Attorney is revved up about her company

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Harley-Davidson has always been a part of Tonit M. Calaway’s life. She grew up on 18th and Vliet St., just minutes away from the iconic motorcycle company’s headquarters. So when Calaway, 39, got an offer “out of the blue” to join Harley’s legal department in 1998, she jumped on the opportunity faster than a rider heading to Sturgis. After more than five years practicing securities and public finance law for Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., and Davis & Kuelthau, S.C., Calaway went in-house for Harley first as corporate counsel, then senior counsel and now associate general counsel. Almost a decade later, Calaway is still enjoying the ride. She sat down with Wisconsin Law Journal reporter Jack Zemlicka to discuss her role in the 105th Anniversary Celebration, her love of fast cars and her preference for leather jackets over business suits.

Wisconsin Law Journal: Do you ride?

Tonit M. Calaway: No, but my husband and I are planning on taking a class in July and then purchasing a bike. I think we’ve finally caught the bug. It is something I need to train in because you can’t just get on and go, but it’s such a sexy product.

WLJ: Are employees expected to ride Harleys?

Calaway: It’s not that we expect all our employees to ride, nor do we expect them all to ride Harleys. If you take a look out in the parking lot, there are some (bikes) which are not. There certainly isn’t any pressure to ride or not ride. It’s really a diverse group and that’s a good thing.

WLJ: Your dad, George Calaway, was a machinist. Did he influence your decision to work for Harley?

Calaway: His impact was in me becoming a securities lawyer. He was a machinist at Falk and my mom was an educator at MPS for many years. My dad switched to third shift to stay with us kids during the day and one of the things we did almost every morning was chart stocks. I really developed a love of financial markets and so when I decided to go to law school, it was securities that I was interested in.

WLJ: What is your role in the 105th Anniversary celebration?

Calaway: A lot is doing what I do everyday, in helping with the contractual paperwork and negotiations. We have some (entertainment) groups coming and many of those contracts I worked on. It has been amazingly wonderful to work with the artists’ reps and their lawyers like Springsteen, Daughtry or any of those guys.

WLJ: Did anyone file a suit against the company for bringing in Elton John to perform at the 100th Anniversary?

Calaway: You saw the headlines, just like I did. That’s really unfortunate because it was a fabulous concert. You are not going to satisfy everyone. My take is a lot different than others, because we don’t always value some of these experiences that are brought to the city and we’re quick to be judgmental.

WLJ: The pending layoff of almost 8 percent of the Harley workforce has been highly publicized. What is your role in that process?

Calaway: I’m a securities attorney so I review all the documentation. We generate the appropriate messages and the facts. The messages are tough, but being concise and being accurate are what I take seriously. No matter what the message is, we have to make sure we aren’t misleading. When you are a public company, that’s important stuff.

WLJ: On a personal level, is it difficult to review information like that?

Calaway: It was a difficult decision and it affects people who are part of the Harley-Davidson family. That is never anything you don’t feel on a personal level. You certainly do.

WLJ: What is the biggest challenge associated with protecting Harley’s trademark?

Calaway: One of the greatest forms of flattery is copying, but we have to protect that and we don’t allow it. But look at the other side of that. There are a lot of people who are ignorant of trademark law. We do go after people who infringe our copyright. We run into it all the time whether it’s people using it purposely or mistakenly. Our trademark infringement group stays pretty busy.

WLJ: I’ve heard that you also enjoy fast cars. Is that a result of the day job?

Calaway: (Laughs) I am a huge sports car fanatic. This goes back to my dad too. He loved muscle cars. Right now he’s got a Corvette ZO6, so he likes them fast. That’s where my love of them comes from, but only if I can look cute in them. That’s key.

WLJ: Business suit or leather jacket?

Calaway: Leather jacket, all the way baby. Rarely a business suit and usually it’s only for the outside world and not for Harley. I dressed up for you. I have slacks on and not shredded jeans. I have a closet full of Harley jackets that I wear on and off and another 10 of my favorite [jackets], as well.

WLJ: Is your family into Harleys?

Calaway: My father is a big Harley guy. He is a stock holder and loves the company. My husband is a big supporter of my career and he wears the clothes. The kids are excited about the museum (set to open on July 12) and I had to drive them by the site. They are 10 and 6. We are pretty Harleyish. If you come into the house, there is a lot of Harley product lying around.

WLJ: You have said that your journey is ongoing. Any plans to shift gears in your career?

Calaway: I cannot see myself going back into private practice. I love the challenges of being an in-house counsel. It’s an adrenaline rush for me and I don’t think I could give that up. To be working for an iconic company and one which I grew up two minutes from – how could I give that up?