Truesdale catching on quick at Hupy and Abraham

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Ryan Truesdale is on the fast track at Hupy and Abraham.

In less than two years, he went from law clerk to associate attorney at the firm, becoming a crucial asset to the firm’s newest practice area.

“I am very, very fortunate to be at this firm and working with the team that I do,” said Truesdale. “It’s a good time for me. I’m not just going through the motions. “

It all started with Truesdale’s willingness to join the firm’s newest practice area — nursing home abuse and neglect. That willingness surprised Hupy attorney Terese Halfmann, who noted that few people typically want to join a developing practice area, particularly nursing home abuse and neglect, an area where clients have heartbreaking stories.

As a law clerk, Truesdale started taking intake calls for the team. He later took on work that was crucial to helping the team understand the relevant laws in Illinois and Iowa. Then, as the team started litigating cases, he started taking on more responsibilities, which Halfmann noted were duties that attorneys, not law clerks, have.

She recommended that Truesdale be promoted — and he was.

“I knew he had potential and could see how quickly he learned, how quickly he takes initiative,” Halfmann said. “He never refuses to do anything. As difficult as it is, he takes it on and gets it done. … He has exceeded my expectations.”

What Truesdale enjoys most about his work is that it incorporates two things: his medical background and research and writing. Before going to law school, Truesdale had been on the path to medical school and earned a degree in clinical laboratory science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

“It’s being able to combine the two things I enjoy, and not only that, I’m able to combine all my expertise and education to help people,” he said.

The work, however, is not without its challenges. For one, the unfortunate situations that ensnare many of his clients can hit close to home. And to deal with that, he says he finds support within his team and uses music to disconnect. He is teaching himself to play a wider range on the guitar and trying to teach himself to be a vocalist.

Music also has had a significant influence on his work. Truesdale said he draws inspiration from David Bowie, Lou Reed and Iggy Pop.

“To me, these are people that just really thought outside the box, had unique thinking and were able change the way that music sounded, they were able to make a huge impact on the world,” he said. “I don’t think I’m going to make as big an impact … but they are a huge motivation. I want to think of things in a new way and try to get the best results for my clients.”