Krimmer leads in same-sex law practice

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Christopher Krimmer said he grew up introverted and shy, with low self-esteem.

Now, the openly gay family law attorney owns who he is, and the community of which he is part.

“What drives me now is that connection with other people, educating and learning from them, even making changes in their lives,” Krimmer said. “It drives me to do more, especially if I can do anything to open up people’s eyes about the gay and lesbian community.”

Krimmer spent his first few years as an attorney running his own “little-bit-of-everything” law practice before joining the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, where he established a client legal rights program. He joined the Madison firm Balisle & Roberson SC in 2003 after answering a flier he found while helping an intern apply for legal careers.

Now a partner with the firm, Krimmer is a whirlwind of activity. In addition to his caseload in the past year, he’s presented on a dozen topics pertaining to same-sex couples and families; written a legal guidebook on the practice area; led a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights and finance seminar in Madison; and taught a popular Sexual Orientation in the Law course at Marquette University.

He helps his same-sex clients understand they have certain federal rights, even as residents of Wisconsin, which is not one of the growing number of states that allow same-sex marriages.

When applicable, Krimmer said, he makes his sexual orientation known. To be certain, he said, it’s not pertinent with every family law case he takes on. But, he said, the legal community and growing case law both can benefit by such openness, countering “ridiculous” perceptions and the “shocking” lack of practicing attorneys who are openly gay.

Andrea Gage, public relations coordinator at the State Bar of Wisconsin, took a family law course of Krimmer’s at Marquette, where she said he provided a welcome, real-world angle on the ins and outs of an actual case.

Gage now counts Krimmer as a friend and said his stream of published articles and CLE sessions give the state a tireless, respected voice on emerging areas of the law.

“In the legal community, there are plenty of people who are good attorneys, who are good friends to their fellow attorneys or are really involved in the community,” she said. “Rarely do you find someone who does such a good job at all three, like Chris.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdpNsxoGHFg