With 15 years of experience in software teaching and sales, Terry Dunst now uses his strong background in technology to help fellow lawyers.

Oct. 19, 2016 – Run virus and malware protection, keep up your firewall, use strong passwords – and don't write it on a sticky note.

This is good advice from a lawyer who knows technology. Terry Dunst will receive the 2016 John Lederer Service Award this week at the 2016 Wisconsin Solo & Small Firm Conference in Wisconsin Dells.

The award is named in memory of attorney John Lederer, who saw it as his mission to help solo and small-firm lawyers master skills and technology to build their practices. Lederer was a visionary when it came to implementing technology into the practice of law.

"There is no doubt that Terry exemplifies the late John Lederer's leadership, spirit, and dedication," said Nancy Trueblood, who nominated Dunst for the award.

Dunst is a leader who educates and supports solo and small-firm attorneys, says Brian Anderson, chair of the award subcommittee. "Terry's leadership has greatly benefited Wisconsin practitioners."

A Techie At Heart

Dunst uses his strong background in technology to help fellow lawyers. For 15 years, he worked in the software industry, in sales, training, and applications engineering for factory automation software. As head of sales in England for three years, he lived in England from 1988-1990 with his wife and two young children.

"It was a great experience," Dunst said. "We traveled all over Europe and England."

With his children grown, he "just wanted to do something different." Aiming for law school, he took the LSAT and did well enough to earn a scholarship at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, graduating in 2006. He was recruited by Bakke Norman while a 3L, and now works for the firm in New Richmond.

"Coming back home to Wisconsin was important to me," Dunst said.

The Teacher

Dunst's New Richmond practice focuses on municipal law, and real estate, estate planning, and probate. He represents cities, villages, and towns in northwestern Wisconsin.

Dunst is vice chair of the State Bar's Solo/Small Firm and General Practice Section and co-chair of the technology track of the Wisconsin Solo & Small Firm Conference. He has served on the conference's planning committee for a number of years. He is a presenter with the popular State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE^® workshop, "Considerations for Starting a Law Firm." He taught administrative law at Concordia University (before it closed), and he writes "The Wisconsin Municipal Law Blog," where municipal officials are his target audience.

"I write about noteworthy events that occur, cases or new statutes that impact municipalities," Dunst said.

Terry Dunst is a presenter with the popular State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE^® workshop, “Considerations for Starting a Law Firm,” and taught administrative law at Concordia University.

Advice Against 'the Bad Guys'

The technological landscape has changed much in the 10 years he's been a lawyer – and he stays on top of it. "A lot of people use technology and the internet, and don't pay enough attention to potential scams and risks out there, which are very real," Dunst said. "The bad guys are out there, and they are trying to steal your data."

His advice for protecting your clients' data: "You absolutely need to run virus protection, malware protection, have a firewall, and use strong passwords," Dunst said.

"And don't put your password on a sticky note on your monitor!" Dunst said.

Editor's Note: Don't miss the special issue of Wisconsin Lawyer magazine on cybersecurity.​