35th Annual Institute of Trial Practice (ABOTA) 2025

  • OnDemand seminar
  • Civil Litigation Law
Up to 10.0 Credit Hours
View schedule and faculty
35th Annual Institute of Trial Practice (ABOTA) 2025

Co-produced with the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)

Courtroom drama, minus the stakes

Why watch courtroom dramas on TV when you can watch one in real life? The 35th Annual Institute of Trial Practice (ABOTA) delivers an immersive experience designed to give you the methods, techniques, and insights you need to shine in the courtroom.

See how some of Wisconsin’s top trial lawyers tackle every angle of a case in real time as you experience a full mock trial, presided over by Hon. Marc A. Hammer, the Wisconsin ABOTA Chapter’s Trial Judge of the Year.

8:00 am
Introductory Remarks by ABOTA President

Laurence J. Fehring

8:05 am
Seat Jury/Remarks from Judge

Hon. Marc A. Hammer

8:10 am
Opening Statements

Plaintiff: Robert D. Crivello Defense: Timothy Michael Johnson

8:55 am
Examination of Plaintiff

Patrick Buckner (Plaintiff) Direct Exam: Christine Esser Cross Exam: Jeffrey T. Nichols

9:30 am
Plaintiff Examination

Brooks Pratt (Trucking Expert) Direct Exam: Patrick C. O'Neill Cross Exam: Samuel J. Leib

10:25 am
Break
10:35 am
Panel Discussion

Edward E. Robinson, William R. Wick

10:55 am
Plaintiff Examination

Bob (Robert) Mc Kee (Accident Reconstruction Engineer) Direct Exam: Christine Bremer Muggli Cross Exam: Andrea P. Goode

11:45 am
Plaintiff Examination

Witness - Raymond Higgins (Peterson Transport Employee)Direct Exam: Steven B. Goff Amy M. Risseeuw, Cross Exam: Samuel J. Leib

12:00 pm
Panel Discussion

Edward E. Robinson, William R. Wick

12:10 pm
Lunch (on your own)
1:00 pm
Defense Examination

Aaron Wright (Crash Expert) Direct Exam: Michael S. Murray, Cross Exam: Steven B. Goff Amy M. Risseeuw

1:15 pm
Defense Examination

Chas (Charles) Baldwin (Witness who saw rollover)Direct Exam: Jeffrey T. Nichols, Cross Exam: Patrick C. O'Neill

1:30 pm
Panel Discussion with insights from Hon. Marc A. Hammer

Craig A Christensen, Frederick J. Strampe

1:50 pm
Break
2:05 pm
Defense Examination

Robb (Robert) Ibold - (Reynolds Building Solutions Employee)Direct Exam: Michael S. Murray Cross Exam: Christine Esser

2:25 pm
Defense Examination

Dave (David) Green (Reconstruction Engineer) Direct Exam: Andrea P. Goode Cross Exam: Christine Bremer Muggli

3:15 pm
Panel Discussion

Craig A. Christensen, Frederick J. Strampe

3:35 pm
Break
3:50 pm
Instruct Jury
4:00 pm
Closing Arguments

Plaintiff: Robert J. Gingras Defense: Sean M. Gaynor

5:05 pm
Panel Discussion

Craig A. Christensen, Frederick J. Strampe

5:15 pm
Jury Deliberation
5:55 pm
Verdict/Panel Discussion/Questions to Jury
6:05 pm
Program Concludes

Program Directors

Steven L. Nelson
von Briesen & Roper, S.C. · Milwaukee
Amy M. Risseeuw
Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C. · Appleton
Edward J. Vopal
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. · Green Bay

Moderator

Michael P. Crooks
von Briesen & Roper, S.C. · Madison

Presiding Judge

Hon. Marc A. Hammer
Brown County Circuit Court · Green Bay

ABOTA President

Laurence J. Fehring
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. · Milwaukee, WI

Panelists

Craig A. Christensen
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. · Appleton
Don C. Prachthauser
Murphy & Prachthauser, S.C. · Milwaukee
Edward E. Robinson
Cannon & Dunphy, S.C. · Brookfield
Frederick J. Strampe
Borgelt, Powell, Peterson & Frauen, S.C. · Milwaukee
William R. Wick
Nash, Spindler, Grimstad & McCracken LLP · Waukesha

For the Plaintiff

7 total
Christine Bremer Muggli
Bremer & Trollop, S.C. · Wausau
Robert D. Crivello
Cannon & Dunphy, S.C. · Brookfield
Christine Esser
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. · Sheyboygan
Robert J. Gingras (Captain)
Gingras Thomsen & Wachs LLP · Madison
Steven B. Goff
Bye, Goff & Rohde Ltd · River Falls
Patrick C. O'Neill
Pitman, Kalkoff, Sicula & Dentice, S.C. · Milwaukee
Amy M. Risseeuw
Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C. · Appleton

For the Defense

7 total
Ann C. Emmerich (Alternate)
Bell Moore & Richter, S.C. · Madison
Sean M. Gaynor
Leib Knott Gaynor LLC · Milwaukee
Andrea P. Goode
Borgelt, Powell, Peterson & Frauen, S.C. · Milwaukee
Timothy Michael Johnson
Great American Insurance Company · Eau Claire
Samuel J. Leib
Leib Knott Gaynor LLC · Milwaukee
Michael S. Murray
Kasdorf, Lewis & Swietlik, S.C. · Milwaukee
Jeffrey T. Nichols (Captain)
Crivello Nichols & Hall, S.C. · Milwaukee

Sponsored by

Interested in sponsoring this program? Find out more.

  • Watch some of Wisconsin’s leading trial lawyers demonstrate real-time courtroom advocacy techniques
  • Learn strategies behind persuasive opening statements, effective witness examinations, and impactful closing arguments
  • Hear insider judicial commentary as the judge explains his reasoning behind key rulings
  • Go inside the decision-making process with an exclusive look at jury deliberations
  • Come away with practical trial methods and insights you can apply directly to your practice
  • Earn 10.0 CLE credits in just one day
  • Civil litigators
  • Tort lawyers
  • Personal injury lawyers
  • Criminal litigators
  • Insurance lawyers
  • Paralegals

Book Bonus!

Wisconsin Trial Practice
Save 15% on Wisconsin Trial Practice.* Authored by experienced Wisconsin trial lawyers, it’s an invaluable resource for any attorney who enters a courtroom and a must-have for the practicing litigator. Use discount code CA3691 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.

*Discount applies to both print and digital Books Unbound editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through 12/31/26. For Books Unbound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books Unbound title only and may not be used on the purchase of libraries. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.

This year’s case involves a rollover trucking collision in which the plaintiff truck driver lost an arm. The crash occurred on a cloverleaf roadway known for rollover incidents. It is undisputed that the truck driver was traveling 10–12 miles per hour over the advisory speed at the time of the collision. The plaintiff contends the rollover was caused by a load shift resulting from improper loading. The defendant trucking company maintains that it followed the same loading procedures it has been using without incident for 50 years and that the truck driver was at fault for the rollover accident.

The Wisconsin ABOTA Chapter is sanctioned by the American Board of Trial Advocates, a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to protecting the right to a civil jury trial established by the U.S. Constitution. To qualify as a member, attorneys must be nominated by another member, achieve at least six years of active experience as a trial lawyer, and have tried at least ten jury trials to conclusion over the course of their careers.

Volunteer members of the Wisconsin ABOTA Chapter present and co-produce this seminar. Their commitment of time, talent, and energy in service to the bar is deeply appreciated.

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