Francesca Gatto

Francesca Gatto

Litigation, Associate Attorney

Professional Profile

Francesca Gatto is an Associate Attorney who assists with civil defense litigation, including personal injury, premises liability and subrogation.

While attending Marquette University Law School, Francesca competed in moot court and interned with the Milwaukee County Circuit Court.  Francesca was also a writing tutor as she earned her bachelor’s degree at UW – La Crosse.

Education and Distinctions
  • University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, B.A., 2023
  • Marquette University Law School, J.D., 2026
Professional Associations and Memberships
  • State Bar of Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin Defense Counsel
  • Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association
Bar Admissions
  • State of Wisconsin
  • Eastern District
Practice Areas

Stuart R. Deardorff

Stuart Deardorff

Stuart R. Deardorff

Mediator

Education and Distinctions
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.A., 1983
  • Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D., 1987, cum laude
Military Service
  • U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General Corps
Practice Areas

Daniel H. Yeh

Daniel Yeh

Daniel H. Yeh

Litigation, Associate Attorney

Professional Profile

Dan Yeh is an Associate Attorney whose practice focuses on civil defense litigation, including personal injury, premises liability, insurance coverage, and subrogation.  

While attending Marquette University Law School, Dan participated in moot court, was a graduate assistant for an appellate writing and advocacy course and served as president of the Asian Law Student Association.  Beyond his client work, Dan is actively involved in the broader legal community and serves as a volunteer coach for moot court teams at Marquette University Law School.

Education and Distinctions
  • Southern Methodist University, B.A., 2019
  • Marquette University Law School, J.D., 2025
Professional Associations and Memberships
  • State Bar of Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin Defense Counsel
  • Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association
Bar Admissions
  • State of Wisconsin
  • Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • Western District of Wisconsin
Practice Areas

Jackson T. Thiel

Jackson Thiel

Jackson T. Thiel

Litigation, Associate Attorney

Professional Profile

Jackson Thiel is an Associate Attorney who assists with a wide range of insurance defense matters including personal injury, premises liability, transportation claims, and insurance coverage disputes.  Jackson takes pride in clear, thoughtful communication, while providing his clients with effective representation both inside and outside of the courtroom. 

During law school, Jackson was the Comment Editor for Marquette University Law School’s Intellectual Property & Innovation Law Review.  He also completed internships with the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.  While obtaining his bachelor’s degree at University of Wisconsin-Madison, he interned with the Federal Government. 

Education and Distinctions
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.S., 2021
  • Marquette University Law School, J.D., 2024
Professional Associations and Memberships
  • State Bar of Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin Defense Counsel
  • Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association (Board Member)
Bar Admissions
  • State of Wisconsin
  • Eastern District of Wisconsin
Practice Areas

Michelle D. Johnson

Michelle Johnson

Michelle D. Johnson

Litigation, Associate Attorney

Professional Profile

Michelle Johnson is an Associate Attorney at Simpson & Deardorff, S.C. Michelle practices in all areas of insurance defense, including insurance coverage disputes.  Michelle has litigated numerous cases throughout Wisconsin and tried more than a dozen jury and court trials, including auto accidents, construction site accidents, and property damage cases.  Michelle has also successfully briefed and argued summary and declaratory judgment motions related to insurance coverage.  She is known for her strong brief writing and oral advocacy skills.

Michelle began practicing with Simpson & Deardorff in 2003.  She stepped away from the practice of law in 2012 to raise her three children and returned to S&D in 2023.

Education and Distinctions
  • Colorado State University, BA, 2000
  • University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., 2003
Awards
  • Wisconsin Rising Star 2006-2010
Professional Associations and Memberships
  • State Bar of Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin Defense Counsel
Bar Admissions
  • State of Wisconsin
Practice Areas

Nicholas S. Harkness

Nick Harkness

Nicholas S. Harkness

Litigation, Associate Attorney

Professional Profile

Nick Harkness is an Associate Attorney at Simpson & Deardorff, S.C.  Nick is an experienced litigator, practicing in all areas of insurance defense including liability, coverage, and transportation.  With over five years of dedicated practice, Nick has shown that he can deliver comprehensive defense strategies that minimize risk and exposure, protecting his client’s interests.

Nick has participated in jury and bench trials and has engaged successfully in motion practice, mediations, and direct negotiations to provide the best possible outcome for his clients.

Education and Distinctions
  • Marquette University, B.A., 2019
  • Marquette University Law School, J.D., 2021
Professional Associations and Memberships
  • State Bar of Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin Defense Counsel
  • Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association
Bar Admissions
  • State of Wisconsin
Practice Areas

Jennifer M. Burns

Jennifer Burns

Jennifer M. Burns

Litigation, Associate Attorney

Professional Profile

Jennifer is an Associate Attorney at Simpson & Deardorff, S.C.  Her practice encompasses all areas of insurance defense, with a primary focus on insurance coverage.  She has been involved in successful appellate work and is known for persuasive motion practice that has led to dismissals, summary judgments, and other favorable rulings. 

