It is with deep sadness but fond remembrance that Gass Weber Mullins shares the news of the death of one of our founding partners, Ric Gass. Ric died suddenly in his home on October 13th.

Ric was a creative and dedicated trial lawyer who worked hard for his clients and lived a commitment to excellence.

Ric served as national trial and supervising counsel in a broad range of cases in venues across the country.  Most recently, Benchmark Litigation selected him as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer in North America.  Ric served as a Fellow and President of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel and the Litigation Counsel of America.  He was also a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and a Diplomat in the American Board of Trial Advocates. He was a past Wisconsin chairman of the Defense Research Institute.  He taught for many years at the Marquette University Law School and frequently lectured nationally on legal topics. He was also a teacher and an inspiration for younger lawyers at this firm.

We ask you to share Ric’s memory and our condolences with Ric’s family during this time of grieving.  Memorial donations may be made to the Marquette Law School Scholarship Fund: Marquette Law School, Eckstein Hall, Att: Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881. Gifts may also be made on-line: https://give.marquette.edu/give-online (scroll to other fund designation and type Law School Scholarship Fund).

Thank you for your sympathy.

Richard Orton is a trial attorney, focusing his practice on products liability, general liability, professional liability, and commercial, construction and insurance litigation.  Rich represents clients in complex claims in forums throughout Wisconsin and the U.S.  Prior to joining Gass Weber Mullins, Rich was a shareholder at one of Wisconsin’s largest civil litigation firms where he gained significant trial and litigation experience.

This September, Gass Weber Mullins hosted our first annual blood drive.  With our region’s blood supply being critically low, we joined forces with the American Red Cross and encouraged our neighbors to roll up their sleeves, and together we provided blood that will be used to save up to 80 lives!  We are grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to such a worthy cause.

It is incumbent upon us to take some time every day to think about how we can help others in need.  While 60 percent of people are eligible to donate blood, only ten percent actually do.  Blood is essential for treating chronic illness, surgeries and traumatic injuries.  According to the American Red Cross, someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds.  To make an appointment to donate, please call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or visit  www.redcrossblood.org to find a listing of community blood drives.

We are proud to announce our very own Ralph Weber was selected as 2016 Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year for Bet-the-Company Litigation.  Congratulations to Ralph!