For Rome, all roads lead to law

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As a litigator, Erin Rome knows the value of being able to surround herself with a strong team.

“That’s probably the key part of what makes me successful,” said Rome, a lawyer at Palmersheim Dettmann. “You usually do trials in teams of two and then you have your support staff. And the relation you develop during a trial with someone is really special. If you don’t get along, and you are working together until midnight, it’s going to be tough.”

Although Rome is still fairly new to the legal profession, she has wasted no time in acquiring expertise. She received her law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and worked for a time as a clerk to Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg in the state Court of Appeals.

Since joining Palmersheim Dettmann, Rome has specialized in business litigation, business law and appellate practice. This has had her working on everything from contract disputes to franchise and dealer cases governed by the Wisconsin’s Fair Dealership Law. She also does transaction work related to new companies, contract drafting and reviews, and the purchase and sale of businesses.

Rome says she finds herself attracted by the work’s nearly endless variety.

“The think what I enjoy most about my job is it’s new and different every single day,” she said. “No two days are alike. You never know what you are going to get when you come in in the morning and that helps keep it interesting.”

Cathleen Dettmann, shareholder at Palmersheim Dettmann, said Rome never appears to struggle with new subject matters.

“You never have to teach Erin the same thing twice,” Dettmann said. “She’s a sponge for learning.”

Rome’s work has already brought her before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. In Golf Pros v. the city of Madison, a case she had a hand in, the court ruled that four golf pros had a right under the Fair Dealership Law to sue the city after Madison officials chose not to renew their contracts.

Apart from her hard work, Rome attributes her success to her ability to understand clients and their concerns.

“I think my personality fits well with what I do because I am a pretty energetic and outgoing person,” Rome said. “And that is one of key traits for lawyers when you are working with clients. I’m also a good communicator. And that’s important when you are helping people navigate their problems during some of the most difficult times of their lives.”