Liesl E. Nelson

Liesl Nelson brings 3 decades of public defender experience, a passion for justice, and a reputation for advocacy that protects the most vulnerable in our communities.



Career Highlights


• Former Assistant State Public Defender primarily assigned to Pierce & St. Croix Counties, where she represented clients in a broad spectrum of criminal, juvenile, mental health, child protection, and supervision revocation cases.

• Spearheaded and actively supported multiple problem-solving court initiatives
, including Treatment Courts and Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils.

• Founding member of the Pierce and St. Croix County Treatment Courts, helping reshape local approaches to justice

• Board member of Wisconsin Association of Treatment Courts since 2007, with experience as president, treasurer, chair of the Education Committee, and member of the committee rewriting Wisconsin’s Treatment Court Standards

• Served on the Pierce and St. Croix County Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils, collaborating with judges, prosecutors, and other county agencies and stakeholders to improve outcomes in criminal and civil matters

Practice and Leadership

• Dedicated to criminal defense work rooted in compassion, communication, and client-centered representation


• Believes in humanizing clients beyond the charges, working to ensure voices are heard and stories are respected


• Draws on interdisciplinary collaboration and community-based solutions to pursue meaningful justice

Liesl’s commitment reflects a clear conviction: your story matters, your future matters, and you deserve a defense that understands how much is at stake.

Super Lawyer - 2022