SponsorsBecome a SponsorThe Wisconsin Defense Counsel (WDC) invites you to become a Sponsor for 2023. We have three types of Sponsorship available this year including Corporate Sponsor, Legal Sponsor and Conference Sponsor.
Questions? Contact the WDC office at 414-276-1881 or [email protected]
In business since 1925, Acuity protects the financial well-being of families, individuals, employees, and businesses throughout Wisconsin and in 26 other states across the country. We write a wide array of personal lines insurance coverages, including home and auto, and commercial products, including property, liability, auto, and workers’ compensation.
With over $4 billion in assets and more than $2 billion in policyholders’ surplus, Acuity has earned A+ (“Superior”) strength ratings from both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. Acuity has been named to the Ward’s 50 list of top-performing insurance companies for the last 19 years, putting the company in the top 2 percent of insurers nationwide. Acuity believes in supporting local communities. Guided by the Acuity Charitable Foundation, we donated more than $1 million to worthy causes over the past year. We also believe in being a good employer, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because happy employees deliver the best customer service. Our commitment to our corporate culture is the reason we have received consistent recognition as a top employer, including being named to the Forbes list of America’s Best Mid-Size Employers in 2018 as well as The Best Employers for Women and Diversity.
At American Family, we’re dedicated to inspiring, protecting and restoring our customers’ dreams. As the nation's 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group with 2800+ independent contractor agents, we are proud to serve our customers with American Family-brand products, including auto, homeowners, life, business and farm/ranch insurance across 19 states. American Family affiliates (The General and Homesite) also provide options for consumers who want to manage their insurance matters directly over the Internet or by phone.
Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C. is a Madison law firm serving clients throughout Wisconsin since 1851, providing high quality, outcome-focused and cost-effective legal services. We have a reputation for vigorously defending lawsuits and a successful track record of trying cases in a wide range of civil claims, including personal injury, medical malpractice, insurance coverage, municipal liability, real estate, construction defects, etc. We are retained by the top insurance companies to represent their insureds who have been sued. We are also retained by businesses and individuals directly to protect their interests. Our trial lawyers are frequently acknowledged by their peers as among the best attorneys in the state.
Boardman & Clark LLP is one of the largest and oldest law firms based out of Madison, Wisconsin. The firm serves a wide variety of clients in nearly all areas of civil law, and features a deep and diverse litigation practice group that has successfully tried hundreds of cases on behalf of individuals, businesses, and insurance companies in federal and state courts throughout Wisconsin and nationwide.
Borgelt, Powell, Peterson & Frauen, S.C. maintains its core practice representing the insurance industry while also counseling railroads, private businesses, municipalities, and individuals. The firm offers a diverse insurance defense practice including worker’s compensation law, first party property and casualty law, assisted living litigation, product liability law, auto and homeowner law, complex coverage questions, bad faith, torts, personal injury, commercial law, employment relationships, environmental and toxic torts, medical and professional malpractice law, railroads, corporations, municipal law, and construction law. The firm also handles subrogation, statutory liens, mediations, and arbitrations.
Brown & Jones Reporting and Veritext Legal Solutions have recently united bringing together unsurpassed service, advanced technology, international scope and superior court reporters. Our shared commitment to innovation, teamwork and the pursuit of excellence grows stronger with this partnership. Together, we proudly offer expertise in remote proceedings and new technologies (including exhibit sharing, instant scheduling features and a powerful online repository), unmatched-in-the-industry HIPAA and PII compliant data security coverage, and access to 136+ brick and mortar locations throughout North America equipped with state-of-the-art deposition suites. It's our honor to serve you and support the Wisconsin Defense Counsel
Corneille Law Group, LLC is a law firm created for the purpose of litigating civil cases. While many firms boast of being “litigators”, they provide only vague reference to actual trial performance. At Corneille Law Group we stand ready to prepare and try your case, and believe our trial record and experience is a testament to our ability to efficiently prepare cases for successful resolution. In addition, effective trial skills and the willingness to enter the courtroom often result in better settlements for those clients who prefer to negotiate a pre-trial settlement.
Crivello, Nichols & Hall, S.C. is a full-service litigation firm serving Wisconsin for over 70 years. Its attorneys specialize in trial, appeal, mediation, and arbitration.
