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Krumrie guides business owners through ‘life-changing’ events

Krumrie guides business owners through ‘life-changing’ events

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Ryan Krumrie (Staff photo by Kevin Harnack)
Ryan Krumrie (Staff photo by Kevin Harnack)

After working in real estate litigation for several years in the Twin Cities, Ryan Krumrie and his wife wanted to move back to their native Wisconsin and be closer to family.

“While I didn’t mind the real estate work, I wanted to get into business law, which is what I had focused on and planned on doing while I was in law school,” he said. “I was fortunate enough to find a firm that was willing to take me on and teach me the ins and outs of business law.”

The Green Bay firm willing to take a chance on Krumrie in 2012 was Hager, Dewick & Zuengler. Now working exclusively in business law, he enjoys the job’s daily variety and working with a wide assortment of businesses.

“I like working with businesses at a high level and understand what they are doing,” said Krumrie, who was recently named a partner at the firm. “One day I could be at a feed mill and the next day at a dairy or chiropractor. It is always something different.”

Krumrie appreciates being able to help owners as they open, expand or sell their businesses.

“With business purchases and sales, these are life-changing events for my clients,” he said. “Some say it’s one of the best days of their lives, like when they got married or their children were born. It’s great to see someone’s hard work come to fruition.”

When Krumrie entered college, he planned on studying business, but a course in business law opened his eyes to a potential legal career. He talked to his adviser, who recommended he take a variety of legal-related courses to see if the interest remained.

It did.

“I took a heavy load of law-related classes for one semester and I loved it,” Krumrie said. “I knew then I would go to law school.”

Now as he works with clients on their companies, Krumrie uses that business background.

“I really appreciate the long-term relationships I’ve developed with clients,” he said.

Wisconsin Law Journal: What makes your work important to you?
Ryan Krumrie: The transactions I work on with clients are life-changing events. It is neat to be a part of that process.

WLJ: Who is your hero in the legal field?
Krumrie: The three partners here — John Hager, David Dewick and Matthew Zuengler — are my heroes. They provided me with an opportunity to do what I am doing now. They have helped me develop my practice.

WLJ: What do you do outside of work to deal with stress from the office?
Krumrie: I have three little kids, so when I go home I escape a bit. I also like to get outdoors and hunt or fish — you can really get away from it all out there.

WLJ: What’s one thing many people get wrong about what you do?
Krumrie: The general public thinks lawyers spend a lot of time in court in front of a judge. I am rarely in court. Sometimes other attorneys think transaction attorneys just push paper around, but that’s not the case. There’s a lot more to what we do, such as providing (clients) with strategic advice.

WLJ: What’s your favorite memory from law school?
Krumrie: I remember the all-night cram sessions with a small group of friends and my future wife. It’s amazing how much you can learn in a short amount of time.

WLJ: Is there a certain case that stands out to you?
Krumrie: Kelo v. City of New London, which was an eminent domain case. I found it fascinating the court ruled a municipality could take a private property and sell it to another private party if they felt the property could be used for a better purpose, such as to further economic development.

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