Nicholas McNamara at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Wisconsin · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Nicholas McNamara
Judge · Dane County Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- Nicholas J. McNamara is a nonpartisan judge for Branch 5 of the Dane County Circuit Court in Wisconsin, serving since 2009 and re‐elected in 2022 for a term ending August 1, 2028
- In 2025, McNamara was named the University of Wisconsin Law School’s Adjunct Teacher of the Year for outstanding classroom, clinical, and adjunct instruction
- McNamara rejoined the University of Wisconsin Law School adjunct faculty in 2020, teaching Evidence and lecturing on criminal procedure, advanced criminal practice, and clinical internships
- He has also served two terms as Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division in Dane County Circuit Court
Education
- University of Wisconsin Law School — J.D. (1993)
- (Honors), University of Iowa — B.A. (1987)
Additional information
- He previously taught Trial Advocacy from 1999–2008
- The sole attorney for 55 jury trials, securing three verdicts over $1 million, including Wisconsin’s largest personal injury verdict in 2007
- Fulbright Scholar, studied philosophy in Germany, 1987–88
- Also a frequent presenter at judicial and attorney continuing education programs, with recent topics including actuarial instruments in judicial decision‐making, criminal sentencing, and complex jury trial issues
- Before joining the judiciary, McNamara was a trial attorney and shareholder at Habush, Habush & Rottier, S.C. for 16 years, specializing in plaintiffs’ personal injury cases — including auto, general negligence, care facility liability, product liability, and medical malpractice — and successfully settling more than 600 cases
- McNamara presides over a busy criminal docket, having handled over 200 jury trials in his career, most involving criminal matters at all levels of seriousness
- Law clerkships with Judges Susan R. Steingass and George W. Northrup
- His current judicial administrative service includes roles on the Wisconsin Criminal Jury Instructions Committee, the Planning and Policy Advisory Committee (PPAC) for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Court Research and Justice Statistics Advisory Committee, and the Dane County Criminal Justice Council
- Current contact: nicholas.mcnamara@
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Camera Notice
Statewide
Wisconsin SCR 61 asks media to give the trial judge advance notice before bringing cameras or recording equipment into the courtroom.
the trial judge shall be given notice, at least 3 days in advanceWisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings ↗
Courtroom Equipment Control
Statewide
Wisconsin SCR 61 leaves courtroom equipment placement, lighting, and use subject to trial-judge control.
Only equipment approved by the trial judge in advance of the court proceeding may be usedWisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings ↗
Remote appearances
Statewide
Wisconsin's court system instructs parties that courts will notify them when a hearing is remote and provide joining instructions.
The court will send you instructions on how to join your remote hearing by video or by phone.Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources ↗
Statewide
Wisconsin remote-hearing guidance tells participants to contact the clerk promptly if they lack reliable internet or phone access.
Contact the clerk of circuit court as soon as possible.Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings
Dane County Circuit Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Wisconsin Court System official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View Wisconsin Court System official judicial roster ↗Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings ↗Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources ↗