2011
WOMEN IN THE LAW
KIRSTEN HILDEBRAND
Hildebrand Law Firm, LLC
Hildebrand thinks outside of the box for her clients
When sole practitioner Kirsten Hildebrand looked at a list of this year's other honorees, she said, "I don't have a great resume like them; I'm just a great attorney."
Hildebrand considers that easier to do, she said, being a sole practitioner.
"I can take all the energy otherwise spent on politics, and funnel it toward excellent client services," she said.
Hildebrand is able to work hard for her clients because she works to stay spiritually healthy, she said. That means teaching soccer to children and life skills to young married couples at church, cooking dinner every night, playing piano and spending time with her husband and three children. By nature, she said, she is a workaholic, but she has discovered a strong home life allows her to thrive at work.
"In that context, I can flourish and can bring strength to my clients." she said.
Hildebrand started her solo practice in 2001 after practicing management-side employment law for two firms. She started off doing just employment law, but later added real estate. She has since added general litigation, business, family law and estate planning and litigation to her repertoire.
Fellow solo Thomas Lafave, who has shared offices with Hildebrand for several years, said the two have collaborated on many cases.
"She is a smart and zealous advocate for her clients", LaFave said. "She is creative and often 'thinks out of the box, which is an asset to her clients." Hildebrand is even willing to go outside the court system to help a client.
Under current law, parents' obligations to support disabled children end when the child reaches 18. When the parents are divorced, that usually means one parent gets burdened with all the financial and physical support of the child, and the other's obligations end.
Facing this situation in court on behalf of a supportive parent, Hildebrand is currently working to change the law, so courts can order that support continue after 18.
Hildebrand said she believes it is important not just to represent clients, but to help the whole person.
"When I have a difficult client, I want to make him my best client," she said.
To do that, she helps her clients find networks for additional support.
"To litigate well, you need a client with outside support," Hildebrand said. "The stronger the client is as a person, the stronger your case will be in court."
----- David Ziemer
Law degree received from: University of Wisconsin Law School, 1996
Reprinted from:
WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL 201 1 WOMEN IN THE LAW
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