LEADER IN THE LAW – Peter Wilder – Godfrey & Kahn

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Peter Wilder, a shareholder in Godfrey & Kahn’s Milwaukee office, attributes his banking practice to mere coincidence.

Searching for a place to volunteer as a summer clerk after his first year of law school, Wilder sent letters to every state agency. He received a single call back — from the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). That clerkship eventually led him to Godfrey & Kahn’s banking practice.

“I really owe my career in large part to DFI giving me the opportunity that it did, and I will forever be grateful for that,” Wilder said. “I fell in love with the substance of the (banking) practice, and the colleagues and clients I was fortunate enough to work with made it even better.”

Wilder graduated from the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking, a graduate-level program designed for future executives in the banking industry.

Emily McKeown, the firm’s business development director, said to the best of the firm’s knowledge, Wilder is the only practicing attorney in Wisconsin to graduate from the Graduate School of Banking.

“Peter thinks like a banker and has a firm understanding of the economics of banking. Rather than simply responding to an issue or problem for his bank clients, he is able to assist clients with business planning and other strategic issues proactively,” McKeown said.

Wilder, who now also teaches several classes related to the legal industry at the Graduate School of Banking, uses the knowledge he gained in the program every day in his practice.

“That’s not hyperbole. Not only did it help me understand the business of banking at a much deeper level, but it gave me the foundation to have different and more valuable kinds of conversations with my clients,” Wilder said.