Dean is a trial attorney who is dedicated to representing clients in personal injury cases. His interest in the law began at a young age, when he read a book about lawyers at age 10. Born in Marshfield, Wisconsin, Dean comes from a family with deep roots in Wisconsin agriculture, including his grandfather, who was the President of the Wisconsin Farmers Union, and his father, who held the position of Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture.
Dean pursued a degree in Agricultural Business Management and was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Agriculture fraternity at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he met his wife, Laurie, and became a lifelong Badger fan. After working as a Bank Loan Officer, Dean returned to UW-Madison to earn an M.B.A. before obtaining his law degree. During law school, Dean and his wife served as "houseparents" for a sorority, providing housing for around 50 women on the shore of Lake Mendota.
Dean is an experienced trial attorney who is passionate about representing clients in court. He enjoys the challenge of presenting his clients' cases to a jury and counts Trials as the most exciting and satisfying aspect of his work. Dean takes pride in his attention to detail and is committed to helping his clients navigate the legal system with confidence. He loves getting good results for his clients and knowing he has helped them get through a difficult part of their life.
Outside of work, Dean enjoys many outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting, golf, tennis, boating, ATV'ing, snowmobiling, and gardening. He has been involved in many civic organizations, including serving as the President of the River Falls Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Foundation Board of the Chippewa Valley Technical College, and being on the Board of Directors of the River Falls Community Foundation. He loves to travel and counts Greece as his favorite destination so far. In his home office, he has a 48" Northern Pike caught in Manitoba, Canada, hanging on the wall.
BAR ADMISSIONS
State Bar of Wisconsin
United States District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
EDUCATION
J.D., M.B.A., B.S.; University of Wisconsin-Madison
HONORS
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating LexisNexis/Martindale-Hubbell
Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist by NBTA
Certified in Civil Pretrial Practice Advocacy by the NBTA
Wisconsin Super Lawyers 2006-2007, 2011-2012, 2016-2023
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America 2015-Present
Nation's Top One percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2015-present
Top 100 Wisconsin. Trial Lawyers American Trial Lawyers Association
The Best Lawyers in America® 2021-2023
Order of Centurions, 100 or more jury trials to verdict
MEMBERSHIPS
St. Croix Valley Bar Association
State Bar of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Association for Justice
American Association for Justice
United States District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
Trial Law Institute
Diversity Law Institute
Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America plus Certus:
Barrister, Order of Centurions
Advocate, Order of Certus
Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys
REPORTED CASES
Neff v. Pierzina, 2001 WI 95, 245 Wis. 2d 285, 629 N.W.2d 177
Peters v. Menard, Inc., 224 Wis. 2d 174, 589 N.W.2d 395 (1999)
Milton v. Washburn Cty., 2011 WI App 48, 332 Wis. 2d 319, 797 N.W.2d 924
Minnesota Fire & Cas. Ins. Co. v. Paper Recycling of La Crosse, 2001 WI 64, 244 Wis. 2d 290, 627 N.W.2d 527.
Fifer v. Dix, 2000 WI App 66, 234 Wis. 2d 117, 608 N.W.2d 740
Heaton v. Mountin, 2000 WI App 45, 233 Wis. 2d 154, 607 N.W.2d 322
Halverson v. River Falls Youth Hockey Ass'n, 226 Wis. 2d 105, 593 N.W.2d 895 (Ct. App. 1999)
Rentmeester v. Wisconsin Lawyers Mut. Ins. Co., 164 Wis. 2d 1, 473 N.W.2d 160 (Ct. App. 1991