For nearly a century, insurance defense has been the core business of Cross Jenks Mercer & Maffei LLP. Our defense team has a proven record of litigation success defending property and casualty claims, bad faith claims and coverage disputes. Let us show you the benefit that a century of insurance defense experience affords.
CTLGroup merges science with law when the discovery of cause is paramount. Our construction defect litigation clients are defendants at-risk and plaintiffs at-loss. We deliver scientific proof and engineering testimony in failure, construction accident, collapse and catastrophic disaster cases. The Oklahoma City Bombing and the World Trade Center Attack are among the disastrous events we’ve investigated. CTLGroup’s construction litigation support teams provide the same care and attention on less-publicized cases, effectively applying our technical expertise for the benefit of our clients.
ESi is an engineering investigation and analysis firm uniquely positioned to meet the varied and often specialized needs of our clients. Our consultants pair technical expertise with in-depth industry knowledge to ensure that we are responsive and relevant in the services we provide. With highly qualified personnel and state-of-the-art test facilities, labs, and equipment, ESi provides clients with access to our full range of engineering capabilities, and can assemble the right team for virtually any project.
ESi Capabilities Information ESi Live
For more than 100 years, The Everson Law Firm has represented clients facing a wide variety of legal issues in northeast Wisconsin and beyond. We are proud to note that in 1923 one of our firm’s founders filed the Articles of Incorporation for the Green Bay Football Corporation. We are even prouder of our firm’s history of hiring Attorney Jane O’Melia in the early 1940’s. Attorney O’Melia was the first female attorney practicing in the 14th District at that time. When The Everson Law Firm elevated Attorney O’Melia to partner, she was the first female partner at a law firm in Brown County. Our firm's practice areas have grown over the years to include family law and criminal defense, but The Everson Law Firm’s earliest roots have been deeply implanted in insurance defense. Our experienced team of trial attorneys provides valuable legal expertise and guidance to individuals and organizations facing lawsuits as well as to the insurance professionals who assist their insureds throughout the claims process
Gass Turek LLC is Wisconsin’s premiere trial boutique, handling civil cases across Wisconsin and the United States. The prospect of trial energizes us, informing our strategy from the beginning of a case. We use our trial lawyer’s focus and perspective to partner with our clients to creatively, efficiently and strategically resolve their most complex litigation. We handle a wide variety of civil matters, including catastrophic injury, products liability, construction, commercial, securities, and insurance disputes across industries. We pride ourselves in providing the highest quality representation expected of the largest firms, with the care, personal attention, consistency, and economies of a small firm. You can trust our team to fearlessly handle your most difficult legal challenges.
For over 30 years, we have focused our practice in the field of litigation, from trials to appellate level representation. Every case deserves a thorough defense and we are committed to providing our clients with experienced, aggressive, and economical representation. No case is too small to defend and each gets the attention it deserves. For our work, the firm has received an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell, connoting a “very high to preeminent” rating on both our legal abilities and ethical standards. We pride ourselves on the recognition we have received from the legal community and deliver respected representation to our clients, day in and day out.
Jim Mathie established Mathie Mediation Services in 2016. Since devoting his entire practice to mediation, hundreds of attorneys have retained his services to mediate their disputes. Jim’s four-office downtown Milwaukee suite provides ample space for any mediation. Jim also travels throughout Wisconsin – at no travel expense – to mediate cases. So, if it works best to have a mediation where you are, Jim will accommodate. Before mediating fulltime Jim litigated cases for 30 years, primarily defending clients in personal injury, property damage, product liability, environmental, construction and transportation lawsuits. His varied background also includes stints as a plaintiff personal injury attorney and in-house counsel for a major insurer. He is a past president of WDC. Mathie Mediation Services LLC
McCarthy Mediations LLC offers three potential services to Attorneys and their law firms: First, mediation service for any type of civil lawsuit. Admittedly, I have more experience in personal injury than other types of suits, but believe I can mediate any type of civil suit.; Second, an independent case overview/evaluation, involving liability issues as well as damages; Third, risk management evaluation of your firm's practices compared to today's best practices.
