About Michael Lee
Michael Lee Bertling took a steady, traditional route into the law. He earned a B.S. at the University of Wisconsin before completing his J.D. at Marquette University Law School in 1983, where his studies concentrated on criminal justice. The years in school established the groundwork for a career spent in courtrooms and client meetings rather than on academic detours.
After graduating in 1983 he began practicing in Wisconsin. His professional life has been anchored in that state ever since. Over time he developed a practice shaped by courtroom work and adversarial proceedings. He is a member of the Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, a connection that reflects an ongoing involvement in trial practice and the state’s litigation community.
Bertling’s approach is practical. He combines legal research and preparation with a readiness to present matters in court. That combination has guided the types of matters he handles and how he prepares for them. Colleagues and clients have come to expect a methodical preparation for hearings and trials and an emphasis on clear presentation of facts and law at each stage of a case.
In day-to-day practice he handles criminal matters and related litigation. His academic background in criminal justice informs his understanding of procedural and evidentiary issues. He has represented clients through arraignments, pretrial proceedings, and trials. Outside the courtroom he has worked on motions, negotiated resolutions when appropriate, and managed the detailed discovery tasks that many criminal and trial matters demand.
Bertling remains active in the Wisconsin legal community. His membership in the Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers keeps him connected with peers who try cases in state courts. He continues to accept new matters in Wisconsin and spends his time preparing cases for trial and representing clients at all stages of criminal proceedings. His current practice concentrates on criminal law and courtroom advocacy in Wisconsin.
