Back to State Bar 2016 Election Officer Candidates.

Candidate for Judicial Council Representative

Jesse B. Blocher

Shareholder, Habush Habush & Rottier S.C., Waukesha
Email: jblocher@habush.com
www.electjesseblocher.com

Platform Statement

I would be honored to have your vote to serve on the Judicial Council. I believe I would be well suited for the council because of my dedication to legal scholarship, background as a trial lawyer representing individuals, businesses, and insurance companies, and interest in emerging issues as technology alters the practice of law.

• I feel strongly that my skill in legal writing and commitment to continuing education would make me an excellent fit for the council, which is charged with researching rules of "pleading, practice and procedure" to make recommendations on proposed changes. Wis. Stat. § 758.13. I have drafted numerous appellate briefs, authored articles and other works (including State Bar publications), spoken at seminars, and volunteered my time coaching moot court competitors at Marquette University Law School.
• I am a Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, having tried numerous civil cases on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants. I understand the importance of fairness in procedural and evidentiary rules to all parties, and have the practical experience needed to appreciate the effect of proposed changes.
• As the practice of law evolves in this "digital age," I have great interest in aiding the discussion of issues relating to e-discovery, electronic filing, and accommodation of technology in the courtroom. While I enjoy incorporating new advancements into my practice, I also realize the importance of ensuring that our members, regardless of their technological proficiency, continue to have cost-effective and simple access to the court system.

Biography

I am a civil trial lawyer and shareholder at Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. ®. In my career, I have handled and successfully litigated numerous matters on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants in civil courts throughout the state, including several jury trials on both sides. I am board certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. I also have substantial experience authoring party and amicus briefs in successful appeals before the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and Wisconsin Supreme Court.

In addition, I dedicate a significant amount of time to continuing education. I have authored several publications, including two articles in the Wisconsin Lawyer in 2015, and portions of the forthcoming edition of the Wisconsin Attorneys Desk Reference. For a time, I served as editor of "The Counsel," a quarterly journal published by the Civil Trial Counsel of Wisconsin (now Wisconsin Defense Counsel or "WDC"). I also volunteer regularly to speak at seminars on topics related to civil litigation, including those sponsored by the State Bar. Finally, I have enjoyed coaching appellate moot court teams at Marquette University Law School for the last nine years, helping law students obtain valuable practice skills.

Education

• Juris Doctor, Marquette University Law School, summa cum laude, 2006
• Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 2003

Experience

• Attorney, Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. ®, 2010-present
• Attorney, Kasdorf, Lewis & Swietlik, S.C., 2006-2010
• Law Clerk, Gutglass, Erickson, & Bonville, S.C., 2004-2006

Professional Memberships and Associations

• State Bar of Wisconsin
• American Bar Association
• American Association for Justice
• Wisconsin Association for Justice
• Wisconsin Association for Justice, Amicus Committee
• Waukesha County Bar Association
• Milwaukee County Bar Association
• Former member, Civil Trial Council of Wisconsin (now “WDC”)

Publications

• Wisconsin Attorneys Desk Reference, Chapters 11 and 13, State Bar/Pinnacle, 2016 (forthcoming)
• Earn Your Stripes, Part 2: How to Get Through a Civil Trial, Vol 88, No 9, Wisconsin Lawyer 2015
• Earn Your Stripes, Part 1: How to Get Civil Trial Experience, Vol 88, No 8, Wisconsin Lawyer 2015
• Injury Cases: What You Need to Know About Insurance, BW 50+, 2012
• Injury Cases: What You Need to Know, BW 50+, 2012
• Is the “Drive Other Car” Exclusion the Exception that Swallowed the Stacking Rule?, 35 THE VERDICT 1 (Winter 2012)
• Limiting Damages in Fire Loss Cases with an Enhancement of Damages Defense, 7 THE COUNSEL 11 (Spring 2009)

Seminars Given

• You Can Do It! Civil Trial Essentials for Young Lawyers, State Bar/Pinnacle, Annual Conference, 2015
• Use of Exhibits at Trial With and Without Technology at Trial, Wisconsin Association for Justice Spring Seminar 2015
• Tort Update, Wisconsin Association for Justice, Fall Seminar, 2014
• Tort Update, Wisconsin Association for Justice, Fall Seminar, 2013
• ERISA Liens/Complex Lien Resolution, National Business Institute (NBI), 2013
• The Collateral Source Rule: Is the Fight Over?, 2013 Pinnacle/State Bar Litigation, Dispute Resolution, and Appellate Practice Institute
• Personal Injury Practice Pointers for Dealing with the Collateral Source Rule, 2013, Marquette University Law School Litigation Summit
• The Dos and Don’ts of Discovery, Wisconsin Association for Justice, Fall Seminar 2011
• Bridging the Gap Between the Classroom and the Courtroom, 2007 Marquette University Law School Symposium

Honors/Awards

• Board Certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy
• “Up and Coming Lawyer,” Wisconsin Law Journal (2013)
• Super Lawyer, Milwaukee Magazine, (2013-15)
• Rising Star, Milwaukee Magazine (2011, 2012)
• AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating, Martindale Hubbell
• Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers (2012)
• Editor of “The Counsel,” publication of the Wisconsin Defense Counsel (“WDC,” formerly Civil Trial Counsel of Wisconsin) (2009-10)
• Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel Quarterly (FDCC) Student Editor and Scholarship Recipient (2005-06)
• Associate Editor, Marquette Law Review (2004-06)
• National Moot Court Competition, Third Best Brief, Regional Finalist, American Bar Association (2006)
• National Moot Court Competition, Regional Semi-finalist, New York City Bar Association (2005)
• Dean’s List, Marquette University Law School (2003-06)

Other

• Moot Court Coach, Marquette University Law School (2007-present), NYC Bar National Moot Court Competition, ABA National Moot Court Competition
• Guest Speaker at Waukesha North High School (2011-present) for Law and Mock Trial classes