2026 Spring Conference 

Registration Information:

Member Registration Instructions:

  • Login using your WDC Username/Password
    • If you have not yet received your login info: Select "Retrieve Username" and enter your email. Please be sure to use the same email associated with your current WDC membership. Following the retrieval of your username, on the login page, enter your username in the username box, then select "Reset Password." 
  • Once logged in, complete the Spring Conference Registration form as instructed.
Non-Member Registration Instructions:
  • Select "Retrieve Username" and enter your email. If you do not receive an email, it is because your email is not on file, and you will need to create an account.
    • To create a new account, go back to the form and follow the prompts for "New Users"
  • Following the retrieval of your username, on the login page, enter your username in the username box, then select "Reset Password" and con
  • Once logged in, complete the Spring Conference Registration form as instructed.
View the 2026 WDC Spring Conference Registration Brochure here.
View the 2026 WDC Spring Conference Program Booklet here.
 
 

Event Details

Date:
Thursday, April 23, 2026 - Friday, April 24, 2026

Location:
The American Club
419 Highland Drive
Kohler, WI 53044

Event Description

The Wisconsin Defense Counsel will be hosting their Spring Conference on April 23-24th, 2026 at the American Club.

Please let the office know if you have any questions at this time:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 414-276-1881

Program Chair: Nicole Radler, Simpson & Deardorff, S.C.

CLE Credits: 6.0 WI CLE Credits will be applied for.

Hotel Reservations Information: Call the American Club at 844-409-5614 and reference Reservation 586088 to reserve your room. A special rate of $256 for single/double occupancy is available. Please notify the reservation department that you are with the Wisconsin Defense Counsel (WDC) 2026 Spring Conference.

WDC Room Block Deadline: March 23, 2026, 5:00 PM CST

Click here to view the attendee list.  Attendee list is updated weekly.

Each attendee will receive one drink ticket at the Thursday evening Cocktail Reception. A cash bar will also be available. 

Program Agenda

Thursday, April 23, 2026

12:30 PM
Registration

12:50 - 1:00 PM
Opening Remarks

1:00 - 1:50 PM
Defending the Defenses: Protecting Privileged Communications in Insurance and Bad Faith Litigation
Jonathan Schwartz, Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP

1:50 - 2:00 PM
Break

2:00 - 2:50 PM
Untangling the Coverage Knot: Presenting Complex (and Simple) Coverage Arguments to Trial and Appellate Courts
Alexander C. Lemke & David McCormack, Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. 

 

2:50 - 3:00 PM
Break

3:00 - 3:50 PM
What Actually Won the Case: Inside a Defense Verdict in a Recent Civil Trial
Joseph Mirabella, Simpson and Deardorff, S.C. and Judge Zachary A. Wittchow, Waukesha County Circuit Court

4:00 - 5:30 PM
Cocktail Reception - Each attendee will receive one drink ticket.  A cash bar will also be available.

Friday, April 24, 2026

8:15 - 9:00 AM
Continental Breakfast

9:00 - 9:50 AM
Beyond the Diagnosis: Understanding Concussions and Headaches in Personal Injury Litigation
Dr. Sepehr B. Sani, Sponsored by WDC Corporate Sponsor - Woodlake Medical Management

9:50 - 10:00 AM
Break and Award Presentation

10:00 - 10:50 AM
The Latest in Appraisal
Erik Gustafson, von Briesen & Roper, S.C.

10:50 - 11:00 AM
Break and Award Presentation

11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Playing Defense at 30(b)(6) Depositions 
Fred Strampe, Borgelt, Powell, Peterson & Frauen, S.C.

11:50 AM
Adjourn