Norton, Thomas F.

After graduating magna cum laude in three years from the University of Michigan with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and History of Art, and cum laude from the University of Wisconsin - Madison Law School, Nicholson hit the ground running, winning both her first bench trial (a reckless driving traffic ticket) and her first jury trial (a seven count felony case involving charges of battery, sexual assault, bail jumping, and intimidation of a witness) at age 24, just eight months into her trial practice. Nicholson quickly developed a reputation in the courtroom and around town for being a fighter. Dane County deputies have reported that the word in the jail says "If you want a trial, hire Jessa Nicholson".

Nicholson has received professional acclaim, including being featured in a front-page article in the Wisconsin State Journal (read about her here) and being awarded the Dane County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Warrior Award in 2010, given to one member of the local bar each year for outstanding work in the field of Criminal Defense.

In 2013, Nicholson was granted the Martin Hanson award from the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, which is given out only to attorneys who have achieved the feat of earning a full acquittal (not guilty on all counts) in a homicide trial.

Nicholson has a trial record to back up her reputation, winning acquittals at jury trial in cases involving operating while intoxicated (OWI), battery, aggravated battery, 1st degree recklessly endangering safety, substantial battery, felon in possession of a firearm, sexual assault, bail jumping, battery, intimidation of a victim/witness (both felony and misdemeanor), extortion/threats to injure, particularly sensitive crime of 1st degree sexual assault of a child, and OWI Homicide and Homicide by Use of Restricted Controlled Substance. Nicholson has also received verdicts on lesser-included offenses, sparing clients of the lifetime stigma of felony convictions, and in one instance, avoiding a mandatory life sentence associated with a charge of 1st degree intentional homicide.

While a talented trial attorney, Nicholson understands the stress that trials can place on defendants, both emotionally and financially. Nicholson therefore focuses energy on aggressive pre-trial litigation. Nicholson has, through filing motions to suppress, motions to pierce rape shield, motions to dismiss, and other pre-trial litigation, succeeded in winning dismissals prior to trial on charges of disorderly conduct, hit & run, manufacture/deliver THC and cocaine, 2nd degree sexual assault/use of force, 2nd degree sexual assault/intoxicated victim, 1st degree sexual assault of a child, 4th degree sexual assault, OARs, and various municipal violations.

Nicholson has handled all types of criminal and traffic matters, from simple speeding tickets to 1st degree intentional homicides. Nicholson is comfortable dealing with the pressures associated with high profile cases, and is familiar with dealing with the press.