What Is the Board's Function?

The Personnel Review Board receives, in writing, alleged charge(s) of the Civil Service Rule VII, Section 4 violation(s) by Milwaukee County employees in the classified service from the appointing authority (department) or a citizen. The Board serves the employee with a copy of the written charges and an initial date to appear before the Board to offer a defense. The employee may choose to have representation provided by their union or by private legal counsel when appearing before the Board. If the employee chooses to be represented by private legal counsel, the cost is incurred by the employee.

The Personnel Review Board has the jurisdiction to hear charges for discipline in the following situations:

• The employee is not on probation at the time of discipline
• The employee has received a disciplinary notice of suspension for 11 or more days
• The employee has received a second disciplinary notice of suspension within six months of receiving a first disciplinary notice of suspension for 10 days or less regardless of the infractions
• The employee has received a disciplinary notice for demotion or discharge

Other duties of the Personnel Review Board:

• To hear all appeals of non-represented Milwaukee County employees in the final step of the established County Grievance Procedure (M.C.G.O. 17.207)

Board Members

David Kern, President - Term Expires 03/28/2028

David Kern practiced in the area of private and public sector labor and employment law, and chaired Quarles & Brady's National Labor Relations Act Team, until his retirement in 2016. His practice included collective bargaining, unfair labor practice litigation, grievance arbitration and employer counseling. He represented clients before the National Labor Relations Board, the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other state and federal agencies.

Mr. Kern graduated from Marquette University (summa cum laude) and the University of Michigan Law School (magna cum laude). He has been recognized in the Best Lawyers in America and Wisconsin Super Lawyers, and is a fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.

Phoebe Williams, Vice President - Term Expires 12/12/2027

Phoebe Weaver Williams, Associate Professor of Law Emerita of Marquette University Law School, has over three decades of experience addressing labor and employment law issues. As a member of the Marquette Law School faculty, Professor Williams’ teaching, research, and scholarship focused on issues that concerned labor and employment law. Her research and teaching interests also include the history of African Americans and women in the legal profession.

During 2000, Professor Williams served as the Chair of the President of Marquette University’s Gender Equity Committee. That committee published a comprehensive report that examined the climate, perception, and impact of gender on determinations of salaries and promotions for university faculty. As a former Associate Attorney with Lindner and Marsack, S.C., Professor Williams represented and counseled employers about various labor and employment law matters, such as allegations of discrimination, grievances alleging violations of collective bargaining agreements, and obligations of successor employers. From 1992 to 1997, Professor Williams was a member of the City of Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission, serving as the Commission’s Vice Chair and later Chair during 1997. As a Commissioner, Professor Williams heard numerous appeals of discipline and discharge decisions along with citizen complaints.

Greg Renz - Term Expires 10/31/2028

Greg W. Renz is a graduate of Marquette University (summa cum laude) and the University of Chicago Law School (cum laude). For almost 40 years, he has worked as an attorney for Foley & Lardner LLP, concentrating primarily in the area of employee retirement benefits. Although technically in "retired" status since February 2013, he continues on a part-time basis assisting Foley & Lardner LLP with its own employee benefit plans.

Mr. Renz authored the Private Retirement Financing chapter of Advising Older Clients and Their Families, and co-authored the Employee Benefits chapter of Wisconsin Employment Law, both published by the State Bar of Wisconsin. His professional memberships include the American Bar Association and State Bar of Wisconsin.

Yovira Moroney - Term Expires 01/12/2026

Yovira Moroney's bio will be added.

Emil Ovbiagele - Term Expires 09/28/2028

Emil is the Managing Partner of OVB Law & Consulting, S.C. He specializes in civil litigation and employment law and provides counsel to closely held businesses. Emil holds a B.A., MBA, and JD from Marquette University. He handles cases in both state and federal courts and has represented clients before the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, Wisconsin Supreme Court, and Seventh Circuit.

In addition to his legal practice, Emil serves as an Adjunct Professor at Marquette University Law School. He currently holds the position of President at the Milwaukee Bar Association, and he previously served as the President of the Wisconsin State Bar Young Lawyers Division and as a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin's Board of Governors.

Emil has received several accolades for his legal work, including being recognized as an "Up and Coming Lawyer" by the Wisconsin Law Journal in 2017. In 2022, he was honored with the American Bar Association's "On the Rise-Top 40 Young Lawyers" Award. From 2017 to 2023, Emil was consistently named a "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers Magazine. He has also been featured in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Additionally, Emil was the recipient of the State Bar of Wisconsin's 2023 John Lederer Distinguished Service Award.