We have an outstanding reputation for giving a voice to the voiceless and getting results in the courtroom.
Not every lawyer has the experience or expertise needed to guide you through serious legal matters. A law license doesn’t always mean a case will be handled with skill and care. Choosing the right Wisconsin attorney is an important step toward protecting your future. At Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C., each attorney brings significant courtroom experience to help you navigate your case with confidence.
Choosing an attorney with a record of success in cases similar to yours is the best way to ensure that he or she has the experience and in-depth knowledge to achieve the best possible results for you.
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.
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.
Not every lawyer has the experience or expertise needed to guide you through serious legal matters. A law license doesn’t always mean a case will be handled with skill and care. Choosing the right Wisconsin attorney is an important step toward protecting your future. At Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C., each attorney brings significant courtroom experience to help you navigate your case with confidence.
Choosing an attorney with a record of success in cases similar to yours is the best way to ensure that he or she has the experience and in-depth knowledge to achieve the best possible results for you.
Family law disputes are fraught with tension, often leading to poor decisions and years of arguments over money and “who gets the kids when.” In many cases, it can feel like the person with the strongest attorney will win, because the law is flexible, the judge has discretion and, thus…
Federal cases begin with an investigation by whichever federal agency is bringing the charges. Many agencies have their own process. For example, an IRS investigation of tax evasion may look very different from an investigation by the FBI for a kidnapping charge.
When facing a criminal charge, your future is too important to entrust it with just anyone, and the police are not on your side. If you have been accused of a crime in Dane County or the surrounding area in Wisconsin, you need a criminal defense attorney who will take forceful action on your behalf.
It’s a situation nobody ever imagines themselves in: being accused of sexual assault. But it happens daily in America. For nearly countless reasons, both men and women find themselves accused of taking things too far. At Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C., in Madison, we represent people who ..
Our attorneys do not simply pay lip service to trial skills. Each attorney at Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C., has significant courtroom experience. Our office has handled thousands of cases, and our attorneys are in Wisconsin courtrooms every day.
We are lawyers in the trenches, devoting our working hours to mastering the rules of evidence, case law knowledge, and written and oral communication skills that set our representation apart from other firms because of the level of preparation and quality put into each case and client we handle. And, perhaps most importantly, our pretrial and trial records reflect winning results for our clients.
Criminal defense, including OWI charges, traffic violations, drug charges, homicide, sex crimes and other felony and misdemeanor charges
Family law litigation , including divorce, child support, paternity and restraining order matters
Temporary restraining orders and injunctions, including harassment, domestic abuse and child abuse
Attorney Hoffman secured an acquittal at trial for two counts of First Degree Sexual Assault of a Child.
