Caleb R. Gerbitz is an attorney in Meissner Tierney’s litigation practice group. Caleb primarily focuses on assisting clients in complex commercial, insurance, employment, and appellate litigation.
Where are you from?
Mukwonago, Wisconsin
What was your first job?
Throughout high school and college, I was a farm hand at an Icelandic horse farm in Eagle, Wisconsin, called Winterhorse Park. The owners were smart enough not to let me anywhere near the horses, so I spent my days stacking hay, fixing fences, and doing anything else that needed to be done to keep the farm operating smoothly. It was a great job.
Do you have any hobbies?
My wife, Abby, and I enjoy spending time outside, whether it’s working around the yard or hiking in a state park with our dog, Uecker. Whenever I get the chance, I also enjoy taking in a Brewers game, squeezing in a round of golf, reading a book, or (on less and less frequent occasions these days) getting out on a motorcycle.
What is something on your bucket list?
Like anyone, I’d love to travel and read more.
Why did you become an attorney?
Honestly, there are a couple of answers to this question. I’ve always had an interest in government and that naturally facilitated an interest in law. Quite separately, though, it took a misspent freshman year in UW-Madison’s engineering program to convince me to pursue a career in law rather than math. I haven’t looked back since.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
Every day has its fair share of communicating with clients, colleagues, and other attorneys. But I also aim to set aside regular “thinking and writing” time, which I devote to thinking through legal arguments and developing the strongest possible cases for our clients. In today’s work environment, it can be difficult to find uninterrupted time to work through a problem, but intentionally setting aside time to do so is critical to doing my job well.
Why did you choose your areas of practice?
Litigation appealed to me for a couple of reasons. First, clients hire litigators to be problem solvers, and I enjoy exercising the critical thinking skills that problem-solving requires. Second, litigators often face really difficult questions about what the law says or how it applies to a particular situation. I live for the intellectual task of working through those challenging questions and then using effective advocacy to communicate the solutions to others.
What is your biggest achievement, professional or personal?
Faith and family come first in my life, so I’d be remiss if I didn’t start there. Professionally, it was an incredible honor to clerk at the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
What activities do you participate in outside of the firm (professional)?
I’m an active member of the Seventh Circuit Bar Association, where I serve on the Young Lawyer’s Committee. I’m also involved in the Milwaukee Bar Association and the Wisconsin Bar Association.
What is your favorite thing about MTFN?
Individually, the attorneys here are quite impressive, but as a firm, we really are better than the sum of our parts. We’re able to use our collective knowledge and experience to accomplish things other firms simply can’t do.
What has been the most impactful advice you have received about practicing law?
Be timely. Whether it’s returning a call or drafting a brief, meeting the stated deadline is the first requirement of any task.
Caleb can be reached at crg@mtfn.com. Learn more about our attorneys by visiting mtfn.com/attorneys.
