Appellate Attorney – Tracey Wood – Tracey Wood & Associates

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Fresh eyes and breaking down the basics are how Tracey Wood has operated her appellate practice for over 30 years.

Wood, the managing partner of Tracey Wood & Associates, specializes in criminal defense, DUI defense and criminal appellate work.

“If my kids, when they were in middle school, wouldn’t be able to understand what I was writing, it probably was a bad brief,” Wood said. “It’s important to break it down. Frankly, a lot of legal can be extremely boring. As much as possible, you want to make it not boring and make it interesting.”

Her approach is rooted in remembering that there are real humans on both sides of the case who can’t possibly do everything right, making it the job of a good appellate lawyer to see what should have and could still be done.

“Appellate work makes you a better trial attorney. Once you’re a trial attorney, you can understand what the appeal lawyer is looking for,” said Wood, a sentiment she shares with law clerks and young lawyers at her firm.

In addition to leading the firm, Wood is a past president of the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Dane County chapter. She is recognized as the first attorney in the state to be appointed to the Board of Regents for the National College for DUI Defense.