Ryan Jacobi

Ryan Jacobi

What is your job and its responsibilities?

I am a transactional attorney, and I recently passed the real estate broker’s exam. I have always had enormous respect for entrepreneurs, so my primary job is to help small businesses expand and grow. Entrepreneurs are blessed with the ability to see the “big picture,” finding a niche in the market, and bringing services and products to consumers. While they are busy making their dreams a reality, I draft their contracts and provide counsel to ensure that they are protected and are in compliance with all laws and regulations.

How long have you lived in Milwaukee & what brought you here?

I have been in Milwaukee and the surrounding area for about four years. I grew up and went to high school in Sussex, so I was always close enough to downtown to enjoy all that Milwaukee has to offer. I went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for my undergraduate studies, and while there, I became disillusioned with the job opportunities and saw no additional room for personal growth as a young professional. When I was applying to law school, I decided that Marquette University would be a better fit for me. After six years away, I was finally able to move to Milwaukee in August of 2011. As a result, I was able to study under some of the best business and tax legal minds this state has to offer. I believe that moving back was the best decision I ever made and it has provided me with a wealth of opportunities for my practice and my career.

What is your favorite Milwaukee event?

My favorite Milwaukee event is German Fest. My ancestry is overwhelmingly German and Austrian. My family has been able to trace my ancestry back to Darmstadt, Germany in the 1880s before they came over to Pennsylvania, eventually settling in Milwaukee.

What is your favorite Milwaukee beer?

I have been a huge fan of stouts for a long time. Hands down, there is no better beer in Milwaukee than Lakefront’s Fuel Café.

Favorite little known fact/secret/hidden gem in Milwaukee?

My favorite hidden gem in Milwaukee is Bugsy’s Back Alley Speakeasy. It has a genuine Gatsby-esque feel and a nostalgic ambiance that is second-to-none. The piano playing is incredible and provides the perfect backdrop to the atmosphere of a prohibition-style themed haunt.

What is the most effective way to implement change in Milwaukee?

I believe that the most effective way to implement change in Milwaukee is to thoroughly look at the problems facing the city, and then be completely honest with ourselves. Unfortunately, politics in general has a long tradition of pointing fingers. Only after stepping back and having the old guard pry themselves away from the same old ineffective talking points will there be real change. Admittedly, tough choices will have to be made. It has been a long time coming, but I do believe that Milwaukee is still the centerpiece of Wisconsin’s greatness. I truly believe that the young professionals in Milwaukee, through their ingenuity, can increase commercial development and increase the economic livelihood of this city. I have complete faith that they will.