About Emma L.
Emma L. Guthrie earned her law degree from Marquette University Law School in 2021, following undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse where she completed a B.A. in English, Philosophy and Legal Studies in 2018. Her academic record shows a steady engagement with the humanities and legal thought. Coursework and extracurricular activity at Marquette placed her in classrooms and clinics that emphasize courtroom practice and client counseling.
Guthrie’s early legal work began while she was still in law school. She worked as a law clerk at Birdsall Obear & Associates in 2019, gaining exposure to litigation preparation and client intake. After graduation she returned to Birdsall Obear & Associates as an associate in 2021. That role moved her from supportive tasks into direct responsibility for drafting pleadings and managing portions of case files.
In 2022 Guthrie joined the Van Severen Law Office, S.C., as an associate criminal defense lawyer. There she handled pretrial motions, negotiated pleas and appeared in court on behalf of clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges. Her work involved interviewing witnesses, reviewing police reports and coordinating with investigators. The following year she accepted an associate position at Kaehne & Barrette Criminal Defense Firm, where her caseload continued to center on criminal matters and trial preparation.
Guthrie is licensed to practice in Wisconsin. Her professional path has been built largely in criminal defense settings. She has experience across the lifecycle of criminal cases: initial client interviews, discovery review, motion practice and courtroom advocacy. Colleagues describe her as methodical in preparing files and attentive to client concerns in stressful circumstances.
She now practices at Kaehne & Barrette, S.C., where she represents clients in state criminal matters. Her current practice focuses on criminal defense at trial and in pretrial proceedings.
