Anderson’s ascent has come naturally

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Ross Anderson won his first case when he was in the sixth grade.

“We had a trial in some sort of legal class we were taking,” the Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek SC shareholder said, “and I successfully defended Kenny Morrell against allegations that he stuffed the ballot box for class president.

“I still don’t think he did it, to this day.”

He’s been a natural leader for years, from serving as captain of his high school wrestling team to president of the West Bend School Board.

“As nearly as I can tell,” Charles Bohl, a fellow shareholder, said, “he has risen to the top leadership position in everything he’s ever done, which is kind of amazing.”

Anderson has been a shareholder for 30 years. He helped establish Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek when Whyte & Hirschboeck merged with Frisch Dudek in 1993, and he was a board member for 10 years.

Though he assumes leadership roles with aplomb, Anderson still has some discomfort in the spotlight, Bohl said.

“We all know people who seek out attention and notoriety, but that really isn’t Ross at all,” he said. “I don’t think he’s looking for these positions. I think he’s just naturally selected; people just gravitate toward him.”

Anderson agreed, saying he’s “not a particularly public person.”

“We live out in the country, between West Bend and Slinger,” he said. “I enjoy chopping firewood.”

Yet, nearly four decades into his legal career, Anderson continues to lead by example. He helps lead the firm’s litigation practice group and recently was involved with the headline-making six-week O’Donnell Park parking garage case in Milwaukee County.

The biggest challenge, Anderson said, has been balancing his private life and public leadership roles. He is involved in work at his church and with several community groups in West Bend.

Some days are better than others, he said, but he’s not ready to quit trying to do it all.

“I don’t feel like I’m ready to stop, yet,” Anderson said. “At some point, [litigation is] definitely a type of practice for younger, energetic people. But I still feel like I’ve got more than enough energy to do it, and my experience is a huge assistance in it; I have a better ability to recognize what’s important and what’s not.”

As far as Bohl can tell, there’s only one area Anderson is falling short.

“He’s terrible at returning phone calls,” Bohl said with a laugh, “probably because everybody’s calling him.”