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Quarles partner combines business, legal pursuits

Quarles partner combines business, legal pursuits

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Donald Layden Jr. (Photo courtesy of Quarles & Brady)

Donald Layden Jr. may be a partner at the law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP in Milwaukee, but that’s not the only hat he wears.

While he focuses on corporate law with an emphasis on technology and business service areas, he also works as a businessman in his role as operating partner with Baird Venture Partners Management Co.

Layden originally came to Quarles & Brady in 1982 after graduating from Marquette University Law School. He stayed with the firm until 1992 when he left to focus on his business interests at Metavante Technologies Inc., a provider of financial technology services. He stayed with that company until it merged with FIS in 2009.

Since returning to Quarles & Brady, he can focus on law while also pursing his business interests at the Baird venture capital fund.

“My friends joke I can’t hold a job so I jump back and forth,” Layden said of his dual interests. “But, honestly, I have the best job. I’ve had a great career and have been able to pursue what I’ve wanted to do.”

Outside of his offices, Layden is active in many organizations, including the Milwaukee Public Art Museum, Summerfest and the United Way of Greater Milwaukee. He and his wife, Mary Jo, also are members of the Ignatian Associates community, a Catholic lay apostolic organization.

Layden, who recently received the 2013 Marquette University Alumnus of the Year Award, said he is deeply committed to his faith and supportive of missionary work in the Philippines.

Wisconsin Law Journal: What was your least-favorite course in law school?
Donald Layden Jr: I didn’t really have one. I enjoyed all my classes and the diversity of the experiences.

WLJ: What do you consider your biggest achievement to date?
Layden: Raising four great children who all have very different interests and inspiring them to reach their potential.

WLJ: If you could be a superhero, who would you be?
Layden: This isn’t an answer readers have seen before. I would pick Sister Nida, an Oblate nun who runs a shelter in the Philippines for exploited children. What she has done there is truly amazing and inspiring.

WLJ: What famous person you would most like to have a drink with?
Layden: Warren Buffett. He’s led a fascinating life. He’s also a principled investor and owner of businesses. I would love to pick his mind about how he motivates people and how he picks his investments.

WLJ: What is the first concert you went to?
Layden: It wasn’t the first concert I went to, but I was at the Alpine Valley concert in 1990 with Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Robert Cray. It was just phenomenal and made more memorable since it was Vaughan’s last concert, since he died right after in a helicopter crash. I’ve seen Eric Clapton play numerous times and he’s just the best.

WLJ: Which living person do you most admire?
Layden: My father. He was a great role model. He grew up poor and started working at age 16. He worked for the same company for more than 40 years. He started out delivering packages at UPS and ended up being the No. 2 person there. His hard work was very inspiring.

WLJ: If your mother had to describe you in one word, what do you think it would be?
Layden: Passionate. I do everything a little too bit intensely.

WLJ: Finish this sentence: Happiness is …
Layden: A family dinner. I travel a lot nationally and internationally so anytime I can be home with my family and enjoy dinner, it’s very enjoyable.

WLJ: What is your favorite thing to do in Wisconsin?
Layden: Anything to do with the lakefront in Milwaukee. I love the Milwaukee Public Art Museum, Discovery Center and Summerfest. While I travel a lot, I always make sure to be around during Summerfest to take in all of the great concerts.

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