YP Profile: Steven Laabs

Welcome to the first in a series of YP profiles!

We're highlighting the area's young professionals and asking them ten questions about everything from their jobs and passions to what they love about this community.

Get to know your South Suburban up-and-comers!

First up: Steven Laabs

What is your connection to the South Suburban area? 

I moved to Franklin about 15 years ago and have been living in Oak Creek for almost three years now. I am also a member of the Rotary Club of Mitchell Field, which includes Franklin and Oak Creek in its service area.

What is your favorite thing about this area? 

I really like the current growth and potential of the area. In Oak Creek, for example, the future development at the lakefront and old Delphi facility on the corner of Howell and Drexel is very exciting. With respect to the old Delphi facility, it's a rare occurrence to have the opportunity to develop from scratch such a large parcel along a major thoroughfare. The addition of the I-94 interchange at Drexel Avenue should also help spur development along Drexel Avenue and the S. 27th St. corridor. It's an exciting time for Franklin and Oak Creek.

Current employer/position? 

I am an attorney at Davis & Kuelthau, s.c. While we are a full-service law firm, my practice focuses primarily on general business and corporate matters, such as mergers and acquisitions, start-ups, commercial finance transactions and the drafting and negotiation of contracts for a wide variety of commercial business arrangements. We have offices throughout the state but I operate primarily out of our downtown office.

What do you absolutely love about your job? 

I love the opportunity to work with a wide variety of clients and businesses to help them achieve, from a legal perspective, whatever their particular objective may be. Start-ups are particularly exciting because the clients usually have so much passion with respect to their ideas and future business. It's fun to be a part of that process.

What would you consider your passions? 

I really enjoy playing sports and having an outlet for my competitive impulses. Baseball has always been my favorite sport, and I've been lucky to have the opportunity to keep playing at a competitive level. Along with the several other sports I play, it helps keep me active and in shape.

What impact do you hope to leave on this community? 

I hope that our community will continue to be a place where business and community leaders will continue to work together to create opportunities for broad-based growth and development while remaining dedicated to serving the variety of needs in our area.

Who is your mentor? Why did you choose them? 

I can't name a single person I would call a mentor, as I try to learn something from everyone I come into contact with. Looking back, I could count my parents, family and a number of coaches, teachers, and even friends as mentors. In my current position as an associate in a law firm, I have the opportunity work with a number of senior partners, and I learn different lessons from each one. What I have discovered through my approach is that there is often more than one way to be effective or successful. I believe the trick is to have an understanding of who you are, how you work best, and how your strengths and weaknesses come into play in any given situation.  

What is your favorite local nonprofit/charity group and why? 

As I mentioned above, I am a member of the Rotary Club of Mitchell Field and we get involved in a wide variety of projects that have a very positive impact on both the local and international communities. Locally, among other things, we have been able to raise funds to provide grants to other philanthropic organizations, deliver Thanksgiving meal baskets to needy families, and provide college scholarships to outstanding high school students. Internationally, we will get involved in projects throughout the world, with a particular emphasis on providing access to clean water to impoverished areas. I am also a graduate of St. Thomas More High School (Milwaukee/St. Francis) and remain involved with the school to help ensure it will continue to provide quality educational opportunities for students in this area. 

Do you have any special talents? What are they? 

I suppose you could say I have an unusual ability to play a number of different sports at a slightly above-average skill level. I try to stay as active as possible, so at any given time you may find me on a baseball diamond, golf course, soccer field or basketball court. I've been lucky to have the opportunity to continue to play a number of different sports.

One piece of advice for other young professionals? 

One of the best pieces of advice I was given from a networking and business development perspective is to take a long-term approach and remember that the focus of your efforts should not be simply asking for business or referrals, but taking a legitimate interest in the business of others, even if they may not provide you with any direct business in the short-term. The more willing you are to listen to and genuinely take an interest in others, rather than simply promoting yourself, the stronger the contacts and relationships can become. Over time, those contacts and relationships will generally end up being more rewarding, both personally and professionally.    

For more information on Davis and Kuelthau, visit www.dkattorneys.com.

Know someone we should highlight in YP Profiles? Let us know by leaving a comment!