Program Directors
Mark E. Larson
Gutglass Erickson Larson & Schneider, S.C.
Milwaukee
Steven L. Nelson
von Briesen & Roper, S.C.
Milwaukee
Edward J. Vopal
Habush, Habush & Rottier, S.C.
Green Bay
Moderator
Michael P. Crooks
von Briesen & Roper, S.C.
Madison
Presiding Judge
Hon. Eugene A. Gasiorkiewicz
Racine County Circuit Court
Racine
Panelists
Patrick W. Brennan
Crivello Nichols & Hall, S.C.
Milwaukee
Steven T. Caya
Nowlan Law LLP
Janesville
Rick J. Mundt
von Briesen & Roper, S.C.
Madison
Don C. Prachthauser
Murphy & Prachthauser, S.C.
Milwaukee
For the Plaintiff
Allan M. Foeckler
Cannon & Dunphy. S.C.
Brookfield
Michael W. Gill
Hale, Skemp, Hanson, Skemp & Sleik
La Crosse
Jerome A. Hierseman
End, Hierseman & Crain LLC
Milwaukee
Robert L. Jaskulski
Habush, Habush, Rottier, S.C.
Milwaukee
Robert J. Kasieta
Kasieta Legal Group LLC
Madison
Amy M. Risseeuw
Peterson, Berk & Cross S.C.
Appleton
For the Defense
Mark T. Budzinski
Corneille Law Group LLC
Green Bay
James R. Clark
Foley & Lardner LLP
Milwaukee
Douglas S. Knott
Leib Knott Gaynor LLC
Milwaukee
Michael L. Johnson
Otjen Law Firm, S.C.
Waukesha
Heather L. Nelson
Everson, Whitney, Everson & Brehm, S.C.
Green Bay
Brent P. Smith
Johns, Flaherty & Collins, S.C.
La Crosse
8:00 AM Introductory Remarks by ABOTA President Ann C. Emmerich
8:05 AM Seat Jury/Remarks from Judge
Hon. Eugene A. Gasiorkiewicz
8:10 AM Opening Statementsa
Plaintiff: Robert L. Jaskulski
Defense: Michael L. Johnson
8:50 AM Examination of Plaintiff – Jennifer Haese (Plaintiff)
Direct Exam: Jerome A. Hierseman
Cross Exam: Heather L. Nelson
9:35 AM Plaintiff Examination of David Taylor – (Safety Director)
Direct Exam: Michael W. Gill
Cross Exam: Douglas S. Knott
10:00 AM Panel Discussion
Patrick W. Brennan, Steven T. Caya
10:15 AM Break
10:30 AM Plaintiff Examination of Witness – Bob Vincent (Plaintiff Accident Reconstruction)
Direct Exam: Allan M. Foeckler
Cross Exam: James R. Clark
11:05 AM Plaintiff Examination of Witness - Mike Boehm (Plaintiff Trucking Expert)
Direct Exam: Amy M. Risseeuw
Cross Exam: Brent P. Smith
11:45 AM Panel Discussion
Patrick W. Brennan, Steven T. Caya
12:00 PM Lunch (on your own)
1:00 PM Defense Examination of Defendant – (Alan McCarthy)
Direct Exam: Michael L. Johnson
Cross Exam: Robert L. Jaskulski
1:40 PM Defense Examination of Witness - Deputy Brian Decker
Direct Exam: Heather L. Nelson
Cross Exam: Michael W. Gill
2:10 PM Defense Examination of Defense Expert – Daniel Parker (Defense Accident Reconstruction)
Direct Exam: James R. Clark
Cross Exam: Allan M. Foeckler
3:00 pm Panel Discussion
Don C. Prachthauser, Rick J. Mundt
3:15 PM Break
3:30 PM Instruct Jury
3:40 PM Closing Arguments
Plaintiff: Robert J. Kasieta
Defense: Mark T. Budzinski
4:20 PM Panel Discussion
Don C. Prachthauser, Rick J. Mundt
4:35 PM Jury Deliberation
5:45 PM Verdict/Panel Discussion/Questions to Jury
6:00 PM Program Concludes
- Learn from experienced lawyers in Wisconsin by seeing them in action
- Review the litigators’ strategies and watch how the judge handles the proceedings
- Discover effective tactics for examining and cross-examining witnesses
- Witness compelling opening and closing statements
- Gain insight into jurors’ perspectives by observing deliberations and post-verdict interviews
- 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
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*Discount applies to both print and digital Books UnBound editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through 12/31/25. 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.
As a woman drives down a county road on her way to pick up fast food, a truck driver is backing his tractor-trailer onto the same road at a very slow rate of speed. The two vehicles collide, resulting in serious injuries. The woman files suit alleging the truck driver was negligent and that the trucking company failed to properly train the driver. The driver and trucking company assert that the crash was caused by the plaintiff’s excessive speed and inattentive driving. The jury will be asked to allocate fault among the parties.
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.