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.

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.

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.

We have partnered with this team for more than 10 years, and they continue to be one of our most trusted advisors. What I value most is the practicality of their guidance. They don’t just provide legal advice—they understand the realities of running a business and help us think through solutions from the perspective of a business leader. They are incredibly responsive, thoughtful, and dependable, and I have a high level of trust in both their work and the results they help us achieve. After more than a decade of working together, we continue to rely on them as a true partner to our organization.

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.

For nearly six years, Jane and her team have been one of the most valuable partners I’ve had in my career. They are not only incredibly knowledgeable, but also kind, responsive, and genuinely invested in helping us succeed. No matter the situation, I know I can pick up the phone and receive practical, thoughtful advice that protects both our organization and our employees. They have earned my complete trust, and I consider them an extension of our team. I recommend them without hesitation to anyone looking for outstanding employment law counsel.

Working with Lake Effect has been a great experience for MCF. Jane, Tricia and Leann are knowledgeable, transparent, ethical, and empathetic. They offer a combination of deep support, thoughtful guidance, and necessary pushback. Lake Effect centers our team’s experience; they are proactive with policy and practice development; and they listen openly and fully – gathering the facts and perspectives as they identify the best path forward. They are a joy to work with and have delivered beyond our expectations. I am grateful and recommend them highly.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We are a growing organization, and Lake Effect has been a great partner to work with from HR basics to complicated situations. Tricia and Jane not only provide helpful information and assistance, but they are also available when we need them. They really understand who we are as an organization and the unique elements that apply to our staff and environment. We are thankful for the years of service they’ve provided to us over the years.

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!

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!

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.

I highly recommend Lake Effect to any organization needing either HR legal or HR contract services. The team at Lake Effect has helped me with numerous situations at 2 different companies, and I consider them trusted advisors. Their combination of HR legal and general HR expertise allows me to get more insightful advice in an efficient manner. Jane Clark’s passion, knowledge, and general HR excellence permeates the organization, and it is clear that the firm is full of quality resources. Lake Effect is the first and only firm I contemplate when needing counsel or support in the HR area.

As the Green Lake Association grew, we reached a point where we needed more help with HR and benefits, but we weren’t quite big enough to have someone manage them on staff. We’ve worked with Tricia Perkins for several years now, and Lake Effect HR & Law has been a great fit. They helped us overhaul our personnel handbook and build a benefits package I’m really proud of for a small nonprofit organization. And when one of those “What do I do about this?” situations comes up, I know I can call. It’s reassuring to have such knowledgeable but down-to-earth people in our corner.

Placon has partnered with Lake Effect as our employment law counsel for years. The legal team assists us on everything from sensitive employee relations matters to strategic HR decisions to drafting any employment-related agreements, policies, and procedures, ensuring our multi-state compliance.  They are truly a trusted partner every step of the way.