Blocher builds career in courtroom

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Jesse Blocher’s January court victory brought his client to tears.

Though the defense in Cohan v. Allstate vigorously denied liability regarding a 2008 auto accident that seriously injured Blocher’s client, the Habush Habush & Rottier SC attorney landed a favorable verdict. His client shed tears of joy and relief.

“It was a long road to get to the trial, and to get the client through the trial,” Blocher said. “We ended up winning and it was a really great feeling.”

January also brought another major accomplishment for Blocher. He co-authored an amicus brief for the Wisconsin Association for Justice in Belding v. Demoulin, where the Court of Appeals allowed stacking uninsured motorist policies, agreeing with WAJ’s position. The case now is before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Blocher has been trying cases since his 2006 graduation from Marquette University Law School. Working at a Milwaukee insurance defense firm, he second-chaired five jury trials and then took the first chair for five more. He won all the lead-counsel cases, and all but one as second chair.

In 2010, he went to Habush.

“I always thought while representing insurance companies that I might prefer representing individuals, it might be more satisfying and fun,” he said.

“Now that I’ve been doing it for a while, I can tell you that it is.”

What is the hardest part of your job?

The day-to-day grind and battle of dealing with an adversarial process, and staying a step ahead of the competition. But it can be rewarding and fun, too.

What song is on heavy rotation on your iPod?

‘Torn and Frayed’ by the Rolling Stones

What would you never wear?

A Chicago Bears jersey

 If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I tend to be a little obsessive over detail.

What is the best part of your job?

People can be kind of cynical about plaintiffs’ practice from time to time. But it really is a good feeling to help people out. They come to you in difficult situations and you really can have a measurable impact on their lives, guiding them through a process that’s not always friendly for them.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

A beach vacation with my wife and daughter

What is your greatest extravagance?

My wife and I are obsessed with Apple: iPad, iPod, iPhone — anything Mac.