President’s Message: Time Well Spent: Reflections on My Time with the Wisconsin Defense Counsel

By: Grace Kulkoski, President, Wisconsin Defense Counsel 

As I close in on my final days as the President of our organization, I would like to thank each member and sponsor of the Wisconsin Defense Counsel for your contributions, participation, ideas, leadership, and time. I have learned so much from you, and I have enjoyed getting to spend time with many of you both this past year and throughout the years that we have all been on this journey together.

As we defense attorneys know all too well, time is our scarcest resource. The task lists are endless, and our days are often filled for us—sometimes with minimal input from ourselves. When I start to feel that my own schedule is out of control, I like to remind myself of one of my favorite quotes: “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” This quote from Annie Dillard goes on to champion the power of daily habits, mindfulness, and the accumulation of small moments over time. I love this quote because it allows me to live in the hustle and busyness of everyday life, knowing that my hours and days are well spent—so long as I keep some intention in those hours and days.

Spending the last four years on WDC’s executive committee has certainly taken up some of those hours and days. Reflecting on those four years, I’m so grateful for that time spent. I know I am not alone in that gratitude.

The time spent working to make WDC a great organization has helped many of us build a strong network of friends and colleagues, and those relationships certainly make it all worthwhile. Giving our time to this organization allows others to have that same opportunity. It also helps us stay on top of current trends in our industry, so we can provide the best possible service to our clients. A strong organization of defense attorneys who help one another stay sharp and connected is so important to our industry. 

Defense attorneys help ensure that the promise made in the insurance contract is fulfilled according to the terms of the contract—no more, no less. We fight inflated or fraudulent claims, challenge unsupported damage claims, and work toward reasonable claim settlements. Our work allows the insurance system to remain fair, affordable, and predictable. When we spend our minutes, hours, and days on our work, we spend our time protecting that system. 

I certainly plan to stay involved in this organization after my term on the executive team is at an end. I hope you all do the same. There are so many ways to get involved, and my hope is that you find the same value out of that time spent as I have found.

Our committees are a great way to spend time focused on the specific areas of WDC that are most important to you. Our Women in the Law committee has done great philanthropic work, and it serves as a valuable point of connection for one another. Our Amicus Committee has provided important perspective to the courts on appellate issues that affect our industry. For example, the Wisconsin Supreme Court recently adopted the arguments made in an amicus brief put together by the committee in Wren v. Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital Milwaukee, Inc. Our Young Lawyers Committee allows our newest members to meet, connect, and find their home in this great organization. We also will be starting a new Past Presidents Committee, which will allow us to harness and retain some of the wonderful institutional knowledge that our past presidents have to offer from their years leading this organization.

In addition to committee work, writing articles for the journal and offering to speak on a relevant legal issue at our seminars are what truly make WDC great. We can learn and grow only if we continuously strive to improve ourselves, and we have so much we can teach each other. Sharing your knowledge, experience, and expertise is certainly time well spent.

Finally, if you have not done so already, I would urge you to consider a leadership role in WDC. Our board is an energetic, open-minded, and friendly group of skilled attorneys, all working to make our organization the best we can offer to our members. It is not a huge time commitment, but it is a meaningful one. 

Thank you for this time we have spent together. And thank you for the opportunity to serve as your President. I cannot think of a better way to have spent this time. 

Author Biography:

Grace Kulkoski serves as in-house legal counsel to Wisconsin Mutual, where she oversees litigation, advises on claims, and performs other legal duties for the company. Before joining the Wisconsin Mutual team, Grace spent the first part of her career in private practice as a litigation attorney. Grace received her law degree from the University of Wisconsin, and her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Grace is an active member of various organizations supporting the insurance defense industry. She currently serves as the President of the Wisconsin Defense Counsel, and is also active in DRI, where she serves as a Vice-Chair of the Corporate Counsel Committee. She also serves in the litigation section of the Wisconsin State Bar. Outside of work, Grace enjoys running, spending time outside, and providing taxi services for her family.