Jennifer Dedolph – Quarles & Brady

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Jennifer Dedolph, senior legal research specialist at Quarles & Brady, calls her career “a series of fortunate events.”

She discovered the legal profession by chance when a local law firm took its own chance on her. The firm hired her a semester before she earned her master’s in library science from UW-Milwaukee.

“My life changed that day,” Dedolph said. “It wasn’t long before I knew that I had landed exactly where I needed to be. I was doing something I loved in a fast-paced, challenging and always interesting environment.”

Dedolph joined Quarles & Brady’s Milwaukee office in 2012. As the firm’s senior legal research specialist, she produces in-depth research and monitors all research requests sent to the library. She said she finds satisfaction in sorting through sources to find accurate answers.

“How and where people get information has changed so drastically during my career,” Dedolph said. “It has become easy to mistake opinion for fact or news and to rely upon information without considering its origin or purpose. It is essential that multiple resources are utilized and that facts are verified.”

Dedolph’s attention to detail and thoroughness make her a vital resource at Quarles & Brady. Lynn Dilts-Hill, manager of the firm’s information and research services, said senior managers trust Dedolph to research confidential matters.

“Professionalism and confidentiality are key when performing these checks,” Dilts-Hill said. “Both bond research and risk evaluation reports take in-depth research needing an extensive attention to detail to complete. Jennie excels in performing research at this level.”

Though she’s a trusted researcher who already handles many management responsibilities, such as training and guiding staff, Dedolph said she doesn’t aspire to be a library director or manager.

“I can’t imagine not doing research,” Dedolph said. “I am right where I want and need to be. My career in law firms has taught me that loving your work goes a long way toward being happy.”

Her colleagues welcome that decision.

“Jennie is a tenacious researcher and has raised the bar across our team in the provision of quality and thorough research services,” said Laura Olsen, senior legal research specialist.