Michelle L. Jacobs

Direct: 262-241-0056

Michelle L. Jacobs

Direct: 262-241-0056

Bar Admissions
Wisconsin

Court Admissions
United States Supreme Court
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
Eastern District of Wisconsin
Western District of Wisconsin
Central District of Illinois
Northern District of Illinois
Southern District of Indiana

Education
B.S., UW – Madison
J.D., UW Law School

Michelle is a founding partner and co-owner at Biskupic & Jacobs. Her primary focuses are criminal defense, appellate litigation, and complex civil litigation.

Before starting Biskupic & Jacobs, Michelle spent two years in private practice at one of Milwaukee’s largest law firms. Prior to that, she served for 17 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Wisconsin, including as the United States Attorney in 2009. She held positions in that Office including First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Criminal Chief, and Appellate Chief. Michelle also taught grand jury practice, appellate advocacy, federal practice, and many other courses at the Department of Justice’s National Advocacy Center.

In her spare time, Michelle enjoys playing ice hockey, cooking, gardening, and CrossFit.

Professional Experience

  • Has personally handled more than 25 jury trials and argued more than 100 federal civil and criminal appeals.
  • Successfully tried complex criminal cases involving trade secrets, prohibited technologies, and the prohibited export of military technologies.
  • Obtained dismissal of federal lawsuit brought under federal Torture Victim Protection and Alien Tort laws and successfully defended the judgment on appeal.
  • Served as a law clerk to the Hon. Gilbert S. Merritt (6th Cir.).

Honors & Publications

  • Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association Judge Robert W. Warren Public Service Award  (2019).
  • Best Lawyers in America© for Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White Collar (2016-21).
  • Wisconsin “Super Lawyer” in Criminal Defense.
  • Milwaukee Business Journal “Women of Influence” (2013).
  • Wisconsin Law Journal “Women in the Law” (2009).
  • U.S. Department of Justice Award for Superior Performance (1999).

Other Activities

  • Federal Defender Services of Wisconsin Board of Directors.
  • Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Committees for Civil and Criminal Jury Instructions.
  • Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Rules Committee.
  • Local Rules Committee for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
  • Executive Board of the Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association.
  • Fairchild Inns of Court, Seventh Circuit Bar Association, Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association, and Ozaukee Bar Association.
  • Fellow of the Wisconsin Law Foundation.
  • Taught courses for the U.S. Department of Justice at the National Advocacy Center, the State Bar of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

1045 West Glen Oaks Lane
Suite 200
Mequon, WI 53092
262-241-0033