Graber departs for Prague

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Richard W. Graber, former CEO of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, s.c., is honored at a special reception at Pier Wisconsin before departing for Prague to serve a term as U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic. Wisconsin Law Journal Photo/Jack Zemlicka

Most people would prefer to spend their summer perfecting the art of leisure, not learning about the State Department, studying a foreign language or filling out complex forms.

That is exactly how Richard W. Graber spent most of this past summer and he didn’t mind it a bit.

Graber, 50, was appointed by President Bush in July as the new United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic and he embarked on an intense preparatory journey prior to his departure to Prague last week.

A former chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, Graber campaigned for Bush during the last two elections, but never dreamed his involvement with the GOP would lead to a life-changing opportunity.

“It’s not something I was seeking, that’s for sure and I was overwhelmed when I got the call from the White House,” said Graber “It’s a tremendous honor and something I’m very excited to be a part of.”

For the last quarter-century Graber has represented countless clients as an attorney at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, s.c., in Milwaukee. He spent the last two years as the firm’s CEO.

The firm threw a posh congratulatory farewell party at Pier Wisconsin on Sept. 19, complete with traditional Czech music, artwork and delicacies. Friends within the local community, along with several dignitaries affiliated with the Czech Republic, traded conversation at the event.

In a brief ceremony, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett reminisced about his tenure as an attorney at Reinhart and expressed his confidence in Graber to “represent the United States and Wisconsin with dignity.”

Graber’s successor as CEO, Jerome M. Janzer, provided the informal introduction and noted that “my mentor will be missed, and I will do my best to uphold the high standards he set throughout his 25 years of service.”

Despite his strong ties to his home city, Graber admitted there was “no choice,” when it came to accepting his ambassadorship.

“When the President asks you to serve, you serve,” said Graber, who spent five weeks in Washington, D.C. and Virginia for a “crash-course,” training session, culminated by a swearing-in ceremony at the State Department on Sept. 14.

Accompanied by his son Erik, Graber attended ambassador school and rapidly learned about the culture of a country he had never visited.

“They have a remarkable history and have become a tremendous ally in democracy to the United States,” said Graber. “My job will be to maintain and strengthen that relationship.”

Graber will work out of the U.S. Embassy and oversee a staff of nearly 300 within the walls of the Schoenborn Palace in Prague. His wife Alexandria and son Erik joined him for what is expected to be a two- to three-year ambassadorship, while his eldest son, Scott, remained in the United States to attend Wake Forest.

“It’s been a little tough because my family and I are leaving a lot behind in Wis-consin, but this is the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Graber. “It’s going to be a busy couple of years, but I expect to be back in Milwaukee when it’s all over.”