MDD Forensic Accountants is a global forensic accounting firm that regularly provides litigation services and expert witness testimony in courts and arbitrations. We also frequently provide assistance during the discovery process, mediations and during settlement discussions. Time and again, our assessments have stood up to the scrutiny of cross-examination, making us the choice of both plaintiff and defense counsel in the United States and beyond. In the United States, all of our partners and senior managers are Certified Public Accountants. Many are also Certified Valuation Analysts and Certified Fraud Examiners. Our international professionals hold similar qualifications in their respective countries. With more than 40 offices on 5 continents - and extensive language capabilities, our exceptional dedication and uniquely qualified professionals are the hallmarks of our firm. For more information, please contact any one of our offices or visit us at mdd.com.
Founded by lawyers and for lawyers in 1982, Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company (MLM) has provided risk management services for the legal community, including lawyers’ professional liability insurance, for 35 years. MLM strives to be an efficient, accountable and permanent practice management resource, exemplified by an AM Best rating of A- (excellent), and a consistent dividend return for the past 29 years. MLM has returned over $60 million to policyholders since our first dividend in 1988.
Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company Overview Lawyer's Guide to Starting a Law Practice 7 Critical Questions to Ask
Nash, Spindler, Grimstad & McCracken, LLP was originally established in 1872 and has been providing insurance defense services to industry clients for over 40 years. With its main office in Manitowoc, and satellite offices in Waukesha and Northern Wisconsin, Nash, Spindler, Grimstad & McCracken is able to assist clients in all legal matters throughout the State of Wisconsin. The firm has built a reputation of providing effective and quality representation to its insurance clients. Whether it is personal injury, product liability, commercial litigation, insurance coverage, or any other insurance related issue Nash, Spindler, Grimstad & McCracken has the experience and attorneys to get results when it matters most.
The Wisconsin Academy of Mediators & Arbitrators (www.WisconsinMediators.org) is the local chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, a professional association of attorneys distinguished by their hands-on experience in the field of civil & commercial conflict resolution and by their commitment to the practice of alternative dispute resolution. With over 900 members across the United States, the NADN is the largest free roster of experienced ADR attorneys online. Membership is by invitation only and limited to neutrals who have proven experience in the resolution of commercial & civil disputes. All members have been recognized for their accomplishments through a peer-nomination and client review process. NADN is pleased to partner with the national DRI organization in creating the DRI Neutrals Database, a members-only resource for defense counsel (www.DRI.org/neutrals)
The willingness and ability to try a case is paramount to a successful defense strategy. One Law Group, S.C.’s team of defense attorneys and paralegals are not afraid to try cases. We successfully defend insurers and insureds in a wide variety of claims ranging from auto, property and casualty, professional malpractice, bad faith, product liability and insurance coverage matters. Our defense team works with a wide variety of insurers and understands the importance of timely reporting and communication with both the file handler and insured. No claim is too large or too small, whether in litigation, appeal, arbitration, mediation or still in the claims phase. Our defense team has decades of experience in all matters for all sizes of insurers, from national carriers to small town mutuals.
Established in 1881, Otjen Law Firm, S.C. has been involved in the defense of healthcare providers in Wisconsin for decades. In addition to representing physicians, hospitals, and the Wisconsin Patients Compensation Fund in the defense of medical negligence claims, we have experience in virtually all types of medical negligence claims that can be brought against healthcare providers in Wisconsin.
Our general liability defense practice encompasses the areas of auto liability, premises liability, products liability, trucking claims, fire loss, environmental liability, toxic torts, and defense of non-medical professional claims. As evidenced by Otjen’s receipt of a Tier 1 ranking in both medical malpractice defense and personal injury litigation defense in the 2019 edition of Best Law Firms published by U.S. News & World Report, we have the expertise, ability and reputation necessary to consistently obtain quality results for our clients in high-stakes litigation.  Rimkus is a worldwide provider of engineering and technical consulting to corporations, insurance companies, law firms, and government agencies. Rimkus experts specialize in forensic consulting, dispute resolution and construction management services, solutions for the built environment, and human factors support for the consumer, industrial, and healthcare industries. For almost 40 years, the company’s professional engineers, architects, scientists, and technical specialists have been recognized for their commitment to service excellence by local, national, and international business communities. Rimkus operates more than 110 offices worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.rimkus.com.
