08/11/2025
With heavy hearts, 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.
