2026 Winter Conference

Registration Information:

Member Registration Instructions:
  • Login using your WDC Username/Password
    • If you have not yet received your login info: Select "Retrieve Username" and enter your email. Please be sure to use the same email associated with your current WDC membership. Following the retrieval of your username, on the login page, enter your username in the username box, then select "Reset Password."
  • Once logged in, complete the Winter Conference Registration form as instructed.
Non-Member Registration Instructions:
  • Select "Retrieve Username" and enter your email. If you do not receive an email, it is because your email is not on file, and you will need to create an account.
    • To create a new account, go back to the form and follow the prompts for "New Users"
  • Following the retrieval of your username, on the login page, enter your username in the username box, then select "Reset Password" and con
  • Once logged in, complete the Winter Conference Registration form as instructed.
Register Now!
 
View the 2026 WDC Winter Conference Registration Brochure here.
View the 2026 WDC Winter Conference Program Booklet here.

 

Event Details

Date: Friday, December 11, 2026

Location:
Marriott Milwaukee West
W231N1600 Corporate Ct.
Waukesha, WI 53186

Event Description: The Wisconsin Defense Counsel will be hosting their Winter Conference on December 11, 2026 at the Milwaukee Marriott West.
We hope that you will consider joining us in-person on December 11, 2026.
Please let the office know if you have any questions at this time:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 414-276-1881

Program Chair: Brian Anderson, Everson, Whitney, Everson & Brehm, S.C.

CLE Credits: 6.0 WI CLE, including 3.0 Ethics Credits have been applied for.

Hotel Reservations: Book your room at the Milwaukee Marriott West for the Wisconsin Defense Counsel 2026 Winter Conference at the special group rate of $159 per night. Click the link or call 800-228-9290 to reserve your room and please notify the reservation department that you are with the Wisconsin Defense Counsel (WDC) 2026 Winter Conference.


WDC Room Block Deadline: November 16, 2026

Click here to view the attendee list. Attendee list is updated weekly.

Program Agenda

8:15 AM
Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:55 AM
Opening Remarks

9:00-9:50 AM
Ethical Issues with the Tripartite Relationship- A Panel Discussion
Moderator: Christine Rice, Simpson & Deardorff
Panelists: Thomas Donnelly, Grady, Hayes & Neary LLC;
Melita Mullen, Bell Moore & Richer, S.C.;
Kayla Giese, Rural Mutual Insurance Company

9:50-10:00 AM
Break
Sponsored by Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C.

10:00-10:50 AM
WILMIC 2025-2026 Parade of Perils: Review of Policyholder Grievances and Related Ethical Rules and Malpractice Claims
Matt Beier & Brian Anderson, Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company

10:50-11:40 AM
You Posted What?! Social Media Investigation and Use of Obtained Evidence
Katherine Cortesy, Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice S.C.; Matt Stippich, Digital Intelligence

11:40 AM-1:00 PM
Lunch

1:00-1:50 PM
What Should I Do? Working Through Common and Uncommon Ethical Quandaries in Practice
Dan McGrath & Reese Sarnowski, Davczyk & Varline LLC

1:50-2:40 PM
Raising Awareness on Razing Property: Experiences from Updated Raze Order Law in Wisconsin
Erik M. Gustafson, von Brisen & Roper, s.c.

2:40-2:50 PM
Break
Sponsored by Weiss Law Office, S.C.

2:50-3:40 PM
The Claims File in Litigation: Privilege, Work Product, and Discoverability
Andrew Hebl, Austin Doan, & Taylor Anderson, Boardman Clark

3:50 PM
Adjourn