyenne

I’ve been so grateful and impressed with your attention to details, patience and kindness. Re-evaluating our insurance offerings and making these transitions has been something I’ve wanted to do for awhile and working with you has made that possible.

Denise Jess

Executive Director | Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired

I was once told that a small organization should concentrate on its mission and become an expert at that. The things that can be done better by others should be entrusted to experts. That’s why, before we were even an organization, we hired Jane Clark, CEO of Lake Effect HR & Law. For the past 16 years, Jane and the team at Lake Effect have guided and supported us through every aspect of human resources with care, expertise, professionalism, and unwavering commitment. Their partnership has allowed Clean Lakes Alliance to stay focused on what we do best—championing clean, healthy lakes for our community.

James Tye

Founder & Executive Director | Clean Lakes Alliance

Memberships

We believe that involvement in our community is essential to acheiving our mission and vision. 

Great Support Team

I was once told that a small organization should concentrate on its mission and become an expert at that. The things that can be done better by others should be entrusted to experts. That’s why, before we were even an organization, we hired Jane Clark, CEO of Lake Effect HR & Law. For the past 16 years, Jane and the team at Lake Effect have guided and supported us through every aspect of human resources with care, expertise, professionalism, and unwavering commitment. Their partnership has allowed Clean Lakes Alliance to stay focused on what we do best—championing clean, healthy lakes for our community.

Joseph L.Mabie

Influencer

Very Powerful

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Debra Campbell

Web Developer

Excellent Service

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Joanne Ellis

Content Creator