A powerful resource in litigation for 50 years, S-E-A is a multi-disciplined forensic engineering, fire investigation, and visualization services company specializing in failure analysis. S-E-A’s full-time staff offers a complete investigative service, including mechanical, biomechanical, electrical, civil, and materials engineering, as well as fire investigation, industrial hygiene services, toxicology, visualization services, and a fully equipped chemical laboratory. These disciplines interact to provide thorough and independent analysis that will support any subsequent litigation. Should animations, graphics, or medical illustrations be needed, S-E-A’s visualization team can work closely with field staff to clearly depict what really happened.
Simpson & Deardorff, S.C. is one of the most highly respected civil litigation firms in Wisconsin’s legal community, frequently at the forefront of shaping legal issues that govern the litigation business. Our attorneys have been recognized repeatedly for their leadership, vision, and legal expertise. Specialties include insurance defense, coverage analysis, automobile liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, premises liability, safe place litigation, worker’s compensation, product liability, toxic tort, bad faith litigation, construction litigation, subrogation, propane litigation, and general litigation. With offices in Milwaukee and Green Bay, S&D provides client-focused representation statewide and takes pride in exceeding client expectations.
Skogen Engineering Group, Inc. are experts in the area of accident reconstruction, including product liability and structural matters.
 Steigerwaldt Land Services, Inc. is a full-service resource solution company established in 1957. We offer clients a wide range of appraisal, real estate, right-of-way, environmental, forestry, and land survey services. From vast tracts of forestland to small commercial lots, and even individual trees, our appraisers are experts in all aspects of property valuation.
TransPerfect Legal Solutions (TLS) empowers legal professionals to leverage AI, analytics and multi-language technology across e-discovery, forensic consulting, due diligence, privacy, managed review and staffing projects. TLS delivers software and service solutions to every Am Law 200 and Global 100 firm, and most Fortune 500 corporate legal departments.
Founded in 1904, von Briesen & Roper, s.c. is today more than 180 lawyers strong with offices throughout Wisconsin. Its Litigation and Risk Management Practice Group prides itself on delivering results for their clients, whether it involves formal litigation, administrative hearings, alternative dispute resolution, or creative dispute resolution techniques outside of the formal litigation context. They have successfully represented businesses of all sizes and individuals in pre-trial and trial proceedings in state and federal courts across the country, and at all levels of appeals. von Briesen’s Litigation and Risk Management attorneys have the trial experience, business sensibilities and strategic vision to give clients the advantage they need to come out on top.
The attorneys at Weiss Law Office, S.C., offer their clients more than 60 years of successful combined experience in serving the needs of Wisconsin’s insurance industry. We concentrate our practice on the complete representation of the insurance industry, from drafting policies, to advising on claims handling, to defending claims and lawsuits, to seeking subrogation. Our representation spans almost every part of the business of insurance companies. We represent our clients in a variety of cases, including: Insurance coverage, Insurance defense, Insurance subrogation, and civil litigation & appeals.
 Created by Wisconsin lawyers in 1986 to protect the financial security of lawyers like themselves and the clients they serve, Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company (WILMIC) continues to demonstrate a leading commitment to Wisconsin's legal community. Thousands of attorneys and their firms across the state rely on WIMLIC for quality professional liability insurance coverage, superior claims administration, risk management and customer service. Discounted and part-time rates available. Contact Tom Watson at 608-824-1700 or at [email protected] for more information.
*NEW* - WMI now offers a 10% personal home and auto discount to all WDC members! For over 115 years, WMI has provided personal lines insurance in Wisconsin and recently expanded to Minnesota. Working with independent agents, we prioritize exceptional customer service and a personalized approach that builds trust in our insurance process and long-term partnerships. At WMI, every call is answered by a live person, ensuring prompt call handling, and directing customers to the right WMI specialist. While we value the human touch, we also offer a variety of convenient online tools. To meet evolving policyholder needs, we focus on growth and innovation. This includes introducing recent coverage enhancements and endorsement options for our personal lines auto, home, umbrella, and farm policies. We take pride in supporting and growing in the small to medium-sized farm market, which are crucial to Wisconsin and Minnesota communities. In commercial insurance, we specialize in small to medium-sized residential accounts and small artisan contractors, providing tailored coverage and expertise to these businesses. |
