Blay lends an ear along with legal solutions

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Ryan Blay performs several roles as an attorney in Lakelaw’s office in Kenosha.

He solves problems. He guides clients through the complicated nuances of bankruptcy codes. But first, he listens, said Blay, who specializes in bankruptcy and helping clients save their homes from foreclosure.

“Someone comes in and starts telling you about their life and their problems,” he said, “and I try to help them figure out the best decision.”

Sometimes the decisions, such as filing for bankruptcy, are not easy to make, Blay said. But the goal, he said, is for the client to find relief.

“I always ask clients, ‘How are you feeling?’” Blay said. “Sometimes just having someone listen provides some peace of mind.”

Blay works on a variety of bankruptcy cases, from simple, such as pro bono work, to complex, such as Chapter 13.

“The code changes can get confusing, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on what’s happening,” he said. “It’s also important to keep the public educated about their options and help them realize that trying to do it on their own could wind up really costing them.”

When he is working on foreclosure cases, Blay said, the first attempt at a solution is to improve communication.

“I’ve found that if we get the lender and owner together and come up with some alternatives, such as short sale or some kind of loan modification,” he said, “it’s the most helpful to everyone involved.”

While attending law school, Blay said, he became interested in worker-discrimination cases and decided to focus on helping people. Bankruptcy work, he said, was a natural fit because it let him accomplish that goal.

“It’s also a great mix of transactional and litigation work,” Blay said. “You do some work in the office, you do some in court. You don’t get too bored.”

Wisconsin Law Journal: What was your favorite class in law school?
Ryan Blay: Evidence. I never pursued criminal law but still found it very engaging.

WLJ: What career would you have chosen if you had not become an attorney?
Blay: Writer. I worked on the newspaper in high school and college and really enjoyed it, so I could see myself as a journalist.

WLJ: What was the first concert you attended?
Blay: Weird Al.

WLJ: What music gets heavy rotation on your iPod?
Blay: I really like to mix it up. General top 40 is good since you get a mix of everything.

WLJ: If you could have drinks with anyone, who would you choose?
Blay: Shakespeare. His subjects were so universal, and his writing was so engaging.

WLJ: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Blay: I would be taller.

WLJ: What was your favorite toy as a child?
Blay: GI Joes and my baseball cards.

WLJ: If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Blay: I love living in the Milwaukee area. It’s fantastic. But Boston or Florence, Italy, would be nice too.

WLJ: What activity could you spend hours on outside of work?
Blay: I’m a Candy Crush addict. I also love playing with and watching our newborn daughter.

WLJ: What is your favorite sport to watch?
Blay: Baseball. I know it’s fallen a bit out of favor, but it has always captured my interest.