Korb helps clients weather life-altering situations

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Todd Korb often sees people at their worst.

His clients frequently have been in an accident or lost a loved one, and are considering legal action.

“I really became an attorney to help people,” said Korb, a lawyer at Hupy & Abraham SC, Milwaukee. “Whether they’ve been in a vehicle accident or had something happen to them while on a rollercoaster or a boat, I want to do what I can to help them recover damages for their injuries.

“I often feel like a counsellor too, since it can be very emotional what these people have gone through. I’ve had people break down during meetings or hearings. It can get hard.”

But the work is rewarding, too, Korb said. As an example, he pointed to a 2003 case where he was part of a team that won a $3 million settlement for Curtis Harris, a Milwaukee man who became a quadriplegic after he was thrown against the floor and wall while in police custody after being arrested on an outstanding traffic warrant following a domestic dispute.

“We were able to make quite a difference in his life since the settlement helped him and his wife move to a home that was handicapped accessible,” Korb said. “It really improved the quality of his life. Cases like that help you keep moving forward.”

Korb estimates that 90 percent of his cases settle before a lawsuit even is filed.

“Once you express the intent to file a suit, that gets the ball rolling so a trial can be avoided,” he said. “I’m really determined to get the best for my clients and help them through challenging situations. My clients have been through a lot and I just want to do my part to help them. That’s why I became an attorney, to help other people.”

Wisconsin Law Journal: What was your least-favorite class in law school?
Todd Korb: Constitutional Law II. The professor just ran the class as one long monologue. Not very helpful.

WLJ: What activity could you spend hours doing outside of work?
Korb: Spending time with my family

WLJ: If you could have drinks with anyone, who would you choose?
Korb: My wife. I really enjoy spending time with her.

WLJ: What was the best place you ever visited on a vacation?
Korb: A few years ago we went on a family vacation to Glacier National Park. The scenery was beautiful and breathtaking.

WLJ: If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
Korb: I tend to be very serious, which I guess is good for my job. My wife is very outgoing and funny and I wish I could be more like her.

WLJ: What was the first concert you attended?
Korb: Corey Hart of ‘I Wear My Sunglasses at Night’ fame at the Brown County Fairgrounds.

WLJ: What do you miss most from your childhood?
Korb: How much potential there was and that you could grow up to be anything and do anything – not necessarily being realistic. It was so carefree.

WLJ: Who is someone you admire?
Korb: Nelson Mandela. I read his autobiography and just admire his determination and how he never gave up. I think about that in my work. Some of my clients need to have a lot of determination and can’t give up since some of these cases can last a long time.