Bruce Rosen
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(608) 268-5567
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(920) 882-7630
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(608) 257-2508

Criminal Defense Attorney Bruce Rosen is currently serving in an of counsel capacity at Murphy Desmond S.C. after practicing law in Wisconsin for over 50 years.
Bruce's legal career included successfully representing individuals and companies in Federal and State criminal investigations and prosecutions. He worked with clients on an array of criminal matters and represented licensed professionals before licensing bodies. Bruce received numerous legal honors and accolades on local and national levels throughout his career. He served as a regular presenter at the UW Law School and at conferences for criminal defense attorneys in Wisconsin.
An active community volunteer, Bruce continues his long-standing support of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Dane County as a member of the Board of Directors. He served as BBBS Chair of the Board in 2017.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Wisconsin, 1971
- District of Hawaii, 1997
- Western District of Michigan, 1995
- United States Supreme Court, 1985
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1985
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1985
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1984
- U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin, 1971
EDUCATION
- University of Wisconsin Law School, Madison, Wisconsin, 1971, J.D.
- University of Wisconsin Law School, Madison, Wisconsin, 1968, B.A. History
Awards & Recognition
- Madison Lawyer of the Year - Criminal Defense White Collar, Best Lawyers in America (2013)
- Madison Lawyer of the Year–Criminal Defense Non-White Collar, Best Lawyers in America (2012)
- Best Lawyers® in America – Criminal Defense (1986 - 2026)
- Best Lawyers® in America – Criminal Defense – White Collar (1986 - 2026)
- Wisconsin Super Lawyers – Criminal Defense (Past)
- Rated AV (Top rating) by Martindale-Hubbell/lawyers.com
- Nation’s Top 1% (2015)
- “Top Lawyer” – Criminal Defense, Madison Magazine (2003, 2006, 2009)
Associations and Memberships
- Wisconsin State Bar Association, Member (1971-present)
- Dane County Bar Association, Member (1977-present)
- Office of Lawyer Regulation, Special Investigator, Appointed by Chief Justice Abrahamson of the Wisconsin Supreme Court (2001-2012)
- Office of Lawyer Regulation, District Committee Nine, Investigator (1987-1995)
- Federal Nominating Commission, Member, Appointed by U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (2007)
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers , Member (1979-present)
- Dane County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Member (1997-present)
- Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member (1995-present)
- UW Law School Remington Center for Clinical Programs, Board Member (2015-present)
- Dane County Bar Association Mentorship Program, Mentor (2007)
- Wisconsin State Bar Association – Criminal Law Section, Member (1996-2000)
- Wisconsin State Bar Association – Professional Ethics Committee, Member (1994-2000)
Community Involvement
- Building Committee of Hillel Center at U.W. Madison
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County, Board of Directors (1999 - 2003); Vice President of the Board (2015 - 2016); Chair of the Board (2017); Board Member (2025)
- Goodman Campus MJCC Site Committee, Chair (2007)
Seminal Cases
- United States Supreme Court
- U.S. v. Mechanik, 475 U.S. 66, 106 S. Ct. 938, 89 L. Ed.2d 50 (1986). Government misconduct before a grand jury
- Wisconsin Supreme Court
- State v. Hajicek, 2001 WI 3, 240 Wis.2d 349, 620 N.W.2d 781 (2001). Legality of “probation searches”
- State v. Dr. James Thiel, 2003 WI 111, 264 Wis.2d 571, 665 N.W.2d 305 (2003), 7-0 reversal. Seminal case on ineffective assistance of counsel