Gimbel honored as Witness to History award recipient

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Attorney Franklyn Gimbel of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown was honored Wednesday with the Witness to History presented by the Milwaukee County Historical Society.

Gimbel, founding partner of the Milwaukee-based firm, was awarded at the 69th Annual Award’s Dinner at the Pfister Hotel. The Witness to History Award is presented to those who have played a significant role in shaping and documenting our community’s history.

After graduating from Marquette Law in 1960, Gimbel became one of the four assistant U.S. attorneys in Milwaukee where he successful prosecuted and convicted the local head of the Mafia for tax evasion. In 1968, Gimbel established GRGB.

Throughout his career, Gimbel has tried over 200 jury cases and multiple homicide with acquittal cases. His work on a 1988 U.S. Supreme Court case was instrumental in winning a reversal and establishing a new rule of law for asserting entrapment as a defense in a criminal case.

Gimbel has served in various capacities for organizations like the Milwaukee Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission, Wisconsin Center District Board, Milwaukee Bar Association, State Bar of Wisconsin and Milwaukee Rotary Club.