Dane County Circuit Court Judge Nicholas J. McNamara has been named the University of Wisconsin Law School’s 2025 Adjunct Teacher of the Year.
Judge McNamara received the recognition on April 16 during the law school’s annual Teacher of the Year awards ceremony, which recognizes outstanding classroom, clinical, and adjunct instruction. Judge McNamara, a 1993 graduate of UW Law School, rejoined the law school’s adjunct faculty in 2020.
Judge McNamara teaches Evidence and presents lectures in criminal procedure, advanced criminal practice seminars, and clinical internship programs. He previously served on the UW Law adjunct faculty from 1999 to 2008, teaching Trial Advocacy and Litigation in General Practice.
“I’m thrilled that our students get to learn and hone their trial and oral advocacy skills from an experienced litigator and jurist,” Dean Dan Tokaji said during the ceremony. “Thank you, Judge McNamara, for returning to UW Law as a trusted advocate, teacher, and colleague.”
Judge McNamara began his judicial career in 2009 after practicing civil law as a trial attorney. He has served two terms as presiding judge of the criminal division in Dane County Circuit Court and has presided over more than 200 jury trials.
Before taking the bench, Judge McNamara was a trial attorney and shareholder with Habush, Habush & Rottier, S.C., where he practiced for 16 years. His practice focused on plaintiffs’ personal injury cases, including auto, general negligence, care facility liability, product liability, and medical malpractice matters.
Judge McNamara is also a frequent presenter at judicial and attorney continuing education programs. His recent presentations have focused on actuarial instruments in judicial decision-making, sentencing in criminal cases, and complex issues related to jury trials.
Third Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov