Frank A. Gumina
Shareholder and executive vice president of legal services, Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.
555 E. Wells St., Milwaukee
www.whdlaw.com
Industry: Legal
Employees: 305
Family: Wife, Susie, and three children, Manny, Jack and Sophia.
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
“We’ve hired some incredibly bright, prominent, productive attorneys – true leaders in their fields – from both within and outside of Wisconsin who have enhanced some of our already strong practice areas, such as corporate, real estate and litigation.”
Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek expects to open a new office in Waukesha County by early December. What prompted this decision?
“Waukesha County is an extremely vibrant area that we’ve served for years from our Milwaukee and Madison offices. In listening to our clients, we understand that having a base in Waukesha County will not only provide a convenience for them, but keep us at the epicenter of Waukesha’s economic development. Consistent with the recent opening of our Chicago office, all of our growth decisions are fueled by a genuine desire to better serve our clients.”
Where will the new office be located?
“Our 13,000-square-foot office is located in the Crossroads Corporate Center at 20800 Swenson Drive, right off I-94 and just west of Goerke’s Corners. We’re excited to offer full-service corporate, real estate, labor & employment, environmental, estate planning and litigation services from that office – the areas of law and business consulting that our clients in Waukesha County need.”
Do you plan on hiring additional staff?
“Our Waukesha County office will open with approximately 30 employees. We will continue to hire strategically as client needs warrant.”
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
“Our greatest and most important challenges are those presented to us by our clients. It’s our responsibility to be prepared for them and do all we can to provide the best solution while minimizing the client’s exposure. We continually search for unconventional solutions to problems that most efficiently reach our clients’ business goals.”
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
“Service productization. Businesses and individuals are looking for pricing predictability and efficiencies so they can more easily make buying decisions.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“‘Serve clients with a passion.’ – We are in the professional service business and routinely deal with rather intense situations for our clients. Our words and actions need to demonstrate our true commitment to our clients’ needs.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“The many business people I have represented over the years who took risks starting with a loan and an idea and built something big that has positively impacted many lives.”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“‘Be a mensch’ – be a person of honor and integrity all the time in everything you do. I heard it from my father a thousand times when I was growing up.”
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career?
“By far, this is the most difficult question, since rather serious matters pass over my desk daily. Early in my career, my mother-in-law made it a point to attend my first jury trial in Chicago. I think she was verifying that I actually was a lawyer.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“Other than spend time with my family, I always try to sneak away for outdoor activities, such as running, hiking and playing golf. I am also an avid podcaster (mostly current affairs and history).”
