Forward Janesville - TheReport - First Quarter 2018

I love what I do. My dad studied law before buying our family farm. Though he loves farming, my dad often wondered what his life would have been like if he had continued to pursue law. Today, I am very fortunate to have a practice that is varied—it’s different every day. One day I might be helping with a residential real estate purchase, the next the purchase of a multi-million-dollar business. I love the continued challenge. It keeps me on my toes. It’s never boring. I have been fortunate to play on the same hockey team as three NHL players: Ryan Suter (Minnesota Wild), Joe Pavelski (San Jose Sharks and partial Jets owner) and Phil Kessel (Pittsburgh Penguins). That sometimes surprises people! HOW DID I GET HERE? s u c c e s s • c h a l l e n g e s • l i f e l e s s o n s • e d u c a t i o n • c a r e e r • f a m i l y • i n s p i r a t i o n s Never stop learning. There are always new skills to learn and techniques to adopt. In order to live life to the fullest, we must continually look for ways to improve. Avoid the natural tendency to focus on proving yourself and performing better than others and adopt a learning mindset. 1 2 3 I grew up in rural Cobb, Wisconsin (population 458), where my family continues to run a cow-calf beef cattle operation. Growing up in an agricultural setting, you learn about the value of hard work at a very young age. For me, it’s hard to say where I would be today without those formative experiences. When I first moved here, I didn’t know anyone. Forward Janesville really helped me connect. I’ve always enjoyed the Business After Fives. They offer such an easy opportunity to meet people in a social and relaxed setting. It is a great way to get to know people, and put a face to the name. I love to read. I just finished The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach and I’m re-reading Population 485 by Michael Perry. I like reading both non-fiction and fiction, but fiction makes you see things in a different way, which I think helps in life and my practice. Hockey is a huge part of my life. As a kid, it helped me see beyond my small world in Cobb and gain independence. Today, I want to pay that forward. I’m heavily involved in Janesville Youth Hockey (Board Member and Vice President). I’ve been coaching with JYH since 2013 and I play in a weekly men’s league. I currently coach for kids in the 6 and under program. Kids at that age are so willing to learn, but they are also vulnerable. The experiences they have help shape direction they take. • In our free time, Katie and I spend a lot of time with the kids, and we also like to go back to Chicago when we can and revisit the old haunts. We love Lottie’s Pub, a great little neighborhood bar right in the center of a residential area. It’s a Badger bar where Katie worked as a server while getting her master’s degree. { LIFE LESSONS } My wife, Katie, and I were recently featured in a video series by the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce designed to help promote Wisconsin as a great place for young families to relocate. We agreed because we think it’s important; it’s not a partisan issue. I think Forward Janesville, the City, and the JCVB have all done a great job attracting younger people, and we want to be a part of that. WILLIAM SPRINGER Take chances. There is no question that I wouldn’t be where I am today without having taken chances. I would not have met my wife, nor would I be working as an attorney in Janesville. You have no chance of succeeding, no chance of reaching your goals and being all that you can be, unless you take a chance and take action. Whatever you are, be a good one. Those words were on a card I received from my parents when I graduated law school, and I’ve taken them to heart. Whether it’s in regard to work, parenting, friendships, coaching, etc. I believe everyone has to strive to be the best they can be. • • • { EDUCATION } 2008-2011 Juris Doctor The John Marshall Law School Chicago, Illinois 2003-2007 University of Wisconsin-Madison B.S., Economics Madison, Wisconsin { WORK EXPERIENCE } 2017-PRESENT Shareholder/Attorney Brennan Steil S.C. Janesville, Wisconsin 2012-2016 Associate Attorney Brennan Steil S.C. Janesville, Wisconsin 2011-2012 Associate Attorney Tamari Law Group, LLC Chicago, Illinois 14 • W W W . F O R W A R D J A N E S V I L L E . C O M