--- title: "Nicholas McNamara | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/nicholas-mcnamara-judge-dane-county-circuit-court-wi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # Nicholas McNamara Dane County Circuit Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Dane County Circuit Court - State: Wisconsin - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### camera notice Scope: statewide Wisconsin SCR 61 asks media to give the trial judge advance notice before bringing cameras or recording equipment into the courtroom. Evidence excerpt: the trial judge shall be given notice, at least 3 days in advance [Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/scrule/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=1099) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### courtroom equipment control Scope: statewide Wisconsin SCR 61 leaves courtroom equipment placement, lighting, and use subject to trial-judge control. Evidence excerpt: Only equipment approved by the trial judge in advance of the court proceeding may be used [Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/scrule/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=1099) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote hearing notice Scope: statewide Wisconsin's court system instructs parties that courts will notify them when a hearing is remote and provide joining instructions. Evidence excerpt: The court will send you instructions on how to join your remote hearing by video or by phone. [Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/zoom.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote hearing technology Scope: statewide Wisconsin remote-hearing guidance tells participants to contact the clerk promptly if they lack reliable internet or phone access. Evidence excerpt: Contact the clerk of circuit court as soon as possible. [Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/zoom.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/circuit/judges.htm) - [Official roster](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/circuit/judges.htm) - [Wisconsin Court System official judicial roster](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/circuit/judges.htm) - [Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/scrule/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=1099) - [Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/zoom.htm) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/nicholas-mcnamara-judge-dane-county-circuit-court-wi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/nicholas-mcnamara-judge-dane-county-circuit-court-wi", "name": "Nicholas McNamara | KnowJudges", "description": "Nicholas McNamara, Dane County Circuit Court. 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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@ ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-36fa3f826227447b1512eede) — 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](https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/scrule/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=1099). Collected 2026-07-26.