Don Herrling may have something in common with Brett Favre.

Favre's passion is professional football and has put off retirement twice to keep on playing. Herrling, now in his 80s, on the other hand says he's never truly retired from his legal practice.

♦ Click here to sign up for news, weather and sports text alerts.

"I've always loved practicing," said Herrling, who founded in 1959 what today operates as the Herrling Clark Law Firm Ltd. in Grand Chute. "I still get back to the office pretty regularly. We have an exciting firm, with a very busy crew that can always use the extra help."

Herrling began practicing law in 1952. He got his start after spending two years in the legal department for the Air Force.

After his discharge, Herrling went into private practice. He eventually brought on a partner, Roger Clark, who also still makes the occasionally appearance in the office.

Herrling said when he launched his practice, his goal was not to be the largest firm in the Fox Valley. The practice today has 14 attorneys and satellite offices in Green Bay and New London.

"Things just got busier for us over time," he said. "It just grew and continues to grow."

Charles Koehler, an attorney and senior partner, has worked for Herrling Clark for 30 years.

"I think in the time I've been here, we've never had a goal to get to a certain size," he said. "Our goal always has been to provide the best service we can for our clients and if that service brings in more business, will add staff to accommodate that additional business."

Managed growth always has been a part of the firm's philosophy.

Herrling said success breeds success.

"One thing I've always tried to do is be respectful to clients and be helpful to people," Herrling said.

That's why Herrling personally continues to offer pro-bono legal services at the Thompson Community Center in Appleton. In 1997, Herrling launched Senior Connection, a service that connects older adults and their families with an assortment of services from housing to transportation as well as legal help and support groups.

Herrling said he has provided counseling for about 1,800 people since 1997.

"Even as I get along in years, I still believe it's important to remain active in the community," he said.

Andew Rossmeissl, who has been with the firm for five years, said staff also has adopted Herrling's philanthropic spirit.

"I don't know any staff person here that isn't involved in something," he said. "There's something about the Fox Cities that people just like to get involved in things."

Rossmeissl recalled when he was hired, he was encouraged to give back.

"Sometimes we can offer pro-bono legal counseling to groups or take up collections for any number of charities," he said. Over the years, the firm has made donations to many organizations including the YMCA, Harbor House, St. Elizabeth Hospital Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.

Clark helped build the firm's municipal side of its business. Its legal practice has branched out to personal injury, family law, estate planning and administration and business law.

As with many other industries, legal services also have been affected by the recession.

Koehler said areas including divorce and estate planning, things that can be put off or are considered discretionary have seen a drop in business.

Rossmeissl said the firm's debt law business has increased in recent years.

A majority of the firm's clients are in Wisconsin, Kohler said. But it has done work outside the state for its clients who do business around the country.

Rossmeissl said if the firm added an attorney, that attorney would then need support staff.

"You can bring in more money if you have more attorneys but for the additional dollars you can bill, there is added expense as well," he said. "It isn't necessarily to a firm's advantage to be very large."

That's fine with Herrling.

"I'm very proud of where the firm is today and how it's operating," he said. "It has exceeded my expectations."

Larry Avila: 920-993-1000, ext. 292, or lavila@postcrescent.com