Former Marine leads in innovative fields

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Whether the challenge is health care regulation, medical innovation, getting a business off the ground or even the occasional regional conflict, Mark Dahlby doesn’t like to wait in the wings.

Since the start of the year, Dahlby has been an attorney in the FDA and health products group at Milwaukee’s Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman PC. He spent the previous five years establishing a similar division for GE Healthcare.

It’s work at the cutting edge of stem cell releases and health care research analytics, as examples, where the law, if any, often is outdated by the time it’s established.

“It’s so much fun,” he said, “being able to work in a world that is at the same time harmonizing and pulling apart.

“There really are new giant markets opening up and innovation [that is] happening right in front of you.”

The 2005 University of Wisconsin Law School graduate noted that that state of flux is not always fun for the clients, however, that are dealing with changing regulations.

But change is something he does not fear.

Dahlby’s career on the leading edge was borne in the 1990s during a four-year active-duty stint in the Marine Corps, when a laid-back deployment in the Mediterranean turned into reconnaissance missions as the U.S. entered the conflict in crumbling Yugoslavia.

What is the best part of your job?

The ability to be creative

If you hadn’t become a lawyer, what would you have done?

Something in the archaeological field

What song is on heavy rotation on your iPod?

Soundtrack from ‘The Little Mermaid’ (Not for me)

Do you have any tattoos?

Three

What can you spend hours doing that’s not law-related?

Surfing

What famous person you would most like to have a drink with?

Bob Uecker

What is your favorite thing to do in Wisconsin?

Lakefront Brewery for Friday fish fry

What was your favorite toy as a child?

Transformers