Coley finds going to trial unlike any other experience

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As a child, Sherry Coley was inspired by her grandfather — a self-made, self-taught farmer who served as an Iowa senator.

“I felt my path wouldn’t be public office necessarily, but I could do the same thing as a lawyer, helping my clients through difficult situations,” Coley said.

Today, Coley is a shareholder and trial lawyer in Davis & Kuelthau’s Green Bay office, where she specializes in complex business litigation.

Before earning her law degree from Marquette University, Coley spent several years working in the business world, first selling computers for Gateway and then later working as a bilingual specialist for Kimberly-Clark Corp.

“I’ve always marveled at the entrepreneurial mind of businesses and how businesses can take a product or service and not just create it, but provide it,” Coley said. “Whether I’m doing mergers and acquisition work or litigation, first and foremost I enjoy learning about my client’s business.”

As a litigator, Coley quickly overcame any fear of going to trial. During her first jury trial more than eight years ago, Coley spent three long days commuting from her home in Appleton to Manitowoc. When her 2-year-old daughter needed stitches the night before the last day of the proceedings, the week culminated in an emergency trip to the hospital. After putting her daughter to bed, Coley said, she stayed up into the “wee hours of the morning” preparing.

“We went into trial that day and got a verdict in our favor, then I came home and crashed,” Coley said.

“There is nothing to compare to trial; if you’ve gone through it, you know.”

Coley has recently expanded her practice to include intellectual property, representing clients in district courts throughout the country and in the 9th and Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. She also serves on the Board of Governors representing District 14 and the Wisconsin Judicial Council, and she is active in the State Bar.

“Though she makes it look effortless, Sherry has spent countless hours learning how best to solve her clients’ issues inside and out,” said Pagette Fischer, director of marketing and business development at Davis & Kuelthau. “Sherry always tries to stay upbeat, look for positive outcomes or compromises in difficult circumstances, and focus on the good.”