Jennifer uses thoughtful judgment, careful attention to details, and strong analytical skills in every case she handles, with a focus on attaining ideal outcomes for our clients. 

Education and Distinctions
  • Marquette University, B.A., 2002, magna cum laude
  • Hamline University School of Law, J.D., 2006, cum laude
Professional Associations and Memberships
  • State Bar of Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin Defense Counsel
Bar Admissions
  • State of Wisconsin
  • Eastern District of Wisconsin
Practice Areas

Maria B. Krause

Maria Krause

Maria B. Krause

LITIGATION, SHAREHOLDER ATTORNEY

Professional Profile

Maria Krause is a Shareholder at Simpson & Deardorff, where her practice specializes in insurance coverage, personal injury, commercial trucking, and construction litigation. She represents clients throughout the state of Wisconsin in state and federal court, including at the appellate level. Maria is known for her dedicated client advocacy and detail-oriented approach, which extends to all areas of her practice.

Maria is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School where she was a member of the Wisconsin Law Review. She also interned at the Wisconsin Supreme Court and was selected as a competitor on the law school’s international moot court team. Prior to law school, Maria obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Maria joined Simpson & Deardorff in 2019 and has been a Shareholder since 2025. She has presented on legal education topics related to insurance coverage and litigation in Wisconsin, including for the State Bar of Wisconsin.

Rated by Super Lawyers


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Education and Distinctions
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.A., 2014
  • University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., 2019
Awards
  • Wisconsin Super Lawyers-Rising Star, 2026

Professional Associations and Memberships
  • State Bar of Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin Defense Counsel
  • Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association
  • The Gavel – Vetted Wisconsin Member
Presentations/Publications
  • Timely Payment of Claims and Section 628.46 of the Wisconsin Statutes, State Bar of Wisconsin We’ve Got You Covered: Insurance Coverage in Wisconsin, October 2025
Bar Admissions
  • State of Wisconsin
  • Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • Western District of Wisconsin
Practice Areas

Nicole R. Radler

Nicole Radler

Nicole R. Radler

LITIGATION, SHAREHOLDER ATTORNEY

Professional Profile

Nicole Radler has over a decade of experience providing strategic and effective defense for a wide range of clients that include individuals, their businesses, and their insurance companies against complex coverage disputes, liability matters, and broader litigation. She has a specific interest in the creative problem solving that emanates from insurance coverage litigation and frequently counsels insurance companies with respect to extracontractual exposure and first- and third-party claims for many product lines, including primary and excess commercial general liability, commercial and personal property, business auto and cargo liability, professional liability, errors and omissions, employer’s liability, and employment-related practices liability.

Beyond her client work, Nicole is actively involved in professional organizations and the broader legal community. She serves as Program Chair on the Wisconsin Defense Counsel’s Executive Committee. Nicole has always been a staunch advocate for fostering the growth of young lawyers, having previously chaired the Wisconsin Defense Counsel’s Young Lawyer Committee and Website & Social Media Committee. Notably, Nicole has earned recognition from her peers as a “Rising Star” for Wisconsin Super Lawyers annually since 2019. Nicole contributes to legal education and discourse, delivering presentations at various events including the We’ve Got You Covered Seminar for the State Bar of Wisconsin over the past several years.

Rated by Super Lawyers


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Education and Distinctions
  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, B.S., B.A., 2012
  • Marquette University Law School, J.D., 2015
Awards
  • Wisconsin Super Lawyers-Rising Star, since 2019
  • Wisconsin Defense Counsel Distinguished Professional Service Award, 2023
  • Wisconsin Defense Counsel Litigation Skills Committee Award, 2024
  • Wisconsin Defense Counsel Insurance Law Committee Award, 2025
Presentations/Publications
  • What We Want to Know from Seasoned Attorneys, Wisconsin Defense Counsel Annual Conference, August 2022
  • Navigating Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Wisconsin, State Bar of Wisconsin We’ve Got You Covered: Insurance Coverage in Wisconsin, October 2023
  • Coverage Case Update, State Bar of Wisconsin We’ve Got You Covered: Insurance Coverage in Wisconsin, October 2024
  • Timely Payment of Claims and Section 628.46 of the Wisconsin Statutes, State Bar of Wisconsin We’ve Got You Covered: Insurance Coverage in Wisconsin, October 2025
Professional Associations and Memberships
  • State Bar of Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin Defense Counsel (Executive Committee – Program Chair)
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association
  • The Gavel – Vetted Wisconsin Member
Bar Admissions
  • State of Wisconsin
  • Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • Western District of Wisconsin
Practice Areas