Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

12/01/2025

If you plan on attending our half day Ethics Conference this Saturday, please register ASAP. Final counts are due to the Park Hotel this week.

Detriments of Delegation Too Much vs. Not Enough
📍 Saturday, December 6
📍 The Park Hotel, Madison
Enjoy breakfast, three great sessions, and 3 Ethics CLE credits (pending).

Speakers:
• Andrea Schoenherr on ethical AI
• Allison Ritter and Jason Barber on working with P*s
• Sean Harrington on supervising non lawyer experts

Cost:
$100 members, $125 non members (early bird)

Register here: https://wacdl.com/store/
Make sure you are logged into your WACDL account for the member discount.

Hotel discount (use it, truly):
https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.50061.html?groupId=N16BT7E0

And don’t forget… our Holiday Happy Hour is Friday at The Merchant from 5:00 to 7:00. Light apps provided. Hope to see you there! 🎄

08/20/2025

📅 Mark your calendars!

We’re excited to share the upcoming WACDL Ethics Lunch and Learn Series! Join us virtually at noon from the comfort of your office or home. Each session counts toward your Ethics CLE credits.

Lineup:

September 5, 2025 | Chris Zachar
Due Process and Victim’s Rights: Ethical Challenges in the Marsy’s Law Era

October 3, 2025 | Clare Schum
Ethics in Action: Navigating Investigations and Witness Communication

November 7, 2025 | Timothy O’Brien
Whose Case Is It Anyway? Ethics in Client and Family Dynamics

December 5, 2025 | Ellen Henak
Disaster-Proofing Your Practice: An Ethical Roadmap

January 2, 2026 | Colleen Taylor
Digging for Disclosure: Ethics and Best Practices in Brady Requests

February 6, 2026 | Allison Ritter & Andrew Knaak
Behind Bars: Ethics in Representing Incarcerated Clients

💵 $50 per date or $200 for the full series. Pricing increases after September 5.

👉 Register here: https://wacdl.com/product/2025-lunch-and-learn-series-6-dates/

08/16/2025

https://www.channel3000.com/video/remembering-jessa-nicholson-goetz/video_ddcee8ef-a12c-5eec-9661-cd9f10212262.html

Jessa Nicholson Goetz, one of Wisconsin's most noted criminal defense attorneys has died at the age of 42.

08/11/2025

We invite you to join us in honoring the life and memory of

Jessa Nicholson Goetz
Beloved Wife, Daughter, Mother, Friend, and Fierce Advocate

Jessa was a brilliant legal mind and fearless voice in the courtroom. Nationally recognized for her skill in criminal defense, she devoted her career to protecting the rights of the accused, often taking on the most complex and difficult cases. She was a tireless advocate, a compassionate counselor, and a powerful presence in the legal community—both in Wisconsin and across the country.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jessa was deeply loved. She was sharp, warm, loyal, and deeply real. Her ability to connect with people was extraordinary, and she made all who knew her feel seen and heard.

Remembrance of Life
📅 Thursday, August 14, 2025
📍 Garver Feed Mill
3241 Garver Green, Madison, WI 53704

Schedule
4:00 PM – Gathering and Welcome Reception
5:00 PM – Words of Remembrance
5:30 PM – Continued Fellowship, Cocktails, and Appetizers

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a donation to the ACLU of Wisconsin in Jessa’s honor.

If you have a story, memory, or words of comfort to share, please email them to [email protected] so her family can preserve and cherish them.

We hope you will join us to celebrate an extraordinary life and remember Jessa for the strength, compassion, and brilliance she brought into this world.

04/25/2025

04/12/2024

There's still time to register for the WACDL Annual President's Conference! Make sure to stay for the Awards Dinner and enjoy the amazing performance by the Old Soul Society band. Old Soul Society is a Wisconsin-based Americana Folk Rock band that also plays Soul, Blues, and more. If you haven't had the chance to hear them live, you're in for a real treat!

Register now: https://www.wacdl.com/event/annual-presidents-conference-april-18-19-2024

04/11/2024

We are still seeking two sponsors per day for breakfast and lunch, and an additional hour for the open bar. Consider partnering with another law firm and secure your spot today!

Register easily online: https://www.wacdl.com/event/sponsorship-opportunities-april-18-19-2024

04/10/2024

Reminder: Don't forget to sign up for the Annual President’s Conference on April 18-19, 2024 at the beautiful Monona Terrace in Madison, chaired by Attorney Amanda Riek! Register now at: https://www.wacdl.com/event/annual-presidents-conference-april-18-19-2024

We would like to extend a warm invitation to you and your office staff to join us, along with a guest or several, at the Awards Dinner taking place on April 18th. This is a special evening where we can come together to celebrate and congratulate our colleagues who have accomplished outstanding results in the past year and throughout their lifetime!

03/27/2024

Reminder: Don't forget to sign up for the Annual President’s Conference on April 18-19, 2024 at the beautiful Monona Terrace in Madison, chaired by Attorney Amanda Riek! Register now at: https://www.wacdl.com/event/annual-presidents-conference-april-18-19-2024

Here is a snapshot of our speakers and topics:

Thursday, April 18
Keynote | Defending People, Not Criminals (Atty. Dean A. Strang)
Basic Handguns and the Use of Force in Self Defense (Conrad Zvara + Atty. Aaron Nelson)
Stay Away From Me! Issues in Litigating Injunctions (Atty. Emily Bell)
Collateral Consequences for Clients in the Healthcare Field (Atty. Nicholas Dalla Santa + Atty. Davis Ciotola)
Niche Issues in Child Po*******hy Defense: Freenet and Hyphanet (Atty. Bradley Novreske)
Playing Offense: Piercing the 972.11 Shield (Atty. Ryan Moertel + Atty. Matthew Krische)

Friday, April 19
Biomechanics and Accident Reconstruction in Criminal Cases (Chris Van Ee Ph.D., P.E.)
All Things Juvenile: An Overview of Delinquency, CHIPS and JIPS Cases (Atty. Eileen Fredericks)
Reverse Waiver in a First-Degree Homicide (Atty. Meredith Davis + Atty. Patricia O’Neal)
Burn the Ships Litigation: Partnering With Your Client to Win Your Case (Atty. Corey Mehlos)
A Guide to Not Misunderstanding the Death of Shiffra (Atty. Adam Welch)
Ethical Implications of Chat GPT (Atty. Aviva Kaiser)
The Fallibilities of Eyewitness Perception and Memory (Atty. Keith Findley)

https://www.wacdl.com/event/annual-presidents-conference-april-18-19-2024

03/26/2024

Reminder:

The Criminal Justice & Behavioral Health Partners Fair is held at the Dane County Courthouse every Tuesday in March from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

If you are in the area, be sure to check it out! A complete list of vendors can be found here: https://countyofdane.az1.qualtrics.com/reports/RC/public/Y291bnR5b2ZkYW5lLTY1N2M4MDk1ODVkNDJiMDAwOGRmNmYyYi1VUl80VVBJZktXcTRHblRjYWk=