It is with heavy hearts that we announce the unexpected passing of our founding partner, Jessa Nicholson Goetz. She was a brilliant attorney, devoted mother, and someone who fought injustice wherever it was found. She won more of those fights than she lost. Jessa passed away too soon, leaving a legacy that will live on in all those whose lives she affected.
An overachiever, Jessa graduated from the University of Michigan at the ripe-old-age of 20 and was practicing law by 23. As a criminal defense attorney in Madison, Wisconsin, she quickly rose to prominence, becoming one of the best trial attorneys in the state, if not the nation. Her courtroom prowess was unrivaled; she was a mixture of technical precision and swashbuckling style, all perched atop a pair of six-inch heels. Often imitated, she was never duplicated. Truth be told, no one came close.
Jessa was passionate about indigent defense, taking difficult and complex cases that others wouldn’t. She often represented clients with severe mental illness, showing them dignity and respect when the broader world did not. She was a voice for the voiceless, and a steadfast champion for those who had nowhere else to turn. She also relished mentoring other lawyers, and was determined that everyone should know this craft and do it right. For Jessa, the law wasn’t just a job, it was a calling that demanded and deserved nothing less than fearless, zealous advocacy.
Beyond her professional achievements, Jessa had a personality that lit up a room. She was incredibly funny, generous to a fault, and fiercely loyal. She never once found herself in a situation that couldn’t be perfectly summarized by a Taylor Swift or Ani DiFranco lyric. Everything she needed to know she learned from watching The West Wing. And if you disagreed, God help you.
Jessa loved the law. But her greatest joy was her family. After facing significant challenges with infertility, she was blessed with two young children through surrogacy—the lights of her life. She was an extraordinary mother who loved her children above all else. Her dedication to them was absolute, and her love will continue to guide and protect them.
Jessa Nicholson Goetz will be remembered as a trailblazer in the legal community, a loyal friend, and as a loving wife and mother. Her memory will be cherished by her family, friends, and the countless lives she touched and improved through her unwavering commitment to justice.
Nicholson is a member of the Wisconsin bar and belongs to a number of organizations, including:
You can reach her at jessa@nglawyers.com, or by calling 608-237-6854.
In addition to the national media attention Nicholson’s 2015 double homicide trial brought, she has handled a number of high profile cases and is comfortable navigating the often complicated relationship between an accused person and the press. Nicholson has handled several cases that have garnered widespread media attention. Nicholson’s work has been discussed in The New York Times, she has been quoted as a legal expert in the Wall Street Journal as well as locally in both Wisconsin television and print media. Feature articles have been written about Nicholson in both the Wisconsin State Journal and the Capital Times, and she authored a column for Wisconsin Lawyer Magazine in 2013 discussing the challenging topic of representing an “unpopular” defendant in a high profile case. She was retained by Channel 3000 to be their paid exclusive legal expert during the Rittenhouse trial, while also lending her perspective to National Public Radio’s nationwide audience.
In September 2021 the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers created an award to honor lawyers that were able to successfully secure an acquittal for felony sexual assault cases, which are some of the most challenging cases to defend. The award is named the Kuchler-Nicholson-Stilling award, after Donna Kuchler, Kathy Stilling, and…you guessed it. Both Donna Kuchler and Kathy Stilling were winding down their practices at the time, while Jessa was only 38 at the time the award was named. They were each presented with an honorary award part of being its namesake. Not one to rest on the laurels of an honorary award, Jessa won her first KNS award in January of 2022 for an acquittal on 3rd degree sexual assault in Brown County.
You can reach her at jessa@nglawyers.com, or by calling 608-237-6854.
In addition to the national media attention Nicholson’s 2015 double homicide trial brought, she has handled a number of high profile cases and is comfortable navigating the often complicated relationship between an accused person and the press. Nicholson has handled several cases that have garnered widespread media attention. Nicholson’s work has been discussed in The New York Times, she has been quoted as a legal expert in the Wall Street Journal as well as locally in both Wisconsin television and print media. Feature articles have been written about Nicholson in both the Wisconsin State Journal and the Capital Times, and she authored a column for Wisconsin Lawyer Magazine in 2013 discussing the challenging topic of representing an “unpopular” defendant in a high profile case. She was retained by Channel 3000 to be their paid exclusive legal expert during the Rittenhouse trial, while also lending her perspective to National Public Radio’s nationwide audience.
In September 2021 the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers created an award to honor lawyers that were able to successfully secure an acquittal for felony sexual assault cases, which are some of the most challenging cases to defend. The award is named the Kuchler-Nicholson-Stilling award, after Donna Kuchler, Kathy Stilling, and…you guessed it. Both Donna Kuchler and Kathy Stilling were winding down their practices at the time, while Jessa was only 38 at the time the award was named. They were each presented with an honorary award part of being its namesake. Not one to rest on the laurels of an honorary award, Jessa won her first KNS award in January of 2022 for an acquittal on 3rd degree sexual assault in Brown County.
In addition to receiving praise from colleagues, Nicholson is regularly asked to teach Continuing Legal Education courses for other attorneys in her field. Nicholson has taught courses for the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Wisconsin State Public Defender, the Dane County Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association, the Wisconsin State Bar, and has guest lectured at the University of Wisconsin Law School. Nicholson is a faculty member at the Wisconsin Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Trial College, and has recently been the faculty member that teaches on what is arguably the most dynamic part of a trial – closing arguments. Nicholson has been asked by Dane County judges to sit on committees to reform treatment courts in Wisconsin.
Nicholson has also had substantial success litigating pre-trial motions, receiving favorable rulings with respect to piercing rape shield law, suppressing evidence, severing crimes/charges, and excluding prior bad acts, all of which have served to protect her clients’ rights to a fair trial.
Nicholson is highly regarded by her clients, as well. A small sample of client testimonials speaking to Nicholson’s work can be found here.
Nicholson graduated magna cum laude from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, with undergraduate degrees in Economics and History of Art (2003.) Nicholson made the Dean’s List and graduated cum laude from the University of Wisconsin – Madison Law School in 2006.
Nicholson is a member of the Wisconsin bar and belongs to a number of organizations, including:
When Nicholson isn’t working, she still finds herself drawn to criminal law and legal issues. Nicholson coached high school mock trial for a number of years, and now acts a “judge” in both mock trial and moot court proceedings at the high school, college, and law school levels. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, James, and their two dogs, Avon and Alibi.
You can reach her at jessa@nglawyers.com, or by calling 608-237-6854.
