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Jess Stephen

Featured Articles

Explore a featured selection of my writing work below.
Komatsu.com •

An international day for environmental awareness you’ve probably never heard of

Each year, a different country hosts World Environment Day. This year, that honor falls to Sweden.

And while Earth Day often incorporates multiple themes, World Environment Day organizers tend to focus on a single theme. This year, that theme is “Only One Earth,” an homage to the 1972 Stockholm Conference, considered the first world conference on the environment. The 2022 theme invites participants to see protecting the planet as a global challenge and their responsibility. Organizers want the
Komatsu.com •

Why pollinators are integral to our food supply and climate change mitigation

It might make you shudder, but imagine a world without coffee. Or, if caffeine isn’t your thing, what about a world without chocolate? Or cotton? Or aspirin? Apples, berries, cherries? Pumpkins, carrots, nuts? The list could go on and on.

What do all of these things have in common? They are dependent on one group of tiny and tireless creatures: bees.

Bees (and other pollinators) make it possible to grow everyday staples, like apples and almonds. Apples, in particular, need cross-pollination to
Wisconsin Law Journal •

If I knew then… Making pals with municipal court judges

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Wisconsin Law Journal - WI Legal News & Resources •

Small-town (but not small-time) lawyers

Courtney Graff was just 18 months out of law school when she bought her firm.

“I was given a gift,” said Graff, owner of Schmiege & Graff Law Office, in Medford. “It was a lot of work, but it was a gift. I got to look at a functioning system and tweak it, but I didn’t have to start from the ground up. It wasn’t my plan. But I was fortunate, and I ended up loving what I do.”

She also ended up loving where she’s at — an arguably tiny town along Highway 13 in Taylor County. Medford is best known
Iconica Creates •

Construction Project Manager On Sustainability & Safety - Iconica

To deliver top-quality buildings to our clients, we attract professionals who have something extra to give. Whether it be a special interest, certification, or that can-do personality, everyone of our people has something special that they bring to our Iconica family. So, it’s no surprise when one of our team attracts media attention. Here is The Daily Reporter shining a light on one of our construction project managers, Justin Dall’Osto.

Dall’Osto takes his knowledge of sustainability, safety
Wisconsin Law Journal - WI Legal News & Resources •

Feeling the burnout: Take care of your practice by taking care of yourself

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Wisconsin Law Journal - WI Legal News & Resources •

DOWN IN FLAMES: How to recognize attorney burnout and rekindle the fire

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Wisconsin Law Journal •

Out with a Classic, in with what’s Next

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Wisconsin Law Journal •

Pro bono work: Doing well at doing good

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The Daily Reporter - WI Construction News & Bids •

Deep space project is truly Epic

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The Daily Reporter •

Breaking new ground on a stormwater project

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Wisconsin Law Journal •

Change your thinking about technology before it’s too late

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Wisconsin Law Journal •

Life after the law: Career changes require planning, self-assessment

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The Daily Reporter - WI Construction News & Bids •

By popular demand: UW-Madison Union South

Designers expected student input for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Union South project, but they scarcely imagined getting ideas from 20,000 people.

“The project used more student participation in the design of the building than perhaps any building ever attempted,” said Jan van den Kieboom, principal in charge of the Union South design and owner of Workshop Architects Inc.

But the process taught organizers that there was room for improvement.

“If there were any tweaks, it would be ho
Iconica Creates •

Construction Project Manager On Sustainability & Safety - Iconica

To deliver top-quality buildings to our clients, we attract professionals who have something extra to give. Whether it be a special interest, certification, or that can-do personality, everyone of our people has something special that they bring to our Iconica family. So, it’s no surprise when one of our team attracts media attention. Here is The Daily Reporter shining a light on one of our construction project managers, Justin Dall’Osto.

Dall’Osto takes his knowledge of sustainability, safety
The Daily Reporter - WI Construction News & Bids •

By popular demand: UW-Madison Union South

Designers expected student input for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Union South project, but they scarcely imagined getting ideas from 20,000 people.

“The project used more student participation in the design of the building than perhaps any building ever attempted,” said Jan van den Kieboom, principal in charge of the Union South design and owner of Workshop Architects Inc.

But the process taught organizers that there was room for improvement.

“If there were any tweaks, it would be ho