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
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
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
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
8:50 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
9:55 AM Panel Discussion
Don C. Prachthauser, Edward E. Robinson, William R. Wick
10:10 AM Break
10:25 AM Plaintiff Examination
Bob (Robert) Mc Kee (Accident Reconstruction Engineer)
Direct Exam: Christine Bremer Muggli Cross Exam: Andrea P. Goode
11:00 AM Plaintiff Examination Witness - Raymond Higgins (Peterson Transport Employee)
Direct Exam: Steven B. Goff Amy M. Risseeuw
Cross Exam: Samuel J. Leib
11:35 AM Panel Discussion
Don C. Prachthauser, Edward E. Robinson, William R. Wick
11:50 AM Lunch (on your own)
12:50 PM Defense Examination
Aaron Wright (Crash Expert)
Direct Exam: Michael S. Murray
Cross Exam: Steven B. Goff Amy M. Risseeuw
1:20 PM Defense Examination
Chas (Charles) Baldwin (Witness who saw rollover)
Direct Exam: Jeffrey T. Nichols Cross Exam: Patrick C. O'Neill
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
2:45 PM Defense Examination
Dave (David) Green (Reconstruction Engineer)
Direct Exam: Andrea P. Goode Cross Exam: Christine Bremer Muggli
3:25 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
4:40 PM Panel Discussion
Craig A. Christensen, Frederick J. Strampe
4:55 PM Jury Deliberation
5:45 PM Verdict/Panel Discussion/Questions to Jury
6:05 PM Program Concludes
- 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.