Ross a ‘warrior’ in fight for justice

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Maura Ross is an advocate and force to be reckoned with in the courtroom.

As an assistant public defender in the Milwaukee Juvenile and Mental Health Office, she works with a variety of cases every year. These primarily include work on cases involving a Child in Need of Protection and/or Services, juvenile delinquency or termination of parental rights.

“I can’t say enough about Attorney Ross’ skill as a litigator and as a defense attorney in general,” said Ross’ colleague, Larissa Dallman, in her nomination letter. “She is the kind of attorney who isn’t scared of a fight, who works tirelessly to get her clients the best outcomes in any case that we face here at Children’s Court, and is full of passion for what we do in the public defender’s office. She is an absolute warrior and I am so lucky to fight alongside her every day.”

Ross’ calm yet confident demeanor is something she puts to use every day and she is known to never back down from any obstacle. Notably, Ross has been involved in the litigation of several sexual-assault cases.

“When I started at the Public Defender’s Office, I used to tell everyone how much I loved my job,” Ross said. “In the last year or so I’ve begun describing my feelings towards my job differently.

“I’m not happy every day at my job — honestly some days I don’t even like my job because seeing how the criminal justice system works from the inside can be devastating. But it’s never boring.

“Now, when people ask me about my job, I tell them that it is the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life, but it is also the most rewarding,” she added. “At the end of the day, when I sit down and think it over, I can’t picture myself doing anything else. I can’t imagine doing this work without the support of my amazing co-workers.”