More About Attorney Sally A Hestad

Sally received her law degree cum laude from Syracuse University College of Law in 1980, and after three years of law practice in New York State, she relocated to Madison, WI.  She was then employed by a major insurance company as an auto insurance claims adjuster for four years.  In 1990, she began private practice as an associate with McManus and Sieg, SC, focusing on personal injury claims for injured people. 

Sally utilized the training and experience she received as a claims adjuster to help her clients maximize their settlements.  By 1993, she was ready to start her own firm.  Hestad Law has been devoted to plaintiff’s side personal injury work ever since.  The firm has successfully resolved over 1000 claims since 1993.

Education
– J.D. 1980, Syracuse University College of Law, Syracuse, New York
– M.A. 1972, Syracuse University, Department of Romance Languages
– B.S. in Education, 1969, UW Madison

Professional Organizations:
– Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers
– American Association for Justice
– American Bar Association
– State Bar of Wisconsin
– Dane County Bar Association
– Legal Association for Women

Community Organizations: 

For the past 15 years, Sally has devoted much of her free time to mentoring middle school girls as director of GIRLS'BIZ, a supported entrepreneurial experience for girls in grades 6,7 and 8.  The program is sponsored by Wisconsin Women Entrepreneurs Southcentral http://wwesouthcentral.org and co-sponsored by Girl Scouts of Wisconsin-- Badgerland Council http://gsbadgerland.org

Sally is also very active in Women in Focus, a Madison group of about 20 women who raise money for college scholarships for students of color. The group puts on the annual "I Have a Dream" Ball each year at the Monona Terrace to raise funds for the scholarships.  In recent years WIF has awarded about $24,000 in annual scholarships.  Sally spearheaded the funding of the Women in Focus Scholarship Endowment at the Madison Community Foundation in 2011, and since she has been working on growing that fund so WIF scholarships can be awarded in perpetuity. http://womeninfocus.net.

Sally is also a member and/or supporter of the following organizations:

– AAUW
– Madison Chamber of Commerce
– Kajsiab House
– Centro Hispano

Personal:
Sally is married to life coach Roger Backes, M.S. www.coachbackes.com.  Roger is a very skilled coach who helps people find success in jobs they love. He also helps men and women and teens grow, solve problems and resolve conflicts in their lives.  He works well with men and men's issues.