Marissa L. Santiago

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Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Jean DiMotto enthusiastically nominated assistant district attorney Marissa Santiago as an Up and Coming lawyer:

“She is a poised and elegant prosecutor with an extremely pleasant in-court style that is well received by courts, juries, court staff and opposing attorneys. She is a skilled trial attorney who is able to think quickly on her feet, giving the court legal arguments that are informative, on point and delivered succinctly and with aplomb.” The praise is particularly noteworthy in that Santiago has been handling drug prosecutions before Judge DiMotto only since February.

Santiago spent the first three years of her legal career in two different firms, primarily doing insurance defense, but also worker’s compensation law and corporate litigation.

In the fall of 2008, she joined the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office, and was assigned to prosecuting domestic violence cases. After a year-and-half there, she was assigned to Judge DiMotto’s court, prosecuting controlled substance offenses.

A fitness buff, Santiago also runs marathons and teaches yoga, zumba, and cardio kickboxing at the YMCA.

What is your favorite U.S. Supreme Court opinion?

Brown v. Board of Education (1954).

What do you consider to be the most overrated virtue?

Patience.

What was the first CD you bought with your own money?

Janet Jackson, “Janet” (1993).

How many countries have you visited? Which ones?

Three: Mexico, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

Who is your favorite historical figure?

Thurgood Marshall.

Who is your favorite writer?

Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

What is your greatest fear?

None.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Purses.

What was your worst law school course?

Contracts.

What word in the English language do you wish you had invented?

Yay!