I'm Nick Stein. I am raising funds for my high school buddy, Nick Zales, who is hospitalized in an effort to diagnose his sudden inability to walk and move normally. Nick Z. has been a hardworking member of our Wisconsin legal community for the past 26 years.

He's received many legal honors including serving on the Wisconsin State Bar Board of Governors for multiple years, but what has really mattered to Nick Z. is his clients. For the past three decades, he's worked long and hard helping people navigate some of the toughest times of their lives, whether it was a family law case, business dispute, foreclosure, landlord/tenant issue or complicated intellectual property matter. As a solo practitioner, he's spent many nights, weekends and holidays making sure his clients got the A+ representation they deserved. Nick Z. has always given 110% and this is the first time he's needed help from others.

In the spring of 2025, he began to have difficulty walking. He lost his balance easily and soon needed a cane to get around. He sought medical attention and tried in vain to get a diagnosis, going through test after test with no clear answers. His condition worsened until now, he is mostly confined to bed or a chair. He is also experiencing visual impairment and, as a result, has been unable to work. With no income coming in, he is at great risk of losing his home if he does not get some help.

Along with Nick Z's other friends, I am asking the legal community and anybody who has ever met and enjoyed Nick's company, to hold out a helping hand for one of our own. Let's take away the financial stress so that Nick can focus on what matters - getting his health back!