A Valpo native, this week’s Life in the Spotlight is a criminal defense attorney with Bertig and Associates, and while his work is his passion he says it is more important to simply “believe in something. Stand up for it. Fight for it. Life has to have a purpose beyond just a job.” It is easy to see from this bit of wisdom how Bryan Truitt has achieved so much success in his life thus far.
He is a successful attorney and an adjunct professor at the Valparaiso University School of Law with a wife that drives him to achieve new heights every day. In the Valparaiso community, he is a source of inspiration and he embodies the warm and inviting personality that the community itself is known for.
Though Bryan grew up in Valparaiso he left the area to study at DePauw and later Indiana University Bloomington. For a while, he worked at a bank in Chicago, yet he was drawn back to the community by his love for its welcoming and familiar spirit and his familial roots here. He completed law school at Valparaiso University School of Law and clerked for Tony Bertig at Bertig and Associates while pursuing his degree.
Upon graduating, he was hired on at Bertig and Associates and has remained there for eighteen years. He works as a criminal defense attorney at both the federal and state court levels. Bryan is grateful to Tony, owing much of his success to him.
He also owes much of his success to his wife, Stephanie. “I was fortunate to marry my best friend,” he says, “and I remember that every day. I love everything I do as far as law. It’s my true passion. But it wouldn’t be nearly as important and I wouldn’t be nearly as good if there wasn’t Stephanie or my two daughters. For twenty years Stephanie has been my biggest fan, my best friend. If I’m down she picks me up. I completely trust her and rely on her opinions. She’s my proofreader. I’m inspired to do well and do better to make her proud.”
Together Bryan and his wife enjoy golfing. They’re also regulars at The Blackbird Café where they do crosswords together and engage others in lively conversations about politics and a range of other topics. They also engage in volunteer work within the community, especially with the Respite House, a drug addiction treatment center and halfway house.
Just as Stephanie aids Bryan in his work by proofreading and providing insight, Bryan also lends a hand in Stephanie’s work as a teacher at Flint Lake Elementary School by helping her in creating class projects and dropping by for the occasional hello.
In the past, Bryan has served as the regional director of the Special Olympics for team sports. He is also involved in local politics, as is his wife. He loves the Valparaiso community and the opportunities it provides.
“It’s a great place to raise a family. As far as work, the criminal bar association is small and tight-knit and it is filled with wonderful people that are a joy to work with. I have never found anything even remotely comparable to Valpo.”
Bryan has succeeded in life because of the support of his wonderful parents, his loving wife, his beautiful daughters, and his respected peers, mentors, and associates in his field and place of work. Above all, though, he urges the importance of, “being true to yourself. Keep an eye on what’s important. It’s so easy to let life creep up on you. Little things get pushed aside. But they are what’s important.”