Attorney retained as corporation counsel

An Oconto attorney hired for a part-time position in July has accepted a full-time position as the Oconto County corporation counsel. The County Board on Thursday approved the employment of Cheryl Mick. Her employment begins Jan. 1, and she will earn an annual salary of $89,523. “I’m really looking forward to continuing in the position going into the future,” Mick said. Mick was initially hired on a contractual basis in July for an average of 20 hours a week, at $125 per hour. She replaced Robert Mraz, who left the half-time position when the county was awarded state funding for a full-time assistant district attorney. Mraz worked both half-time positions for 32 years. The corporation counsel represents the county in all civil matters, including those dealing with contract, deeds and property sales, and represents the Health and Human Services Department in proceedings involving vulnerable adults and children in need of protection. Mick said she has averaged 33 hours a week since starting July 15 and expects to take over more human resources issues, which will easily result in a 40-hour work week. Although she initially envisioned the position as short-term, she said she was pleased to be hired full time. “I like the job so much, and it was such a good fit,” she said. One other individual, Aaron Krzewinski, of Oconto, was considered for the position. Along with an extensive background in family practice, Mick has municipal experience gained by representing the village of East Troy and the town of Burlington in the 1990s. Mick also served as guardian ad litem, employed by Kenosha County for individuals living in neighboring Walworth County. Mick, an Illinois native, earned her bachelor’s degree from Rockford College in Rockford, Ill., and her law degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. She has been practicing law in Wisconsin since 1987 and opened her practice in Walworth County in 1989. She closed the office in December 2012 and now lives in Oconto with her husband, John. The couple owns Hi Seas Marina.