Nusslock makes time for mentoring

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Despite what is portrayed on TV, trying a case in front of a judge or jury is the exception rather than the rule these days.

With that in mind, Kathy Nusslock, a shareholder with Milwaukee-based Davis & Kuelthau SC came up with an innovative way to provide new attorneys with valuable courtroom experience.

“As the firm’s pro bono coordinator, I really encourage associates to volunteer legal aid to military members and veterans, as well as for prisoners’ rights cases. They are able to expand their legal experience while providing legal help for people who need it,” said Nusslock, who also leads the firm’s litigation group and chairs the employment litigation practice group.

Nusslock also actively mentors younger attorneys, which not only provides them with invaluable experience, it also benefits Davis & Kuelthau, she said.

“Mentoring others is important. It helps build up their confidence and helps them to be more productive, which helps the law firm overall,” Nusslock said.

Pagette Fischer, director of marketing and business development for Davis & Kuelthau, has witnessed the value of Nusslock’s efforts.

“Having worked in firms of large and small sizes, I can say with certainty that Kathy’s personal approach to mentoring our young professionals makes an absolute difference in both their success as practicing legal professionals as well as their ability to individually market their skills,” Fischer said.

Nusslock’s education of young attorneys goes beyond the lawyers at Davis & Kuelthau. For the past 17 years she has served on the faculty of the National Trial Advocacy College, a weeklong educational program for practicing attorneys.

“We teach attorneys the art of persuasion to help younger attorneys improve their trial techniques,” Nusslock said.

She also participated in 7th Circuit Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Committee’s E-Mentoring Project in 2012, where she videotaped answers to questions posed by up-and-coming lawyers on how to be a successful litigator. The videos are available online for all young attorneys to watch.

Though she has a busy practice of her own, Nusslock said she makes the time to work with young attorneys because she knows it’s of value.

“Since many attorneys don’t try a lot of cases in court today, they don’t have as many opportunities to learn from their mistakes and become stronger litigators,” Nusslock said. “I think through the work with the pro bono clients and through the mentorship opportunities, they are gaining skills that will help them become better attorneys.”